William Arkin

Divining Victory: Airpower in the Israel-hezbollah War William Arkin

The 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War may well be a paradigm for twenty-first century warfare. The technically sophisticated Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were confronted by a much smaller but well-armed and highly unconventional "state within a state" opponent. Israel launched an intensive 34-minute air assault designed to essentially disarm Hezbollah; it did not. Hezbollah's interspersion within the civilian population presented major targeting problems for the IDF, setting up condemnation of Israel's "over-reaction" in the international press. Airpower became the big loser in the press and after-action reports. Divining Victory examines the decisions, the effects, and the lessons learned for those who must confront similar enemies. Originally published in 2007. Recommended on the 2008 Royal Ar Force Chief of the Air Staffs' reading list.