Hariri’s In A “lose-lose” Situation

Analyst Elias Hanna on P.M Hariri’s options:

If he chooses to back the tribunal, Hariri will anger the Syrians and squander the undoubtedly painful concessions he has already given to Damascus — but if he renounces the tribunal, he will destroy his own legitimacy as a politician among the Lebanese

That’s what happens when you shy away from developing a strong position and communicating it clearly to your supporters.

For example, we haven’t heard a word on what Mr. Hariri thinks of the false witnesses issue, and it’s obviously not going to go away as the opposition managed to turn it from a side show into the center of public consciousness by relentlessly hammering it in.