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In a Crumbling Lebanon, Hizbullah May Have to Change Course
(Ha'aretz) Zvi Bar'el - The U.S. opposes the International Monetary Fund giving Lebanon any aid so long as Hizbullah remains part of the government. Meanwhile, violent demonstrations have become daily sights, especially in Beirut and Tripoli. Beirut residents get only a few hours of electricity per day, since the electric company has run up huge debts and can't pay for the oil it uses. Last week, there was a vocal demonstration in Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood, where Hizbullah's offices are located and where most of the population is Shi'ite. "Hey, master of the resistance, is there electricity in your house?" asked a large banner hanging on one Dahiyeh apartment building, referring to Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Nasrallah must also contend with the collapse of Iran's position in Syria and the reduced financial aid it is giving Hizbullah due to American sanctions. Hizbullah can no longer portray itself as Lebanon's savior, because the enemy isn't Israel, but a shortage of bread and gasoline.