Al-Nahar, Lebanon, Originally Posted in Arabic on October 5
Not much is known about the way in which the Russian intervention in Syria will affect our region. Some believe that Moscow will be able to reshape the borders of the Middle East, while others think that Putin’s intervention will not lead to any significant Russian gains in the region.
Either way, Lebanon remains highly affected by the Syrian quagmire. Not only does it share a border with Syria, but it has also been receiving over a million of refugees escaping the civil war. The problem with Lebanon is that speculation on what will happen in Syria directly influences its domestic politics.
One of our parties, Hezbollah, has been actively fighting in Syria to save Bashar al-Assad, in order to assure his continued support of their political and military activity. A second party is opposing Hezbollah and everything it stands for. A third party hopes Assad falls and that new democratic government – supportive of Lebanon – is elected in his place. Yet a fourth party seeks to enhance Lebanese influence in Syria.
Within this chaos of speculations, Lebanon still does not have a president. Our political system is still incompetent. Each party is busy plotting against the other, based on what is occurring in Syria. We must remember that history taught us that when foreign powers intervene in Lebanon, the outcome is never positive. The civil war is only one bleak example of this.
Sadly, so long as the Russian intervention in Syria continues, so will this miserable speculation game. – Naila Tawini