The Cutting Edge

Presidents Assad & Ahmadinejad

Lebanon remains a major front in the confrontation pitting the Iranian and Syrian regimes against the US, the West, most of the Arab world, and Israel.

The fact that Lebanon is occupied by a powerful sectarian militia that represents an extended military arm of the Iranian regime, and that additional diverse armed Lebanese and Palestinian militias receive orders directly from the Syrian regime, allows both dictatorships to present a formidable challenge to their Lebanese and international foes. Ahmadinejad and Bashar Assad enjoy the luxury of conducting remote battles away from Iran and Syria. They can indefinitely continue to wage their proxy wars in Lebanon, Iraq, Palestinian territories and other parts of the region, because they do not suffer any direct and deterring consequences for their actions.

While previous experiences proves that the military option is the only effective one, the US and other Western powers still continue to accept futile negotiations and ineffective sanctions as valid courses of actions. They continue to reward the bullishness of Syria and Iran with overtures serving only to increase their defiant arrogance while perceived by the US allies in the region as signs of wavering and abandonment. The latest case of shortsighted diplomacy was triggered by France’s reversal of Assad’s international isolation during Bastille Day celebrations.

The Syrian regime was quick to exploit the opportunity by sending a delegation to Washington DC. Assad believes that if he could stall till November then the upcoming US elections might bring an administration that would allow him more room to maneuver. The members of the visiting Syrian delegation brought the same old blackmailing rhetoric. Their claims, that asymmetrical conflicts will continue as long as the Syrian regime is targeted, are a reminder of the regional racketeering that kept the Ba”athist dictatorship afloat since 1970.

Meanwhile those Lebanese politicians who are opposed to the Syrian and Iranian influences in Lebanon are apprehensive of any moves of rapprochement with Syria and Iran by their Western allies. This, added to the prevalent fears of their barbaric opponents, led some Lebanese politicians to act in defensive manners especially in matters concerning Israel. When the recent Hezbollah prisoner exchange occurred, these politicians lined up to greet a man that many call a barbaric murderer, Samir Kuntar, and other fighters who belonged to the party that continues to terrorize and intimidate them especially after the last invasion of Beirut. Their attempts to appease Hezbollah compelled these politicians to participate in a grand “welcome home” event that was a disgrace to them and to every decent Lebanese family. The internal balance of powers in the country makes it obvious that the battle of Lebanon could not be won from within.

American leaders from both parties should understand and acknowledge how serious and ominous the threats are from the Iranian regime and to a lesser extent the Syrian regime. These regimes are the main causes for US casualties in Iraq and for spreading chaos and discord in the greater Middle East. Those in the US and in the West who still believe in dialogue with the Syrian dictator should consider that previous openness towards Syria have only led to the emboldening of the Syrian regime and to the weakening of our allies in the region.  It is obvious that Assad is irreversibly entrenched with Iran in an agenda of regional domination. His peace negotiations with Israel as well as his advances towards the West are time-buying moves that would allow some breathing room to his cornered and failing regime. More importantly, it is clear that the Iranian regime is relentlessly trying to reach, at any cost, the irreversible stage of owning nuclear arms. If allowed to do so, Iran would be able to pursue, with impunity, its quest to export the “Islamic Revolution” to countries throughout the region and maybe to the world.

Therefore, the US should continue to emphasize that it will only negotiate with a capitulating Syrian and Iranian regimes when these regimes are ready to withdraw their claws from Lebanon and Iraq, and when they are willing to stop harboring and supporting terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas and other groups of extremists.

The US is not only winning the war in Iraq against the insurgents, but also it is regaining a growing respect from every genuine freedom fighter in the region. As a result, the Syrian and Iranian dictatorships feel greatly hindered. Instead of providing them with another break they should be further impaired. Action must be taken before these hostile regimes trigger yet another uneven battle within Lebanon--a final and disabling military blow should be poised for delivery directly to both Syria and Iran.

Unless Syria and Iran are confronted with such an option, both countries will continue using extremist groups and terrorists in order to wage proxy wars against their perceived enemies and to intimidate even more countries in the region. Unless the US and the West take this difficult and decisive action, the greater Middle East will be soon under the mercy of a nuclear Iran with its imperialistic ambitions to impose its “Welayat al faqih” brand of Islamic government on the peoples of the region. Then, all of today’s fears about a military option will be dwarfed by the dread of a rich, powerful and “divinely guided” Iranian empire.

Elie Khawand is the director of policy for the Lebanese Information Center in Washington, D.C.