There was a time when Shiites represented an underclass of dirt-poor peasants in the south and lumpen elements in Beirut. Over the past 30 years, however, that picture has changed. Money sent from Shiite immigrants in West Africa (where they dominate the diamond trade), and in the U.S. (especially Michigan), has helped create a prosperous middle class of Shiites more interested in the good life than martyrdom à la Imam Hussain. This new Shiite bourgeoisie dreams of a place in the mainstream of Lebanese politics and hopes to use the community's demographic advantage as a springboard for national leadership. Hezbollah, unless it ceases to be an instrument of Iranian policies, cannot realize that dream.Could it be the Bush Doctrine is right?
Friday, August 25, 2006
Second Take on Lebanon
Could it be there is more to the story, that the Lebanese of the Cedar Revolution tasted freedom and don't want to lose it? Could Hezbollah have failed? Amir Taheri, WSJ:
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