Ominous: Look Who's Mastering Nonviolent Confrontation

Non-violence as a strategy of confrontation can sometimes work wonders. The success of Lebanon's March 14 movement last year proved to be an outstanding example.

But the wily tacticians at Hezbollah headquarters continue to display a fast learning curve. Once agan, they appear to have appropriated and flipped the tactics of their opponents.

Now the tent city in Beirut is not protesting the Syrian occupation, but rather the March 14 ruling coalition. Now the activists waving Lebanese flags are supporters of a theocratic party (Hezbollah, being literally the "Party of Allah," is perhaps the most bluntly theocratic contemporary political movement). And all this only a few days after the assassination of Pierre Gamayel.

While there are many ominous aspects to the current situation, it is this adoption of nonviolent confrontation by repressive forces that is most troubling. If the representatives of the Iranian mullahs successfully adopt the art of nonviolent conflict, they will have added a powerful new weapon to their already impressive arsenal. Assassinate one week, lead overwhelming people power rallies the next week.

In the end, nonviolent change is only a tactic. Yet if it is mastered by repressives as a compliment to violent thuggery... rough days ahead.

Comments

[Yaman]

This is the most disgusting thing you have ever posted on this blog. What do you mean Hizballah has "appropriated" the tactics of non-violence? What, Shia do not have the same mental capacities as everybody else in Lebanon to protest?

And why is it that when the March 14 movement held street protests, it was called a "victory for democracy" simply because people were out in the streets protesting, but when those who support Hizballah do it--organically nonetheless!--you call it a harbinger of chaos and repression?

Whoever you are, you are disingenuous and do not represent the ideals of "democracy" properly. You do not do them justice. You only support the democratic order when it leads to your desired conclusion--some fancy idealistic and narrow "why can't we all just get along" vision of the future.

Why is it that you are supporting the March 14's "movement for democracy?" Do you even know that Lebanon is not democratic? Are you seriously misinformed or something? How can you say that Hizballah is the only explicitly theocratic political group in the world today when the entire Lebanese political system revolves around religious affiliation?

As one who purports to support civil rights and equality for all, shouldn't you have been mentioning recently the downtrodden position of Lebanese Shia compared to the Sunni and Christians? Why haven't you mentioned this? Instead, all that comes from you about the Lebanese Shia--who do in fact happen to be human--is this irrational fear that the "forces of repression" are taking hold.

I can't believe it--I have grown less and less enthusiastic about this blog since I found it last year. As events transpire, the true nature of this blog is being made more and more clear--and it's not pretty.

[The Lounsbury]

You do amuse me - the pretence however of engagement wears thin when you post this kind of tripe. Come now mate, good agitprop should not let its real agenda show to easily.

As to the question supra by the commentator Yaman As one who purports to support civil rights and equality for all, shouldn't you have been mentioning recently the downtrodden position of Lebanese Shia compared to the Sunni and Christians?

Mate, the blog author's delicate sensibilities run only one way. They are mere pretence. I will agree with this: the true nature of this blog is being made more and more clear--and it's not pretty.

Rather painfully clear actually once one follows for a bit. Usually well done agitprop, though, with the faux concern.

[Yaman]

Lounsbury, I have always been suspicious, but, as you mentioned on Aqoul, this one is indeed over the top. The only thing "ominous" here is the hijacking of civil/human rights lingo in order to justify the suppression of political expression in Lebanon.

Another thing I have noticed over the months is that this blogger never, ever gives the light of day to the plight of Palestinians under Israeli military occupation (do they not have civil rights?) or critically examines institutional discrimination againts Arab citizens of Israel. Either the author has misnamed this blog, has a fanatical tendency to treat Israeli issues with aversion, or does not recognize Israel as part of the "Middle East."

[The Lounsbury]

Well, I can see arguments for seeing the Aoun Hizbullah tie-up 'ominous' in a certain light - however that would be deliberately ignoring the one-sided approach and the spin this blog has adopted - or rather the one-way direction of concern.

And, yes, the silence on I-P civil rights is loud. Again, in isolation I wouldn't remark overly much. I myself avoid commenting on I-P issues as it is a morass. But the peculiar framing.

I'd add as someone with long-term business ties to Algeria, I find the "Bouteflika" (not Bouteflicka) 'cult of personality' claim silly.

[nadia]

yes i noticed that too. israel, iraq and turkey lack some serious representation.

[Barnabus]

Hey Yaman, how many Jews live in Gaza?

[markies]

Hezbullah "non violence" what a crap, the ISLAMO FASCISTIC party of Allah that wants to ethnic cleanse all Jews (no not just zionists) and to eliminate all non Shia from the middle east, it looks like the tricks they pay for "hospitals" so they can continue use Arab civilians as human shields so they die when they invade/attack Israel and make the innocent Israelis look bad...

[Ellie21]

How can that be that you receive a lot best news connecting with this post? Just the good thesis writers know the way to compose a kind good thesis or custom dissertation.

[google scraper]

I am a long time ago I read your blog and has long been saying that you're a great writer