The Seemingly Logical, but Naïve Advice of Pro-Israel Armchair Military Strategists
July 26, 2006, 11:57 am |
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By Bill Narvey
One thing in common amongst arm-chair military strategists is that they ascribe to the “war is hell” theory. So hell should be included in their theory when giving advice: Israel should lay down a rolling carpet of death and destruction in Lebanon as well as in Syria and Iran with planes, tanks and troops. These strategists have had no training or experience in war and military strategy, which necessarily must be developed and implemented with an eye to international relations, of which they have no experience and practical knowledge of either.
For a very great many of the world community who are not in any peril and know that the terrorists, Hezbollah and Hamas, are evil cowards for using human shields and deserve only death, they are so horrified by the loss and suffering of so many “innocent” Lebanese, they tend to forget that the fault lies solely with the terrorists and that the Lebanese are not so innocent.
Add to that other factors at play that weigh against Israel, such as anti-Semitism, a feckless U.N. that is stacked against Israel, an international media that too often focuses more on the tragedy of suffering rather than who is to blame for that suffering, casts Israel in a bad light or blames Israel, and that the interests of nations supportive of Israel and whom Israel needs as friends, are at risk of harm from a prolonged and bloody war in Lebanon. So the strategists are practically paralyzed from taking actions that should be geared to wiping out Islamic radicalism of every kind.
Arm-chair military strategists see truths simply for they indeed are simple enough to see and understand. These strategists however cannot or refuse to adequately, if at all, factor into their thinking the many other truths that are wrong, repugnant or both, in every sense. These other truths do exist however, and they make the simple truth that this world is no place for terrorists of all stripes, and are very difficult to deal with.
The reality therefore is that Israel has no choice but to weigh all these conflicting truth factors in the balance of their military strategy as she seeks to contend once and for all with her terrorist enemies and speedily usher them all to their Allah.
Related: Israel, Arab/Muslim World, War Against Islamo-fascism, Terrorist Groups, Anti-Semitism
July 26th, 2006 at 4:47 pm
I agree with you, generally. I’ve noticed some Pro-Israel bloggers hammering Olmert and wondering why the IDF and IAF aren’t obliterating Hezbollah the way they’d like to see it happen from their computer screens.
Others lock on to the number of civilian casualties as if this is the only gauge that should be used to temper military strikes. Typically, I believe, these kinds of comments ARE made by those inexperienced in war.
Being a “scuffed in” soldier/veteran with a background in American Foreign Policy, Political Psychology, and Military and Global Intelligence, I cannot think of a better way to describe it than to say, War is Hell. Therefore, I don’t fault anyone using that term, or anyone coming from that perspective. They need some way to get a handle on the concept of war – a concept they know only intellectually.
I believe it’s best to assure them that Israel is on top of her game, and she will kick ass as necessary. They also need to understand that in war, to win, one cannot be overly worried about civilian casualties. That’s just the nature of this thing called war. We do the best we can, but kicking ass is the way we win wars. Kicking ass also includes diplomacy and all the other factors that come into play.
July 26th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Bill Narvey,
Just because someone writes well doesn’t mean he’s pansy. We at
the-muslim-question.blogspot.com speak from experience. We not only fight wars and make strategy, we understand what underlies the people who we have to fight back. We know their weaknesses and strengths, and we know when to destroy them and where to destroy them. Muslims have proven to be a messy lot, they seem to be taunting us, asking us to kill their civilians so they can wave their dead in the press. Well, we may give them their wish. And we may kill their press as well. And their turncoat peace-keepers.
-Shlomo
July 26th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
I agree that Israel has to do what it has to do — completely demolish Hezbollah, and then do the same to Hamas. I just hope that the Jewish state will not be forced by external pressures into some type of half-assed solution that will just put things off, allow the Islamo-fascists to re-group, and then have this start all over again in 6 months or a year.
Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai gave her, at best, a very cold peace with Egypt (looked at any Egyptian newspapers lately?). Her withdrawal from Gaza was rewarded with a Hamas win in elections. Her withdrawal from Lebanon allowed Hezbollah to build up an arsenal of 13,000 rockets.
And, above all, remember what Oslo gave her: the worst wave of homicide bombings in Israel’s history.
Most of the Arab states have reluctantly come to the realization that war with Israel is completely suicidal. But the Palestinians obviously have not been convinced of that… yet.
The only viable solution is the complete and utter defeat of the Palestinians, so they know it practically, not just rationally. Utter defeat is what brought Japan and Germany to their senses, and human nature and history are still very relevant.
July 26th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Shlomo,
I am not clear on what you are getting at or what diffiuclty you have with my article.
I am not calling people who write well pansies. Where do you get that from?
Secondly, just who are you referring to when you use the word “we” to say that you are going to give MUslims their wish.
I presume by the way that in your referencing Muslims, it was a mis-speak and you intended to restrict your reference to Hezbollah, Hamas and other terrorist Muslim organzations and nations.
Lance & Publisher:
I think you also have misapprehended what I was saying. I thought it obvious that it will not be easy, if even possible for Israel to wipe out Hezbollah for a number of reasons, some of which are grounded in international relations, global politics and economics and the pursuit of self interests by other nations.
All I was getting at is that arm chair military strategists who ascribe to the War Is Hell So Hell It Shall Be theory of warfare where, if massive human collateral damage is necessary to defeat the enemy, so be it just as happened in WWII, do not recognize the world has changed and that there are some very real impediments Israel is having to face and deal with, which doubtless influences Israel’s strategy.
I thought my observation that I wrote about and expanded a bit on was pretty obvious and non-contentious. Perhaps I was wrong to assume that.
July 26th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
Bill,
I understand. No offense intended. I just felt like tugging your chain a bit. I DO agree with you.
I write this from my armchair, which is new, by the way.
Just remember, War Is Hell…LOL
Lance - A chimp off the old block