Monthly Archives: September 2006

For many years, Israeli military intelligence thought that Syria did not have a genuine military option against Israel. According to this generally accepted view, the possibility of embarking on a war against Israel or launching a surprise attack for the purpose of limited gains was not taken seriously by the Syrian military leadership and was not within the range of its relevant options.

Hezbollah supporters approached the Lebanese/Israeli border fence on Monday, near the spot where three soldiers were killed and kidnapped in October 2000. They hoisted the organization's flag and chanted in praise of Hassan Nasrallah and his force. In the words of a senior Israeli journalist and commentator, Dan Margolit, "That is how it begins. That is how the previous war began. That is the way it always begins...