Is Israel Winning the War in Gaza? (with Andrew Fox)
1Digest
This episode of EconTalk features Andrew Fox, a military strategist, journalist, and former soldier, who shares his insights from a recent trip to Gaza with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Fox describes the IDF's dominance in the area, the extensive destruction, and the need for reconstruction. He also discusses the IDF's efforts to minimize civilian casualties, the challenges of distinguishing between civilians and Hamas fighters, and the complexities of the information war. The conversation delves into the strategic objectives of Israel, including dismantling Hamas, securing its borders, and returning hostages. Fox argues that while Israel has taken steps to minimize civilian casualties, there is no acceptable number of them. He also debunks the narrative that Israel is deliberately starving Gaza, highlighting the increased aid routes and calorie delivery. The episode further explores the war with Hezbollah and the Iranian threat, with Fox arguing that Hezbollah is a proxy of Iran and that the focus should be on striking Iran directly. He suggests that anticipatory self-defense is justified in this case and that a slow bleed strategy can be used to degrade Hezbollah. The podcast concludes with a discussion of the difficult choices facing Israel, acknowledging that the country has had to take the least worst option in both Gaza and Lebanon. Fox emphasizes the need for action against Iran, which he believes is not giving Israel the option of peace.
Outlines
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Observations from Gaza
This episode of EconTalk features Andrew Fox, a military strategist, journalist, and former soldier, who shares his insights from a recent trip to Gaza with the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Fox describes the IDF's dominance in the area, the extensive destruction, and the need for reconstruction. He also discusses the IDF's efforts to minimize civilian casualties, the challenges of distinguishing between civilians and Hamas fighters, and the complexities of the information war.
Israel's Strategic Objectives and the Challenges of Warfare
The conversation delves into the strategic objectives of Israel, including dismantling Hamas, securing its borders, and returning hostages. Fox argues that while Israel has taken steps to minimize civilian casualties, there is no acceptable number of them. He also debunks the narrative that Israel is deliberately starving Gaza, highlighting the increased aid routes and calorie delivery.
The War with Hezbollah and the Iranian Threat
The episode further explores the war with Hezbollah and the Iranian threat, with Fox arguing that Hezbollah is a proxy of Iran and that the focus should be on striking Iran directly. He suggests that anticipatory self-defense is justified in this case and that a slow bleed strategy can be used to degrade Hezbollah.
The Difficult Choices Facing Israel
The podcast concludes with a discussion of the difficult choices facing Israel, acknowledging that the country has had to take the least worst option in both Gaza and Lebanon. Fox emphasizes the need for action against Iran, which he believes is not giving Israel the option of peace.
Keywords
Amicus Curiae
A legal brief filed by a party not directly involved in a case, offering information or arguments to the court. It's often used to provide expert opinions or perspectives on legal issues.
Anticipatory Self-Defense
A legal doctrine that allows a state to use force against another state if there is an imminent threat of attack, even if the attack has not yet occurred. It's a controversial doctrine, as it raises questions about the definition of "imminent threat."
Hasbara
A Hebrew term that refers to Israel's public diplomacy efforts, including communication, public relations, and advocacy. It's often used to explain Israel's policies and actions to the international community.
Information War
A type of warfare that uses information as a weapon to influence public opinion, manipulate perceptions, and undermine the enemy's morale. It often involves the spread of propaganda, disinformation, and cyberattacks.
Proxy War
A conflict in which two opposing powers support different sides of a conflict without directly engaging in combat themselves. It often involves the use of proxy forces, such as militias or rebel groups.
Rules of Engagement
A set of guidelines that govern the use of force by military personnel in combat situations. They are designed to ensure that force is used proportionally and that civilian casualties are minimized.
War Crimes
Serious violations of the laws and customs of war, such as the killing of civilians, torture, and the destruction of cultural property. They are considered crimes against humanity and can be prosecuted by international courts.
Q&A
What were Andrew Fox's main observations from his trip to Gaza with the IDF?
Andrew Fox observed the IDF's complete dominance in the area, the shocking level of destruction, and the need for reconstruction. He also noted the IDF's openness and willingness to answer tough questions.
How does Andrew Fox explain the destruction in Rafa?
Andrew Fox argues that the destruction is a consequence of dismantling Hamas's infrastructure, which is deeply intertwined with civilian infrastructure. He rejects the notion that Israel is deliberately trying to instill fear in its neighbors.
What are the main strategic objectives of Israel in the conflict?
Israel's main strategic objectives are to dismantle Hamas, secure Israel's borders, and return hostages. Andrew Fox acknowledges the tension between these objectives and the need for compromise.
How does Andrew Fox address the issue of civilian casualties?
Andrew Fox acknowledges that there is no acceptable number of civilian casualties but argues that Israel has taken significant steps to minimize them, including evacuating civilians from areas of military operations. He highlights the challenges of distinguishing between civilians and Hamas fighters and the messy nature of warfare.
What are Andrew Fox's thoughts on the claim that Israel is deliberately starving Gaza?
Andrew Fox debunks this narrative, highlighting the fact that Israel has expanded aid routes and is delivering more calories to Gaza than before the war. He attributes any food shortages to distribution issues within Gaza itself.
What are Andrew Fox's thoughts on the information war being waged against Israel?
Andrew Fox acknowledges the challenges of verifying information in the context of an information war and the importance of critical thinking. He argues that Hamas has successfully exploited the information deluge to generate emotional responses and that Israel needs to engage in this space more effectively.
What are Andrew Fox's thoughts on the war with Hezbollah and the Iranian threat?
Andrew Fox argues that Hezbollah is a proxy of Iran and that the focus should be on striking Iran directly. He suggests that anticipatory self-defense is justified in this case and that a slow bleed strategy can be used to degrade Hezbollah.
What are Andrew Fox's main takeaways from his experience in Israel?
Andrew Fox was deeply moved by the horrors of the conflict, particularly the aftermath of the October 7th attacks. He believes that the world's sympathy for Israel dissipated quickly because people cannot fully conceptualize the atrocities unless they have seen them firsthand. He also emphasizes the importance of holding soldiers accountable for war crimes and the need for Israel to maintain its moral legitimacy.
Show Notes
British Army major and Sandhurst lecturer Andrew Fox recently spent a week with the Israel Defense Forces including a day inside Gaza. He was struck by the IDF's control of Gazan territory and shocked by the level of physical devastation. Listen as Fox and EconTalk's Russ Roberts discuss Fox's analysis of Israel's performance in the Gazan war, why Fox believes that Israel is succeeding, and what he thinks Israel's critics get right and wrong.
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