Originally Posted by ratbastid

As far as I can tell, two results were produced:

1) Hezbullah is strengthened. They now have the support of all of Lebanon and much of the rest of the Arab world. Prior to this confrontation, they were favored, but not considered a major player. Now they're both a military force and (especially in the aftermath of the attacks on Lebanon) a benefactor of Lebanese society.

2) The US and Israel are further polarized and isolated from the international community. The WHOLE WORLD was screaming for Israel to stop its attacks. Literally, it was every nation of the UN verus Israel and the US. We're now the political fringe, the international bully cruising for a fight. Israel is TOTALLY INSANE about security, and with its American allies, it will operate like the bully's little thug sidekick, enforcing US policy in the Middle East.