THE COLOR REVOLUTION WE DON'T WANT. We all got excited when the Ukrainians and Georgians kicked out Russian stooge governments in mass "color revolutions" backed by American dollars and encouragement. Now it looks as if Hezbollah, fresh from its relative success in holding out against the might of the Israeli military, may attempt to stage a yellow and green revolution of its own. Yesterday, following a visit by Druze leader Walid Jumblatt to the White House and the Wilson Center, the Bush administration issued a statement warning that Syria and Iran, Hezbollah's sponsors, are plotting to overthrow the current pro-Western government of Fuad Seniora. The threat was underscored when Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah explicitly warned that he would topple the government or force new elections unless a national unity cabinet is formed. Shi'a in general, and Hezbollah in particular, feel under-represented in Lebanon's sectarian system. Another issue at stake here is the U.N. investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Supporters of the current parliamentary majority accuse Hezbollah and other pro-Syrian groups of wanting to sweep accusations of Syrian involvement in the murder under the rug. It's hard to tell whether Hezbollah has become more or less popular in Lebanon after this past summer's fighting. Hezbollah supporters say one thing; opponents say the other. The only way to find out for sure is to hold free and fair elections, so I say do it. The alternative is further destabilization and polarization.
--Blake Hounshell
