Every war is two conflicts: the military conflict and the political conflict.
Israel has the firepower, with America’s support, to win the military conflict.
I doubt that even after Hamas has been defeated that the political conflict will also end. So the war is a prelude to a future conflict.
In the Art of War by Sun Tzu, the general advises, “To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the epitome of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the epitome of skill.”
Regrettably, military action is sometimes required, but it is less than half the solution. We need to pursue the political conflict as well.
Having a strong military is important. People normally do not attack someone because that the person being attacked is too strong. However, having a strong military does not mean you have to use it.
Politicians start wars and expect soldiers to finish them.
When I was a military officer, I was prepared to fight a war in a jungle, a dessert or in the rolling hills in Europe. I’ve yet to see a good way to fight a war in an urban area.
With a title like “The Art of War” one might think that the book is about winning wars by killing people. You would be right with this caveat: it is about winning wars by killing as few people as possible.
Tzu recommends all kinds of methods to subdue the enemy without fighting. When he does give methods for actual fighting, the last thing he recommends is laying siege to the enemy’s cities.
Nobody wins a war: one side merely loses it to a lesser extent.
HAMAS started a genocidal war; Israel will bring it to an end. If you insist on a cease fire though; how about this:
Hamas unconditionally surrenders.They give up ALL their weaponsTheir leaders go on trial for: Conspiracy to wage aggressive war The Waging of aggressive war Crimes in the conduct of war Crimes against Humanity
The sad thing is that the real reason behind the Gaza War is that Israel wants to regain Gaza to make it part of the imaginary border based on an imaginary story made up by the Canaanites. Yes, the Jewish people were Canaanites. The 1st 3 or 4 books of the bible are mythology.
KKpt Prien: Your comments are cruel and stupid. You lack any kind of compassion for other people. You are very likely a psychopath. If you had any decency in you, you would know that virtually all the killing —largely of women and children, is intentional and done by the Israelis. The War Crimes sit firmly on the heads of the Israelis.
Unfortunately, this has been the norm between the two for thousands of yrs. And now, as a result of this despicable attack, if the Israeli PM has his way, there will Be no men, women, or children to decide a peaceful future. Too much hatred and death between the two.
FreyjaRN Premium Member 10 months ago
Amen. I’m heartsick.
dflak 10 months ago
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.
Every war is two conflicts: the military conflict and the political conflict.
Israel has the firepower, with America’s support, to win the military conflict.
I doubt that even after Hamas has been defeated that the political conflict will also end. So the war is a prelude to a future conflict.
In the Art of War by Sun Tzu, the general advises, “To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the epitome of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the epitome of skill.”
Regrettably, military action is sometimes required, but it is less than half the solution. We need to pursue the political conflict as well.
Having a strong military is important. People normally do not attack someone because that the person being attacked is too strong. However, having a strong military does not mean you have to use it.
Politicians start wars and expect soldiers to finish them.
dflak 10 months ago
When I was a military officer, I was prepared to fight a war in a jungle, a dessert or in the rolling hills in Europe. I’ve yet to see a good way to fight a war in an urban area.
With a title like “The Art of War” one might think that the book is about winning wars by killing people. You would be right with this caveat: it is about winning wars by killing as few people as possible.
Tzu recommends all kinds of methods to subdue the enemy without fighting. When he does give methods for actual fighting, the last thing he recommends is laying siege to the enemy’s cities.
Nobody wins a war: one side merely loses it to a lesser extent.
gigagrouch 10 months ago
“War is a mere continuation of policy by other means”
-Von Clausewitz.
Topcat05 Premium Member 10 months ago
HAMAS started a genocidal war; Israel will bring it to an end. If you insist on a cease fire though; how about this:
Hamas unconditionally surrenders.They give up ALL their weaponsTheir leaders go on trial for: Conspiracy to wage aggressive war The Waging of aggressive war Crimes in the conduct of war Crimes against Humanity
Whaydaysay?
banjoAhhh! 10 months ago
The sad thing is that the real reason behind the Gaza War is that Israel wants to regain Gaza to make it part of the imaginary border based on an imaginary story made up by the Canaanites. Yes, the Jewish people were Canaanites. The 1st 3 or 4 books of the bible are mythology.
banjoAhhh! 10 months ago
KKpt Prien: Your comments are cruel and stupid. You lack any kind of compassion for other people. You are very likely a psychopath. If you had any decency in you, you would know that virtually all the killing —largely of women and children, is intentional and done by the Israelis. The War Crimes sit firmly on the heads of the Israelis.
braindead Premium Member 10 months ago
It’s a small price to pay to keep Bibi out of prison.
GaryCooper 10 months ago
It’s no deadlock, it’s an active genocide against the Palestinian people.
dflak 10 months ago
White men in powerful positions seldom care about women and children.
MuddyUSA Premium Member 10 months ago
True!
Martin 78 10 months ago
Unfortunately, this has been the norm between the two for thousands of yrs. And now, as a result of this despicable attack, if the Israeli PM has his way, there will Be no men, women, or children to decide a peaceful future. Too much hatred and death between the two.