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I'm working on an essay that attempts to prove that in a multi factional insurgency with a weak government (i.e. Iraq and Afghanistan) strategic success is detached from tactical success: which is...

Perhaps diplomacy is the wrong word. What do you think if I replace diplomacy with "hearts and minds" or "political reconciliation" or "the emergence of effective local governance?"

The study does suggest, however, that building fences around the population works: at least tactically and operationally. And - to address Rex's point - IMO strategic success is really a function of...

Deterrence is sufficient. The problem is that some people can't accept deterrence. They'll have to learn, or as Abujnoub suggests resort to nuclear weapons or genocide.

I agree, but IMO when the attacker withdraws it does indicate that the defenders have successfully defended their territory.



I fully admit that I don't know the official definitions of many...

IMO

1) Realize that Hezbollah can't invade and hold Isreali territory
2) Repel cross border attacks without panic, because Hezbollah can't invade and hold Israeli territory .
3) Retaliate with...

No offense, but I think that the men you've talked to have too short of a time frame. Isreal isn't occupying any villages now.



I don't think that is the suggestion.




That is the...

A) I wouldn't limit our ability to maneuver based on UBL's opinion.
B) We already withdrew our troops from Saudi Arabia. I don't think that caused any major geopolitical problems.
C) Isn't it...

Withdrawal isn't defeat.

The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, has described the "miracle of deliverance" from Dunkirk




Aren't they holding all the ground that Isreal used to occupy now?

I understand methods that could suppress them, but I don't understand the methods that could lead to their defeat. If you have the time, I'd appreciate it if you could explain the methods to me.

I suppose Navah's idea is that if you punish people severely enough for having weapons, they won't rearm, but it doesn't work in Washington DC, so I don't know why it would work in the Middle East.

The answer is a matter of opinion. I think it's the former. Israel hopes it's the later. We won't know for sure until someone tries.

OK. As a sign of respect to an old soldier, I will. But I am a coward, so give me some time to work up my courage and choose my words carefully.

British COIN/Roman COIN aren't my terms but I believe that they are metaphorical for Humane/brutal. I probably should have put them in quotation marks. i.e. The British used "Roman" techniques...

If we were really opposed to them, we wouldn't pay for them.

And an auditing bait-and-switch in which U.S. aid was used to free up billions of dollars for spending on the settlements formally...

At least some people want the Israeli government in control.

"It would be far more accurate to describe the West Bank and Gaza Strip as "disputed territories" to which both Israelis and...

"The most pious among them believe that God wants them to have these rocky hills. History has shown that when God becomes involved in politics, guns are brought in while tolerance and compromise are...

There is a reason why Israel is being so quiet. I'm inclined to think it's something new and high tech, but it could just be that after Lebanon they are employing a little ancient wisdom: all...