For those seeking a really good summary of Lebanon's recent history (past 100 years), and how things got into the mess they are, try "Shadow Warriors:Inside the Special Forces," by Tom Clancy with Gen. Carl Stiner (Ret.) and Tony Koltz. This factual book contains and excellent 36 page chapter titled The Lebanon Tragedy. Gen Stiner played a major role there in 1983-4, which included the time of the bombing of the Marine Barracks (241 killed), the French Embassy minutes later (59 killed), and the US Embassy.
Here is a brief quote regarding the Iran/Syria fingerprint. "Soon the Hezbollah connection began to come clear. According to Lebanese intelligence, the suicide drivers had been blessed by Sheikh Fadlallah, the spiritual leader of Hezbollah, before they launched their suicide missions. And a Couple of days later, we learned that messages had been intercepted from the Iranian Foreign Ministry to Mohammed Mohtashamipur, the Iranian ambassador in Damascus (Syria), urging a major attack against the Americans. We also learned that Hosein Sheikholislam, the chief Iranian terrorist, had checked into the Sheraton Hotel in Damascus. He checked out on October 22, the day before the bombing. And Lebanese intelligence officials reported that the Iranian embassy in Damascus had been evacuated early on Sunday morning, just before the bombing."
Later the CIA chief was kidnapped, presumable tortured, and killed, and his in-country network identified and murdered. We probably lack good intelligence assets on the ground, and given the mess there, I hope we keep our troops out of their mess.
Some interesting stats from Wikepedia about the '95 Lebanese general elections that followed the so-called "Cedar Revolution" --
In the first round of elections, held in Beirut, and won by anti-Syrian coalition led by the later assassinated Hariri, the turnout was only 28%.
In the second round, held in Southern Lebanon, and won overwhelmingly by the Hezbollah/Shiite parties, the turnout was between 43% and 55%.
All those enthusiastic demonstrations, and Beirut could only muster a 28% turnout -- and that was before Hariri got blown up.
The so-called "multicultural" Lebanon is a paper construct, and the fantasy that the Lebanese themselves will neutralize Hezbollah is just that -- a fantasy.
Thanks for info about that book. I tell ya, I've been going from link to link to link trying to learn more about everything that is going on. I still say it's a total mess over there, and I'm not just talking about recent developments. I consulted my bible again and all I can say is come soon Lord.