Sheik Nasrallah Comes Out of Hiding (Briefly)
Well, they've obviously got some good catering going on in the bunker.
Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, the capo di tutti capi of Hezbollah-choked south Lebanon, has emerged from the hideout he's been living in since the Israelis chased him out of sight in 2006. He took a stroll this morning -- surrounded by a dense crowd of dozens of bodyguards -- to attend an Ashura ceremony in south Beirut. (Ashura commemorates the death of Mohammed's grandson and is a big day for Shiites. In Afghanistan today, at least 58 Shiites were killed by unidentified suicide bombers who detonated themselves in the middle of crowds of worshippers observing Ashura.)
Nasrallah had a few rather predictable words for the cameras -- a warning that the Jews want to take over East Jerusalem and destroy the al-Aqsa Mosque, for example, and an accusation that the US is the real culprit behind the detention of Palestinians and the occupying of Palestinian land. "The US is the enemy and Israel acts as their tool," he said. More importantly, he expressed Hezbollah's undying affiliation with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
The timing is significant. On Sunday, in a clear message to Israel and the West, the Syrian regime conducted large-scale live-fire military exercises that included the firing of at least one Scud-B missile, which has a range of about 200 miles. Yesterday, in a message directed more toward the domestic front, the pro-Assad militia dumped the bodies of 34 kidnapped and murdered Syrian civilians in the middle of Homs. (The civilian death toll since the Syrian uprising began is estimated to be in the vicinity of 4,600.)
Now, bear in mind that on Friday, Burhan Ghalioun, the leader of the Istanbul-based Syrian opposition, told The Wall Street Journal that a post-Assad Syria will revisit its relationship with both Iran and Hezbollah. The Syrian opposition is gaining international legitimacy, and that's all Assad and his Iranian friends need right now. From Assad's perspective, it is critical that he assert his ability to wreak havoc both internally and internationally should any attempt be made to bring him down. It's equally critical for Iran -- where military installations keep exploding -- to assert the steadfastness of its relationship with its only national regional ally. It's an indication of just how anxious Hezbollah's patrons are feeling at the moment that they have wheeled out Nasrallah to rhapsodize on the enduring love the Hezbollah faithful feel for the Butcher of Damascus.
- Comment (7)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (0)
Comments :
Mar '11
Re: Sheik Nasrallah Comes Out of Hiding (Briefly)
I wonder if the rat's new-found confidence in leaving his hole has something to do with the state-of-the-art US reconnaissance drone that the Iranians now have in their hands... I have heard rumors that the Iranians actually managed to "hijack" the drone electronically (presumably with either Russian or Chinese help), and land it themselves, without having to shoot it down. That would present a serious problem for US and Israeli intelligence, if true.
Oct '10
Re: Sheik Nasrallah Comes Out of Hiding (Briefly)
Ah yes, a bigger target.
Re: Sheik Nasrallah Comes Out of Hiding (Briefly)
Heshmon, I strongly doubt old Hassan's public appearance had anything to do with confidence. This was a command performance. He was probably petrified.
I've read so many wildly different stories about that drone that it's impossible to draw any conclusions. What I think we can say with some assurance is that on the whole, things are not going at all well for the Iranian regime. They might have the drone -- and if they do, I don't mean to minimize the intelligence cost -- but they've just lost an entire missile-testing site, which is a huge setback for them.
Meanwhile, who'd have thought it about Assad? Remember when everybody was so sure he was just a pencil-necked milquetoast? It looks very much as though he has no intention of leaving unless he's dragged out by the ankles. Score one for genetics.
Mar '11
Re: Sheik Nasrallah Comes Out of Hiding (Briefly)
Judith, you're probably right on all counts. I, too, have seen so many different accounts of that drone story that I don't presume to know what happened.
The Iranian and Syrian regimes do seem to be in trouble, and have certainly shown the world their true colors lately. Still, lately I find myself eying the bomb shelter in our building, and thinking about the tendency of desperate dictators to start wars.
Aug '10
Re: Sheik Nasrallah Comes Out of Hiding (Briefly)
Now there is a guy who I would consider helping in his Ashura celebration. I have just the sword for him.....
Looks like a "fun"religion , eh ?
Apr '11
Re: Sheik Nasrallah Comes Out of Hiding (Briefly)
Judith Levy
Nasrallah had a few rather predictable words for the cameras -- a warning that the Jews want to take over East Jerusalem and destroy the al-Aqsa Mosque, for example, and an accusation that the US is the real culprit behind the detention of Palestinians and the occupying of Palestinian land.
One disappointment from the Gulf War is that the al-Aqsa Mosque wasn't "accidentally destroyed by a Scud." An opportunity missed, I think.
Edited on Dec 6, 2011 at 7:54amFeb '11
Re: Sheik Nasrallah Comes Out of Hiding (Briefly)
Glenn the Iconoclast
Judith Levy
Nasrallah had a few rather predictable words for the cameras -- a warning that the Jews want to take over East Jerusalem and destroy the al-Aqsa Mosque, for example, and an accusation that the US is the real culprit behind the detention of Palestinians and the occupying of Palestinian land.
One disappointment from the Gulf War is that the al-Aqsa Mosque wasn't "accidentally destroyed by a Scud." An opportunity missed, I think. · Dec 6 at 7:52am
Edited on Dec 06 at 07:54 am
The Israeli government would have helped rebuild it.