The Backlash Effect

While reading this article in The New York Times I was reminded of an essay I once wrote.

My argument at the time was that due to such large amounts of financial support, as well as weapons, given the Israeli government by America, whatever Israel does is viewed as being inseparable from what the U.S desires. So you get the situation where Israel may attack, or retaliate against, it's neighbour, and this act is inevitably connected to the U.S. Hence why during the last incursion into Lebanon it's not uncommon to hear such statements as President Ahmadinejad's:

'Britain and America, as the main associates of the Zionist regime... should answer for their crimes in Lebanon'

Of course we know that Ahmadinejad simply never misses a chance to blame everything on America, but there's reason to believe that many instantly make the same connection. Bin Laden once said:

'America will not live in peace before peace reigns in Palestine'

Their stocks in the Middle East clearly aren't as high as they think. So when they have a problem getting the candidates they back into government, such as in the Palestinian elections, and now a by-election in Lebanon, I don't think it should be at all surprising.

If I were the American President, I'd just shut up and let democracy do it's thing. Clearly the practice of openly supporting one side against the other isn't working:

“It’s the kiss of death,” said Turki al-Rasheed, a Saudi reformer who watched last Sunday’s elections closely. “The minute you are counted on or backed by the Americans, kiss it goodbye, you will never win.”