Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 12, 2009 Tevet 16, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:29 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

The euphoria point By Aluf Benn Tags: Six-Day War, Israel news What causes wars that start well to end badly? What turns a bold and brilliant military operation into a depressing war of attrition? How does an operation that begins with a favorable balance of forces end in mishaps - like the one that occurred yesterday at the UNRWA school in Gaza - and disillusionment? War is a complex business with a lot of uncertainty and many surprises. But there is one recurring phenomenon that causes military operations to go wrong. You could call it "the euphoria point," and define it as follows: Rapid success at the start of a campaign boosts the leaders' spirits and encourages them to continue the fighting "until victory is achieved," out of a belief that applying additional force will result in the defeat of the battered enemy. This euphoria can cause them to scornfully reject proposals for cease-fires and peace agreements. In the meantime, the enemy regroups, the initial achievement gets bogged down and the promised victory slips from the hands. What began as a walk in the park ends in pointless attrition, or even in searing defeat. The euphoria point has tripped up many of history's greatest strategists and military leaders. Here are a few examples. In 1940, after defeating France in a blitzkrieg, Hitler did not stop and forge a deal with Britain. Instead, he was tempted into thinking that bombing London would defeat the Britons. He failed, and even then he did not learn the lesson. A year later, he made the same mistake with his invasion of Russia. Instead of exploiting the initial achievement of Operation Barbarossa in order to wrest an improved diplomatic agreement from Stalin, he kept up the military pressure. And Russia proved to be his grave - just as it was for Napoleon a century earlier. Advertisement Japan made the same mistake in World War II, after having successfully attacked Pearl Harbor and seized control of southeast Asia in a series of lightning operations. Its leaders' euphoria led them to believe, falsely, that they could maintain this empire instead of needing to look for exit points. The result was the destruction and occupation of Japan, and the gallows for its failed leaders. But the victors learned nothing from their experiences. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who defeated the Japanese in 1945, made the same mistake they did just five years later, in the Korean War. In a daring amphibious landing, he succeeded in rescuing South Korea from the north's occupation. But then, instead of stopping, he continued to pursue the North Koreans to the Chinese border. And euphoria defeated him: China intervened, the Americans were repulsed, MacArthur was ousted and the war ended in a stalemate that continues to this day. Israel fell into the euphoria trap after its lightning victory in the Six-Day War. It believed that if it just applied more force, it would be able to stay in the Sinai Peninsula forever. The battered Egyptians, who in the War of Attrition that followed saw their own cities destroyed, offered peace, but Golda Meir scornfully rejected it. The result was the Yom Kippur War, which caused Israel a national trauma, and then the withdrawal from Sinai, after thousands of unnecessary funerals. George H.W. Bush was an exceptional leader: He halted the Gulf War in 1991 after the rapid liberation of Kuwait, and was not tempted to pursue the Iraqis to Baghdad. But his son was tripped up by the euphoria point after having rapidly deposed Saddam Hussein in 2003: He was led astray by delusions of dismantling the Iraqi state and turning it into a Western democracy. The result was a war of attrition that undermined America's status as the world's superpower and policeman. Ehud Olmert is a military leader of far smaller stature than Napoleon, Admiral Yamamoto or MacArthur. But like them, he is falling into the euphoria trap. In both of the wars he has conducted - in Lebanon two and a half years ago and in Gaza today - Olmert has had trouble stopping. Instead of halting after the aerial assault, which surprised the enemy and dealt it a painful blow, he believed in 2006, and he believes now, that victory was just around the corner. He therefore insisted on continuing to apply pressure and set exaggerated terms for a cease-fire. In both cases, against Hezbollah and against Hamas, the result will have proven to be identical: an erosion of the initial achievement, casualties and a decline in both international support and domestic unity. Olmert may have read the Winograd Report on the Second Lebanon War and followed its rules regarding the decision-making process, but he is once again making the same basic mistake. It is still not too late to correct this mistake. In 2006, Israel was dragged into five weeks of attrition that ended in a national trauma. In 2009, it should call it a day and get out of Gaza - before the glowing euphoria becomes a painful hangover. Bookmark to del.icio.us   IDF warns Gazans The IDF is making every effort to prevent civilian deaths by warning of impending attacks. Pro-Israel rallies Thousands attend pro-Israel rallies across Europe, N.Y.   1.   Gaza Euphoria 16:07  |  David Gershon 07/01/09   2.   End point problem 15:15  |  Mike 08/01/09   3.   No stopping now Hamas rockets to stop 01:21  |  Moishe Alexander 12/01/09

Read & React 'Hamas: Gilad Shalit's fate is no longer our concern' Responses: 45 IDF investigation shows errant mortar hit UN building in Gaza Responses: 27 Gideon Levy: My Gaza war hero is Al-Jazeera correspondent Ayman Mohyeldin Responses: 58 Medics: Israeli troops edge into Gaza City, killing 14 Palestinians Responses: 18 Editorial: Hamas acts cannot justify Israel's cruel war against Palestinian civilians Responses: 62 More Headlines 23:44 Egypt: Hamas agrees that fighting in Gaza must end 23:47 IDF begins deploying reservists into Gaza as part of ground op 22:37 WATCH: IDF uncovers booby-trapped school next to Gaza zoo 23:01 IAF bombs dozens of smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza Strip 19:32 Gaza rocket hits playground in Ashdod, amid barrage on Negev 17:34 IDF soldiers come under fire at Syria border fence 19:58 Olmert: Nobody will determine Israel's right to defend itself 21:48 Obama: Gaza war underscores need for immediate Mideast solution 22:11 WATCH: IDF drops leaflets over Gaza, warning of impending attack 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 00:50 Israeli's cross their fingers hoping 'Waltz with Bashir' brings home the Golden Globe 19:27 Two Egyptian children among 4 wounded in IAF strike near Gaza 18:02 MI Chief: Hamas hurt in Gaza, but group unlikely to surrender 01:18 Report: Madonna receives death threats from Muslim extremists 17:55 ANALYSIS / Synching IDF and government over Gaza 21:03 Rights group: IDF using white phosphorous bombs in attacks on Gaza 21:50 MK Lieberman: Israeli Arab party and Hamas have same goal - to destroy Israel 21:53 Sources: Hamas fired anti-aircraft missiles at IAF planes 20:04 Anti-Israel protesters try to attack U.S. consulate in Karachi 14:23 Gush Katif evacuees implore gov't to let them resettle Gaza 13:37 Red Cross will no longer escort Palestinian ambulances in Gaza 21:54 Report: Hamas official says Shalit's fate is no longer group's concern 08:56 ANALYSIS / UN Gaza truce resolution was serious diplomatic malfunction Previous Editions Select Day 11 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit You can make a direct IMPACT! on the life of an Israeli soldier State of Israel Bonds During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help. SURF RAMBAM Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research. Summer Camp in Israel The best place for your children this summer Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved