cf The Democratic debate on action against Osama in Pakistan and its effect on the Pakistanis. My colleagues coouldn't understand my point when I said that talking about Pakistan doing things at our bidding in a US election has a negative effect. It just feed anti-American sentiment.

Posted by: Alan at August 10, 2007 03:30 PM | Permalink to this comment

Considering that the Syrians murdered his uncle, 25 years ago; they used an SSNP cutout, and are probably behind his brother's death last year; his loss is not that surprising. The fact that Eido, Gemayel et al, are being mowed down, and we're supposed to blame Abu Ghraib & Gitmo ! Must have Macfarquahar behind that piece; his novel about the Gulf War shows more insight than his writing about the Middle East. Seriously ,Greg, these are the statesman you're father, said were good folk, from his days in Damascus. Hamilton & Kean approve, apparently as well. As for Mssr. Al Rasheed, I think three generations of Wahhabist indoctrination, probably has more to do with it. A situation assured by the likes of Minister Eddy's lopsided agreements; that made sure
that their Saudi faith; would not be an issue in our negotiations. This is the reality we face, why Saudis man the c-4 vests in Ramadi, Fallujah, Baghdad; because they don't want an alternative next door. It's a not to subtle lesson to the Shia workers in Hasa
province; where the oil actually comes from.

Posted by: narciso79 at August 10, 2007 04:03 PM | Permalink to this comment

Bushco sure has provided us with a rich source of comedy (to go along with the tragedy) over the last 7 years. Remember how they came in all cocky and arrogant, so confident that PR ("message discipline" and whatnot) was the answer to any of their problems? Just tell people all is well and they'll believe it. The power of positive thinking. And their attempt to sell America to the Muslim world with advertising, which tends not to work so well when word gets out about all the torturin' and such. Maybe Bushco should put the word out that the mullahs in Iran are secretly meeting with them, any support for the mullahs might vanish overnight. If our international standing is so craptacular, may as well salvage from it what we can.

Posted by: LL at August 10, 2007 04:07 PM | Permalink to this comment

"Oh, those damn birth pangs!'

Posted by: jonst at August 11, 2007 06:28 PM | Permalink to this comment

The NYT may well be following the fine American tradition of interpreting everything that happens in the world as a result of American politics. The Thinking Lebanese don't even mention American support as a factor in their discussion. And it wasn't a nobody vs Gemayel, it was an Aoun proxy vs Gemayel. The specific identity of the proxy is a non-issue. They say Gemayel did quite well to come within 400 votes in that district.

Posted by: Antiquated Tory at August 12, 2007 12:59 AM | Permalink to this comment

Bit caught on that one myself actually, although Leb Land politics are so murky and Lebs themselves so very partisan about their views it is hard to get a step back. I think it is a bit exaggerated the non-entity backer line, though, my dear Tory. Names count, and I do think it spin the commentary on Gemayel. Don't forget the leanings of most of the Leb writers in English.

Still lesson is, one can get into Navel Gazing Westerner mode all too easily. Regardless the same arty quotes Hamarneh regarding similar sentiments in Jordan - I know Hamarneh and his family, I think his call is spot on. One can quibble about the real influence vis-a-vis Gemayel but I think the macro commentary was right, if maybe the example was off base.

Posted by: The Lounsbury at August 13, 2007 10:35 AM | Permalink to this comment