In the real world, perception matters as much as reality

One of the major problems with Olmert's slow-mo strategy against Hezbollah is that it is putting Israel's hard earned aura of invincibility at risk. I know that since leftists don't believe that such emotions are supposed to impact national decision making, Olmert probably doesn't think it's an issue. The problem is not that his policy is causing the IDF to be defeated in battle at the hands of Hezbollah but that it is creating that perception for the vast majority of the world that doesn't understand military affairs.

Analyzing Israel's current situation, this blogger makes an interesting point regarding how despite a war which has gone extremely far in Israel's favor in strict military terms, its most enduring long-term damage to Israel may be that done to Israel's "aura of invincibility".

(I still have to disagree with the author. I think that after the Yom Kippur War, and after Israel went running from Lebanon after 18 years, no one still thinks that Israel is invincible. But they still have the most formidable military in this side of the world. Unlike the Prussian's, israel's military is not just hype. It is the real deal.)