The 'Lebanese mud,' as the Hebrew phrase has it, never seems quite to be finally scraped off the IDF’s boots.

Given the obvious inadequacies of the Lebanese government and the demonstrated continued willingness and capacity of Hezbollah to continue aggression against Israel, is the buffer zone likely to acquire a look of permanence?

The argument for a permanent Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon is not primarily territorial. It is psychological and doctrinal.

Where no available partner exists for the negotiation of quiet borders, Israel will establish a physical barrier between its civilian population and the threat on the other side.