Let's not be naive here: when one side engages in retaliation, others will see it as provocation.

[reformist2]

As far as the cycle of violence is concerned, it doesn't matter who is right or wrong - every violent act will be understood/misunderstood to be an act of hostility, and the violence *will* escalate, especially if you're starting at a low level of violence and neither side is feeling exhausted yet.

With that in mind, I would argue that even a 'targeted' bombing will actually result in more violence down the road. Every additional act of violence will make the likelihood of further violence greater - that's the path to the mushroom cloud.

[Mnemosyne]

1. k&r nt