Winners and Losers in Gaza: On Victory and False Victory | Ramzy Baroud

[Tace]

Ramzy Baroud -- World News Trust

Sept. 3, 2014

In the rush to analyze the outcome of Israel’s 51-day war in Gaza, dubbed Operation Protective Edge, some may have neglected an important factor: this was not a war by traditional definitions of warfare, thus the conventional analyses of victory and defeat is simply not applicable.

That being the case, how can we explain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s triumphant statement on Aug. 28, and the massive celebrations on the streets of Gaza regarding the resistance "victory" over Israel? To be truly fathomed, they must be understood in context.

Soon after the ceasefire declaration on Aug. 26, ending Israel’s most destructive war on Gaza yet, Netanyahu seemed to have disappeared from the scene. Some Israeli media began predicting the end of his political reign. Although this notion was a bit hasty, one can understand why. Much of the man’s political career was predicated on his "anti-terror" stance and Israeli security agenda.

He served as prime minister from 1996 to 1999, with the decided aim of defeating the Oslo "peace process." He argued it compromised Israel’s security. Then as a finance minister in Sharon’s government (2003-05), he was troubled by Ariel Sharon’s intentions regarding re-deploying out of Gaza. In fact, it was the Gaza "disengagement plan" that ended the Netanyahu-Sharon alliance.

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http://worldnewstrust.com/winners-and-losers-in-gaza-on-victory-and-false-victory-ramzy-baroud

[oberliner]

1. An entire article to say basically nothing

Does Ramzy get paid by the word or something?

[BillZBubb]

2. This was a very good analysis of the post-Gaza attack situation.

The Israelis failed to meet their objectives and so suffered a defeat (or at least no victory). The resistance in Gaza held their own and survived, thus gaining a costly victory.

The reactions of the populations on both sides show this to be true as Baroud correctly points out. The implications going forward are a weakened Netanyahu and Abbas and a strengthened Hamas. Netanyahu's overkill policy failed.

[oberliner]

3. Your four sentences achieved what his article needed multiple redundant paragraphs to do

Nicely done.

[Mosby]

4. He needs a better optometrist, his glasses are crooked.

And a haircut wouldn't hurt.

[oberliner]

5. He doesn't really look like that anymore

Check out his Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RamzyBaroud

[Scootaloo]

7. Thanks for the critical analysis. n/t

[King_David]

8. Why you thanking me ?

[Scootaloo]

9. because that was the mostthoughtful analysis you've ever provided about anything.

[Mosby]

10. maybe you could share with us your analysis

Of why Tace always includes this guy's pic with his essays.

I can't wait to read your insightful analysis. Maybe you could throw in a funny pic or cultural reference, your always good at that.

[Scootaloo]

11. You could ask Tace. But does it matter at all?

I was not aware that the content of a piece was to be judged by how attractive someone finds its author.

[King_David]

13. Agreed there's no reason to post his pic nt

[hack89]

12. There were no real winners or losers

all it did was set the stage for another, even more bloody war in the future. An emboldened Hamas and an Israeli public that overwhelmingly supported the war is a deadly combination. Toss in an incipient Palestinian power struggle and the future looks grim for Gaza.