Iran Tightens Its Grip on Lebanon
US power is fading, Iranian power is rising. First in Lebanon in December, now in Israel in February, I hear that assessment from many different voices. Some are gleeful, some are regretful, some are frightened. But the perception is widespread. Another indication from today's Beirut Daily Star:
Iran is ready to commence funding and cooperation for Lebanon’s defense program following a request from Beirut, the Islamic Republic’s defense minister said over the weekend.
Ahmad Vahidi’s announcement came amid speculation that the U.S., Lebanon’s principal defense provider, will review its funding policy after the collapse of caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s coalition government.
In Lebanon's strange dual politics, the Lebanese state struggled to remain close to the US even as the most powerful force inside the state - Hezbollah - deferred to Iran. Now even the state seems to be succumbing. The succumbing began even before the Hariri government collapsed. Saad Hariri had paid a visit to Tehran back in November. But it does seem symbolic though that the final collapse occurred during a visit to Washington. What could more powerfully symbolize the weakness of the US than a client prime minister flying to Washington as the leader of his country and returning home out of a job?
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