Also, notable that Sehnaoui has recently starting dating Morgan Ortagus, who may no longer be ME envoy, but I believe is still the - whatever that may mean in practice - Counselor to US Mission to the UN and Special Representative for Lebanon.
Yes, but I was careful to stick to the documentary record here, and not overspeculate. What surprises me is the vitriol with which people have reacted to a piece that is largely based on a clearly stated public positions, verbatim quotes, and confirmed ties. I guess that what is embarrassing is that I simply connected a lot of dots.
Connecting the dots is the ultimate crime when most people aren't even paying attention beyond what gets reported by the mainstream media. Unfortunately, this is true for pretty much everything and particularly geopolitics. It's not like we shouldn't all have learned by now to be skeptical of the "established" narrative, particularly when the usual choir is singing it in unison.
Michael - i read and listen to you often, but this strikes the wrong tone. I can argue every point you raise (but i’ll leave it to Bashar who did a good job), but wanting peace with Israel doesn’t make us bad guys (and you, a good guy). You might have a point, but you seem to be taking the position that you have the absolute answer. You also might not be a fan of Sehnaoui, but him supporting an idea doesnt automatically disqualify it as futile, whatever his intentions are. With respect
My discussion was never about the good or bad of aspects of peace with Israel in and of itself, and I certainly did not use the term good and bad guys. My argument was specifically on the benefits of peace today, arguing that the country is not united on peace, therefore that peace will only further divide an already divided society; and second, that there are regional powers that will not allow Lebanon to be absorbed into an Israeli sphere of influence, and who are likely to mobilize their supporters in Lebanon to block such an initiative. In other words, peace will not bring peace at all, but domestic division and the transformation of Lebanon into a regional football. That’s what I said, so let’s keep the discussion within those parameters. The first thing I said was that I didn’t want to discuss peace in and of itself, even if that’s a legitimate discussion to have.
People responded to the article by attacking Carnegie, so I preferred to take it down and not put the institution in the line of fire. The article can still be read here. Thanks for your comment.
Also, notable that Sehnaoui has recently starting dating Morgan Ortagus, who may no longer be ME envoy, but I believe is still the - whatever that may mean in practice - Counselor to US Mission to the UN and Special Representative for Lebanon.
Yes, but I was careful to stick to the documentary record here, and not overspeculate. What surprises me is the vitriol with which people have reacted to a piece that is largely based on a clearly stated public positions, verbatim quotes, and confirmed ties. I guess that what is embarrassing is that I simply connected a lot of dots.
Connecting the dots is the ultimate crime when most people aren't even paying attention beyond what gets reported by the mainstream media. Unfortunately, this is true for pretty much everything and particularly geopolitics. It's not like we shouldn't all have learned by now to be skeptical of the "established" narrative, particularly when the usual choir is singing it in unison.
Michael - i read and listen to you often, but this strikes the wrong tone. I can argue every point you raise (but i’ll leave it to Bashar who did a good job), but wanting peace with Israel doesn’t make us bad guys (and you, a good guy). You might have a point, but you seem to be taking the position that you have the absolute answer. You also might not be a fan of Sehnaoui, but him supporting an idea doesnt automatically disqualify it as futile, whatever his intentions are. With respect
My discussion was never about the good or bad of aspects of peace with Israel in and of itself, and I certainly did not use the term good and bad guys. My argument was specifically on the benefits of peace today, arguing that the country is not united on peace, therefore that peace will only further divide an already divided society; and second, that there are regional powers that will not allow Lebanon to be absorbed into an Israeli sphere of influence, and who are likely to mobilize their supporters in Lebanon to block such an initiative. In other words, peace will not bring peace at all, but domestic division and the transformation of Lebanon into a regional football. That’s what I said, so let’s keep the discussion within those parameters. The first thing I said was that I didn’t want to discuss peace in and of itself, even if that’s a legitimate discussion to have.
Thank you, and thank you for doing what you do.
Thanks for commenting, and the kind words, much appreciated.
This piece was up earlier today but now gone from the Carnegie MEC website. No need to comment if not appropriate, but that was a bit unsettling.
People responded to the article by attacking Carnegie, so I preferred to take it down and not put the institution in the line of fire. The article can still be read here. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the clarification and glad that it was your decision to take it down and not imposed.