Lebanon was not really much of a nation in the sense of a single people with unified identity. It is a collection of religious and ethnic groups vying for control. That is way the civil war was so vicious. Hezbollah pays lip service to Lebanese unity, like all other factions, but it is just that. That said many of the other Arab countries are similarly fractured (exhibit A: Iraq, B: Syria). Ironically, in Lebanon there is a fragile record, since 1992, of working out differences through democracy.

The Blasphemous name Hezbollah is a Satanic organization. It follows Satanic principles of deceit, violence, lies, torture, war and destruction. We must expect and anticipate that this group of Satanic terrorist will fight to the last terrorist in their group to maintain their Satanic identity and principles. Using God as a cover for their terrorist activities is in itself Blasphemy.

I think you give too much credence to Hezbollah Their lip service is cloaked in a grip on one half of a sovereign country Their lip service to Lebanons Democracy is cloaked in treachery and first loyalty to Iran Their lip serive to Law and Order is cloaked in control of drugs, people smuggling, arms smuggling, mercenaries torture and murder all out of Lebanon. They are a law to themselves Their lip serice to Lebanons sovereignity is cloaked in sheer arrogance. The swagger of their militias demanding cash, stopping and searching civilians and punishing anyone who they see as not towing the line No...Hezbollah are just a bunch of thugs who have taken control of a part of Lebanon as a colony of Iran But not for long

Middle East. Lebanon was a beautiful and vibrant country, very comospolitan. Alas while they that could enjoyed the fruitful life, an ebtity called Hezbolla sneaked in, and looked after the poorer residents, thus buying them over to their evil terrorist ideolgy. They destroyed and destroy all in the name of Allah (G-d) rather like the crusaders of old, but we live in the 21st century, not the 13th, where they seem live mentally.

The Lebanese would be wise to leave the defense of their country in the hands of Hizbollah, they've already chased the IDF out once with their tails between their legs. American attempts to have the Hizbollah proscribed as a terrorist organization are really quite laughable given the level of Israel aggression and violation of international law.

Good article. In fact, there is no reason for the conflict among the two neighbor countries. Israel is Jewish AT FIRST, but Islamic and Christian too. Lebanon has a mixed population; Sunni, Xia and Druse Muslims; Orthodox, Maronite and Evangelical Christians; perhaps some Jews. The both ones praise Democracy. As a grandson of a Christian Lebanese couple, and true friend of Israel, I am sure that a better future will happen, through the end of radical fundamentalisms into all Holy Land; through a honoured and secure peace. I have a dream; may crossing Israeli northern border, or Lebanese southern one, like I did in Europe, from Swiss to France, from Belgium to Netherlands, from Italy to Austria. The Ceddar and the Star of David will march together some day.

The Mullahs see Allahs hand at work and truly believe they will overcome with Allahs help anything man can throw at them. They also know they can never show weakness, doing so would end them. Unless violently stopped they WILL push through to atomics. It is written!

that tolerates terrorist tyrrant's rule in a historic mediterranean country. What about the idea of a sunni-christian maronite autonomy in middle Lebanon without Hezbollah terrorists ? Maybe Syria does not allow it. But today syrian troops are busy with other problems.

A typical shallow western thinking. The worrying thing is that many of The decision makers are in the same level.

Could have all been summed up in 1 - 2 sentences...

Superior analysis. Well written.