I disagree. From practical point of view, (without passing moral judgements) a complete and unconditional defeat / surrender is a lot healthier for both sides than an unclear result. Mainly psychologically speaking, on individual basis and on the nations collective psyche, if there is such a thing.
IMO, Israel will never get an unconditional surrender without huge Palestinian losses and major destruction of their cities. Do you think Israel is prepared to go to those lengths?
Just look at successes - Civil war, wars with Spain, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Panama, Grenada, Yugoslavia recently, most likely Afganistan (with understanding that the country is ungovernable) and failures - Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and you can put the conclusion of WWI in that category.
I think you vastly underestimate the Palestinian desire for their own state. I don't think Arafat truly represents the mindset of the average Palestinian. And when you have such fervor, history has shown us that the enemy can be very difficult to defeat.
ted |
