Historically, the more organized and disciplined world powers have always had an advantage over their less disciplined adversaries. The Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Mongols, Russians, British, Americans all relied on an immensely disciplined military-industrial organization to crush their enemies. And, nothing has really changed, for thousands of years. In some sense, might does, indeed, make right. So, the Russians always defeat the Ukrainians, and Israel always defeats Hamas. Is the stronger power always in the right? Well, maybe. And, maybe not. Morality is a tricky thing to define, particularly when self-interest is involved, as it usually is.

As we see in the new conflict between Israel and Hamas, Hamas has indeed learned much from the Russo-Ukrainian War. They have learned that air defenses are virtually worthless, even the much vaunted "Iron Dome" defense of Israel. No air defense system on the planet is even remotely effective when really tested, and none ever will be. So, Hamas was able to do massive damage against the state of Israel -- far more than the Ukrainians have ever managed to do against Russian defenses, actually -- with crude and inexpensive weapons systems. And Hamas was able to mobilize quickly to inflict considerable damage, for a time anyway, even against the vaunted Israeli army. As the Ukrainians prevailed briefly against the Russians.

Now, of course, Hamas has no chance whatsoever long term against the Israelis. Anymore than Ukraine has any chance at all against the Russians. The better organized power always wins, in the long run. Where, exactly does this superior organization come from? Well, in the case of the Russians, it came from exposure to the Mongol Golden Horde. The rise of Muscovy corresponds precisely with the arrival of the Golden Horde, and the Russians adopted their organizational principles with great enthusiasm. The Russians have never looked back, and have been a great empire ever since. In the case of Israel, the need for organization was implicit in their chronic situation of total siege on all sides by hostile enemies. The Israelis are formidably organized out of necessity, and they always will be. It's built into the culture, and they know they have no choice in this.

So, we already knew in advance the outcome of both of these conflicts. So, why do their opponents even attempt to fight Israel and Russia? Probably just a lack of discipline. They certainly know better, don't they?