Council of Councils
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Introduction
Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate…
Where is the Lebanese Zelensky?
Lebanon may have an opportunity to escape from Hezbollah domination now, but only if Lebanese political leaders show courage that has thus far been missing.
The killing of Yahya Sinwar will be viewed as raising the chances for a Gaza cease-fire and freeing of hostages, and perhaps for a larger deal including Hezbollah. And the negotiation of a Lebanon cease-fire will raise hopes that Lebanon can at last escape from Hezbollah’s domination.
But that will be possible only if Lebanese political “leaders” step forward and lead—step forward to demand that a president be elected, that U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 be enforced (and Hezbollah forces leave southern Lebanon), and that Hezbollah’s domination of the Lebanese state come to an end.
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In an article in National Review, I raise that question:
In the past few weeks, Israel has attacked back and both decimated and decapitated Hezbollah.
Thus the opportunity. But where are the Lebanese leaders stepping forward to take advantage of it? The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have done nothing to assert the sovereignty of the state against a terrorist group, even though it was agreed in 2006 in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 that only the LAF could be present in Lebanon’s south and that Hezbollah must disarm. And there have been no profiles in courage among civilian leaders. Neither Sunni nor Christian nor Druze leaders have stepped forward to demand that Hezbollah relinquish its control of the state. Hezbollah’s support base is the Shiite community, which is less than a third of Lebanon’s population. (And who knows how much of the Shiite population is pro-Hezbollah today?) But anti-Hezbollah political forces are missing in action.
[W]here is the Lebanese Zelensky willing to stand up for his nation’s sovereignty? Where is the group of Lebanese leaders willing, arm in arm, to speak up and rally citizens so that the nation doesn’t lose its opportunity to get out from under Iranian control and rebuild? It would be nice to think that they will speak out and rally mass demonstrations, the day there is a cease-fire. But is that true? Or will the habit of deference to Iran and Hezbollah continue?
Lebanon may well have a chance now to escape rule by Hezbollah, which has dominated the country since 2008. But that will require courageous leadership, and as of today it is in short supply.
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