Foreign Policy Blogs

At It Again

Well, apparently those along the Israeli Lebanese border didn’t read my birthday plea for peace. Today was only the latest clash along the often contested border.

Do You Need a Visa for That?

Do You Need a Visa for That?

Since the fighting took place between the IDF and Lebanese Army, I don’t think this particular skirmish is going to be the catalyst for anything bigger. The alarming thing about this encounter is that Israel felt the need to be installing surveillance equipment at all.

On cue, Syria has expressed it’s usual support for Lebanon and equally unsurprising condemnations of Israel.

Hezbollah Secretary General Nasrallah also added his two cents tonight. Qifa Nabki has a summary of the speech here.

The International Crisis Group has also put out a good break down of the dynamics at play in the current round of tensions. The most important recommendations within the paper are aimed at infusing energy into Syrian-Israeli negotiations, which would go a long way towards reducing tensions across the board. Give it a read.

Hopefully, Lebanese events won’t take up the entire energies of this blog going forward.

 

Author

Walter Raubeson

Walter spent the last two years living and working in Damascus, reporting on the Syrian social, political, and cultural scene. Recently returned to the US, Walter continues to monitor Middle Eastern events with verve, and also gusto.

Having graduated from New York University's Masters Program in Political Science- International Relations-in September 2008, Walter's MA thesis analyzed the Lebanese political system; focusing on the impact of foreign intervention within Lebanon, particularly the roles of Iran, Israel, Syria, and the US.