ANALYSIS: It may not be over for Israel’s Barak

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Roni Schutzer / AFP - Getty ImagesIsrael's Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday announces that he is quitting political life after a decades-long career that also saw him serve as prime minister. By Martin Fletcher, NBC NewsNews analysis

TEL AVIV, Israel — Internet forums in Israel sprang to life when Ehud Barak made his surprise announcement that he would retire from politics in eight weeks. The overwhelming sentiment on Ynet and other newspaper forums — good riddance.

But the key question is, does he mean it? Consider his background.

Follow @NBCNewsWorldIsrael’s most decorated soldier, universally recognized as a brilliant special forces officer, in the army for 36 years. When he went into politics he became foreign minister within two years, then prime minister and now defense minister.




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