LEBANON (CONT)

conflict on the region, immeasurable.

This war was cynically provoked by a Hezbollah leadership seeking to reinforce its self-proclaimed role as defender of the nation at a time when the organization was being pressured to disarm; encouraged by an Iran eager to show America the regional implications of pushing it too far; and supported by a Syria with its back against the wall.

But it was also fueled by the overreaction of a new Israeli prime minister determined to prove his military mettle. And now it is being facilitated by an American policy of Machiavellian cynicism cloaked in holier-than-thou Christian righteousness.

The Middle East is a messy place and the "bad guys" are part of the equation. America's penchant for quick-fixes and simplistic bromides don't work there. Iraq should have taught us that.
Syria and Iran are critical elements in a very complicated geo-political equation. A U.S. diplomatic "mediation" effort that talks only to the "white hats" - even as America restocks Israel's arsenal - is doomed to failure. So, too, the illusion Lebanon will be "cleansed" by Israeli military might.

It's worth remembering that the U.S. tried to crush Iraqi Shi'ite firebrand Muqtada Sadr; he now controls the most powerful militia in that country. Israel's last effort to destroy Hezbollah had the same effect.

Hezbollah is not going away this time, either. Over the years, it has taken many forms: Terrorist group, national resistance army, civil society organization, and democratically elected participant in the Lebanese parliament and cabinet. Largely ignored is the fact it has not carried out an act of anti-U.S. terrorism since the late '80s. Washington's policy of fiddling - nay, cheerleading - while Beirut burns could change all that.

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