A Hizballah raid along the Lebanon-Israel border on July 12, 2006 resulted in the capture of two Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and others killed and wounded. The response from Jerusalem was both quick and violent, surprising Hizballah's leadership and triggering the month-long Second Lebanon War. The event left the IDF a chastened force and Israel an introspective nation. The IDF's efforts to learn from the war and correct recognized deficiencies began immediately. This book draws on information provided by serving IDF personnel during a March 2007 conference held in Tel Aviv, interviews with retired IDF officers, and written sources. The analysis first reviews identified shortfalls, then offers an external perspective to provide further thoughts on sources of difficulties and analyze what the conflict offers the U.S. military in the way of lessons that might assist as it confronts operational challenges today and in the future.

"Prepared for the United States Joint Forces Command"--T.p.

Introduction and background -- Israeli postwar analysis and reaction -- Responding to the lessons: IDF reactions in the aftermath of the Second Lebanon War -- Additional thoughts regarding lessons from the Second Lebanon War -- Revalidations and new considerations: implications for the United States and other nations.