[Ynet News] Dov Tamari - Israel hasn't deterred its enemies since 1967. Israel deterred neighboring countries as long as those countries had no interest in instigating a war they didn't really need. Since 1973 Syria has been deterred from outright war with Israel in the Golan Heights, but has been fighting Israel from Lebanon, first using Arafat's Fatah group, then moving on to Hizballah. Against non-political entities like the Palestinians or Hizballah, deterrence is less effective. So what should we strive for? Instead of deterrence - attrition. Attrition means unremitting pressure on an enemy, in all areas and using all possible means. This pressure should not be subject to negotiation, except for temporary tactical needs. The results of the first and second intifadas point to the fact that Israeli society can withstand attrition no less than the enemy, perhaps even better. The writer is an IDF brigadier general (res).
2006-07-28 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive