Syria, Lebanon and UNIFIL's Failure

There are repeated reports that Syria has invaded Lebanon, sending troops three miles into Lebanon.

That should be a huge deal. Top news really.

Consider that Lebanon has UNIFIL in country to ensure that Lebanon's territorial integrity is not violated, and yet we get reports that Syria has got troops well inside Lebanon. Where's Hizbullah's immediate response? Hizbullah would start wars with Israel claiming that a few acres of land in Sheba Farms was occupied by Israel (and the UN confirmed that it was never the case), but Hizbullah has no problem with a significant invasion and violation? Of course we know the answer to that - Syria has been backing Hizbullah so there's no reason to bite the hand that feeds 'em.

UNIFIL is unable to do its job, and Syria's invasion shows that the situation is quickly going to get out of hand. Those warnings about how Syrians should leave Lebanon suggest that Syria is going to take matters into its own hands soon enough. Assad simply cannot leave Lebanon alone.

Between the Hariri investigation that will show Assad's fingerprints all over the assassination and Lebanon's ongoing fight with Fatah al Islam, Syria cannot let the Lebanese think that they can control their own destiny. Assad continues to cling to the belief that Lebanon is a fiefdom for its own pursuits. And the Cedar Revolution hangs in the balance.

Of course, there are those who think that UNIFIL is doing its job. One has to wonder whether Hizbullah's rearmament and ongoing armed presence counts, considering that the UNIFIL mission is predicated on disarming all militias operating in Lebanon and assuring the territorial integrity of Lebanon.

As Michael Totten aptly reports:

If Israel sent the IDF three kilometers into Lebanon and started digging trenches and building bunkers it would make news all over the world. But Syria does it and everyone shrugs. Hardly anyone even knows it happened at all.

Syria can, apparently, get away with just about anything. I could hardly blame Assad at this point if he believes, after such an astonishing non-response, that he can reconquer Beirut. So far he can kill and terrorize and invade and destroy with impunity, at least up to a point. What is that point? Has anyone in the U.S., Israel, the Arab League, the European Union, or the United Nations even considered the question?

My previous coverage of this incursion was here. At the time I wrote it, I wasn't sure that it was a report to be trusted but Totten and his sources also confirm its validity. Indeed, Syria is playing a very dangerous game, but its actions thus far have been completely below the radar.

Where are the major media outlets to cover this story. If the Israelis had gone 300 meters into Lebanon, the world would make a stink like you wouldn't believe. Syria goes 3 miles into Lebanon and nary a peep from the Times or any other major western media outlet.

UPDATE:
There is one possible theory that could explain why there is no outcry and little coverage of the situation - Hizbullah or Aoun invited 'em in. Anschluss. The takeover will be announced when it is a fait accompli.

UPDATE:
Syria issues threats against Israel, on the heels of various reports suggesting that the Syrians are sending tourists into the country as a vanguard for a Syrian offensive.

Abu Kais wonders whether the July 15 date is because the Iranian money is about to run out, and the sooner the Iranians can get matters in hand, the better.

The July 15 rumor in Lebanon may be a product of overactive Lebanese imagination, and the result of an information war that is finishing off Lebanese journalism. So let's add fuel to the rumor fire and speculate: the Assad regime's main cash cow, Iran, can't even buy fuel for its citizens. Their oil wealth is on the decline, and they are desperate for foreign investment. International sanctions means that no bank anywhere is willing to loan a dime to any Iranian. Not even Dubai is coming to the rescue. The Iranians may survive without the "Great Satan's" currency, but they need European investment and the Euro, which they could lose if more sanctions are imposed by the Security Council. Or if they don't cooperate on Lebanon (wishful thinking?).

Also, note that he picked up on the Syrian invasion story before other sources.

Others commenting include Meryl Yourish, The Jawa Report, AJ Strata, Jay Reding, Infidel Queen, Wake Up America, The News Buckit, and Jim Rose.