I think the invasion of Lebanon is not having the intended effect.
Although the cynical paranoid in me say this *might* be the intended effect, to keep the Israeli mil-ind-edu complex running for another 20 years. From a link at Informed Comment, in the comments section, an interesting note from an American blogger in Beirut: .
As families are displaced from the south -- the suburbs of Beirut and the southern regions of the country - and settling into the surrounding hotels and apartment buildings here, they're bringing Hezbollah with them. Hezbollah is many things in Lebanon, among which is a mafia-like protection machine. These people are their constituents, their base, and their wards. Though Hamra (and most of Lebanon outside of the southern Shi'a and Palestinian refugees) doesn't care much for Hezbollah, they aren't willing to openly cross them and avoid attracting too much of their attention. Al Manar, the Hezbollah television station, is on all the restaurant and cafe TVs now.
. http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/specialguests/2006/jul/18/blogging_from_beirut mail from Beirut http://www.juancole.com/2006/07/email-from-beirut-friend-writes-from.html A friend writes from the American University in Beirut: ' The university has fuel (and power) for only 12 days; after that we will have a real crisis at the hospital which is already stressed with many wounded people. Refugees from the southern suburbs are now visible in Ras Beirut. I spoke to X in Saida [Sidon]. The city is almost completely cut off, and it is flooded with refugees from the south. X is volunteering to help distribute food and clothing to these people who are now in schools and shelters. Food seems to be running low. Last night there were many loud explosions in Beirut and the air was thick with smoke. Beirut is rife with rumors, conspiracy stories, and panic. But so far, there is absolutely no sign of Lebanese people turning on each other. While many are disturbed that Hezbollah's actions seem to have triggered this war, the brutality of the Israeli attack has united the country. People are speculating on what the endgame will be. ' posted by Juan @ 7/18/2006 01:02:00 PM
