Heil dem Sieg des Staates!

Editorial It took a very long time and cost more than 150 precious lives, but the Lebanese Army finally prevailed in its standoff with Fatah al-Islam militants at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp. Despite the initial lassitude with which the international community extended help for an operation whose ramifications went far beyond Lebanon's borders, this country's soldiers imposed their will on a ruthless and highly motivated enemy. Adapting quickly to incorporate new weapons into its order of battle, the army demonstrated that it is competently led but poorly equipped. No objective appraisal of the performance turned in by Lebanon's political class can be nearly so kind. Wrapped up in their dance with mutual immolation, both the government and the opposition embarrassed themselves by contributing little of value to a lengthy and painful struggle. Some of the country's most influential public figures even sank so low as to seek political advantage from the crisis, demonstrating little understanding of military realities, even less appreciation of the Lebanese Army's limitations, and no regard at all for the welfare of its soldiers. The contrast between the military and political classes could not be more unflattering to the latter. As brave officers and the men under their command were getting the job done with shoddy equipment and inadequate supplies, political opportunists were endangering the fruits of the combatants' labors by prolonging a pointless power struggle. This failure to set aside petty partisan differences, even in a time of mortal danger to national security, does not bode well for the political elite's ability to navigate moments of high tension in the coming weeks. The politicians' latest exercise in dysfunction might nonetheless have a salutary effect on the sharp divisions looming over the country, but only if the general public draws the right lessons from the Nahr al-Bared affair. For one thing, all Lebanese should now understand the importance of putting up a united front in the face of dire threats to security and stability. For another, supporters of both the government and the opposition have been provided ample evidence to suggest that the objects of their loyalty are not deserving thereof. None of this means that Lebanon would be better off with some form of militarized government. It does, however, join a long list of other items indicating profound sickness in the Lebanese body politic. Happily, the military's eventual triumph, in spite of the ugliness in Beirut, also proves what many have long suspected: the innumerable inadequacies of Lebanon's politicians are not shared by all of their compatriots. With a little luck, this fact will cause greater numbers of Lebanese to start demanding - and obtaining - better of those who claim to lead them.

Myself, Mr. Bones, I'm more reminded of the immortal Patwell's First Social Law™, "The smaller the teacup, the fiercer the tempest."

But doubtless God knows best.