[I]f Lebanon is to avert disaster, the flurry of diplomacy needs more vigorous and reasoned input from two crucial parties - the U.S. and Iran. However unusual, Washington and Tehran have more reason to cooperate than to spar over the latest Lebanese crisis, even though they back rival factions. Their instincts are to seek victory for their allies, but their strategic interests are better served keeping Lebanon as a relatively dormant front and promoting a presidential compromise. …
Partly because of its own disunity, Lebanon has become entangled in the broader crisis in the region, turning into a stage where the U.S. on one side and Iran and Syria on the other play out their dispute. Yet, for Washington, the collapse of Lebanon into civil war would mark the unravelling of the last standing U.S.-promoted Mideast experiment in democracy… not a risk Washington can afford to take. Access the full article>>