The Arabist

The Arabist

By Issandr El Amrani and friends.

Hizbullah's military prowess

Interesting story in the WaPo on Israeli soldiers' perception of Hizbullah:

"You really can't underestimate the Hezbollah," said Tyler, 20, a member of the army's Nahal Brigade. "They are the masters of the field. They know the area better than us. They know where to hide and when to move. They always know where we are."
It's shock-full of quotes like the one above that make Hizbullah soldiers sound like an army of Rambos. There's a myth of invincibility being created that's going to live way beyond this war and that probably gives an exaggerated view of what Hizbullah is capable of, which is really not that much -- it's just that the Israelis have not fought such a competent guerrilla group before.