❊ The Weakling Doctrine: P.M. Mikati on Lebanon’s Foreign Policy.

Here’s how our Prime Minister recently summed up his foreign policy guidelines:

It is important not to interfere in other [countries’] affairs so no one interferes in ours […] We will not [work against] international will… We do not have the power to confront anyone, particularly the international community.

The problem is not that this isn’t a sensible policy (perhaps it is), but that this is a complete falsehood and a tremendous act of self delusion by Mr. Mikati. This is the foreign policy edition of the “Mikati Centrism” mirage.

So what were Lebanon’s last two foreign policy “non interference” moves?

• We “Disavow” a United Nation Security Council statement that denounces Syria’s heavy-handed crackdown on peaceful protesters
• We “Reject” an Arab League statement that also condemns the Syrian regime

Does actively facing the world and the Arab league to take Syria’s side count as “not confronting anyone” ? Even better, does Hezbollah’s Language of fighting, cutting off hands and resisting the international tribunal sound like the language of someone who believes in our weakness?

Mr. Mikati’s supporters get upset when I say that he’s not the real prime Minister of this country (Sayyed Nasrallah is). But it is statements like these that betray his complete lack of authority and the fact that he is not the one in charge.

Lebanon is neither weak, nor neutral, Mr. Mikati. Lebanon has officially chosen the side of the pariahs, but you don’t want to admit it.