Archive for the ‘Lebanon’ Category
In Lebanon, Pope Benedict XVI calls for peace
Sunday, September 16th, 2012Hezbollah in Syria
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012Hezbollah, the Iranian and Syrian backed Shi’a group in Lebanon is purportedly engaged in the fighting in Syria. The Lebanese paper, the Daily Star quotes defector and rebel commander Riad al-Asaad on this issue.
Meanwhile, commentator Moshe Arens at Haaretz (ambiguously) calls for hitting Bashar al-Assad “where it hurts” – Hezbollah – who he sees as the “soft spot” of the regime.
The interview with Riad al-Asaad also touches on foreign support, the possibility of a buffer zone, and his vision for Syria.
Lebanon: Proxy Battleground for Foreign Powers
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
Al-Quds al-Arabi, June 12, 2012
This cartoon is running in today’s Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper. The caption at top right reads: “Lebanon and foreign acts of interference.” Lebanon has a long history serving as a proxy battleground for contending foreign powers supporting contending local interests. These outside powers include Syria, Israel, the Palestinians, Iran, and the United States.
There are signs that the troubles in neighboring Syria are beginning to spill over into Lebanon.
Iran Worried About Losing Influence in Middle East
Friday, May 25th, 2012With Iran’s Syrian ally, the Assad regime, in danger of falling, Iran is spending liberally in Lebanon in an effort to shore up its regional influence.
Neil MacFarquhar, “Iran is Seeking Lebanon Stake as Syria Totters,” New York Times, May 24, 2012
Lebanon Continues to Be Drawn Into Syria’s Struggle
Monday, May 21st, 2012“Divisions over Syria are the defining issue in Lebanese politics. Everybody knows how real the danger is that the country would be torn apart if those differences are allowed to erupt freely onto the streets.”
BBC’s Jim Muir
Hizbullah on the Ropes
Sunday, April 29th, 2012Thomas Friedman, writing from Beirut, says that Hizbullah’s shine is rapidly wearing off the more its ally, the Syrian regime, continues killing its own people.
Thanks to former NMH Faculty member El Johnson, herself living in Beirut, for calling our attention to this piece:
Thomas Friedman, “Words of the Prophets,” New York Times Op-Ed piece, April 29, 2012
Growing Fears That Syria’s Civil Strife is Widening into Regional Strife
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012Yesterday, shots were fired across two borders shared with Syria: those of Lebanon and Turkey.
“With the populations in neighboring countries divided between those who support the opposition in Syria and those who hope that embattled President Bashar al-Assad will remain in power, some fear that the conflict could expand across the region and widen political, ethnic and religious fault lines.”
UPDATE — May 13, 2012 — Sunni vs. Alawite clashes in Tripoli point toward increasing spillover effect from the turmoil in Syria. Story at BBC
Rebellion in Syria Poses Problems for Hezbollah in Lebanon
Friday, April 6th, 2012Arab Spring Interactive Timeline
Thursday, January 5th, 2012As I was reading in preparation for class this week, I came across this really cool timeline of the Arab Spring. For people who have a few extra minutes and want more information on the revolutions and aftermath in the Middle East, this is a really helpful website. What I like is that it gives both quick snippets about the events, but also provides a link to an article on what happened. Its put out by the Guardian, so all the links are to its own content, but it’s still helpful.
