Name of the game is survival These remarks came on top of a series of political zigzags and flic flacs among different camps: One time Jumblatt comes out against the Syrians, another time he urges supporters to vote for Hezbollah, and yet another time he reassumes a neutral posture. “He has well honed antenna and knows who the strong side is and when to join forces, and therefore he survives,” a Lebanese source once told the undersigned. Survival is apparently the name of the game in Lebanon – and in the absence of firm American and French backing, it appears that both leaders have decided, in their own interest, that they would be better off to reconcile with Damascus at this time, if they wish to stay alive rather than end their lives the way their fathers did. THIS IS ALSO A RESULT OF FAILING ISRAELI POLICY, WHEN SACRIFICING THEIR OLD ALLIES IN SOUTHERN LEBANON. HOWEVER - NOW WILL COME THE DOWNFALL OF LEBANON. Arn.

unfortunately Walid Jumblatt did not learn anything from his father....he is also worth Syria

......or is it that ol' Red Leb?

The Lebanese people or at least its politicians are finally developing a stance firm and united stance against its real enemies. It's time that you guys should stop your black and white thinking realize that having or restoring good relations with your friend does not mean being his vassal. Harriri is just realizing that the murderer of his father, may he rest in peace, is rather located south of Lebanon than east of it. Jumblatt for his part is a hypocrite opportunist, he would now brown-nose Israel if they would have won the power struggle in middle easts most beautiful country.

Syria and Hezbolla are Iranian allies, so it seems that Iran will be calling the shots in Lebanon. Turkey is approaching Iran. Obama is busy condemning the Jews. At this rate, he will beat Carter as the worst American president ever.

Dont even bother trying to analyse Lebanese politics. Jumblat will change his alliances like he changes his clothes. His current move is protecting his druze in Syria. His votes will still go to M14. As for Lebanons days being numbered thats not possible. You see romans, turks, french, american, syrian, iranian and israeli invasions all FAILED. Cant say the same for the socio-economically US-dependant Israel though :)

Lebanon and Syria are the same country. It is just the French stole part to make a fake country where Christians could live in peace.

God bless Assad as long as he's working to get back "Illegally occupied Lands" & achieving peace with all neighbours, while growing an important international presence, all under economic sanctions. The Syrian government plays strategic politics skillfully, and draws all possible scenarios before any move. Very impressive.

If you like mr Assad's rule so much maybe you should try living there. Syria as a secular Alawite dictatorship has a far worse govt than Dubai. No elections in either country but I don't think you'd get arrested and thrown in jail without trial for speaking your opinion in Dubai. Dubai has a flourishing economy, Syrians live in poverty. Mr Assad will not get back the Golan, he lost it in the 6 day war of 1967 and failed to take it back in the Jom Kippur war of 1973. That's the risk of starting wars.

He was and will always will be the leader of the tiny Druze sect.

500 years ago and Lebanon survived. everyone expected Jumblat to start kissing Assads hand. Thats how druze do politics, always go with the winner!!

No No, Lebanon did not surrender to Syria, only found out that worst enemy is actually, only friend. With israel lobbying against the arming of the lebanese army, lebanon found out that all nations can only offer "words of support", yet are helpless to sell lebanon real weapons due to USA-Israel Ban. So, the big border with Syria offers great opportunities for lebanon. The USA has made a grave error in judgement by be-little-ing Beirut's army needs and effectively handed lebanon to Syria, Russia, and possibley Iran.

Hariri is kissing and 'forgiving the murderer of his father. The Arab world, Russia, N-Korea/ Chavez, but in particular Syria/Iran/Hezbollah/ Hamas are laughing and spitting in the face of Obama over and over again, but he keeps hoping that by 'ducking even deeper and throwing Israel under the bus, the rain will stop. It won't. They smelled blood and THEY know that the US has the weakest, most inexperienced, worst president (and advisers) ever, who is endangering the whole free world.

How many people in Lebanon speak Canaanite and worship Canaanite deities? Virtually every aspect of Lebanese society is the result of foreign occupiers leaving a presence there. Aramaic and Arabic languages? Thank the Assyrians and the Arabs. Christianity and Islam? Thank the Romans and the Arabs. Heck, the country itself was created by the French when they decided to end their mandate in the 1940's. I'm willing to bet that the only thing from Canaanite Lebanon that hasn't been stamped out by invaders is Hummus, but everybody and their Momma this side of the Mediterranean has been eating garbanzo beans for at least 3500 years, so you can't even call that invention uniquely Lebanese.

Changing religon does not meaning loosing identity. It is culture that determines races and ethnicities. Lebanese are still Lebanese. And Lebanon will always attract more tourists to the area than israel could ever dream of. The holy lands... populated by european zionists?.. thank the british when they decided to end their mandate and wedge a new state ontop of an existing one. It was called "The British Mandate of PALESTINE"

Israel is also equally populated by Middle Eastern Jewish Zionists; they might even make up a slight majority. A lot of European and Middle Eastern Jews have also intermarried. In many ways the Israeli population is indigenous to the Middle East; the only big difference is they don't honor kill their sisters and treat women like shit, oh and freedom of press, religion, etc.

You are as usual wrong. Post a fact that is based on resourced material, not an absurd opinion. Allass, if I want your shallow opinions, I'll give them to you!