Occupation Duty Corrodes Combat Ability

It makes sense, although I'll admit that its something that didn't really cross my mind when I though about why Hezbollah put on such a good show and why the IDF and IAF put on such a bad one. I'll comment on this later


Josh Marshall of TPM

I've been waiting for someone to say this, someone who can say it not with the guide of history and logical inference but with actual knowledge of the IDF. And here it is.
In the Israeli daily Ha'aretz tonight, military affairs writer Ze'ev Schiff says that the main conclusion that will be drawn from the IDF's disappointing performance in the Lebanon war will be that the army's fighting capacity and edge has been blunted by years of policing duties in the territories.

Writes Schiff ...

"Most units, in their training and operations, followed fighting doctrines of police forces and not of standing armies. Hezbollah trains, fights and is equiped as an army, utilizing some of the most advanced anti-tank missiles and other weapons."

"The character of the IDF - known for its blitzkrieg methods, encircling movements deep inside enemy territory, and the ability to bring about a quick and decisive conclusion to the fighting - has been spoiled by years of involvement in operations that tied it down, emotionally and politically."

I'll start of by pointing out that occupation/police minded troops are not bad for fighting off a guerilla force, but the circumstances here, plus the more convetional minded air tactics of the IAF could have undercut any gains the IDF could have made - or perhaps made success all but impossible. I'll post later as I try and organize my thoughts.