Hizbullah has become more popular because the outcome of the war is perceived in the Arab world to be a victory for the terrorist organization: Israel didn't push through and even accepted a resolution that's quite evidently in the benefit of Hizbullah, Iran and Syria.
However, the war an sich isn't the only reason for this increase in popularity: in the longer run, Hizbullah will also become more popular because Iran will provide Hizbullah with an "unlimited budget" for reconstruction.
Hizbullah will be able to rebuild major parts southern Lebanon, it will build houses, roads and other infrastructure, whatever has been destroyed: with an unlimited budget from Iran, Hizbullah will be able to make the Lebanese government (again) completely irrelevant in the southern part of her territory.
Of course Hizbullah is not planning to rebuild southern Lebanon out of love for the Lebanese people, or out of compassion. Its only reason to rebuild it, is for propaganda purposes: if Hizbullah will build someone a house, it can count on the full support of that person in everything it does. And not just of that particular person, but also of that person's relatives and friends.
That is why one of the most important things right after a war, is to go in and rebuild the area one has destroyed. When Europe and Germany, were destroyed after WW2, the Americans rebuild most of Europe. By doing this, America could count on the full support of every European country for decades and Germany, western Germany to be precise, was reformed: from a dictatorship, it became a strong democracy.
In other words, when Israel - with support of the US and more Western countries - had dealt with Hizbullah, those who attacked Hizbullah should work hard with the Lebanese government to rebuild southern Lebanon and to revive the Lebanese economy. Now, we see yet another downside of accepting resolution 1701: it's not possible for Israel and the West to play an important role in everyday life of the Lebanese civilians living in southern Lebanon. Instead of the West and Israel playing an important and positive role in their lives, Hizbullah will take this role on itself.
Israel should have decimated Hizbullah and helped the Lebanese people to rebuild their country afterwards.
Yet another part of Israel's and the US' defeat, and of Hizbullah's victory.
Cross posted at Liberty and Justice (new site design)
1 comment:
It is an impossible dream as long as Iran is able and willing to provide assistance.
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