People who complain about how the US saved Hezbollah at the end of Lebanon II often miss a more crucial point: throughout the entire conflict, Bush was leaning heavily on Olmert not to attack too much of Lebanon. Circumspection on the IDF’s part was demanded by the US, lest Israeli attacks destabilize Siniora’s regime. Israel was prevented from hitting many of the hard targets that Hezbollah had embedded in civilian areas – and there was always a yellow line marking how far north Israel could venture in hunting retreating Hezbollah forces.
Once the war started, there was always an implicit Catch-22 about Hezbollah’s role in Lebanese politics. The only way that there will ever be a non-confessional democracy in Lebanon is if Hezbollah is forcibly disarmed. The only way Hezbollah will ever be forcibly disarmed is Israel does it. But if the IDF forcibly disarms Hezbollah, then it looks like Saniora is being propped up by the evil Zionists. So the world pressured Israel to take the middle route, which of course is the worst of all worlds – bolster Hezbollah by attacking them but failing to finish the job. Nice.
Previously: Arba Fifth Column Watch – Lebanon II, Obviously, Lebanon Eroded Israel’s Deterrent, Hezbollah Probably Lost the War, But They May Never Have Been In It To Win
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