On Lebanon
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Last evening on Fox News Charles Krauthammer talked about Lebanon. Hizbolla, which is controlled by Syria, is posibly trying to revive the civil war now that Syria says it's pulling troops from Lebanon -- which would give Syria a pretext to remain in Lebanon. Dr. Krauthammer asks who will stand up to Syria. The people of Lebanon were disarmed once Syria invaded.
France has reportedly sent a warship to the vecinity. France, which has continued military presence in Africa, is, however, as Paul Johnson stated a couple of years ago,
France is a weak power on the world scene. Participation in the anti-Saddam expedition would have exposed this weakness. The French have so few serviceable aircraft that their air force would find it difficult to make even a nominal contribution to the air war. Their only powerful warship, the carrier Charles de Gaulle, has scarcely left harbor during its accident-prone existence, and would probably be unable to participate. The French army is currently changing from a conscript to an all-professional force, and is in some confusion. There is thus no chance of the French cutting a bella figura in any hostilities, and so the easy way out for her is to oppose them.
In addition to France, Germany and Russia have also called for a Syrian withdrawal, as has its long-standing Arab ally, Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Krauthammer writes,
This is no time to listen to the voices of tremulousness, indecision, compromise and fear. If we had listened to them two years ago, we would still be doing oil-for-food, no-fly zones and worthless embargoes. It is our principles that brought us to this moment by way of Afghanistan and Iraq. They need to guide us now -- through Beirut to Damascus.
France, Germany, Russia, calling for Syrian withdrawal: Will it be another instance of Eurospeak, or will they stand up to Syria?
We shall soon find out |
