That Old Sunni-Shi'ite Scab

As the dust settles in Lebanon, inter-Arab tensions have increased ... not a bad thing.

The Shi'ite players: Lebanon, Iran

The Sunni players: Saudi Arabia, Egypt ... and Syria.

Many reports today talk of Lebanese hailing Syria, their former oppressor, because it took in fleeing refugees. Of course, Syria is also popular because it helped arm Hezbollah, working with Iran in an alliance that shows if you're radical enough, you can sometimes bridge the Sunni-Shi'ite divide.

Other nations did not fare so well. Saudis, Jordanians and Egyptians are deeply reviled now in Lebanon. Reuters:

"From the first day, the Arabs watched from the sidelines," said Mohammed Shaaban, 68, a retired businessman, as he surveyed the destruction of his three-storey villa. "They should have taken a stronger position but they all have their private excuses." ...

"Damn the Arab countries. One day they shall see a blacker day, even worse than in Lebanon," said Zeinab Makky, 58, who lost her house in Nabatiyeh. She condemned Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Saudi King Abdullah as "cowards". ..,

"King Abdullah? His oil is more precious to him than the Lebanese," said 72-year-old Ibrahim Awadeh, whose one-storey house had cracks all over its structure. ...

And my personal favorite:

"Arab rulers are all agents of Israel. They're scared of losing their seats (of power)," Ahlam Moselmani said. "The least they could have done was withdraw their ambassadors from Israel."

It's war, so attack on all fronts. Use the military. Use democracy. And as our Holy Book and greatest president remind us, a house divided will not stand. So any sowing of discord in Islam is good for the West.

Related Tags: Islam, Sunni, Shi'ite, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt