❊ When Can Beggars Be Choosers? When They Have Other Options

Many Americans are surprised by Lebanon’s defiant attitude towards the withdrawal of American military aid. They shouldn’t be.

Yesterday, the Lebanese Minister of Defense said that we don’t want American Military Aid if it came with strings attached. Of course it is possible that he is saying something entirely different in private, but the truth remains that this is the overwhelming gut reaction of many Lebanese, who felt justified in using those weapons against the perceived Israeli encroachment on our land.

This dismissive attitude of “we don’t want your filthy money” is striking some Americans as galling:

The problem is that instead of Lebanon refusing the largesse, it is demanding that such aid comes without conditions. If the Lebanese think that in taking aid from the United States based on conditions is tantamount to selling its soul, then simply refuse it. Where else can beggars be choosers?

I understand why they should think that, but this shows just how little they understand the country. Lebanon is at the center of a large power struggle between regional and international powers. It is being constantly showered by ‘largesse’ from different countries in return for influence. So a paltry $100 million lost from America (equivalent to 5% of the net worth of the Prime Minister alone) is a $100 million gained from Iran, Saudi Arabia or even Turkey.

Beggars can be choosers when they have options.

Now the inevitable concession: Many Lebanese would rather receive aid from America than Iran, because they’d like as little influence as possible from a country that still executes women by public stoning. Moreover, America doesn’t only provide money, it also provides military technology that no other country can provide.

That said, American Senators shouldn’t run around telling people that they’ll punish Lebanon by withdrawing aid. Countries have pride too, and in our case, we also have options.

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Note: Posts with titles starting with an ❊ (asterisk) are my opinion posts. I used this system to separate long posts from quick links and comments.