- And the tirade against Khomeini
Lebanon’s recent Hariri episode seems to have originated straight from the classics of Hollywood. If that is not the case, it definitely does boost the credentials to make it as a great plot for a future movie. Though on the political and strategic map, Hariri was not a flop show in mobilising Sunni voter base to flood the streets of Lebanon, the silver screen might have to add some spice to cash in on his drama as such frivolity might not be worth a five dollar ticket otherwise.
As if the world was not aware that Saudi Arabia is not much fond of Shia-regimes particularly Iran, Muhammad bin Salman took the opportunity to bring “credible” evidence of Iran’s involvement against Sunni rulers of the region and in doing so disgraced himself, reducing his prospects of being taken seriously on the world stage in future. How convenient can it be: a Saudi royal saving the day from Iran backed anti-government activities in a neigbhouring country? It was so convenient that no one cared to buy the authenticity of the childish fervour with which the Saudi royal tried to get air time across the global media.
Since Trump has been in power there has been distress in many countries regarding an unpredictable and sometimes abruptly reactionary leader in charge of the world’s strongest military power, but, at-least, he has been destined to fight against propaganda driven media outlets using his favourite rhetoric: “fake news”. The world political stage has now been uniquely gifted with another such leader who has led some to believe that another powerful army, coincidently getting most of its toys from America, has got as its leader (for all practical purposes) a highly unpredictable, and audaciously ambitious person. One thing that is different here is that Muhammad bin Salman has tried to either create or ride the wave of what Trump would call “fake news”.
Saad Hariri surely did not burn any of his boats behind while attempting to conquer the Oscar nominations. He is back to base one, and has made it back home not without securing a “home run”, as he seems to have made a good “move” keeping in view the May 2018 Lebanon elections as the crowds erupted all over Lebanon in his support after his resignation. Among its 54 percent Muslims, Lebanon has almost equal Shia and Sunni population. Lebanon’s political system has the prime minister’s seat reserved for Sunnis while the president has to be a Maronite Christian, and the speaker of parliament a Shia. This system was structured to allow all sects and religions to be represented well in the power pie. Saad Hariri has managed to get his Sunni support base well behind him before the May-2018 elections in presenting himself as being threatened and chased by Shia Hezbollah. What he has also managed is that he is put the weight of an elephantine Saudi support into his pan. Hezbollah, a major party representing Shia of the region, has a strong political presence in Lebanon and is a key figure in Lebanon’s parliament. Lebanon shares its longest border with Syria and has almost the same ethnic mix as that of Syria. While there is already a tug of war for Syrian control between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Saad Hariri was thought of as an opportunity by Muhammad Bin Salman to build a narrative against Iran in holding it culpable of meddling in both Syria and Lebanon.
Saad Hariri surely did not burn any of his boats behind while attempting to conquer the Oscar nominations. He is back to base one
The timing of the incident creates more interest in the story: right before a crucial meeting of IMCTC i.e. Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. Muhammad Bin Salman in a recent comment compared Al-Khomeini with Hitler. It is reasonable to believe that the royal has read something about “Allied Nations” defeating Hitler’s Germany in his high school days and is carrying some fancies of equal merits, or, maybe, his father was taught this lesson while dancing hand in hand with Donald Trump. The tirade against Khomeini, the Saad Hariri episode and Saudi Arabia’s stance against Bashar al-Assad in Syria, all validate analysts around the world who saw Islamic military alliance as going into one direction only: trying to start a war with the Shia world and in doing so attempting to land boots on the ground in Syria.
Pakistan’s role in ICMTC will be more of a Pakistan army’s role. Pakistan has the highest number of soldiers working in UN peace keeping missions and there is a possibility of such a “peace” mission under ICMTC in future. That might be some healthy income for the boys but a dangerous one for the nation. With Raheel Shareef sitting on top, Pakistan’s involvement in any Saudi ambition would be disastrous, considering the sectarian divide of our nation and the history of Shia-Sunni relations. Also, on the national front, a more active role of our military in ICMTC will require by passing the parliament again and again through both the front and back door, an example of this is the very appointment of the head of the coalition. No matter how much the Saudi led coalition is sugar coated by its Pakistani head, the people will look at the facts, as long as they are allowed to, through the freedom of press and information. It is worth mentioning this because when Saudi money flooded Islamabad, during the Afghan jihad, it swept away the freedom of press and empowered some religious parties under Zia ul Haque. We again have another freshly “conceived” religious party gaining muscles under the most favourable of circumstances when it comes to rallying public support, but this time the smoke screen is the sect of choice that might not easily get linked to Saudi Arab. Is it “Zia era, The Sequel”.
Last time Saudi money made it to Pakistan and Pakistan army, the Taliban came into being; it is therefore highly ironic that our ex-army chief, after heading Zarb-e-Azab, seems to be back to base one as well, just like Saad Hariri. We can only hope all such drama is kept to Hollywood only.
