Lebanon: what goes around comes around
I ceased being surprised by any "startling" new political developments in Lebanon in, oh, around 1983, when Fateh's bosses suddenly started aligning with the Phalange.
But still, this burgeoning Aoun-Hizbullah lovefest does give one that little scintilla of excitement to realize that once again, the country's body politic is capable of yet another thrill, yet another twist of the political kaleidoscope.
I'm wondering what the terms of this new relationship are... Maybe I should head over to the Al-Intiqad website sometime, see how they're reporting it over there.
Basically, though, I'm quite happy about this development, as it would seem to reduce the likelihood of sectarian violence erupting in Lebanon over the summer quite considerably.
I have been wondering how Sadr and Chalabi became allies in Iraq. It seems like an unlikely alliance. Sadr opposes the occupation and Chalabi was part of it. Are they using each other?
It's interesting how Auon was briefly the right's man in Lebanon until it was pointed out he was once Saddam's.
I guess I could look on the bright side: I was deeply troubled by Aoun's return and I worried that he would restart the war, but this apparent rapport between Aoun and Hizbullah makes that less likely.
Still, I really hope the anti-Syrian side doesn't make the big mistake of embracing Aoun. I remember how he seized power when they couldn't elect a new president, and how the war didn't end until when he was expelled. Aoun is someone the opposition should be running away from. When I heard about this Aoun-Hizbullah meeting my first thought, "Lebanon would be so much better off if it could be rid of them both."
"Lebanon would be so much better off if it could be rid of them both."
I'll drink to that!