A return to Syrian hegemony in Lebanon?

[JackNewtown]

Let's not turn this to a debate about Israel. Let's focus on Lebanon's future. Will the new, pro-US, anti-Syria government that we helped create be toppled as a result of the attack on Lebanon? It has proven to be completely impotent in defending Lebanon. Moreover, aligning itself with the United States has not paid off for it during this crisis. Will the crisis cause pro-Syrian forces to take over Lebanon? They can use the powerful argument that "we can defend you better" against the current government. They can also criticize the new government's pro-American orientation, in light of the flurry of American military might in the hands of the IDF being used against Lebanon and Washington's approval of this.

I think American interests have been overlooked in the discussion of this conflict, with a few exceptions.

[shain from kane]

1. Why are you bringing this shit up? n/t

[Redstone]

3. Um, maybe because it's a valid point?

Redstone

[JackNewtown]

4. It isn't a legitimate question?

Are we required to limit our discussion to Israel and Hezbollah and ignore American interests?

I am not a fan of Syria. I don't want to see a return to Syrian hegemony in Lebanon.

[shain from kane]

7. I was just pulling your leg. U.S. wanted Syria out of Lebanon, and they

left, and administration ballyhooed their triumph. Now, Bush wants them back in the shit to broker a deal, ceasefire, release hostages, or whatever with the militant groups which they were hoping that Lebanon would be able to suppress. That's what Bush threw his hissy fit about at the luncheon, because he realized that as a spoiled little brat that he wouldn't get his way with just wishful thinking.

[malaise]

9. It's sad and funny

afterall he kicked the Syrians out and they did keep the peace.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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[Redstone]

2. Well, if we didn't have all our people and all our equipment getting

ground down in Iraq, whe just might have had an opportunity to intervene in a constructive way in Lebanon.

But we can't. We can't do jack shit about North Korea (which really IS dangerous), and we can't do jack shit about Lebanon.

We can't, in fact, do jack shit about jack shit.

So what you say is indeed what's most likely to happen.

Back to square one, plus a lot of dead people.

Redstone

[madokie]

8. and I am inclined to believe that the loss of life is part of the WHIG 's

grand scheme of things.

[Redstone]

11. "WHIG" meaning what? I must have missed that one.

Redstone

[madokie]

13. White house Iraqi group

been around here for a while

[Redstone]

15. Hey, thanks. And by the way, you're probably right.

Redstone

[k_jerome]

5. more failed bush policy. nt.

[bemildred]

6. I have seen that suggested in one "analysis" of this.

I'm not buying it, it also suggested that Israel would like that, to control Hiz'bullah, and that that was one of the goals of this dog and pony show, to weaken Hiz'bullah and get Syria back into Lebanon (really).

But it is a good question, what comes after this, if not Syria?

[blonndee]

12. I would love to see more discussion of this

as I don't know nearly enough about the dynamics of the Syria/Lebanon/Hezbollah situation, though I've been trying to catch up.

It seems in our discussions here at DU we've been so focused on Israel v. Hezbollah that we've largely not considered the incredible upheaval and changes that Lebanon has experienced recently re: Syria. I wonder if such a discussion might uncover some possible motivations and actors in this disaster, in addition to the possible future of Lebanon.

[Lisa]

14. glad you brought this up!

Remember just last year, when the Bushies were triumphantly claiming credit for the "Cedar Revolution" and saying that the resurgence of democracy in Lebanon was all due to their Middle East interventions? Funny how they aren't saying much now. (If the new Lebanese government was weak, they misjudged the situation ... and if things were getting better, Israeli military action has probably put a stop to it.)

http://www.nationalreview.com/ledeen/ledeen200503010752.asp

[JackNewtown]

16. I remember

The mainstream media jumped on the "Was Bush right?" bandwagon after this claiming that Iraq was the reason it happened.

It is a shame that the Bush administration is not protecting American interests in Lebanon, but it isn't surprising given the neocon view of the Middle East. When the dust settles on this America will emerge as one of the losers.