Weakening Deterrence
As JINSA celebrates its 30th anniversary, two of our fundamental principles remain fixed: we will continue to transform our understanding of threats to our interests into action in defense of those interests; and will refrain from interference with the political and military decisions made by the governments of our allies and friends.
As JINSA celebrates its 30th anniversary, two of our fundamental principles remain fixed: we will continue to transform our understanding of threats to our interests into action in defense of those interests; and will refrain from interference with the political and military decisions made by the governments of our allies and friends.
But interference is one thing and criticism entirely another when American national security interests are weakened by a friend. Especially when weakened by a friend. Israel is a friend and more – Israel is a partner in the West’s war against terrorists and the states that harbor and support them.
President Bush clearly believed Israel’s destruction of Hizballah would be a victory on one front of our common war; a proxy victory over Iran. The Administration gave Israel time and political support. Under American leadership, the G-8 and Sunni Arab countries publicly denounced Hezbollah. Even at the UN, the U.S. held out for language on what Israel called its strategic goals – return of its soldiers, dismantling Hezbollah and extending Lebanese sovereignty to the south.
The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Olmert and the Kadima/Labor coalition, however, stopped short of achieving those goals through military operations, and it is very unlikely they will achieve them by political means (despite our support this week of French diplomacy). Civilian leadership was indecisive and lacked coordination with – or lacked confidence in – the IDF command echelon. The IDF has defended its intelligence on Lebanon as well as its plans, blaming the civilian leadership for changes in military priorities. Whatever the reason, in combination they created a weakened Israeli deterrent capability and a concomitant weakened American/Western position against a broad range of terrorist threats. The result, at least for now, is an emboldening of terrorist organizations and terrorist nations.
To spread criticism fairly, it must be said that U.S. military attacks on eastern Syrian staging grounds for terrorist infiltration into Iraq would have benefited both countries.
And to temper our criticism, we observe that the soldiers of the IDF were magnificent – the “citizen army” of young conscripts plus the butcher-baker-and-candlestick-maker reserves shouldered the risks and for over a month absorbed the casualties of fighting, plus the additional casualties resulting from warning the civilians of Lebanon – and thus the terrorists – of their impending approach. And we are in awe of the civilians of Israel – those in the north who were in the line of fire and those farther south who organized to shelter, support and help them.
Since its founding, Israel has been the only consistently pro-American country in the Middle East and the only stable democracy in the region. Political leaders in both countries come and go at the demand of the people. The foundation of our partnership is surely not broken – but it has been weakened and there will be a price to pay before it can be fixed.