Originally Posted by Maxor

When the governement of Lebanon (not really all that stable) is unable to deal with a large criminal extrortionist band on its borders launching attacks against the neighboring country, the neighboring country has every right to respond. The civilian casualties of the lebonese are regretable but very hard to avoid when you've got a paramilitary group hiding amoung them.

Israel for the last few years has not launched relatory attacks for those carried out against them as part of the peace process. 3+ years of not responding to attacks and having them continue shows the other side isn't wanting peace but is merely hoping to gain an advantage while continuing to attack you.

The example of iraq and kuwait isn't a good one as kuwaiti's weren't preforming agressive attacks on Iraq with kuwaiti government aqueiseance.

A better example would be Pancho Villa's millitia in mexico. Which is also a 20th century millitary issue in which the US was involved. A weak central government in the country in which the militia is based being invaded when the militia attacks across the border to a stronger nation.