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Drooling on the Pillow

Saturday, January 17, 2004

For the Record 

I've been reading the monograph by Jeffrey Record which criticizes the Administration's conceptualization and prosecution of the Global War on Terror (GWOT).

Hamas, Hezbollah and the PLO perform two roles, which are distinct even though they intersect at almost every point: one, as the advocates, protectors and champions of the people of Palestine, and two, as the clients of the major regional enemies of Israel. The second role is the more critical in that it is in this role that they conflict with and confront the United States. Israel's enemies have taken several whacks and been humiliated each time. Now, with the continued support of the U.S. and as a regional nuclear-armed superpower, Israel is more or less invulnerable to a conventional assault from Syria, Iran, Egypt or any of their other enemies. They are, in the manner beautifully described by Mr. Record, virtually helpless to confront the unconventional attacks of HH&P. They cannot be destroyed by HH&P, but their political will can be degraded to the point that their demographic vulnerability will catch up with them much more quickly. Israel's great fear is the acquisition of nuclear capability by a regional rival with ties to HH&P. That could well be the end of them. That paradigm writ large is the rational behind the administration threat assessment in the GWOT and why proliferation is an essential component of their plan.
Posted by: Sluggo / 1:04 AM
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