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February 24, 2005
Dominos: Part 2
"We are with the Muslims, the Druze, together for a free Lebanon," said one member of a Christian militia. "Tell America we are waiting for them to invade, all of us."
Major events are unfolding in the Middle East and I am surprised they are not getting more play from the major media outlets. The assassination of Rafiq Hariri set off a massive protest, unheard of in Beirut, that seems to have forced the Syrian government into withdrawing from Lebanon. This cry for freedom has direct parallels to both the recent "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine, as well the Iraqi elections that took place less than a month ago.
This article from the Washington Times remarks on the inspiration the protesters have drawn from Ukraine. As their "tent city" grows, we can only hope that the outcome is resolved as peacefully.
Inspired by December's Orange Revolution in Ukraine and the Rose Revolution in Georgia a year earlier, the protesters have begun to call their action the "Cedar Revolt" in a tribute to the tree that adorns the Lebanese flag.
A member of the banned FPM, who identified himself only by the pseudonym "Pascal," said the protesters were considering another large demonstration tomorrow, "but the plan is to remain peaceful until Monday."
If the no-confidence vote "fails or is blocked by the Syrian lackeys, then Monday we will escalate the protests."
A constant stream of mourners and protesters swells the camp population in the evenings. Food and water are brought in by supporters, while a nearby Dunkin' Donuts and a Virgin Megastore provide bathroom facilities.
As during Monday's mass demonstration, the police and army are keeping a respectful distance from these protesters and seem unwilling to use violence against them. Only those directly in front of the parliament have ammunition clips in their rifles.
Another piece from a few days ago shows that the Iraqi elections are an equal source of inspiration. David Ignatius in the Washington Post relays an interview he conducted this week with Walid Jumblatt, a Lebanese leader who used to accommodate the Syrian occupation, and has been a vocal critic of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. With that in mind, this quote is very telling:
"It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq," explains Jumblatt. "I was cynical about Iraq. But when I saw the Iraqi people voting three weeks ago, 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world." Jumblatt says this spark of democratic revolt is spreading. "The Syrian people, the Egyptian people, all say that something is changing. The Berlin Wall has fallen. We can see it."
It appears Bush's domino theory is working. Much as a free Poland was the dagger in the heart of the USSR, a democratic Iraq may mean an end to the dictatorships of the Middle East. But the question remains, what will be the next step? Will country after country begin to go through peaceful transfers to democratic states? or will violence accompany the struggle for freedom? It should be noted that if not for a few military officials in the Ukraine, we now know the protests in Kiev could have easily turned into a bloodbath.
In his State of the Union, Bush predicted that the elections in Iraq would "inspire democratic reformers from Damascus to Tehran." He also made it clear to the people of Iran that "As you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you." It was a bold and powerful statement.
But what if these governments refuse to back down? There is a real possibility for violence and calls for the U.S. to back up these pledges. At that point the American public must decide how closely they equate the freedom of the people in the Middle East with that of their own. It's a decision we may be facing sooner than we think.
Thanks to TIA Daily the many links above.
Posted by Peter Mork at February 24, 2005 5:44 PM
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