The Lebanese Crisis and Iran’s Nuclear Program
Witnessing the latest round of barbaric violence against Lebanon, many have been wondering as to why Israel has decided to end
its normally limited reactions to Hizbullah’s aggression and to ferociously and widely escalate its response. Many analysts and
spectators have been wondering what could happen next. Is the US initiative in the Middle East over? Will the US and the UN be
forced to cut a deal with Syria and/or Iran to curb Hizbullah, and would such a deal bring Syria back to Lebanon? Will Israel invade
Lebanon, again? When will this barrage of death and destruction end?
Screening the latest political maneuverings in the broader Middle East region (including Iran) as well as the latest fierce
bombardment against Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, it seems that Israel has decided to launch its own war on terrorism.
Meanwhile the Bush Administration’s policy, supported by most Arab states, is to place the whole world (the United Nations, the
European Union, the Arabs states, Iran and Syria as well as the Lebanese people and government) before their responsibilities by
forcing them to take a clear and cautiously calculated stance from the latest developments. Hence, it is without a doubt that some
of these players are being squeezed between a rock and a hard place.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) can no longer issue fancy presidential statements and crafty resolutions with empty
slogans for fear to upset the feelings of this rogue state or that dictator, or to avoid the veto of China and Russia whose actions
have been frustrating due to their sympathetic sentiment towards their strategic allies in the region i.e. Iran, Syria, and their
terrorist proxies-Hamas and Hizbullah. Thus, this escalation will impose a higher standard of ethics and responsibility on the
shoulders of the concerned states. If they fail, they will deem the UNSC irrelevant in today’s world order. The same applies to the
European Union.
Egypt, Kuwait and Jordan falls within this framework of understanding, but it must be clearer. Furthermore, since Hizbullah and
Hamas Iranian clear and present danger to the Arab Sunnis in the ME region, which have been witnessing an overwhelming
increase in Shiite for this aggression is double edged; Persians vs. Arabs and Shiites Vs. Sunnis. Historic facts indicate that such
threat poses an Iranian clear and present danger to the Arab Sunnis in the ME region, which have been witnessing an
overwhelming increase in Shiite population. Such demographic change is of great danger to a region which is adopting democratic
political systems. On the other Saudis and their allies end up in one way or another financing the bombs and ammunitions being
dropped in today’s battles.
hand, Israel poses no direct threat to any Arab state ideologically, economically, or militarily. Therefore, it should not be a surprise
if the
Saudis and their allies end up in one way or another financing the bombs and ammunitions being dropped in today’s battles.
As for the US initiative in the ME, it is far from being dead. In fact, the Israeli war has provided the US Administration another path
through which it can deal with Iran’s nuclear program. This added dimension gives the US the option to go on its own or through
NATO away from the UN frustrating and rather ineffective declarations and maneuverings. This may occur through the Defense
Treaty between Israel and the USA, if the latter decided to take military action against the Hizbullah-Syrian-Iranian axis, especially
if these two rogue states decided to intervene along side Hizbullah. Otherwise, Hizbullah will eventually be crushed and defeated.
Furthermore, the Israeli aggression has helped the US Administration for it showed the world, Middle Easterners in particular, the
alternative to the US peaceful initiative and partnership program. Notwithstanding, when the Director of Public Diplomacy and MEPI
affairs at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mr. Walid Maalouf traveled to Egypt and Lebanon, June 11-18, where
he met with religious leaders, influential civil society members, and students to discuss U.S. foreign assistance, Syria and
Hizbullah accused him of being an Israeli agent and a Zionist. Today’s aggression highlights that nothing can be further from the
truth than these allegations. Mr. Maalouf’s visit was supported by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who affirmed that “our Arab
speaking diplomats must tell America’s story, not just in translated op-eds, but live.”[i]
It is hard to predict the end of this crisis, but it seems that Israel will keep escalating its aggression even after defeating Hizbullah
in order to provoke Syria and Iran to join the fight. This will serve as a perfect justification to bombard Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Unfortunately, a successful assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities is the only way to end this aggression against Lebanon and its
innocent people for the road to Tehran goes through the Southern Suburb of Beirut. This is due, regrettably, to the fact that
Hizbullah and his allies placed Lebanon’s fate in the hand of the Iranian radical regime.
In conclusion, it is time for the Lebanese people and government to take a solid stance against any official or organization that
acts independently through channels outside the government institutions, especially the cabinet, which is the executive branch of
the government. It is also time to implement UNSCR 1559 aimed at disarming militias, deploying the Lebanese Army in southern
Lebanon, electing a new president, and reforming Lebanon’s political and economic systems. Furthermore, the Lebanese
government must hold Hizbullah, Iran, Syria, and Israel accountable for the deaths of innocent people, as well as for the
destruction of Lebanon’s infrastructures by suing these culprits in the International Court of Justice.[ii] By order form the proper
authorities, the Lebanese Central Bank must seize the accounts of Hizbullah in order to pay retribution for all the deaths and
damage they caused to Lebanon’s infrastructure and its people. Moreover, the Lebanese government must confiscate all properties
owned by Hizbullah and its affiliate organizations. Last but not least, the Lebanese people must hold accountable the officials
who are responsible for this crisis. This includes anyone who participated in supporting, planning, and or participating in
Hizbullah’s latest miscalculated aggression, which brought Lebanon to its knees.
The civilized world should be outraged regarding the inhumane treatment and the suffering of the innocent Lebanese people who
are being massacred and or living in constant fear and now disease and poverty. It is for this reason that we support Secretary Rice’
s adamant quest to reach a comprehensive solution to the Lebanese crisis, which will result in disarming Hizbullah and in curbing
Iran and Syria’s constant destructive intervention in Lebanon’s internal affairs, instead of a brief ceasefire that will maintain the
troublesome status quo.
For those who harbor ill-sentiment toward a free and democratic Lebanon, we assure them that Syria will not return to Lebanon;
Iran’s Nuclear Facilities will be destroyed; Hizbullah’s Jihadist movement will cease to exist; the US initiative for a free,
democratic, and sovereign Lebanon will prevail for it is the wish and the will of the Lebanese people.
Pierre A. Maroun
Senior Policy Advisor
American Lebanese Coalition
ALCC
727-641-9764
July 26, 2006
[i] Mr. Maalouf’s speeches and negotiations were conducted in Arabic.
[ii] http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/igeneralinformation/inotice.pdf
Published @ World Security Network Lebanonwire Global Politician
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