tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post8165637584576756303..comments2009-01-19T19:06:24.582+02:00Mark Jacobsenhttps://profiles.google.com/107999162787819355839noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-68179691369428147172009-01-19T17:44:00.000+02:002009-01-19T17:44:00.000+02:00Hi Adam,<BR/><BR/>I agree with you. Israel is playing a losing game.<BR/><BR/>thanksseohttp://www.rankingbyseo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-51189085067287192312009-01-01T07:23:00.000+02:002009-01-01T07:23:00.000+02:00This is Adam Elkus, thanks for the shoutout on my crowdsourcing essay. <BR/><BR/>In reference to your question, you are correct. Israel is playing a losing game. But in regards to COIN I don't think they are capable of doing so unless there is a wide-ranging rethink of political strategy towards Palestinians.A.E.http://rethinkingsecurity.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-83263358690970654982008-12-30T17:12:00.000+02:002008-12-30T17:12:00.000+02:00You're spot-on. From the fact that hardly anyone is picking up on this, I have to conclude that people either don't get it, or they don't want to get it. Hamas is deliberately losing the tactical fight to try and win the strategic fight. This is no different than 3 insurgents in an Afghan village provoking OEF/ISAF into a disproportionate response in order to garner outrage when innocents are caught up in the fight. I think the Israelis know better, but they feel surrounded and have a significant Arab minority inside as well, so they probably felt there was no other option.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-46669059401206928902008-12-30T05:50:00.000+02:002008-12-30T05:50:00.000+02:00thanks for this comparison and COIN framing. I've been so dismayed at the news coming out of the Middle East over the past two days and can't understand why it is not being analyzed in this much larger strategic framework of civilian protection as a long term integrated strategy.... that airpower doesn't work (if it ever has) and why we still insist on calling these sorts of actions by state-to state political science language like 'self defense"LiLihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06680645491357656993noreply@blogger.com