Lebanese Politics For Dummies

The latest issue of The Economist has a helpful, nuanced and aptly-titled 4-page briefing on the events that took place in Lebanon in the last three years. Also, while you’re at it, you should check their leader on the current situation…

Iran Smart, America Dumb?

Two veteran American commentators who have spent time in Beirut and who are sometimes referred to as the “Liberal Neocons”, have seen what happened in Lebanon and reached similar conclusions.
David Ignatius, in “Iran is winning; can the US bolster the Arab center?”
The center is under siege in Lebanon and across the Middle East as the [...]

On This Blog’s Biases

A little clarification on the political views expressed in this weblog…
In a previous post, many readers expressed a form or another of disappointment — in comments and in emails– that I’m becoming less fair and less balanced.
I want to make it clear that I never suggested before that I was somehow dissociated from what is [...]

Mischevious Question

Now that Hezbollah has proven that it can block government decisions it doesn’t like, should it still insist on having a blocking third share of the government?

About That Arab Delegation

It just doesn’t feel right…

(Photo credit: AP)
The Arab delegation has landed in Beirut, but expectations remain bottom low for many reasons.
From the reception committee made by not-quite-resigned Minister of Exterior Fawzi Salloukh, standing proudly next to Brig. Gen. Wafik Shoucair — the man whose sacking supposedly sparked the entire hoopla in Lebanon — , to [...]

Photos: Worldwide Pro-Government Sit Ins

Here are pictures of some of the ad-hoc protests that took place in support of the Lebanese government in various places around the world.
Opposite the White House, Washington D.C

10 Downing Street, UK’s PM Office, London

Paris, in front of the Iranian embassy:

The Hague, The Netherlands:

Future Movement Press Release..

I received this release from a high-ranking source in the Future Movement. It makes an analogy between Hezbollah’s invasion of Beirut and Israel’s in 2006
In 1982 Sharon’s army invaded Beirut … In 2008, Nasrallah’s army invaded Beirut !
In 1982 the Israeli army oppressed the media… [...]

Tactical Weakness?

Bending with the wind, March 14 was apparently neither shocked nor awed.
A new theory that is gaining currency is that March 14 intentionally turned the other cheek (and handed their weapons) to let Hezbollah and its allies fall into a trap. Here are some of the arguments being made to support that theory:
From Lebanon Updates: [...]