True Story of Lebanon Crisis

The Taylor Report interviews Zafar Bangash of Crescent International about the fallout from the explosion in Beirut, and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel. Concerning Beirut, Bangash notes that French President Macron paraded through the streets of the city like a viceroy issuing orders and demands to the Lebanese, while famously offering "no blank cheque" to aid the 300,000 homeless or 7,000 injured, whereas Syria, Iraq, and Iran immediately sent humanitarian aid with no strings attached. The demonstrators who hit the streets in Beirut were paid for by Hariri's Future Movement, who basically asked Macron to put Lebanon under trusteeship. On the other hand, Hezbollah, which has majority influence in Lebanon's parliament (but none at the Port of Beirut), called for a complete reset of Lebanese politics along the lines of one person, one vote. This in opposition to the current constitutional structure created by French colonialism, which guarantees systemic inequality and sectarianism. On the UAE, Bangash says that the Arab monarchies have been moving to normalize relations with Israel for some time, due to US pressure and to fear of the rising influence of Iran in the region. The UAE move may have helped Trump and Netenyahu's electoral chances but only serves to further isolate the monarchical regimes from the people over whom they dictatorially rule.