Failure
From the BBC, more than 54 civilians, at least 34 of them children, have been killed in a town in south Lebanon in the deadliest Israeli strike of the conflict so far.
The United States, the United Nations, and the International Community (ha) have failed the nation of Lebanon. In March the people of Lebanon took to the streets to protest against the influence and occupation of their country by Syria. Weeks later under pressure from the world and the United States, then Syria Army left Lebanon in what was seen as a victory for self determination and moderate Muslim nations. It was an inspiring time, a glimpse of an elusive triumph in a region beset by autocrats and fear. Extremist Muslim groups such as Hezballah had been brought into the political fray, participating in Lebanese democracy, hopefully in a long term attempt to moderate its extreme views while bringing its goals in line with those of the Lebanese people.
That was four months ago. Yes, Hezballah's attack on Israel provoked this specific conflict, but Israel must have noticed the progress Lebanon was making, the softening and moderation of its northern neighbor. Now I fear this incursion has pushed Lebanon back by twenty years and pushed those moderates back onto the side of the extremists.
This is where the President's rhetoric does not align with this actions. The official line, the US wants "to develop a resolution that will enable the region to have a sustainable peace, a peace that lasts, a peace that will enable mothers and fathers to raise their children in a hopeful world." The comment is so hopelessly vague and unrealistic that it can only be considered profoundly unserious (thanks CR). If we truly supported Democratic progress and moderate Muslim nations, this would have been an opportunity for us to express support for Lebanon, as we did so vocally when Syria was occupying its land. Instead we will once again be seen as a nation that supports Democracy and freedom when it is only in our interest, by weakening the despotic regime of Bashar al Assad. Nearly every day we listen to George W. Bush speak about how we will not abandon, "cut and run", from the fight in Iraq, what makes Lebanon so different?
The United States, the United Nations, and the International Community (ha) have failed the nation of Lebanon. In March the people of Lebanon took to the streets to protest against the influence and occupation of their country by Syria. Weeks later under pressure from the world and the United States, then Syria Army left Lebanon in what was seen as a victory for self determination and moderate Muslim nations. It was an inspiring time, a glimpse of an elusive triumph in a region beset by autocrats and fear. Extremist Muslim groups such as Hezballah had been brought into the political fray, participating in Lebanese democracy, hopefully in a long term attempt to moderate its extreme views while bringing its goals in line with those of the Lebanese people.
That was four months ago. Yes, Hezballah's attack on Israel provoked this specific conflict, but Israel must have noticed the progress Lebanon was making, the softening and moderation of its northern neighbor. Now I fear this incursion has pushed Lebanon back by twenty years and pushed those moderates back onto the side of the extremists.
This is where the President's rhetoric does not align with this actions. The official line, the US wants "to develop a resolution that will enable the region to have a sustainable peace, a peace that lasts, a peace that will enable mothers and fathers to raise their children in a hopeful world." The comment is so hopelessly vague and unrealistic that it can only be considered profoundly unserious (thanks CR). If we truly supported Democratic progress and moderate Muslim nations, this would have been an opportunity for us to express support for Lebanon, as we did so vocally when Syria was occupying its land. Instead we will once again be seen as a nation that supports Democracy and freedom when it is only in our interest, by weakening the despotic regime of Bashar al Assad. Nearly every day we listen to George W. Bush speak about how we will not abandon, "cut and run", from the fight in Iraq, what makes Lebanon so different?
posted by Anon. at 12:52 PM
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