Lebanon has a golden opportunity to get rid once and for all of its most dangerous foe, namely Hezbollah, the Iranian backed terrorist organization that has for the last 40 years dominated the country's internal political scene.
Under the false pretext of safeguarding Lebanon's security and defending it against Israel, Hezbollah has instead brought havoc, destruction, economic collapse and misery, thus demonstrating its total incompetence and powerlessness in defending one single inch of the land, or inflicting any serious damage to Israel. Nevertheless, and despite its flagrant defeat and discomfiture, it persists in refusing to comply to #UN Security Council Resolution 1701
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Until now, President Trump's ideas and diplomatic approaches to settle this problem have been met with Hezbollah's denial and refusal to surrender entirely its military equipment north of the Litani river. However, the puppet of the Iranian mullah regime, is presently stuck between a rock and a hard place. Unable to separate itself from its mentor, it cannot also justify to the Shiite community, which it falsely claims to represent, that the dices are thrown, that the winds of change are irreversible and that the time for Peace with Israel has come.
Decades of unnecessary violence and struggles have only resulted in more backwardness in Lebanon, while the markets in the Arab Gulf region are experiencing an unprecedented economic boom, social development, and a brighter future for its young generations. The Pan Arab nationalism pipe dreams and fallacies have been obliterated, to be replaced by realism and simple common sense.
Undoubtedly, the advent of President Trump represents a major turning point in the Middle East political arena, and a golden opportunity for Lebanon to extract once and for all from the vicious claws of the mullahs and their local lackeys.
From now on, moving forward is the watchword.
Never did an American president offer to Lebanon on a silver platter, the opportunity to turn the page and inaugurate a new promising chapter for all its citizens.
Contrary to the complacencies and tergiversations of the precedent Democrat administrations, the US leader is adamant to impose, by force, if necessary, peace in the region. Aside from some rogue countries/entities such as Yemen, Iran, Hezbollah and to a lesser extent Iraq, the mood is to replace arrogance by pragmatism. Indeed, correcting and dismantling the blunders and voluntary vicious foreign policies of the Obama administration who coaxed the Iran regime and antagonized the Gulf region, is not an easy piece of cake, but Trump is getting there.
In parallel to the above developments, Lebanon has a fundamental role to play, if it wishes to take advantage of the upcoming Middle East political landscape and not miss the train initiated by Trump.
The local authorities (President and government) should enforce immediately the disarmament of Hezbollah throughout Lebanon. (Doing this will enable the unleashing of other much needed reforms). Raising the possibility of a Civil War is simply a scarecrow and pretext to cover up for their weaknesses.
Failing to do the above should then trigger the population to WAKE UP, TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND REACT. We need to clean up whatever it takes our own backyard if we are to be taken seriously by the whole world.
Knowing that at least 75% of the population is in favor of disarming Hezbollah, a well-publicized campaign should be organized with this objective in mind. Anti-Hezbollah political parties should be forced by their constituents to support and not block such efforts. The pressure, for a change, has to come from the base and not the other way round.
This campaign could take several forms and not be limited to one specific action, namely:
Conferences, editorials, podcasts, international media coverage, meetings with embassies, marches & protests under the protection of the Lebanese army is one way to go. And the American Lebanon Education Foundation is more than willing to assist
If the above is not done, then CIVIL UNREST (civil disobedience) should become the credo of the people: refusal to pay taxes, boycotting the public administrations, not showing up to work, harass the political establishment, etc….
Our WILL has to triumph if we are to see again the light.
There remains however a fundamental question: Will Iran relinquish its megalomaniac fantasies, and order Hezbollah to step down once and for all, or will it be faced and its lackey with another historic defeat by Israel ?
The aftermath of the Trump-Netanyahu upcoming meeting will throw the lights on the events to come.