July 12, 2006

Israel and Hizballah engage in a 34-day-long war over security of Israel’s north and Hizballah’s intent to retain a military, political, and social presence in the Lebanese south. The war is inconclusive, with Iran and Syria bolstering their relationship with Hizballah. Israel demonstrates its deterrent capability to Tehran and Damascus, but finds itself unable to destroy the Hizballah infrastructure. The war has a negative political fallout for Prime Minister Olmert’s government, due to perceived mismanagement.