The rapid return to the Middle East region of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reveals that Israel's military campaign against Lebanon has not achieved its goals. Israeli ground troops are facing major difficulties, given the fierceness of Hezbollah resistance and the changes which took place in the south of Lebanon over the years. It is also clear that Hezbollah's rocket-firing capabilities have advanced beyond Israel's estimates. As soon as she arrived, Rice has engaged into talks over a proposed UN Security draft ensuring the implementation of Resolution 1559 which calls for disbanding and disarming Hezbollah, the deployment of international troops across the borders between Lebanon and Israel and of the Lebanese Army in the south.

Rice's tour is most likely to fail in the case she concentrates on the mere implementation of Resolution 1559. The fact should be granted that violence in Lebanon and Palestine is attributed to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and Sheba'a Farms. A clear vision and a time frame are required for settling pending issues, primarily the prisoners' problem.