Watching the IDF (catch all)

[Ken White]

Withdrawal isn't defeat.

That is true to western eyes -- it is true to middle eastern eyes as well insofar as the conduct of operations and combat are concerned. In western terms, your statement is totally correct. In terms of the ME today when the announced goal is to force westerners and zionists out of the area; then western or Israeli withdrawal in the eyes of the opposition becomes a victory for them and thus a defeat for the west. Even the hint of a withdrawal will be seen as weakness. Given the fact that our perceived weakness is very much why we are there today, withdrawal is bad ju-ju and would bode badly for the future...

They're already winning the info war, they don't need any help...

[Rank amateur]

That is true to western eyes -- it is true to middle eastern eyes as well insofar as the conduct of operations and combat are concerned. In western terms, your statement is totally correct. In terms of the ME today when the announced goal is to force westerners and zionists out of the area; then western or Israeli withdrawal in the eyes of the opposition becomes a victory for them and thus a defeat for the west. Even the hint of a withdrawal will be seen as weakness. Given the fact that our perceived weakness is very much why we are there today, withdrawal is bad ju-ju and would bode badly for the future...

They're already winning the info war, they don't need any help...

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 better to be perceived as weak and to be strong than to have our forces physically weakened?