Comments on: Israel, Hezbollah, and 4th Generation Warfare

By: John Farren

John Farren — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 13:17:40 +0000

LJD: By 'minimal firepower' I am not desribing present U.S. or Israeli methods. I am talking about the alternative tactics and operational approach Robb advocates: "...light infantry ...fight this at close quarters ...sending the tanks back to the sheds ...reducing the infantry’s dependence of tactical firepower support. " Minimal firepower seems a fair summation. In certain circumstances it might work. But Hezbollah appears to have a rather formidable network of bunkers and hilltop villages with (I assume) prepared fields of fire, mines, wire, machine guns etc. To assault these with light infantry would make Robb's acknowledgement that "Of course, this will mean higher casualties" a massive understatement. The assaulting infantry would be slaughtered. While Israel might do well to take broader political factors into consideration re. air strikes, assaulting prepared defensive positions without artillery and armoured support is a non-starter.

By: LJD

LJD — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:08:44 +0000

What the hell are you talking about John? 'Minimal firepower' does not accurately describe either the U.S. or the Israelis.

By: John Farren

John Farren — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 17:56:58 +0000

Infantry with minimal firepower/armoured support assaulting dug-in defenders equipped with automatic weapons.
Great idea.
Lets consider some historical parallels: the Somme and Gallipoli come to mind for a start.

By: LJD

LJD — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:06:40 +0000

US forces have been in Iraq for 3 years now and are still trying to police the country from armored trucks. Perhaps once Israel finishes winning their war, they can give lessons to our commanders.

But I support the troops! Hey, they're doing a bang up job!

So Michael, what exactly to you base your opinion on, the nightly news?

No, there are plenty of American feet on the ground, outside of armored vehicles, in Iraq. It's kinda tough to do a 100 mile supply convoy on foot in 120 degree heat.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 22:57:09 +0000

Michael:

I'd point out that Israel has been fighting Hezbollah since 1982, not last month. And we'll see how well they do in accomplishing their mission.

Furthermore, our mission in Iraq is tremendously more ambitious that Israel's here. Israel would gladly leave Lebanon a pile of smoldering rubble if it would defeat Hezbollah. The U.S. is trying to help facilitate a fledgling democracy in Iraq while keeping its factions unified.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 22:04:10 +0000

A couple of days late indeed. Yesterday we started getting news reports about Israeli forces leaving their tanks behind, and advancing on foot, spread out from each other. They are also setting up snipers in positions to counter possible ambushes, and performing late night raids that have nabbed several Hezbollah fighters in their sleep.

It took Israel about a month to learn how to combat the Hezbollah insurgency, and US forces have been in Iraq for 3 years now and are still trying to police the country from armored trucks. Perhaps once Israel finishes winning their war, they can give lessons to our commanders.

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Spam filterning 101 — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

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By: » Gone Hollywood

» Gone Hollywood — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Auburn Clears Self in Grade Scam Scandal Lieberman And Today’s Foiled Terrorist Attacks Beltway Traffic Jam First Post-Primary Lieberman-Lamont Poll Shows Tight Race President (Again) Names the Enemy Israel, Hezbollah, and 4th Generation Warfare TCS Daily - Two Parties, Like it or Not Mike Wallace Says Ahmadinejad an Impressive Fellow British Mega-9/11 Foiled (Video Added) Caption Contest [IMG OTB Sports] Auburn Clears Self in Grade Scam Scandal

By: » Wine Outside the Beltway

» Wine Outside the Beltway — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

August 2006 [IMG Outside The Beltway | OTB] Lieberman And Today’s Foiled Terrorist Attacks Beltway Traffic Jam First Post-Primary Lieberman-Lamont Poll Shows Tight Race President (Again) Names the Enemy Israel, Hezbollah, and 4th Generation Warfare TCS Daily - Two Parties, Like it or Not Mike Wallace Says Ahmadinejad an Impressive Fellow British Mega-9/11 Foiled (Video Added) Caption Contest It’s Just Like Pearl Harbor! (A Fisking) [IMG OTB Sports]