Monday, August 14, 2006

The Slippery Slope

Holding breath, crossing fingers and hoping upon hope that the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and UN Resolution implementation adhere and are sustainable. However, much is left in the wake of 1701 to be resolved and addressed. Timelines, conditions, expectations, shuttle diplomacy, negotiations, security measures, fall-throughs, economic aid, breakthroughs.

As leading Israeli columnist Nahum Barnea comments, One would have to be an eternal optimist to believe the agreement will be enforced as written. Barnea terms the agreement a significant political achievement for both Israel and the U.S. in theory and on paper. He's right. Let's see what happens next. There will undoubtedly be further skirmishing.

In separate commentary, Barnea writes that the latest conflict was characterized by three fronts: The diplomatic front, the Lebanese front and the home front. Israel lost two of three. Surprisingly, the diplomatic front was the gaining sector.

I'm not going anywhere with this other than to piece together some commentary and insight while sitting back watching and waiting. What else to do at this point?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, for God's sake. Israeli journalists have been falling over themselves to prove what a huge military catastrophe Israel just suffered.
There were, sure, mistakes in strategy and tactics, but a military defeat? I don't thtink that deep down even Nasrallah believes Hezbollah came out on top militarily.
For a more balanced and sober assessment than you're likely to get in the Israeli media, see


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,6-2311756,00.html

Stefanella said...

Dorf, right again. Military defeat, no. Hizbollah victory? Come on. That's a joke. But it's a "non-win" if you will on the military front. Huge win politically. I daresay it isn't over. tks for the link. Check out Bush's latest "rhetoric" vis a vis Iran...