Ha! Good answer.

This is true (and I expect those who read this blog to be aware of this fact; I was speaking as to the fundamental nature of both parties, which are identical: they are sectarian, easily made violent, and not in a mood for serious compromise), save for the fact that Israel does threaten Lebanon and the Lebanese army is a farcical band that has no capability of defending Lebanon against any threat, internal or external. That Hezb Allah did not disarm, I think, has deeper political roots. They were fighting Israel for several years after the war, and their weapons are the only thing that give their constituents political voice, because without the other factions will not listen to the Shia. And the other factions have made no effort to accommodate the Shia in such a way that is would reflect their demographics and address their social/political standing, because this would come at their own expense.

It is easy to send back all factions to their responsibilities, but at least the current Sunni faction and its Druzes and FL allies are pretending to defend the constitutional order and Lebanese institutions (and I know they are doing a very poor job of it, due to their own ambitions). Hezb Allah, unlike the other parties in Lebanon, has refused to settle things politically. It (or its patrons) has consistently murdered any personality with the courage to defend the state of law in the country.

Pretending is not the same as doing. Hezb Allah exists because the other factions do not want to and will do all they can to maintain the presently outdated sectarian order. They are not the only ones that have not tried to solve things politically. They have refused to accept the Maronite/Sunni/Druze order, which would put their elites and their constituents at a disadvantage (the government forces have not offered much in the way of compromise either). The supposed constitutional order in the country is a major part of the problem, and while Hezb Allah is not entirely correct in its methods (assassination, violence, etc.) its grievances are real and that the other side ignores them illustrates that they too are a part of the problem.

Hezb Allah is not just another militia in Lebanon. It is the only one to have kept heavy weapons. It is also the only one who pretends to have a “national mission” of “defending the country against Israel” regardless of the Lebanese institutions and the fact that Israel does not threaten Lebanon. It is easy to send back all factions to their responsibilities, but at least the current Sunni faction and its Druzes and FL allies are pretending to defend the constitutional order and Lebanese institutions (and I know they are doing a very poor job of it, due to their own ambitions). Hezb Allah, unlike the other parties in Lebanon, has refused to settle things politically. It (or its patrons) has consistently murdered any personality with the courage to defend the state of law in the country.

So no, Hezb Allah and the Future Movement (Sunni Haririst) are not just one and the same. The FM is not perfect and they have also an agenda but we have to point at the real responsibilities. Sorry.

Second, there seem to be now a problem between Hezb Allah and the Syrians. Since their “hero” was murdered in Damas, Nasrallah does not trust Al Assad any more. He might be wrong, but it seems that Hezb Allah is now clinging to the Beirut airport because it is the only link with its last trustful support, Iran.

Best,

N