Good news: Hezbollah conquering Beirut
posted at 3:48 pm on May 9, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Just the western, i.e. Muslim, half thus far, but according to Lebanese Political Journal the national media’s totally at their mercy. The question now seems to be whether they’re going to press on or content themselves with having showed the Lebanese government who’s boss and pull back. For reasons I don’t fully understand, they seem to be opting for the latter by turning over the areas they’ve seized to the Lebanese army (which has stayed out of the fighting because it’s as riven by sectarian interests as its Iraqi counterpart and would split apart if it took sides). The idea, I guess, is for Hezbollah to prove that they’re good Lebanese patriots by bowing to the one institution all sides respect — but, er, why should they care? They’re the most powerful fighting force in the country, running roughshod over the Sunnis as we speak and capable of defeating the army itself by all accounts I’ve read. Why not just seize power in earnest? The answer, per LPJ: They’d rather keep a “legitimate” face on the national government by maintaining its multi-sectarian identity, so long as they’re allowed to act with impunity and bend the government to its will when the need arises. Bloodying their nose now increases that leverage, especially vis-a-vis choosing the next president.
Sunni leader Saad Hariri proposed a compromise by which that “communications network” that Hezbollah’s so exercised about would be overseen by the army, but Haaretz says the offer’s been rejected. Hezbollah’s surrounded Hariri’s home and the home of anti-Syrian Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, placing them under de facto house arrest; pro-government Christian leader Samir Geagea, an ally of Hariri and Jumblatt, calls it a “coup.” Exit question one: Which neighboring country will be the first drawn into the fighting? Newsweek thinks Hezbollah’s worried about Israel, but that seems unlikely to me if they’re already at pains to show that their operations are legitimate. An attack from the evil Zionists would only let them put a nationalist “resistance” face on the whole thing. What about the Saudis, though? They’ve said before they’re not going to let Iran’s proxies steamroll the Sunnis in Iraq, in which case they’re surely not going to let them do it in Lebanon either. Do they intervene soon, or do they let the more, shall we say, excitable Wahhabis take care of business for them? AQ’s already calling for jihadis to rush to the Sunnis’ aid. And exit question two, via Goldfarb: If Hezbollah does press on and seize power, will our next president suddenly decide it’s cool to meet with them? His dopey “head of state” litmus test would seem to suggest: yes.
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Michelle Obama should talk to all of the warring parties in Beirut. She could discuss how bad everything is over here. How she has nothing. How she’s not been given a chance. How every day is a living hell.
With that, the motley crews, warring in Beirut, would see just how good they have it – amongst the rubble – and they will stop fighting.
OhEssYouCowboys on May 9, 2008 at 3:56 PM
If they topple the government the nutjobs will not be able to contain their enthusiasm and Lebanese christians will be the Hmong.
What say ye isolationists? Is it none of Israel’s business either?
Welcome to Iraq 2009.
Limerick on May 9, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Is our current president so tied up in Iraq, which he seems to regard as the center of the universe, that he will do nothing to stop them?
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I feel bad for the Lebanese. I mean, they kind of asked for this when they invited those thugs into their midst, but still, it sucks.
I suspect Israel will take the same stance on Lebanon and they have on Gaza. As in, “go screw yourself.” It’s fairly mean, but the Israelis have been burned more than once in trying to stabilize Lebanon and I’m pretty sure they’re done with it all.
mjk on May 9, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Uh, how does this benefit Michelle Obama’s children? So can we get back to the real issues, like how great Barry looks in jeans?
/s
I’m thinking he’d be slammed again for not fighting bin Laden personally.
amerpundit on May 9, 2008 at 4:04 PM
They have to go to the back of the line. We have a whole bunch of other countries that didn’t attack us on 9/11 to invade first.
LevStrauss on May 9, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Watch out HA readers there is this commenter named daves782 and he is praising Hezbollah in so many words. So just watch out for the asshat.
Lance Murdock on May 9, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Do I understand you correctly? After umpteen thousand comments on this site about why Iraq was a mistake, your prescription for Lebanon is … some sort of neocon intervention?
You’re kidding, right?
Allahpundit on May 9, 2008 at 4:05 PM
The ‘government’ overplayed its hand on the telecom issue and is paying the price. Hezbollah doesn’t want a coup but it will protect its assets and interests.
lexhamfox on May 9, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Yeah what is this? Some kind of crazy Darfur thing? “Oh Iraq was a disaster, lets pull troops out of it so we can put them into the middle of some civil war in some third world sewer”
Israeli wasn’t even given, what, 2 weeks or 4 weeks or something to kill Hizbullah before politics forced them to stop. How long would American troops be allowed to be there?
apollyonbob on May 9, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Hmm, maybe it’s a suggestion that the Israelis go in there so everyone and the dog on DailyKos or whatevs can talk about how evil the Joos are for getting in the way of Hezb’allah’s “peaceful” takeover of Lebanon. But like I said, I really doubt the Israelis will bother.
Wait a sec, isn’t the UN peace forces in Lebanon??? Shouldn’t they be negotiating with Hezb’allah or some such BS? Come on, aren’t the UN the bestest ever at dealing with terrorists. Blah, blah, blah. ;)
mjk on May 9, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Sorry its dave742.
Allah if you think MB4 comment was dumb please watch for this guy, dave742. Dave742 is a effing anti-semite.
Lance Murdock on May 9, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Was I the only one the read The Observer, Guardian, article a couple of weeks ago that stated Hezbollah was undertaking massive recruiting efforts and gearing up for a major attack.
When Lebanon went after their telecom network (and communications is an key element of any good attack), Hezbollah felt now was as good as a time as any to put their plans into motion.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/27/israelandthepalestinians.lebanon
PresidenToor on May 9, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Hey LevStrauss I do not recall Germany or Italy attacking or being involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Are you saying a nation must have been part of 9/11 to be an enemy of the U.S.? Explain youself.
Zelsdorf Ragshaft on May 9, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Damn.
tree hugging sister on May 9, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Never. The Greeks didn’t call the Lebanese people “Phoenicians” for nothing. The indigenous Lebs will rise again from the ashes and reconquer their land from the Arabs and Persians.
Zorro on May 9, 2008 at 4:15 PM
What have we wrought Allah? We’re a weakened nation as a result of a disasterous Iraq policy, criminal legislative actions to grease the pockets of predatory lenders, corporate criminals and the minority lobby who pushed “a home for every household, regardless of income”. Remember, minority home ownership? More black homeowners?
Can’t defend these practices. We can’t afford to help anyone anywhere anymore. Remember the admonition when you fly, put the oxygen mask on yourself first. Now’s the time Allah.
Attacking the critics is a waste of time. Time to beat the drum for saving our skins, and our nation.
eaglesdontflock on May 9, 2008 at 4:18 PM
DEBKA: Lebanese army chief defies government as Syria steps in to back Hizballah’s conquest of Beirut districts
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:20 PM
The Saudis?! Who do they hire to fight for them? Bangladeshis? Egyptians? The Irish?
Jaibones on May 9, 2008 at 4:21 PM
So stupid. It’s all just so stupid.
Vizzini on May 9, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Let’s ask Obama what should happen.
indythinker on May 9, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Ha! I just went to the Daily Kos and searched the first four front pages for “Lebanon” Not one entry. Not one word.
Geez…why am I not surprised?
Grantman on May 9, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Further Good News: Obama Adviser Fired over Talks…With Hamas.
amerpundit on May 9, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Lets see AP.
Some guy down the street in your neighborhood says “I’m building a bomb in my basement”. This neighbor killed another neighbor last year with a bomb.
All the neighbors say “he has a bomb”.
Do you sit idly by? Or do you take action?
No mistake was made. No apologies necessary. W is a hero in my book.
faraway on May 9, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Everyone don’t worry, when the Messiah becomes president he’ll send over Jimmy Carter to “fix” the situation.
He’ll probably also blame those evil Zionazis Joooos in forcing Hezbollah in overthrowing the Lebanese govt since they got no respect
/s
Lance Murdock on May 9, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Surely you jest. For the record: there are exactly two countries in the world with the talent and inclination to deal with these Islamic scumbags. You know who they are, and you also know that they are — both of them — currently hobbled by the political correctness bugaboo of leftist Democrats, as personified by Obamessiah.
Many, many thousands will need to die before the sheep in this country understand how wrong they were. Hopefully, those sheep will be outnumbered in the voting booth in November, but judging from the comments of the hate McCain crowd, that is in doubt.
Jaibones on May 9, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Note to Iraq: This is what happens when you let a separate army exist in your country. Lebanon is now a puppet of Iran.
fleiter on May 9, 2008 at 4:32 PM
My guess would be no.
I have told you a million times not to exaggerate.
My point has always been that the “Islamic nation building” is a mistake.
Who said anything about some sort of “neocon” intervention? Is that the only kind of intervention there can ever be anymore? Of course not. You know that.
Would I kid you?
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Smoke and mirrors..all about electability. Obama is playing to all audiences. The sheeple will be so confused they will vote for the guy just because.
I’m tellin’ ya, it’s time to get the muskets.
eaglesdontflock on May 9, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Iraq is a disaster. Who said anything about putting American troops into the middle of some civil war in
someanother third world sewer?MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Jailbones, I jest not. I said the indigenous Lebs (i.e. Lebanese). Not the USA, not Great Britian, not France, not Australia.
Zorro on May 9, 2008 at 4:39 PM
http://www.futuremovement.org/forum/index.php
ganeshpuri89 on May 9, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Future nightmare scenario: President Obama sends former President Carter to discuss surrender terms with Hezbollah. Ours.
MaiDee on May 9, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Many people opposed to the war in Iraq. You’ll hear them call for pulling out of Iraq, only to put troops in Darfur.
amerpundit on May 9, 2008 at 4:40 PM
With that, the motley crews, warring in Beirut, would see just how good they have it – amongst the rubble – and they will stop fighting.
OhEssYouCowboys on May 9, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Funniest chit I’ve read all day long. Hoorah for Michelle O’Bambam.
Griz on May 9, 2008 at 4:41 PM
That that was profound.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Do over!
Now that was profound.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Zelsdorf Ragshaft on May 9, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Germany declared war on us. Italy was their ally in that war when they declared war on us though it was basically understood considering the Tripartite Pact and the aftermath of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.
There is a big difference between not being an ally and being a country that we should go to war with. The fact that you even need explanation on these matters shows your ignorance. Who feeds you your slogans so I know how to approach you?
The main similarity between WWII and now is the agressive wars. If criticizing the Clinton Administration’s policy in Kosovo was hating America, then I’m guilty of it now as well with regards to Iraq and our future invasions. Bin Laden wouldn’t mind us expanding our agression either because it would give him a big bump in recruiting. Iraq also helped him out too but who’s keeping score these days?
Sunni Wahabbi Radicals, aided primarily by elements in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia attacked us on 9/11. Invading Iraq, Iran, Syria, and God know who else are and will just hinder us in avenging that attack and eliminating Al Qaeda’s influence. Our Executive Branch is making Al Qaeda’s propaganda a reality to the people in the region. Of course the same people who are determining this policy also wanted a larger engagment in their partial agreement with Clinton’s interventions. They agreed with them, they just wanted more boots on the ground.
LevStrauss on May 9, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Hez has no intention of taking the formal reigns of power, when they already have defacto power on the ground.
IF Hez takes over formaly, Israel will have a reason to intervene in Leb. Now Hez is sheilded by both the lebanese government and the UN “Peacekeepers”. Israel can’t do squat.
However, if Iranian/Syrian backed Shiite Hez formaly takes over the government, the Sunni Arab governments won’t squawk quite as loudly if Israel invervenes.
Romeo13 on May 9, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Allahpundit on May 9, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Allah, why does that comment surprise you? Libs are always talking about how we should be intervening in other countries’ situations. The only difference with Iraq is that George W. did it.
bloggless on May 9, 2008 at 4:43 PM
You comment is extraneous as Germany declared war on the U.S.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:43 PM
They expect the U.S. to fight for them for free.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:46 PM
If cracking down on gangs helps with their recruiting, you don’t stop your offensive against gangs.
The war on terror goes beyond just avenging the attack of 9/11. It’s about preventing the next one, whether it comes from Al Qaeda or another international terror group.
amerpundit on May 9, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Probably would have be a lot less than 4,000 American troops killed there anyway. There would be that at least.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Thanks for the link! I think I have finally mastered the art of Obamaspeak:
Obama’s TUCofC church prints Hamas manifesto in church bulletin. Hamas honcho endorses Obama. An Obama advisor meets with Hamas. Conclusion: McCain has lost his bearings.
Buy Danish on May 9, 2008 at 4:50 PM
bloggless… many liberals, leftists, in fact, most people generally were thrilled to see Saddam Hussein thrown out of power and the opportunity for Iraqis to have a more representative government. The problem was the utter incompetence (yes Bush) in handling the aftermath.
lexhamfox on May 9, 2008 at 4:54 PM
MB4
Sorry to burst your bubble, but when we, the United States of America are the only nation on Earth who gives a damn about innocent people and has the capabilities of intervening to solve the problems, sometimes we just have to stuck it up and get involved.
You could go on and say why aren’t we in Africa or some other region, but my defense to that is that we can’t be everywhere and we have to choose our battles that keeps the world as stable as possible. That might sound black and white, but it’s the truth. We have to make sure the Middle East doesn’t dissolve into chaos.
Lance Murdock on May 9, 2008 at 4:54 PM
MB4 btw Debka is not reliable so I wouldn’t use that as a source.
Lance Murdock on May 9, 2008 at 4:56 PM
I have made how many comments on why “Iraq was a mistake” now?
That’s right, “umpteen thousand comments on this site about why Iraq was a mistake”.
Plus probably about the same, or more, comments on “immigration” and various other assorted topics and you think that I am a “lib”?
Astounding.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 4:58 PM
No mistake was made. No apologies necessary. W is a hero in my book.
faraway on May 9, 2008 at 4:29 PM
I agree, faraway, but the aftermath and the piss poor advice on the aftermath is the sugar in w’s gastank. Something broke down in the “briefing the President” category, or “Senior Advisor” position. McCain hates Rummy, but Rummy warned on all of this and to his credit, has kept his mouth shut and taken one for the 21st century gipper.
Now we have China, who thinks she can eat our lunch and blow our satellites out of the sky, we have india teaming up with the enemy. What we need is a real all-inclusive American think tank to get us out of this mess.
If they are going to give me a poison pill when I turn 65 cause they can’t afford me as a retiree, I need to know about it so I can sail off the edge of the world on my own.
We have major domestic and international concerns. W took his eye off a lot of balls, even though he kept his eye on the home run ball, the game wasn’t over.
eaglesdontflock on May 9, 2008 at 5:04 PM
OH, you mean the Lebanese who invited the PLO and Hezb’allah in during the 60’s and 70’s with open arms? Those Lebanese. It ain’t gonna happen.
And MB4, are you going to use the National Enquirer as your next source of Middle Eastern information? They’re pretty much as accurate as Debka.
mjk on May 9, 2008 at 5:05 PM
I don’t have bubbles. You on the other hand … …
That is B.S. You have just smeared Britain, Israel, well all the other nations in the world. If no other country gave a damn about innocent people why would we even want to help people from other countries?
I was involved once. Didn’t work out so well. How about you?
Besides, there is more than one way to “get involved” and it doesn’t have to be Islamic “nation building” in Iraq for 5 years, make it 50, make it a 100.
Where did I say that we should be in Africa? Let alone for 50, make it a 100, years? Where?
Would infidel hating muslims fighting infidel hating muslims be all bad?
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 5:13 PM
I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but I think that they are a lot more reliable than you are, particularly as concerns Israel and the area around it.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 5:17 PM
You think so do you? Well I guess you do obviously. So you go as much or more by the National Enquirer then and I will go more by DEBKA.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 5:20 PM
I have to laugh at this one, first of all if the evil Bushitler (as the moonbat left calls him) were to respond by sending troops and military hardware the left would be up in arms and say it only proves Bushitler is eeeevvvviiiillll and this is just another example of Bushitler’s doctrine of “empire building!”
However, if Obama were president and he responded the same way the leftards would gush about what a humanitarian he is and why it’s so right and important that he did something to stop those evil Islamic militant terrorist jihadists, you know, those same fictitious enemies of ours that the leftards continue to refuse to acknowledge even exist, but instead say is an excuse for Bushitler to empire build and make lots of money on oil!
Me smells a hypocrite!
Liberty or Death on May 9, 2008 at 5:23 PM
DEBKA: Saudi nationals and Lebanese civilians begin fleeing Beirut. Saudis call for emergency meeting of foreign ministers.
OK mjk, you can post something from the National Enquirer on Lebanon or on Big Foot or UFO’s or Brittney or whatever you want. Only fair.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 5:28 PM
All Obama needs to know is to whom in Hamas he needs to grovel.
drjohn on May 9, 2008 at 5:30 PM
I am not responsible for you sense of smell. You do recall, do you not, how many who are so for staying in Iraq under Bush or “Make it a hundred” McCain didn’t want to stay in Kosavo under Clinton? What (smell) goes around, comes around I guess.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 5:32 PM
OK as Indy would say, I have to go milk my goat now, so I will let all you
Iraqi centric “neocons”outstanding Generals handle foreign affairs for a while. Don’t screw things up too bad while I am away now.MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Extraneous, how so when Osama and all those that abide by his militant Islamic terrorist ideology declared war on us too, or did you forget that?
With that said any country that supports in any way the same ideology or terrorism either directly or indirectly should be considered hostile to our nation and its security!
You know, either you’re with us or against us, there can’t be any gray areas when it comes to war and defeating your enemy! War is black or white, it’s them (the ones that abide by Osama’s ideology, e.g., Hamas, Hez, Syria, Iran, etc) or us, and I (as well as many others) prefer it be them that gets it first instead of us!
Also, Iraq makes for a great Forward Operating Base (FOB) by which our military can strike those that have directly or indirectly declared war on us or have called for our destruction! So while you can argue about (and rightly so) how poorly the the end of hostilities were handled in Iraq or if we should have gone into Iraq in the first place, when you look at the situation in the long-term (outside the box) staying in Iraq so we have a FOB to go after our enemies (like Iran that continues a proxy war against us in Iraq) then it makes sense in the long term to stay in Iraq!
Liberty or Death on May 9, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Send in the Jimmy Carter Brigade.
TooTall on May 9, 2008 at 6:17 PM
These comment threads are really getting tedious.
Big John on May 9, 2008 at 6:19 PM
There’s only one real solution. First, the U.S. must declare: World opinion be d_mned. Next, hit Syria and hit ‘em hard. Knock out every power plant, their water works. Put them in the dark and back to hauling water on a donkey’s back. Then give them an ultimatum to pull all of their resources out of Lebanon within 24 hours or face all out invasion by U.S. forces. Insist that Israel hit known Hizbollah sites within Leb and begin policing souther Leb. And to take out as many of the Hizbollah leadership as possible. [Or face losing their 3 billion per year-or whatever it is] At the same time warn the Lebanese army to purge itself of radical Islamists and work with the Israeli army or be prepared to be viewed as our enemy and an ally of Syria.
Next, mass a couple of armored divisions on the western border of Afghanistan – locked and loaded. I guarantee you that Iran would soon cool its jets and start behaving.
The results = relative calm in the Middle East for the next decade. Within about a months time.
Well anyway, thats what I’d do if I were King. Ha! DD
Darvin Dowdy on May 9, 2008 at 7:06 PM
I think the proper response from the US would be to blockaid Iran, nothing and no one gets in or out. We should have done it when Iran started getting involved in Iraq. I WW2, a blockaid is what led the Japanese to finally show their true intentions, and bomb Pearl Harbor. Sometimes it stinks, but we need to get on with this war against the radicals or it will last forever (see Israel/Palis).
AZCON on May 9, 2008 at 7:06 PM
What the %&$* is the use of their *+&#”* army if they’re not going to defend the country?
Just asking.
Blaise on May 9, 2008 at 7:06 PM
blockaid=blockade, doh!
AZCON on May 9, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Yup, we appear to have the Iranians right where they want us.
MB4 on May 9, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Like it or not, we are in a world war now.
Johan Klaus on May 10, 2008 at 2:57 AM
Debbie Schlussel: What is George Bush Doing in Lebanon? ZILCH to Stop Hezbollahstan
Yesterday, Hezbollah captured Beirut. And George Bush did nothing. They will soon have control of the whole country, and Bush will do nothing. In many ways, Bush is to blame for this fiasco, as is Israel.
By invading Iraq and handing it over to Shi’ites, Bush completed the mission that neither Khomeini, nor Ahmadinejad ever could. By removing Saddam Hussein and the entire Sunni government structure from Iraq and giving it to Shi’ites who won’t hire Sunnis for any government and law enforcement positions, Bush ignited a Shi’ite revival–an extremist revival throughout not just the Middle East, but throughout the world. He created a contiguous, non-stop crescent-shaped Shi’ite region, ruled by Iran and its partner Syria–two terrorist states. And he did nothing to buffer or hinder it.
MB4 on May 10, 2008 at 3:22 AM
“Lebanaon Army Moves to End Crisis”
This is the typically deceptive headline at the Minisrty of Truth, but what it amounts to is complete capitulation to Hizballah:
forest on May 10, 2008 at 11:01 AM
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