When Hezbollah is destroyed, i hate to think about what will take its

[cantstandbush]

place. Israel is not acting in its own best interests nor in the best interests of the US which has put itself and its children and its economy on the line too often for a semmingly ungrateful Israel. If you want something to say about the US foreign policy, you must vote wisely in the upcoming elections. The Congressional elections are much more important than the Presidency.

[Poppyseedman]

1. Israel will not destroy Hezbollah.

That is not their objective.

Their objective is to stop the escalating border attacks and send a message to Iran that they will defend themselves.

[Davis_X_Machina]

3. I doubt whether Iran...

..ever had much doubt over whether Israel will defend itself.

Pretty expensive message for Israel.

[wtmusic]

4. They're not doing so hot on the "stopping border attacks" front either nt

[Poppyseedman]

5. The new Israel government is being tested by Iran

None of the current Israeli leadership are considered old guard like Sharon or Bebe.

Pretty expensive lesson for Iran because after this is all said and done, Hezbollah will be weaker in Lebanon and their government and Iran will have less pull in the region.

[Laotra]

6. It is their stated objective

Didn't you read the Israel ultimatum?

The real point is, can they? Hezbollah = Shia population of Lebanon = half the population. Last time Hezbollah won and liberated most of the occupied territory in Lebanon.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Full blown,

totally intolerant, Al Queda I would guess. There is an old saying "better the devil you know........."x(

[Igel]

7. One would hope that the Lebanese government would finally

gain control over their territory.

Won't happen. It would actually help things on the ground, but ding their pride. If Israel weakened Hezbollah sufficiently that an average Boy Scout troop could beat it in a fight, the Lebanese Army would promptly mount some aid program to help them reconstitute their forces and rearm, and dither for as long as necessary.

Weakness can be an honor-preserving exculpatory excuse for dishonor.