The reverberations in Lebanon/Syria
■"Syria Supporters Rally in Lebanon: Hezbollah Chied Puts U.S. on Notice As Thousands Fill Streets of Beirut," by Scott Wilson, Washington Post, 9 March 2005, p. A1.■"Syrian Troop Deal Exposes Festering Lebanese Resentments: In Bekaa Valley, Soldiers Impose a Daily Burden," by Scott Wilson, Washington Post, 8 March 2005, p. A10.
■"U.S. Called Ready to See Hezbollah in Lebanon Role," by Steven R. Weisman, New York Times, 10 March 2005, pulled from web.
■"Can Hezbollah Go Straight," op-ed by Michael Young, New York Times, 9 March 2005, pulled from web.
■"The Beirut Tea Party," op-ed by Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times, 10 March 2005, pulled from web.
Hezbollah musters an impressive crowd of demonstrators and reminds us all that it is the true power in Lebanon. Syria's troop withdrawal and concentration in the Bekaa Valley probably won't work for long, given the burden on the local population there, so we may be looking at them being gone far faster than anticipated, and that will mean Hezbollah is back to being Big Man in Country.
Once that happens, the reality of Iran's strong influence and patronage will be impossible to deny. The U.S. says it's read to see Hezbollah be responsible, but you have to wonder if Hezbollah is ready for this role. Thomas Friedman is getting all gushy on the waves of democracy, but I don't see them lapping up to any great degree on Iran's shores right now, and Iran holds the key to peace in Beirut, Jerusalem and Baghdad. When smart local experts talk about "fragile," they're referring to Iran's ability to ruin this "party."