Barry Rubin: The Fall of Lebanon

[Steven]

May 24, 2008
Barry Rubin: The Fall of Lebanon
Barry Rubin, director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal, explains why May 21, 2008 is a date that should live in infamy.

“If you have tears, prepare to shed them now…. Oh, what a fall was there… Then I, and you, and all of us fell down.” .--William Shakespeare, “Julius Caesar,” Act 3, Scene 1 May 21, 2008, is a date—like December 7 (1941) and September 11 (2001)—that should now live in infamy. Yet who will notice, mourn, or act the wiser for it?
On that day, the Beirut spring was buried under the reign of Hizballah.

Speaking on October 5, 1938, after Britain and France effectively turned Czechoslovakia over to Nazi Germany, Winston Churchill said, “What everybody would like to ignore or forget must nevertheless be stated, namely, that we have sustained a total and unmitigated defeat….”[i]

In contrast, Assistant Secretary of State David Welch said that the agreement over Lebanon was, "A necessary and positive step." At least when one sells out a country one should recognize this has happened rather than pretend otherwise. But this is precisely what took place at Munich, when the deal made was proclaimed as a concession that brought peace and resolved Germany’s last territorial demand in the region.

Churchill knew better and his words perfectly suit the situation in Lebanon today:

“The utmost [Western diplomacy] has been able to gain for Czechoslovakia…has been that the German dictator, instead of snatching the victuals from the table, has been content to have them served to him course by course.”

Yes, that’s it exactly. On every point, Hizballah, Iran, and Syria, got all they wanted from Lebanon’s government: its surrender of sovereignty. They have veto power over the government; one-third of the cabinet; election changes to ensure victory in the next balloting; and they will have their candidate installed as president.


The majority side is not giving up but is trying to comfort itself on small mercies. The best arguments it can come up with are that now everyone knows Hizballah is not patriotic, treats other Lebanese as enemies, and cannot seize areas held by Christian and Druze militias. It isn’t much to cheer about.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/021157.php

[farmall]

Lebanon should have wiped them out years ago before they gained traction.

As for the comparison to Czechoslovakia, that's a laugh. Lebanon was always infested with Muslims. It's not a European country to be mourned. Arm those who will fight, otherwise break out the popcorn. The sooner we can treat Hezbollistan as an enemy state the better.

[Turkey]

Lebanon and Gazza must fall forever. all o them are just loser terrorists.was Turkish President i would use all my military power to finish gazza !!! i would use an atomic bomb i swear. i hate all terrorists!!! and i hate people who thinks israel must stop war. sooo where were those people when millions of israel people died at germany ?? !!!

[orangeblossom]

Turkey:

I can understand your reasoning for Gaza...but the country of Lebanon? While you are new here...I can't debate you on that one.

I suggest, read about Lebanon. Read the newspapers, etc. Read what you can...then we can talk. Read about LF, PSP, Damour, Syria, Crimes of Syrians, OCCUPATION, Bashir, Aoun, The Orange Party today, etc. Look at USA involvement...and even Isreali. Why pal camps came into Lebanon, etc. What Kissinger, the SHITHEAD, wanted to do with Lebanon.

It is one thing that you call for destruction of Hezbollah...ok...I am FOR THAT! But, not my country Lebanon. My beautiful country is never left at peace. Always someone calls for more crap to put into it.

Just for starters, and in a nutshell...The whole middle east is a political game. And the world put hezbollah INSIDE of Lebanon....not the people. Read the history of it...sent by Iran.

And remember my words....the whole middle east is nothing but a political game....and nothing but innocence get hurt.

[orangeblossom]

Yes, that’s it exactly. On every point, Hizballah, Iran, and Syria, got all they wanted from Lebanon’s government: its surrender of sovereignty. They have veto power over the government; one-third of the cabinet; election changes to ensure victory in the next balloting; and they will have their candidate installed as president.


The majority side is not giving up but is trying to comfort itself on small mercies. The best arguments it can come up with are that now everyone knows Hizballah is not patriotic, treats other Lebanese as enemies, and cannot seize areas held by Christian and Druze militias. It isn’t much to cheer about.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/021157.php

OK...while the got 'GRANTED' Veto power...Nasrallah knows elections our coming up.

They were given their power, with note elections will dictate outcome. And so far, they haven't been able to really use their veto powers.

Come on guys...why you want to use articles like this to put Hezbollah on a pedestool? This writer is an idiot. He hangs out too much in the shia slums. And inadvertantly, that is exactly what you do.

[orangeblossom]

[QUOTE=farmall;269091]Lebanon should have wiped them out years ago before they gained traction.
QUOTE]

hmmmm. And I can say the same thing about Israel. All you do is another cease-fire and pull-out.

3 years from now....boom....war....cease-fire...pull-out. We got the point in our area of the Middle East.

Yes...I am not just depressed on Isreal and their Gaza Offense...I just realized...it is a political game.

So...while we were willing to wipe the damn cancer out of our area...and you left us, along with USA, France, etc....how many are missing since Lebanon was sold to Syria by international governments back in the 80's?

please...explain your many pullouts. Why you never finish your wars? Rather ridiculous, yes?

Damn...where are the good old boys of back then? When men, where men.

[Fluids]

[QUOTE=orangeblossom]

Lebanon should have wiped them out years ago before they gained traction.
QUOTE]

hmmmm. And I can say the same thing about Israel. All you do is another cease-fire and pull-out.

3 years from now....boom....war....cease-fire...pull-out. We got the point in our area of the Middle East.

Yes...I am not just depressed on Isreal and their Gaza Offense...I just realized...it is a political game.

So...while we were willing to wipe the damn cancer out of our area...and you left us, along with USA, France, etc....how many are missing since Lebanon was sold to Syria by international governments back in the 80's?

please...explain your many pullouts. Why you never finish your wars? Rather ridiculous, yes?

Damn...where are the good old boys of back then? When men, where men.

Again blossom, Israel has too many wars to fight, for it to fight the wars of others.
Now about the US, what options did it have?