The Delusions of Ehud Olmert

Ari Shavit offers a diagnosis:

After two weeks in which he conducted the campaign against Hamas in a responsible, restrained manner, an arrogant, smug braggart burst out of him. After two weeks in which he seemed to have internalized the lessons of the Second Lebanon War, the licentious leader of that failed war took over. But the problem isn't only in the prime minister's boastful statements, but in his arrogant approach. An approach saying that this is a wonderful war. An approach whispering that this wonderful war can go on longer and longer, an approach leading Olmert to seriously consider expanding the war, taking over the Philadelphi route and conquering Rafah.