SUPER SHEIK ........OMG!

[KoKo]

SUPERSHEIK!

Hezbollah has been fighting a simple, conventional war. It has relied on fortifications, pre-positioned supplies and motivated troops. Israel has sought to defeat Hezbollah without incurring extensive casualties. The first strategy was the air campaign. The second strategy was a complex warfighting/diplomacy strategy designed to achieve Israel’s ends without having to systematically destroy Hezbollah. The end result of this strategy — if it is carried out to its logical conclusion — is that Hezbollah will have fought and survived, and that in fighting, it will have shaped Israeli political decisions. In other words, we will have moved from a world in which Israel’s military force trumps all other considerations to a world in which Israeli military power is circumscribed by Arab power.

-snip-

Nasser was beloved (and to some extent, still is) just for trying to take on Israel, even though he failed. Nasrallah has tried and succeeded. As to those in Lebanon who still do not love Hizbollah, there is the Machiavellian maxim that being feared is more desirable than being loved. Warned the Lebanese pundit Michael Young in the NYT back on August 4:
If Hezbollah merely survives as both a political and military organization, it can claim victory. The result may be the expansion of the party’s authority over the political system, thanks to its weaponry and its considerable sway over the Lebanese Army, which has a substantial Shiite base. This, in turn, might lead to a solidification of Iranian influence and the restoration of Syrian influence….

As the violence continues, retribution is in the air. Israel has focused its attacks on Shiites, leaving Sunni, Christian and Druse areas (though not their long-term welfare) relatively intact. Amid all the destruction, many a representative of the March 14 movement has denounced Hezbollah’s ‘‘adventurism,’’ provoking Shiite resentment. As one Hezbollah combatant recently told The Guardian: ‘‘The real battle is after the end of this war. We will have to settle score with the Lebanese politicians. We also have the best security and intelligence apparatus in this country, and we can reach any of those people who are speaking against us now. Let’s finish with the Israelis, and then we will settle scores later.’’

http://sirocco.blogsome.com/2006/08/

[John Gauger]

1. When it first started

I said, "This is going to strengthen Hezbollah. Violence always strengthens terrorists and weakens the states trying to wipe them out." Looks like I was right.

[C_U_L8R]

2. He's super-sheiky

cue Rick James

[KoKo]

3. Frankly, he looks "Think Tank Wonky." The black turban kind of makes

folks think he's very Yukky. Doesn't it.

Kind of a "turn off" no matter how one looks at it.

When I listen to his "screeds" which C-Span has helpfully provided I think of Bush or maybe Tony Snow or Billy Kristol or one of the NeoCon's who rave on and on about nothing anyone really wants to hear. :shrug:

[KKKarl is an idiot]

4. One wonders if he will win an election in Lebanon now

I have read even the Christians are putting their support behind him now. They are really angry at the destruction Israel brought to Lebanon.