Leader who lacks the military pedigree

[spindrifter]

The Times July 14, 2006

<snip>

Yesterday Mr Olmert found himself at the centre of the most serious regional crisis for a decade as Israeli forces engaged Islamic militants on two fronts: in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Israelis have rallied behind the Prime Minister in the face of adversity. Yet there are concerns about his ability as a military leader, his tactics for this battle and the future of his political programme.

<snip>

Many dominant figures of Israeli politics — Moshe Dayan, Yitzhak Rabin, Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon — had been generals. Their judgments were questioned, but no one could challenge their experience in the task of protecting Israel. This is not the case with Mr Olmert.

<snip>

Mr Olmert is not alone in lacking military experience. Amir Peretz, the Defence Minister, and Tzipi Livni, the Foreign Minister, have none either. This has limited the Government’s room to negotiate and compromise and made a strong military response politically imperative. “Clearly if Olmert and Peretz do not come out looking strong, their tenure is going to be short,” Gerald Steinberg, of Bar-Ilan University, said.

Past leaders have conducted prisoner swaps, releasing hundreds of Palestinian and Lebanese in return for a few Israelis. Mr Olmert has ruled out this option, possibly under pressure from America, which does not want a precedent set for Iraq.

<snip>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2269752,00.html

[bluethruandthru]

1. Hmmmm

Leaders lacking military experience.... where have I heard that before?

[spindrifter]

2. Precisely!

[MADem]

3. Golda Meir wasn't a general--and she could kick some serious ass

Here's where you have challenges, when you have a leader without substantive military experience, without a talent for it (some have it, many do not) AND you have a second in command with none, AND you have a SECDEF who is real good about telling others what to do, but skated in the peacetime forces himself, and who will not listen to his uniforms who DO have the experience.

And it sounds like Israel has the SAME problem, with Peretz and Livni....

[DELUSIONAL]

4. bush with no real leadership ability (trading on his daddy' name)

could be pulling the strings -- blocking prisoner swaps???

I was wondering if Olmert had any military leadership experience -- I had a feeling that he was inexperienced in this role and had to put on a display.

Sort of like the young gorilla beating his chest . . .

One more piece of information -- which might give us insight into what the f*** is happening.

FUBAR