Israel's Magical Thinking

Submitted by Bob Barancik (United States), Jul 18, 2006 at 13:04

As a person living in the safety and quiet of Maine, it is really not my place to criticize Israel for violently retaliating against unprovoked attacks by her sworn enemies. But I must agree with Daniel's strategic assessment--what a waste of Israeli military credibility, financial resources, and diplomatic capital.

Ironically, the lethal air strikes on Hezbollah are the flip side of Oslo negotiations i.e. just another instance of magical thinking. The Jewish state seems to have misplaced much of her ability for cold calculation. Leveling Lebanon over the tragic kidnapping of several her soldiers was muddled thinking at best. It does not bring the boys home, but simply creates a field day for Israel bashers and editors looking for eye-catching headlines during the summer news doldrums. But make no mistake--if Israel is effectively dismembered by Islamic fascists over the next twenty years, we are next in line. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail in Jerusalem and the IDF in the future. One can only hope.

Bob Barancik Portland, Maine

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