Israel and Lebanon

[cema]

“If the Israelis were smarter there would be a lot more pro-Israeli opinion in Lebanon” [...]

Absolutely.

And, if you are interesting in this topic, read the rest of Michael Totten's output.

Update. Another quote: Most Lebanese think the American and Israeli “realists” who want to negotiate with the Syrians are painfully naïve at best, and downright sinister at worst. I think this applies to the "realist" school of thought (in International politics) in general.

Comments

[birdwatcher.livejournal.com]

Эта цитата хороша тем, что остается верной при замене слов "Израиль" и "Ливан" на названия любых других стран.

[cema.livejournal.com]

Without the context, sure. Not so with it.

[arpad.livejournal.com]

There was a time when I believed in that kind of logic.

Then I stopped.

Because I understood that in every place politics aren't about being smart, but just about trying different routes. And I am sure that attempts to be "smart" - i.e. trying routes based on change that should happen - are most dangerous.

First Lebanon war for USA and Israel both started with "being smart" and ended with useless loss of life and political ground. Just because we beleived that we can "help them to change".

Let them change themselves first. THEN we will be smart. At present all their talk about peace and life is no more than bid to win their civil strife using outside influence.

[kroha376.livejournal.com]

Liberals are capable of making a mess anywhere :)

[a_p]

Мой коллега-ливанец настроен, что, называется, "more pro-Israeli". Не иначе, потому, что я - "smarter"!

[cema.livejournal.com]

:-)

Speaking more seriously, I have little right to judge the Israelis who, you know, actually live in the neighborhood. But personally I have a weak spot in my heart for Lebanon and Lebanese (and Phoenicians) and I truly hope that the country will recover and prosper once more. But I do not expect pro-Israeli feelings there to become more prevalent any time soon, whatever Israel does (and in part, because I do not believe that Israeli establishment will behave wisely regarding Lebanon; but only in part).

[a_p]

Ну, хотя мои знакомые ливанцы в основном уже давно (с начала 80-х) живут во Франции, но, в общем, да.