To Save a Revolution

David Ignatius wrote in WaPo You could sense the hurt and anger as Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora pleaded this week to the U.S. ambassador and other diplomats in Beirut for a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanese targets. "The country has been torn to shreds," he said. "I hope you will not let us down."

Why shouldn't we let you down. You let Israel down. You had a security council resolution that said that you were to take control over all Lebanese territory, and yet you were too afraid of a bunch of terrorists to disarm them and take control, and so you allowed them to commit acts of war against a neighboring country. Israel is in there right now cleaning out the vermin you were afraid to confront. How many do they need to kill before you will find the strength to take over control of your entire country?

The challenge for the Bush administration as the Lebanon war explodes into its second week is just that -- to keep faith with Siniora and his Cedar Revolution, even as it stands by its close ally Israel. This isn't simply a question of appearances and public diplomacy. Unless Siniora's government can be strengthened, there is little hope for achieving the U.S. and Israeli goal of bringing Hezbollah's guerrillas under lasting control.

Blue Crab blogged Do I think Lebanon should be free? Yes, I do. Do I think Hezbollah Should be ejected from Lebanon. Yes I do. Do I think opinion pieces like Mr. Ignatius' help? No.

Carl in Jerusalem blogged If Ignatius' description is correct - and it certainly seems to be - then one of the things Secretary of State Rice needs to do when she visits the region starting Sunday is to get Siniora to get his Defense Minister with the program. The last thing the Lebanese army needs right now is to get into a war with the IDF. The Lebanese army should stand aside and allow Israel to crush Hezbullah.