(Daily Star-Lebanon) Michael Young - Since 2005, Iranian President Ahmadinejad has used the Palestinians as a battering ram to enhance Iran's legitimacy among the Arabs. But now Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has stepped in and the Arabs, their sectarian impulses kicking in, have elected Turkey as their foremost champion. However, saying yes to Turkey has become shorthand in Lebanon and the region for saying no to Iran and its allies. What does it mean for Hizbullah if Turkey displaces Iran as the main spokesmen for the Palestinian cause? It means that Hizbullah's freedom to use Lebanon on Iran's behalf as an instrument of deterrence against Israel is lessened.
2010-07-02 10:07:40Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive