WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The failure of Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, to provide any fight worthy of the name to Israeli ground forces in the first few days of operations in Gaza this week contrasted with the effectiveness of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Party of God in southern Lebanon, in standing fast against an Israeli ground forces offensive in July 2006.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Three days into the Israeli military incursion into Gaza, it is clear that this war so far is going Israel's way, in sharp contrast to the July 2006 mini-war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- The striking success of even relatively small forces of Russian Main Battle Tanks in the five-day conflict with Georgia proves once again how crucial tanks remain to the conduct of modern war.

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is the front-runner to succeed her boss, Ehud Olmert, as prime minister of Israel, but she could lose out to tough old Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, and, even if she wins, she isn't likely to keep the job long.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is sincere in his hard-driving determination to boost Israel's ballistic missile defenses as quickly as possible. But he also sees that achievement as a stepping stone to two other huge goals -- becoming prime minister and reviving the long-moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

HAIFA, Israel, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Israel Defense Forces brass are expected to debate funding allocations for a comprehensive, multi-year plan for the various branches this week, following the agreement on a $3 billion American aid package.

JERUSALEM, July 18 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert said the prime minister knew Israeli bomb shelters were inadequate when he decided to go to war with Lebanon.

JERUSALEM, May 8 (UPI) -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has asked current Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign his post for mishandling of the Second Lebanon War.

JERUSALEM, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Israeli cabinet members Sunday unanimously approved Gabi Asheknazi's appointment as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces.