Lebanon's Choice: Havana Or Honolulu?
24 November 2017By Dr. Khaled M.
Batarfi
IN international relations, at some point, some conjunction, a nation must
choose which way to go. There is a limit to how much you could play others for
time, hoping that you may, somehow, win them all.
Neutrality is a solution when you can't decide. And Lebanon chose that option,
but unfortunately couldn't stick to it. A government influenced by one party
which is totally owned by a foreign power, couldn't be neutral.
On the other hand, there is also a limit to how far other nations can
understand and appreciate, wait and tolerate such submission to an enemy
state. Instead of getting better, it gets worse. Lebanon is being used as a
base for terrorist activities and aggression against other states. Under the
legal cover of a normal, democratic, functioning government, decisions are
taken, deals are made and wars are launched by a Lebanese political party that
is a dominant part of the legitimate government.
Still, others are required to regard such a party as both an integral
component of the Lebanese government, and an independent authority conducting
its own foreign policies and business, and getting away with murder.
Well, it doesn't work that way! Are they either Lebanese or Iranian, represent
their country or a foreign one, answerable to Lebanese or Iranian leadership?
They cannot be Arab and Persian, government and militia, legitimate and rogue,
responsible and irresponsible at the same time. This is a dilemma only
Lebanese can solve. And those are choices only the government and Hezbollah
can make.
As for the rest of us, we cannot afford the luxury of patience and
understanding, or to "wait and see." Since the Al-Khobar bombing in 1996 of
American compounds by Hezbollah, we have had it with Iran's promises of "no
more" and "this would be the last time." Reformists presidents Hashemi
Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami managed to keep us waiting, hoping and betting
on so-called "moderate" movement and leaders.
Then, came a more transparent leadership, who speaks its mind. Since President
Ahmadinejad, Iran became bolder and clearer in its expansion designs and
aggressive foreign policies. Maybe because the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali
Khamaeni, thought he was winning. Iran controlled Iraq, thanks to to the
United States, and Syria, thanks to Russia, then Yemen, thanks to both
superpowers. Lebanon was under Iranian virtual occupation and Hezbollah was
running the show.
Even in African Arab nations, Iran has a say. The aging Ayatollah might have
thought he could execute the Commandment of his predecessor, the founder of
the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. It calls for controlling
the Muslim world and establishing an Islamic Caliphate, including Makkah and
Madinah. He probably felt that this can be done during the remaining years of
his life. All or some of the above may explain all the rush, recklessness and
boldness Iran exhibited in recent years.
The moment of truth has arrived for Lebanon to decide which way to go. Does it
want to be a Havana or a Honolulu? as Lebanese leader, Jumblatt, once put it.
Does Lebanese government wish to be the Switzerland of the Orient (like it
once was), or the Qom of the Mediterranean? A respected member of the Arab
family or a second-class citizen in the Persian Empire?
We would do all we could if Lebanon asks for our assistance to break away from
the Iranian jail. The first call for help came from Prime Minister Saad Hariri
in his resignation statement. He clearly pointed to Iran intervention in
Lebanese affairs and its agent, Hezbollah's, enforcement of Tehran's agenda
with its military might. More calls for help came from Lebanese Christian
statesmen, such as former President, Michael Suleiman, and party leader Samir
Jaja, as well as countless Sunni and other leaders. More would come as
politicians become less afraid of bogeyman, Hassan Nasraallah, and more
worried about their country's security, identity and future.
After crossing the last redline with its firing of Iranian Scud missile toward
Saudi capital, Riyadh, the Arab Alliance should now present Hezbollah with an
ultimatum. Either they give up their arsenal of missiles and heavy weapons,
disband their private army, and becomes a normal political party, like all
others did in accordance to Taif Agreement of 1989, that ended the Civil War,
or else. We will no longer tolerate an internationally designated terrorist
militia governing an Arab country and spreading war, conflicts and drugs in
our nations. They declared war on us and they should receive one. Other
Lebanese parties and leaders should pick sides now. Better choose right or
take the bite! Life can't just go on! There is a new world, new order, now,
where criminals are punished, crimes are revenged, and innocents are
protected. Hear that Iran and company! If not, soon you feel it, too!
— Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be
reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
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