July 15, 2006

Larry Johnson : Israel Engaged in "Self-Immolation"

Larry C. Johnson, a former CIA agent, New York Times columnist and current MSM "go to" expert on all things intelligence-related, shared these gems of wisdom today about Israel's invasion of Lebanon:

Apparently not content to let the U.S. do a self-immolation act in the Middle East by itself, Israel decided to set itself on fire by invading Lebanon. Burn baby burn? Like George Bush, Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, never served in a combat unit and launched military operations without thinking the matter through. In fact, Olmert reportedly never even served in the military. . .

Killing "terrorists" has a place in policy but it is not a strategic military obective. It is a tactical objective and may serve political purposes, but achieves little in terms of securing Israel. Israel is attacking targets in Lebanon like a drunken sailor in a bar fight. Flailing about, causing significant damage, hitting innocent bystanders, and generally making a mess of things. . . .

What about Hamas and Hezbollah?

They are not terrorists. They carry out terrorist attacks, but they are not terrorists. . . .

As LGF points out, Johnson is either ignorant of or lying about Olmert's military service. Olmert served in a combat unit and incurred substantial injuries in the process. (Apparently more severe than John Kerry's.)

As to the second point, only time will tell whether the IDF went into Lebanon with a plan for success against Hib'Allah or merely went in to "flail about" like a "drunken sailor". My guess is that the Israelis went in with a detailed, thoroughly thought out plan, and that the plan will be carried out with all the efficiency and effectiveness we've come to expect from the IDF. Whether this operation achieves Israel's long-term strategic objectives, only time will tell.

As for how one can "engage in terrorist attacks" and yet not be a "terrorist", that logic completely escapes me. Perhaps someone could explain that to me.

By Ragnar Danneskjold, Typical Bitter Gun-Clinger at 07:55 PM | |