With a perspective of more than three years, what does Israel have to show for its unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the betrayal of its SLA allies? Virtually nothing. Israel's position is now, if anything, more precarious than in the year 2000. Hezbollah remains an implacable and dangerous enemy. The Israelis living near the Lebanon border are at greater risk than before the withdrawal. The international press remains hostile. The terrorists became energized by the display of IDF weakness and started a second intifada in the year 2000. Israel is now called upon again to make unilateral concessions to implement a Road Map for peace.

Ironically, Ehud Barak, the most decorated soldier in the history of the IDF, his reputation in tatters, is on the political sidelines.

There are lessons to be learned. Loss without gain is the predictable, not the unexpected, consequence of appeasing mortal enemies and betraying trusted allies. There are also questions still unanswered. What will Israel ultimately do for the remnants of the SLA? What has Israel, and the world, learned from this tragic lesson?