Link to Article: https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-un-peacekeeper-deputy-commander-attacked-833de0ceaa718b93d3b3dfa9b301d7e7
The receding deputy commander of the U.N peacekeeping for in Lebanon was injured after protestors attacked the convoy that was taking him and the peacekeeping force UNIFIL to the Beirut airport. The deputy commander – Major General Chok Bahadur Dhakal – was set to leave the country after UNIFIL completed its mission when his convoy was attacked and a vehicle was set on fire. The Lebanese army intervened to breakup the violent protestors and that the commander of the Lebanese army was in contact with UNIFIL to work to arrest those who had attacked and bring them to justice. The article then goes on to mention an Iranian airliner flying to Beirut which had been turned around due to Israel stating that Iran was smuggling cash to Hezbollah via citizens on the airliners. Also discussed within the article is the Israel withdrawal from Lebanon from which they have been within since 1978, and the issues the agreements are facing.
This region of the world, the Middle East, is a very tough region with many warring states and much conflict. From countries distrusting others, to violent protests and conflicts, the Middle East is a hotspot for international concern and interest. Everything discussed within this article is of concern to countries all over the world. An attack from protestors on a UN commander and convoy from a country with rocky relations with others is concerning. To me, it doesn’t seem Lebanons civilians are helping matters. The Israeli withdrawal seems slow and painful as Israel doesn’t want a Hezbollah to regain power within Lebanon to then attack Israel again. Israel does not want another country sharing a border that is very anti Israel. Protests are a normal occurrence when the situations are dire or unfavorable, however, the UN may be concerned over this violent attack and may seek to continue to deploy UNIFIL to the region to keep peace. Israel wants to Iranian assets or money funneled to Hezbollah and will continue to heavily monitor what is coming in and out of the country from Iran and elsewhere, and that is a big part of why they don’t want to withdraw, to keep a watchful eye over a severely diminished Hezbollah.
All of these events continue to uphold the widespread belief that the Middle East is a shatterbelt region with many warring states and civil unrest and violence. This region of the world was no clear local hegemon strong enough to provide stability and military presence within the region. Thus, conflict will continue to rear its ugly head as long as no order can found.