War On Lebanon? For Us, Iran Is A Foreign Nation
25 March 2018
By Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi
THE Lebanese taxi driver was both happy and upset. "You Saudis and Gulf
visitors are always good news for us," he started. "For years now we have
fewer and fewer of you. Instead, we receive Iraqis, Afghanis and Iranians.
Most of them come via Beirut on their way to Syria. Some are pilgrims visiting
Shiite shrines, others are fighters joining Hezbollah and other (Iranian)
militias. Few are diplomats or merchants. But in all cases, they don't spend
much here. They live in camps or cheep accommodations. Most bring along their
food and water," he complained.
"You, on the other hand, come as tourists, investors, importers and residents.
You bring your families, stay longer, usually in good hotels and apartments,
hire limousines and taxis, dine in top restaurants and cafes, shop in malls
and fancy shops. In short, you bring life and prosperity to all," he praised.
I explained our reasons to stay away from a favorite destination. Security, I
told him, tops all. He already knew. "I appreciate all your concerns," he
replied. Life here is not very safe even for us! I am an old man and have seen
better times. So had my children. Some of them lived until recently in your
countries. Their remittances and gifts helped us. Now, they had to return home
because of their affiliation with Hezbollah. My daughter is graduating this
year and I don't know how to get her into university.
"All of this because of politics. Lebanon's became a playground for all kinds
of players. It has always been like that, but we survived. Today, I don't know
if we could, because for the first time since independence, we lost our
democracy. We lost our sanity. We lost our ability to play the odds and
maintain balance. Today, we just gave in to one party at the expense of
others. We let ourselves be ruled by one country, and lost our traditional
allies and benefactors. Iran is changing all the rules and turning us into an
Iranian colony."
As he saw my surprise, he took a deep breath, then went on to answer my unsaid
questions, "Yes, I am a Shiite and an affiliate of the Party (Hezbollah).
Still, I am Arab and Lebanese first. I come from an original Arab tribe and my
father fought for independence. For us, Iran is a foreign nation. Our roots,
identity, and everything else are Arabic. Lebanon is our home, we like it the
way it is. I am religious but not sectarian. I have Sunni and Christian
friends and faithfully serve Arab and foreign customers. I particularly find
our Gulf brethren an extended family. Why would we lose everyone for one? What
benefit do we get when we involve ourselves in other people's affairs? Who are
we to pick fights with America and Israel; Turkey and Gulf states? We are put
small nation living on hospitality, trade and immigration. We provide friendly
services to others, all others. Once we take sides and get into fights we lose
everything," my intellectual taxi driver concluded.
I remember this conversation as I follow reports about a possible war between
Israel and Iran, with Lebanon as the chosen battleground! As usual, Iran won't
put its own soldiers at risk. It prefers to use its Arab servants to do its
dirty business and fight in its name. Lebanese, Iraqi and Afghani militias are
already joining forces in southern Lebanon. Since 2006, the Party has been
stocking over 200,000 missiles and other sophisticated weapons in its
underground storages and secret hideouts. Like in Yemen, they choose their
storage facilities and military bases in heavily populated areas.
"So what do you think? Is war imminent?," ask worried Lebanese friends. I
don't know, but the signs are troubling. Iran has no regard for Arab lives or
interests. In fact, they may calculate that a war with Israel might be a good
rallying cry for the Arab nation. They'd hope to embarrass the Saudi camp by
making us choose between Israel and Hezbollah. With Iran pretending to support
the Arab cause, Arabs might forget their crimes against humanity in Syria and
Iraq. Other than some replaceable caches of arms, what they get to lose? As
usual the Gulf states would be left to rebuild Lebanon after a devastating
war. This is a similar case to the conflict they created in Yemen. However, in
their desperation to avoid direct war with enemies, they may actually bring it
on — at least to their forces in Syria.
So what do we do? I believe we are already doing what we could with recent
Saudi intensive communication with all concerned parties in Lebanon (accept
Iran's agents) and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's visit to Riyadh.
Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman's visit to Egypt, Britain and the United
States would probably work on the crisis' international dimension. The rest...
is in Allah's hands!
— Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be
reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
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EsinIslam.Com
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