tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post5138094314015122223..comments2023-04-07T21:39:39.581+10:00Comments on Lebanese Chess: Hizballah humiliates March 14, Lebanon enters new phaseAntounhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01464126577298707310noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-56225223016231753862008-05-21T01:16:00.000+10:002008-05-21T01:16:00.000+10:00some great insight here... good job mansome great insight here... good job manAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-63012053297442182842008-05-13T13:39:00.000+10:002008-05-13T13:39:00.000+10:00Anonymous,It is a pity that it got to the stage it...Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>It is a pity that it got to the stage it did last week. No side was willing to concede, and as Lebanese often do, instead of sharing and finding a way to reconcile, they fight.<BR/><BR/>As for March 14, I believe they seriously lost the trust and respect of the Lebanese people after the Cedar Revolution. Instead of leading the country into a new direction, free of Syria, and introducing new reforms, they clung onto the corrupt establishment the Syrians imposed to further their power. Second, they became embroiled in the American agenda for a New Middle East out of fear for their survival.<BR/><BR/>That is the mistake March 14 made. Securing power in Lebanon requires the trust of the people, not that of Washington. Hezbollah invested heavily into improving its PR by forming an alliance with the Christians. March 14, on the other hand, didn't invest in the people, but instead ran to Washington and Riyadh for their security.<BR/><BR/>We arrived at a stage where many Lebanese were gaining trust for Hezbollah, and losing faith in March 14. I'm not discounting Hezbollah's own links to Syria and Iran, but it played its politics in Lebanon well, and it presented itself as a saviour for Lebanon, which was enhanced by its victory against Israel. <BR/><BR/>Hezbollah thrives on its image as a moral saviour, and it works time and time again.<BR/><BR/>The takeover of Beirut is a blow to this image, you are correct. That is why I have stated that Hezbollah now has years and years ahead of it to regain the trust of the Lebanese it has lost. It said it would never use its weapons to take power, it has. <BR/><BR/>If they give the power back to the people, they will reclaim that trust.<BR/><BR/>Omar,<BR/><BR/>I am active in the Lebanese community here, but I'm not a member of any leftist or political organisations.Antounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01464126577298707310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-7531665511071502092008-05-12T22:57:00.000+10:002008-05-12T22:57:00.000+10:00Enjoyed that analysis of my parent's homeland, a p...Enjoyed that analysis of my parent's homeland, a place with a political history that is incredibly difficult to get my head around.<BR/><BR/>Interested to read that you live in Australia... Are you active in any activist/leftist organisations here?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198699706987383916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-24771136136609142922008-05-12T20:11:00.000+10:002008-05-12T20:11:00.000+10:00Thank you, a worthwhile piece and a breath of fres...Thank you, a worthwhile piece and a breath of fresh air.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-34968776230659370232008-05-12T19:01:00.000+10:002008-05-12T19:01:00.000+10:00The problem of trust is a huge problem. Whether yo...The problem of trust is a huge problem. Whether you like the gvt or not, it is democratically constituted. So weapons took over the constitution. Now even if Hizballa proves to be a group of angels, they have set this rule, that whatever the law is, might makes right. This logic, on the long term, is bad for everybody. What happened these last days should not have happened. Now that it did, we need to wprk together on building trust. A major democratic principle to build the trust, is that the monopole of the use of power be controlled by the voters. This is not the case with the Hizballa, unless they become part of the army. Other measures won't build any trust.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-26344623977256244992008-05-12T05:00:00.000+10:002008-05-12T05:00:00.000+10:00A balanced and well-written piece.A balanced and well-written piece.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-40351007939238779982008-05-11T16:17:00.000+10:002008-05-11T16:17:00.000+10:00You have given us a good analysis especially when ...You have given us a good analysis especially when you pointed out what happened to Hamas. Hizbollah has done a remarquable job until now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-74826434607156649672008-05-11T15:14:00.000+10:002008-05-11T15:14:00.000+10:00What will this scenario look like in a few years w...What will this scenario look like in a few years when Iran (and thus Hezbollah) have nuclear materials? From the western view- this necessitates a hit on Iran soon. If Hezbollah is powerful now- what will it look like with a nuclear apparatus?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5340768932031052812.post-31586441383620838092008-05-11T03:47:00.000+10:002008-05-11T03:47:00.000+10:00good analysisgood analysisMoussa Bashirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669549981657166786noreply@blogger.com