ADN

QUOTE(Lightfoot)what possible outcome would have been a success for israel in this conflict? the only one i can think of is a swift return of the two missing soldiers, and the verified elimination of some bearded hezbolla leader. this was a job for special forces, not the public and foolish display of force they went with. frankly they left themselves with no good out, though this ceasefire is at least better than yet another occupation.

EXACTLY!

Already Hezbollah has said they will take no less than 13 prisoners for the return of the two they STILL HAVE. And Hezbollah said they will continue to attack israeli forces in lebanon, including those still in Chebaa. And They said in order to do that they can not disarm.

They, in the eyes of terrorists everywhere, pwn3d Israel.

Israels only hope for vindication was getting back their soldiers. Right now, they suffer the penalty of not voting for a war-time president during imminent stages of war. olmert has some interesting social reform ideas, but he has neither the capacity nor the strategy to direct the forces of the IDF they way Sharon did.

(1) it was clear from the beginning of the exaggerated Israeli aggression that Hezbollah would only benefit - even if they are low on ammo or have some of their leaders killed now. it was an even more stupid reaction to a stupid abduction.

(2) @bm: I do not really share the opinion this is about who has the "last laugh" in the end. If the title has an awkward choice of words, your post right above even more.