Tuesday, September 19, 2006

NASRALLAH IS DEPRESSED

Nasrallah's Malaise - Ehud Yaari
Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah is showing clear signs of "dejection, melancholy and depression," according to the editors of the Lebanese daily al-Safir, who are counted among his most steadfast supporters. Nasrallah is worried about not being able to continue the armed resistance in the new framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. He understands that in south Lebanon his people will no longer be able to set up open military camps. In addition, they have lost numerous positions close to the border with Israel.

There are already signs that Hizballah has started moving its military equipment from the south toward the Lebanese Bekaa Valley. In other words, Nasrallah understands that the south has ceased to be "Hizballahstan." There is growing evidence of disaffection with Hizballah, and reservations on the part of some of the Shiite middle class, and among the local village leaderships, about the disaster visited upon them by Nasrallah's belligerent adventurism. (Jerusalem Report/Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

HE HAS GOOD REASON TO BE DOWN:

Shock and Awe in Lebanon - William M. Arkin
I just returned from a week touring Beirut and southern Lebanon, and from visiting northern Israel. In Beirut, the destruction was efficient and impressive. The destruction in Israel, on the other hand, was random and scattered. When Hizballah rockets were fired on Israel, landing meant success. So here is the truth: Israel did not do anything close to what it was capable of doing. Hizballah did all it could.

Lebanon is shocked, not just by the destruction wrought but by the powerlessness of the owners of the country. The Lebanese government exaggerates what happened because it cannot bear to say that most of what was destroyed was Hizballah's assets, assets that resided and flourished inside their own country under their own noses with their consent. Hizballah meanwhile touts its own "divine victory," bloodied and dislodged from its territory. The Hizballah military, because it is largely invisible, is neither accurately assessed nor really held accountable for the war crimes it committed. (Washington Post)

No comments: