'I'd have more sympathy for Lebanon if they'd realize that Hizbullah is probably a bigger threat to them than it is to the west or Israel. But they don't seem to mind much as long as Hizbullah sticks to kidnapping and blowing up westerners or firing rockets at Israel.'

This is one place where you decidedly need to learn more, Kate. The situation is a lot more complex than that and there are a LOT of Christians living in Lebanon.

But I can hope that they wipe hezbollah from the face of the Earth.

Too bad the Israelis lost their will in the face of EU and the lefties in their own government's condemnation in crushing Hezbollah when they had the opportunity. They followed them into Beirut and then whimped out.

Jaeger, you are trying to read history through newspaper headlines. The cutrrent lebanese government wants to get rid of the hizbollah scum. They are weak, thus have to manouver carefully.

The Phoenicians are the rightful rulers of Lebanon, and they are the Chistians. Politically incorrect but true. It is the muslims who are the invaders and they should be forced out.

SUPPORT THE PHOENICIANS!

1) Jaegar ~ your link goes back to the SDA main page.

2) Otter ~ Jaegar posted this article, not Kate.

3) I wonder if these developments are part of
    the deal that Israel and Syria are working on?

Could be Vitruvius, most likely it's simply an escalation of tension that's been there for months since Lebanon hasn't nominated a president last I heard (which is to say, the last thing I heard about their political situation was that the parliament refused to make a choice, or it was deadlocked, and that there is now nearly daily debates between the candidates?).

As Otter stated, the Christian demographic is/was very influential. I believe the Lebanese political system was constitutionally set up such that the president MUST be a Christian, the Prime Minister MUST be a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of the house MUST be a Shia Muslim.

Since then however, Christian's have declined in relative proportion to the rest of the population, and a large portion of the Muslim's in that country identify with Palestine's plight after Israel numerous excursions into the region. Every since Hezbollah set up there, the GDP and general well being of that country has plummeted, and the majority of Muslim's believe that Israel's interference is done at the behest of "the West" et al.

Anyways, huge off topic digression, but my big point is this:

During the 80's, the Christian groups here put the Muslim's to shame when it comes to violence, killings, and general violence and terrorism.

Sooo, as I forgot to mention, and for those who can't connect the dots, the tone of this post seems either highly racist/full of bigotry, or you've been reading too many Jyllands-Posten cartoons.

Link fixed now. Thanks, Vitruvius.

Aha! I found the article from Strategic Forecasting I was looking for, which I receive by email and which is copyright, but fortunately it turns out that said article is freely available at their web site, so here it is ~

The Shift Toward an Israeli-Syrian Agreement
By George Friedman and Peter Zeihan
April 29, 2008

www.stratfor.com/weekly/shift_toward_israeli_syrian_agreement

Excerpt: "Let’s reground this discussion away from what everyone — ourselves included — thinks they know and go back to the basics, namely, the geopolitical realities in which Israel and Syria exist."

Jebus, I am quite aware of Lebanon's demographic makeup, past and present. So what's your point? The Lebanese decision to close their eyes and accept Hizbullah's terror activities over the decades is okay because many of them are Christian? You're not making any sense, and furthermore, any more gratuitous insults will be deleted.

I'm glad that you are Jaeger aware, it's just the tone of the post seems to be one that attributes Lebanon's violence purely to Hezbollah, when this is quite obviously not the case. Hezbollah militant group operating in Lebanon, just as in the 80's there are thousands of Christian fighters ready to take up arms if a civil war were to break out.

So to "not have sympathy" for them seems pretty pretentious when you've got America on one side, a foreign power, far removed from the situation trying to interfere with their internal politics, Israel interfering and occasionally invading/occupying their country for a decade at a time, and Syria, a neighbor on their border, constantly harassing and attempting to subvert their government and their people.

But obviously it's all their fault for CHOOSING to have Hezbollah reside in Lebanon because we all KNOW that they have the power to throw them out any time they wanted...._not_. Do you think these peoples enjoy constant bombings and rocket attacks? Do you think they enjoy not being able to leave home at night, or find a decent job?

I'm sorry for the previous insults, I'll try to be more civil in the future, but when I read stuff from people who blame the Lebanese people for their suffering, it really gets under my skin.

Ah sorry that was full of missing words! I meant Hezbollah "isn't the only" militant group operating in Lebanon.

Here's another excerpt from the StratFor essay on Israel & Syria, one that perhaps better illustrates what may be the bigger picture here. Really, though, I do urge folks who are interested in this area to read the essay:

www.stratfor.com/weekly/shift_toward_israeli_syrian_agreement

"What appears to be under consideration between the supposed archrivals, therefore, is the restoration of the 2005 status quo in Lebanon. The Syrians would reclaim their position in Lebanon, unopposed by Israel. In return, the Syrians would control Hezbollah. For the Syrians, this has the added benefit that by controlling Hezbollah and restraining it in the south, Syria would have both additional strength on the ground in Lebanon, as well as closer economic collaboration — on more favorable terms — with Hezbollah. For Syria, Hezbollah is worth more as a puppet than as a heroic anti-Israeli force.

"This is something Israel understands. In the last fight between Israel and Syria in Lebanon, there were different local allies: Israel had the South Lebanese Army. The Syrians were allied with the Christian Franjieh clan. In the end, both countries dumped their allies. Syria and Israel have permanent interests in Lebanon. They do not have permanent allies.

"The big loser in this game, of course, would be the Lebanese. But that is more complicated than it appears. Many of the Lebanese factions — including most of the Christian clans — have close relations with the Syrians. Moreover, the period of informal Syrian occupation was a prosperous time. Lebanon is a country of businessmen and militia, sometimes the same. The stability the Syrians imposed was good for business."

Jebus....most of us don't blame the ordinary person in lebanon for their plight. As usual,it is the gubermints fault,trying to pander to any and all votes. Oh. And let's not forget the "Lebanese of conviniance". Or are they Canadians of conviniance?
And in ANY country,you will find groups ready to take up arms in a civil war,not just Christians. Or Sunni,S'hai etc.

Vitruvius: an interesting Stratfor article but ...

it says:

1) Peace with Egypt and Jordan means Israel is secure on its eastern and southern frontiers .. This statement is only true in a very limited sense.

2) George Friedman recently entertained and was complimentary about, Jacob Zuma, the ANC's president elect.

I don't think Friedman is stupid and so I always suspect he is up to something.

I certainly don't know, Greenmamba, I'm just trying to keep up with what's going under the useless facade of the entrenched media. But I do have an honest question, no offense intended; as you have included no link to your (2) assertion: are you sure you're not confusing George Friedman from Strategic Forecasting with Thomas Friedman from the New York Times?

This part is sooo refreshing..

** Qabbani also said that Lebanon's Sunni community was fed up with Hizbullah's actions. He also lashed out at Iran for its financing of what he called "Hizbullah's violations.**

Also on Wednesday, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused Hizbullah of being a * Mehdi Army * in the streets on Beirut, referring to Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's militia, which has recently come under heavy attack by US and Iraqi forces.

He also accused Hizbullah of wanting to control the airport.

**Hizbullah is telling the Lebanese government: 'If the airport is not under our control, there will be no airport at all,** he said. **

===================

It took a long time, but as in Iraq, they are understanding that Iran is trampling on them to damage the West.

Lebanese are fed up with Hizballah just as Iraqis are clearing al Qeada out of their towns and helping US military.

The anti- Muqtada / Iran backlash is underway... well underway. = TG

Underneath some of this pushback against hez is the CIA. The agency has been playing a large role ever since the public demonstrations after rafiq hariri was assassinated.

There is no such word as "conviniance".

But there may be, someday.

I think I agree with TG's comments. But I also think that Iran is instigating this stuff because it's there last chance at dominance in the ME.

Iran has stumbled badly in Iraq and guys like Maliki and the Iraqi Forces deserve a lot of credit for this by just standing up and saying that they are the government for all Iraqis.

If the Lebanese can stand up - it's all over for Hez and Iran.

The Lebanese have a long tradition of knowing how to make a buck and the longer there is peace, the more the wealth that will be generated, and the less likely it is that people will look back to gangsters for so-called handouts, protection, etc.

Steyn is afraid of giving a non-starter undue attention.

Steyn will gladly debate an informed and logical opponent and has done so, often.

It "beggars the question"? This expression boggles the mind.

It "beggars the question"? This expression boggles the mind.

Drinkin, Smokin, Laufin -- you'll all go to He!!