The conflict between Israel and the Hisbollah in Lebanon may influence U.S. plans for dealing with Iran. Israel’s difficulty in destroying the Hisbollah in Lebanon shows that a similar strategy, should it be used against Iran, could fail.

On August 31 the deadline for Iran to give up its nuclear program runs out. Should Iran refuse to end work on its nuclear capabilities, action may be taken to force them to stop. The wording of the U.N. Security Council resolution does not rule out the use of military force, which the Bush administration has been openly considering. The use of air strikes, similar to those flown by Israel in Lebanon, will surely make up a large part of any military action. An Invasion by ground troops is not considered an option.

The fact that the massive Israeli air raids were not able to destroy Hisbollah’s ability to hold their position and continue to fire hundreds of rockets into Israel raise doubts that a similar strategy against Iran will be effective. In this case the war in Lebanon may have prevented a military strike on Iran, should the Bush administration reconsider.
A more extensive discourse on this theory was written by Seymour M. Hersh in the New Yorker, which I came across reading Poplicks blog.

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The cease-fire between the Hisbollah and Israel has gone into effect and seems to be holding. This is good news for those suffering in the region. It is still does excuse the massive loss of civilian life, the destruction of a sovereign country and the suffering inflicted resulting from this destruction caused by Israel.

It is now up to the U.N. to set up an effective peacekeeping force. If the U.N. mission succeeds and a stable and lasting peace is achieved between Lebanon and Israel, the Lebanese suffering caused by the Israeli military offensive may be deemed justified. Are the thousands of innocent Lebanese lives, though, and the hardships endured by the Lebanese really a just price to pay? Is it right to let a country attack another country, kill its citizens, destroy its infrastructure, which threatens the inhabitants with famine and disease?

No.

It is essential that the international conventions set up to protect civilians but also combatants be honored with no exception. Every violation of these agreements undermines their legitimacy and, thus, their effectiveness. If these agreements are merely used to serve as excuses to start wars for other purposes (geopolitical or economic), they will hardly be honored. These conventions are not only important for international relations but for democracy itself. Democracy cannot survive in a world that does not respect and defend human rights of all citizens.

Israel clearly violated these conventions and must be held accountable for this. Consequences, which other countries would face fore these violations, should also be applied to Israel. Due to the support Israel receives from the U.S. in the U.N. Security Council and other influences Israel has, this will be highly unlikely. Regretfully in our world power (political, military and economic) protect a country’s citizens from death and suffering not compliance with international conventions and laws.

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If Israel wants many years of stability and peace then its forces must leave Lebanon. The deaths toll caused by the Israeli campaign will sit deep among the Lebanese. For the families that have lost their loved ones, Israel is to blame. Should Israeli occupy southern Lebanon, these families will constantly be confronted by those they believed killed their family and friends. Make no doubt about it. Even if the Hezbollah are completely destroyed (which is doubt full) another form of  resistance will emerge. Israel will find itself in a similar position to the U.S. forces in Iraq.

An effort by Israel to help the Lebanese suffering from the war with financial and other aid may weaken this resistance. The Israeli are known to come down hard on resistance, though, killing more Lebanese and alienating themselves further.

No. The only way for peace and stability to come to the region is through a truly non-partisan peace-keeping force that is able or able to help the Lebanese Army to keep the Hezbollah from returning and attacking Israel. Israel must leave Lebanon

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The loss of civilian life continues. The number of displaced persons increases. The destruction of Lebanon continues.

Israel is displaying an amazing disrespect for human life. Their bomb raids in Lebanon continue to hit more civilians than militants. The destruction of Lebanon’s Infrastructure, of Lebanon’s cities and of Lebanese homes has condemned the Lebanese to horrific hardships. Hospitals cannot care for sick and wounded. More and more Lebanese Families have no shelter, no food, no medical treatment. Famine and disease threaten the population.

Assuming these actions will provide Israel security, is the destruction of Lebanon a legitimate price to pay?

This military offensive by Israel will not give Israelis more security. Leaving a country in ruins across its borders will just make Israel’s situation more precarious. Israel should know this. Removing the Hisbollah from southern Lebanon, or even the destruction of the Hisbollah militia may have helped Israel’s security, but only if Israel could have done this without the immense loss of civilians in Lebanon and the degree of destruction done to Lebanon.

Israeli leadership may really have failed in the way they have conducted this war. The Israeli leadership may also have been mislead by the United States. Charles Krauthammer’s claim in his Op-Ed the Washington Post may be on to something. The U.S. may not have just tolerated the Israeli military action against the Hisbollah but rather actively encouraged it.

To go even further. The Bush administration may have encouraged Israel to conduction the war similar to the way the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. That is relying on massive air strikes.

Israel may be able to destroy the Hisbollah, but they will certainly face more terror from Islamic groups, which will feed on the hate Israel has cultivated amidst the Lebanese people. Just as the U.S. won the initial struggle in Afghanistan and Iraq, but has failed to bring security to those countries, Israel will not be able to bring security to their country. The destruction of Lebanon will have been in vain.

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