Posted on 07/21/2008 7:46:55 AM PDT by Crush
Whether or not Hezbollah will disarm peaceably is the central issue in the current peace process between Israel and its Arab neighbors: Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza. The answer to the question may prove to be the lynchpin of stability in the Middle East. Israel's recent offering of direct peace talks with Lebanon, a second round of Turkey mediated negotiations with Syria, as well as its Egyptian brokered truce with Hamas in Gaza all seem to bode well for the prospect [1]. Condoleeza Rice's surprise visit to Beirut to pledge monetary and military support for the forming government of Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, that he might fulfill the aims of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, also signals that a common ground may be attainable [2]. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's signaling of Israeli negotiability on the Shebaa Farms and Golan Heights [3] as well as his willingness to consider prisoner swaps with both Hamas and Hezbollah indicates a softening of hard line attitudes and also seem to enhance the possibility that a reasonable peace can be achieved [4]. Hezbollah, who claim resistance against Israeli occupation of Lebanon as a legitimate right, following a bloody internal re-ordering settled this May by concerned parties in Doha, Qatar, have received the veto power in the new government which brought Lebanese Army General Michel Sleiman to power [5]. All that seems left to generate a lasting peace is for Hezbollah to disarm and join the political process in Lebanon. Long considered by the United States to be a terrorist organization, Hezbollah, whose 33-day war with Israel in the summer of 2006 left Lebanon's infrastructure in shambles [6], has now achieved the very real possibility of both proclaiming a victory in its struggles with Israel to the Lebanese people and legitimizing its jihadi resistance in the eyes of international diplomacy.
This is an excerpt. I missed the check box.
About as unrealistic as it gets.
Bizarro world BS.
Yes, why would they disarm? Israel has just demonstrated that they’ll release tons of prisoners for two dead Jews. All Hezbollah has to do now is attack constantly.
If a few hundred Hez get captured, Hez can just grab 3-4 more Jews off the street, kill them, and then wait for the inevitable swap later.
Honestly I can’t imagine why Olmert is not dangling from a lamppost by now.
Some assembly required, right?
Good article.
Since both Israel & the Lebanese Army are not able or willing to defeat Hezbullah militarily, the only option left is to divide Hezbullah from their Shi’a base. Shi’a need to be provided with assurances of security from Israel, decent representation in the Lebanese government, & access to resources. Hezbullah is currently the only group in Lebanon who provides them with that.
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