Changing horses in mid-war

When a general in command of a major operation is replaced it is normally for one of two reasons:

1. The general is not meeting the objectives set by the national leadership;
2. The general is experiencing some differences as regards to methods and means with the national leadership.

One thing is certain though, when a government replaces the head of a major operation, it is not going well.

IDF General Udi Adam seems to have managed to provide both reasons to IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and short of being completely replaced, is effectively being demoted while IDF General Moshe Kaplinsky, currently IDF Deputy Chief of Staff, assumes the position as "headquarters representative" on the Israeli northern border.

Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky, deputy chief of staff and a veteran of earlier campaigns in Lebanon, was named to "coordinate the Israeli army's operations in Lebanon." He takes over for Gen. Udi Adam, who in his position as head of the Northern Command has run an offensive that some Israelis believe failed to deal a crippling blow to Hezbollah.

Israeli commentators suggested that Adam was demoted because he angered Olmert when he accused the political establishment of tying the hands of those prosecuting the war.

Actually, what Adam was complaining about was the fact that his troops are inadequately trained to fight a guerilla war against Hezbollah. He further complained that reserves were not called up immediately and that any attempt to mount a significant ground campaign without them would bear poor results.

It looks like he was completely accurate.

Adam has been accused of not prosecuting the war against Hezbollah with the traditional IDF vigour. In fact, when asked why he did not use tactical air to destroy the Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbail he explained that there were still civilians and a hospital operating in the town.

That wouldn't have gone down well with either Halutz nor Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Halutz is devoid of anything resembling a conscience and Olmert doesn't handle criticism well.

General Kaplinsky arrives on the scene with a good deal of Lebanon experience under his helmet, having been involved in earlier campaigns. He also has a reputation for ruthlessness and disdain for Arab civilians. In 2002, as commander of Israel's Central Command, which defends the west bank, he issued a decree which saw entire Arab villages in the occupied territory destroyed for "military needs".

In any case, Adam is now simply occupying a chair in Northern Command. Kaplinsky will now run operations. Expect to see an increase in activity, including a heavier use of air attacks.

Oh yeah. The body count, on both sides, will probably rise significantly.