Barak was also courageous but the demographics went against him plus the Arabs who are wanting right of return after they Locked escape of the Jews from Genocide out of Palestine and in fact all Islamic lands take the Turks as an example close to Europe no refuge allowed.Anyways Islam will not accept peace with the Jews except as Slaves after their ritual Massacres and Tortures,

Sounds very similar to Ariel Sharon who always believed only he was right ( he often was ) to the point where he gave a rude backtalk to his superior Shmuel Gonen in the Yom Kippur War of 1973 . And Ariel Sharon's arrogance almost got him fired from his post several times . And while he ( Shaon ) achieved many epic feats on the battlefield he , as prime minister , did not run the government or carry out foreign policy in a masterly way . That's almost the same thing with Ehud Barak . It is only because of Israel's exceptional and unique security situation ( at war with the Arabs all the time ) that former IDF generals ultimately get involved in politics ( a normal tradition in Israeli society ) and get high posts in the executive authority . Otherwise , generally speaking , army officers everywhere do not make distinguished and exemplary political leaders . Personsally I always advocate government by technocrats ...

Barak was (and he is) a very good soldier and a very good person: no doubt about it. He is the most decorated soldier in modern Israel history, even if he might not have been the “best”. But probably he underestimated the fact the having been a very good soldier is not enough for being a good politician. I welcome his decision to dedicate his time to study, to his family and to his writing. When he decide to express his own opinion, well, this will be mostly welcomed. But, as final decision taker I wouldn’t trust him in anyway for the future.

Barak fell for the two-state swindle.

Since his days as an active soldier, Barak has been an unmitigated disaster for Israel. It would be hard to name a single Barak policy which helped Israel. There is much more wrong with Barak than "one flaw".

I suppose that I have to go along with much of this article.I have stated my opinion here several times that he should do his job of Defence Minister and let other Ministers do their jobs.Sometimes he acted like Defence Minister,Foreign Minister and prime Minister all rolled into one. Still,his achievements in the military field are undeniable and Israel was better with him than without him. Speaking from outside and having heard him on British radio occasionally in the past,I have to say that he was one of the BEST spokesmen that Israel put up...far better than most.I hope that he doesn't shy away from that role in the future. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

He is known as Mr.Teflon. He runs away rather than take respnsibility. that is exactly what he is doing now.

diagnosed himself as a narcissist.

This is a pile of bull dung. How's he going to devote his time "to his family".?? The man is 70 years old, probably has grwon up grandchildren to whom he is an embarrassment. What's he going to do, wheel their babies up and down the sea shore?? The truth is that apart from his brilliant ACTIVE soldier career- and I don't mean any of his serious command failures of which there wer several- and his easy money making stint, being a "celebrity" his career has been a straight downward failure. He was going to give away the Land belonging to the Jewish people-if they didn't rebel against it, we never found out because he was kicked out.

Well, what I wanted to underline it's just that a good soldier will not necessarly be a good politician, that's it. I basically agree with your final opinion. What I tried to point out is that Barak would be more much more useful as opinion giver, rather then decision taker :-)

I was actually taken aback by the fact that he actually is seventy years of age. He doesn't look like it in the photographs I've seen of him. He in fact somewhat resembles my father who is in his late fifties, and looks young for his age.

barak is an example of this principle, which says that people always to a level one above the one they should be. he was a great defense minister, but a lousy prime minister. the same could be said of netanyahu - a great finance minister, terrible prime minister (its debatable for some but really he is quite useless). avigdor lieberman too....a great bouncer, lousy at everything else!

Lefty loonies dragging down their country by being butt-boys of the Arabs

Thanks for everything, I have an extremely fat financial as well as physical position, engorging myself and my bank accounts through my contacts. I have chased Jews into shelters several times, making them believe I was defending them, it was fun! Those are pretty much my accomplishments, so bye and thanks for everything, love, Uncle Ehud

I don't particularly like Barak, nor do I agree with most of his decisions, but to say he cared only about himself is ridiculous. A person that cares only for himself doesn't climb through the ranks of the IDF for the money! If it was easy for him, then good for him. Are you jealous Haber? The man is old, he wants to spend time doing everything he hasn't done in the last 50 years, serving his country. How many years did you serve your country Haber? You would write about anything be it true or lie, just to put your name out there for self gain. YOU are the one that is selfish and ungreatful, not Barak.

Yes Paolo you are correct. I re-read my comment and the beginning was too strong. You said in more diplomatic language than I, the same thing. I just zoomed in on the picture of that fat little porker and his "family dedications'... I have always detested Barak, and could never understand the grip he had on Netanyahu, why he appointed him time after time, whilst he was ordering police and IDF to drag women and children from their homes at 3 a.m etc. He is a vile person, and a rotten minister no matter how clever. He was part of the Sharon cabal which cleared out Gaza for the terrorists to use. I will never understand why, nor how, the Jewish people in Israel, normally so aggressive, stood by and watched those horrifying scenes.There had to be a better way. It was an object lesson.... Today Gaza, tomorrow Tel Aviv, the next day Jerusalem-and that's the end.....

Well,... He looks good now, since he's taken off a lot of weight. You should have seen him a few years ago, he looked exactly like George Orwell's depiction of "Napoleon" standing on his hind trotters.

Personally, I don't know how much of a good soldier he was as a commander/leader. He was a good soldier when he was young, highly decorated and was adored by others like Rabin, Shamir, etc... However, for some reason, I am not really sure how the guy could have been a good leader. He was promoted very quickly in the army, but then again, from a certain level, his people were not allowed to voice their options or views. I have heard so many times that the 'guy had a personal driver since he was in his twenties, he will never understand this'... etc. Looking at the decisions that he made, and the terrible mistakes that he constantly makes with people, makes me really doubt how good he is with people in general. Now, as for politics, that's clearly a 'No'. First, I don't buy the "you don't want me, you won't have me" bit either. We did not want him for TOO LONG a time, but he was happily sitting in his seat, against his party, and even against his supporters. Second, even if I assume that the guy is great 'security-wise', I don't want the risk of having somebody like that in such a high position, making decisions for me. No, thank you very much. Enjoy your cigars and fancy appartments. It's about the time we wake up: Wrong policies and bad politics are at least as important for Israel's future, than a few successful military operations. Thank you very much Barak for your military service. That said, I have never felt so disappointed by someone I have voted for, in my whole life...

I cannot abide Ehud Barak. Everytime I saw his photo in the newspapers my first thought was "how I would love to smack him in the middle of his "I am" attitude. I'm certainly pleased I won't be hearing or seeing anything of him anytime soon. He is a dispicable "I am" person loathed by most people. Good riddance! and please, Ehud, get rid of all that slime that covers you! Happy Pensioin Day.... or will you miss seeing your photo in the newspapers?

The fact that he was a flawless warrior did not make he a good politician. He was able to ram ideas on people and achieve objectives but his lack of foresight in dealing with people did him in.

Sounds like a model person to me

that it takes more then talents, personality, courage, skill to be a great leader in Israel. Barak takes his place along all the other talented leaders that failed the country, bringing shame and damage to its security. The failure is his ideological approach to nonredeemable enemies, and the conviction that what was conquered in all Israel's wars is Israel's by defensive and historical right, and not a bargaining chip for the good-will of Jew-haters.

Well said Paul. A decent and brave leadership in Israel is long overdue. The era of the 6 days in June is long gone and it wont ever return. They underestimated Israel in 1967. Now Israel is terribly underestimating the Moslem brotherhood, sisterhood , street, league, gigantic population, uncountable riches in oil, youth and techonological potential. The very notion of relying on the Iron dome is stupid and suicidal. A salvo of 1000 rockets will overwhelm a dozen domes. Gaza must be eradicated now, while its still a possibility. The TA bus bombing and associated demonstrations by the Pals living in the WB and as israeli citizens is no different than the antics of the Volks Deutcshe in Checkoslovakia, Poland and in other EU countries who supported the Grmans in launching and propagating WW2. We need to clean them out now, or have to fight a five front war, north, south, east west and interior. Do it now for god sakes and for the sake of your children and grandchildren. Do it for strategic/tactical reasons to at least have only a 3 front war.

He was reluctant to destroy his lucrative future lecture and business career, and refused to do what it takes to win Gaza and create a deterence for Hamas. He put a stop to IDF actions in Gaza. Barak has become a greedy and money grubbing man in his old age, far removed from his illustirous past.

And those that served under his command had one word for him "Lousy". He was a terrible general, and he went down hill from there.

and Zoabi carefully listening in.

You sublimate and transmit your own obvious failures onto others with your foul-language and vitreole . Mr Haber contributes more to Israeli society with one thoughtful article and analysis than anything you have accomplished in your lifetimes.

This article has its correct points but also has its flaws. Security will not suffer in any way after Barak. It will blossom. Barak was totally immersed i in destroying and degrade and supress the settlement movement and anything in Samaria. He was against building, Ariel college, and was adept at surprising settlers in the middle of the night or on Shabbat and holidays, with no consideration of women and children. For his goals - he utilized the IDF , as Sharon did in the puull out of Gaza. He had no problem squandering millions on suprflous hotel rooms in France and IDF's money and budgets meant nothing to him. Once we are rid of him the settlement movement hopefully flourish, and the IDF will blossom.