Posted on 08/18/2010 1:05:34 PM PDT by James C. Bennett
Lebanon was integrated into the Iran-Syria empire in early August 2010. It’s now a part of the anti-West axis, firmly aligned with Iran
History will record that Lebanon was integrated into the Iran-Syria empire in early August 2010. Here are some of the stories that mark that turning point, and also show how Western willingness to make concessions and eagerness to avoid confrontation are interpreted by moderates as a signal or surrender and radicals as an invitation to advance further.
Former Lebanese Cabinet Minister Wiam Wahhab explained that Lebanon is now, in effect, a Syrian province in a television interview, explaining that the country is back to the rule of Damascus that prevailed in the 1980s: “In the event of a civil war, Syrian tanks will enter Lebanon. Syria is not fooling around.” No, Syria is not fooling around. But the West is.
Mr Wahhab added that UNIFIL and other UN groups are hostages that Lebanon and Syria can dominate. The last four years has shown that the international community is weaker than Hizbullah and won’t defend its own people. The UN and international community did not make a serious effort to implement any of the promises made at the time they brokered the 2006 ceasefire in the Israel-Hizbullah war. Once again, Hizbullah rules southern Lebanon. It imports weapons and builds military strong points at will. Hizbullah will never defeat Israel in this situation but it has succeeded in defeating the entire world.
Meanwhile the Syrian media brags about extensive victories, including the acceptance of Syria’s domination over Lebanon by both Western and Arab countries (the Saudi King’s visit marked the submission of Syria’s main rival in Lebanon), the surrender of the former Lebanese independence forces, the alleged growing influence of Syria in Iraq, and the integration of Turkey into the Iran-Syria alliance.
Most Western Govern-ments and media still publicly ignore the transformation (perhaps temporary) of Turkey into part of the radical, anti-Western alliance but Iran, Syria, and Hizbullah are quite aware of this huge change. Equally, they pretend that Lebanon still functions as an independent country, though US Congress’s cut-off of aid to Lebanon’s Army shows that it comprehends the situation.
Meanwhile, Hizbullah leader Hasan Nasrallah charges that Israel killed former Lebanese President Rafik Hariri, the act that set off the short-lived Lebanese national revival against Syrian domination. Everyone in Lebanon knows Hariri was killed by Syria through Lebanese agents, who seem to have included Hizbullah officials. But no one in political life has the courage to say so. And if the international investigation does implicate Syrian-Hizbullah involvement, all the Lebanese leaders who once shouted in anger against these assassins will now tremble and deny it.
Other Hizbullah statements include the claim that the unprovoked assassination of an Israeli officer in the tree incident was a defence of Lebanon against Israeli aggression. They extol the resistance as being so brave and strong that it would not even let a tree be cut down in Lebanon, though it is now established that the tree in question was in Israel.
Western observers might find such points to be foolish or unimportant but few in Lebanon, or even in the Arab world, will hear about the truth. They will believe that the shooting incident was a heroic defence of the Arab homeland against still another Israeli act of aggression.
Moreover, many will be inspired by a struggle that will give neither an inch nor a tree. The message is also that the resistance will fight for one tree while the West won’t fight at all. Such arguments are far more powerful than any rational matters of fact in stirring passions and shaping politics in the region.
If the Iran-Syria-Hizb- ullah-Hamas-Iraqi insurgent-Turkish regime alliance is looking ever stronger and will kill over a tree, how is the leadership of the Palestinian Authority going to compromise over territory and give up the dream of conquering all of Israel? Now that the West has surrendered and, for all practical purposes, recognised the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip, why should Palestinians believe that the Palestinian Authority is going to be their sole legitimate leader, especially if it makes compromises to achieve peace with Israel?
Iran offered to subsidise the Lebanese Army if the United States cut off aid, an eventuality which is unlikely. But the point is that the Lebanese Army under the current Government serves the interests of Tehran more than Washington, DC. One can certainly make an argument that US aid should continue to avoid an Iranian monopoly and keep open contacts in hope things will get better in future. I’m not necessarily arguing against that idea. But have no illusions that the Lebanese Government and Army are “pro-Western”.
If some day a war breaks out between Lebanon and Israel, as in 2006, and Israeli forces hit the Lebanese infrastructure hard, remember all of this. Lebanon has now joined — however unwillingly on the part of most of its citizens — the radical, anti-Western Islamist bloc and may well have to pay the price for that allegiance.
Only if the huge Western setbacks in Turkey, the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon are taken into account can anyone get a realistic picture of what’s going on in the region
- The writer is director of the GLORIA Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs Journal.
Not surprising since they exterminated the Christians.
Of course same Muslim sect as Iran and Syria.
Hmmm, I wonder what happened to the U.S. aid that was sent to Lebanon post-Hizbullah war? I was obvious even that Hizbullah had taken over the government.
The Muslims were a minority there, not too long ago.
Way back in 71 I was attending a small business school and we had a young man from Lebanon. Nice as could be - I still remember how well he dressed. Why can’t we all just get along?
Because Islam, by Quranic instruction, makes it a mission to ensure that the entire planet bows to Allah and its barbaric laws.
Nor is Bebe. Syria is a slow learner, guess the experience from the last time has dimmed. Sons do not remember the utter defeat at the hands of Israel. I remember all to well the assasination of Gemayel who headed the Christian Militia in Lebanon (long ago). Now the Syrian & Iranian backed Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon are well funded brutal killers.
So Israel doesn’t have to worry about “collateral” damage anymore when they come after Hezbollah? Cool.
Yes a lot of Animals and Muslims have Litters of offspring.
Lebanon was integrated into the Iran-Syria empire in early August 2010.Thanks JCB. Some quibbles:
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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