Voices--and Solutions--From and Of Lebanon

The Anonymous Source — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:25:03 -0500

Mainstream Media for days, weeks, and perhaps years, to come, will emphasize the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict as an Arab problemâ€”and one that the Arabs alone can solve.

But let's be honest: What do we as Americans really know of the situation from the Arab point of view?Here, without appointing blame, are some insights, and even solutions, from those in and of the Arab World.

First, the situation, from a BlogHer in Beirut. (Yes, it loads very slowly. I think everyone is starting to respond to this blog.)

Next, one of 25,000 Americans living in Beirut. Donâ€™t let the the blog's name fool you.

Not a blogger, but a true gentleman and scholar, The Beirut Daily Starâ€™s Rami Khouri, offers the more in-depth explanation.

Finally some solutions. First, a view of the secular, pro-free-speech aspects of Iranians, who blog from within the regime daily, and one--Hossein Derakshan--who currently blogs in exile from Paris. Remember, many--including the Cowboy Diplomat-in-Chief--are calling on Syria--and Iran--to stop end the funding of Hezbollah.

Perhaps, if we connect the fledgling, yet oppressed reformist movement of Iran, along with Shiias throughout the region, it's Iran--not Iraq--that is the provides the solution to the current crisis both in Iraq, and Lebanon.

Here, Iranian-born, yet American-raised political scientist, Vali Nasr offers insights into how violence in Iraq can be solved. Then take into consideration that Shiites are the same people who have growing influence in Iran. Use Lebanon as a metaphor for Iraq, and you may have some of the most important insights to date. Particularly here:

"Shiites account for about 90 percent of Iranians, some 70 percent of the people living in the Persian Gulf region, and approximately 50 percent of those in the arc from Lebanon to Pakistan -- some 140 million people in all. Many, long marginalized from power, are now clamoring for greater rights and more political influence."

What that influence is, remains undefined. However, as Hoder as said, young Iran loves their blue jeans and pop music as much as any one. But do they have the ability to stop whomever, or whatever, is enacting terror abroad?

Did the United States try to democratize the wrong country? In the Middle East, is Iran not the problem--but the solution?

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Voices--and Solutions--From and Of Lebanon