Since past efforts have been so successful, the US has once again decided to meddle in the affairs of another nation (all in the name of freedom of course). As part of a secret plan put forth by President Bush, the CIA has been authorized to take covert actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The administration describes this action as part of a preventative measure to stop the spread of Iranian influence on Lebanese politics while justifying their own dominance in the region.

The plan, signed by the president after discussions between his aides and Saudi Arabian officials, authorizes the CIA and other US intelligence agencies to fund anti-Hezbollah groups in Lebanon and pay activists who support Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora. The move is part of an overall plan to stifle support for anti-Western powers, of which Iran is the largest contributor. Since the program is confidential, US involvement in Lebanon is officially deniable.

The finding, drawn up by National Security Council officials, is indicative of Bush�s growing alarm that Iran has more influence in the region, particularly in Iraq, than the United States. Rather than work with Iran, the president has consistently recommended that military action be taken against them. US officials have now turned their attentions towards the resistance group of Hezbollah which is largely supported by Iran and Syria.

Israel, which initiated an offensive against Lebanon last year, is supportive of the Lebanon-based action against Iran, which it views as its chief enemy. Prince Bandar bin-Sultan, the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to Washington and current national security adviser to King Abdullah, is also closely involved in the decision. One intelligence source stated, “There’s a feeling both in Jerusalem and in Riyadh that the anti-Sunni tilt in the region has gone too far. By removing Saddam, we’ve shifted things in favor of the Shia and this is a counter-balancing exercise.�

This offensive against Hezbollah will certainly turn more Muslims against each other. In exchange for Sunni support against the Shia group of Hezbollah, Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, have agreed to work harder to re-start peace negotiations in Palestine. Part of this approach towards peace was the release of $100 million of the $500 million in Palestinian taxes which Israel was holding after Hamas was democratically elected to run the Palestinian government. It should be noted that the money was only released to the Fatah group, which the US and Israel support. Fatah is engaged in a battle against Hamas for control of Palestine, though many Palestinians are weary of Fatah being a puppet to foreign interests.

The Bush administration has recently come out in support of Sunni nations which it defines as �mainstream� Arab states. This policy has created tension with al-Maliki’s Shia-led government in Iraq, which operates Shia death squads the US has only recently denounced. One intelligence source said that the administration is creating a �whirlwind� which is destabilizing the Middle East by turning Muslims against each other. This US authorization for the CIA to take on Hezbollah is only one battle in Bush’s overall “war on terror” which aims to weaken anti-Western resistance. As with the Iran-Iraq War, the US is ensuring that both sides lose. Divide and conquer seems to be the name of the game.

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