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Originally Posted by MaggieL
Erm... is this the war you're talking about:
I know how much Pearl Harbor made us respect the Japanese, I'm sure Yom Kuppur had the same effect on the Israelis re: the Egyptians.
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Egyptians surprised the Israeli air force with successful air defense units attached (I believe) at the battalion level. Israelis suffered massive aircraft losses and were desperate for American emergency aid. During that period, Europe refused to allow American resupply through Europe. So the US set up a series of ships (navigation beacons) through the Med and tanker refueling so that massive American military aid could rearm Israel's air force. I believe Golda Meir was Prime minister and Moshe Dyan was Defense minister. Eventually Israel drove the Egyptians back to the Suez Canal where Sharon tried to create WWIII.
This alone did not result in respect and peace. But military success by both sides earned enough respect that both side could eventually go to Camp David with heads held high. Other events then had to occur before Camp David could happen. But the point is that both side had enough pride and respect that they were able to consider peace.
Although not likely, we have a similar situation. Hezbollah has proven itself worthy. Will this set a tone where Israel and Lebanon can finally talk peace? I doubt it. But a similar situation exists.
Sidebar: one reason why the current Israeli administration will be so roundly criticized and may have to call for elections. They tried to use air force power only to accomplish what only ground forces can do. Israeli pilot talking in confidence complained how they could not even see or identify missile they were suppose to attack. Israel's government (and I have to assume it was in direct contradiction to what generals were saying) tried to conquer an enemy with air power. Naive and foolish. Air power is essential to supporting ground troops as even Patton demonstrated in WWII.
Egyptian ground to air defensive missiles virtually destroyed the Israeli air force in that first week of Yon Kippur. It was a shining moment for the Egyptian arm forces (Egypt even named a naval ship after that day) and one of the darkest moments in IDF history. Not like respect after Peral Harbor. After Yon Kippur, both sides demonstrated enough self respect and enough respect for their enemy that both could negotiate earnestly many years later.