The government of Israel seems oblivious to recent strategic setbacks. It has been distracted by the proposed prisoner exchange, which is not a strategic issue except that the conditions of the exchange imperil Israeli security. The national security adviser criticized the Chief of Staff for approving the exchange [which is a political issue] and without ever having offered the government a plan for freeing Hamas’ Israeli captive. IDF forces were ordered not to try, when they recently were entering Gaza. The Israeli media discusses who should have consulted whom, not the substance of the security adviser’s criticism.
Just as the IDF fumbled the Lebanon war by relying solely upon air power even after that power was found inadequate for the task, the IDF fumbled the Gaza war by various self-restrictions, including not re-taking the Gaza-Egypt border. Now top commanders admit they will have to do so, but at a higher price in lives.
Refusing to fight and defeat the enemy, the IDF is pursuing Israelis, before in Gaza, now in Judea-Samaria. One wonders whether the Israel army is a competent defense force (Caroline Glick in www.imra.org.il, 12/27).
The problem with the IDF is that it has become politicalized and that its politicians even more narow-mindedly so.
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