hiredgun

With a bit of distance now between ourselves and this summer's conflict, I'd like to pose a simple question about the confrontation between Israel, Hizbullah, and the Lebanese state; namely, what has been accomplished? What have been the significant consequences of this war, for the actors involved as well as others with a stake in the region?

Let's think deeper than merely listing numbers and material losses, which I'm sure have been expounded in detail in other threads. (I'm not interested in a laundry-list of casualties for its own sake.) I am more interested in the meaning of what has happened. As I see it there are a number of areas of consequence:

1) the Israeli position, particularly with regard to security as Israel's primary concern

2) Hizbullah. Factors to consider include their Lebanese, Arab, and international standings; their position vis-a-vis the Lebanese state and body politic; and their fighting ability.

3) the Lebanese state and body politic

4) the United States and the discourse of the global war on terror

5) Arab (as well as Muslim) regimes and populations

An additional issue is whether this round of the conflict is truly over or only momentarily paused; Hizbullah remains on the ground, and the IDF remains in parts of South Lebanon.

Address one or more of these as you like; they are inter-related and are included mainly as guidelines.