this post was submitted on 02 Oct 2024
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Marhaba.

I live in Lebanon, Aley district. Israeli airstrike targets are at proximity of my location. Beirut, and particularly Dahieh, is completely visible from my balcony. There are also refugees sheltered in my town.

Other things to know about me: I am a leftist, and a legal and political writer.

P.S. I will answer anything (as it is with AMA posts), not only issues pertaining to the recent events.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Is there any significant segment of Lebanese society who doesn't support the resistance?

If yes, do those who doesn't support the resistance buy into the US/zionist ideas of the resistance being to blame for the war and do they believe that Lebanon can have good and beneficial relations to the US/zionists if they just behave?

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Is there a religious divide between Lebanese who support Hezbollah and those that don't?

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 month ago (5 children)

Short answer: no.

Long answer: if we only take into consideration the theoretical doctrines, Hezbollah is a shia islamist movement which, understandably, would alienate the rest of the population. However from a practical sense, since its integration into the political establishment Hezbollah made alliances with other parties from different religions and has abandoned its islamist agenda in favor of multi-confessional politics. But the primary constituency of the party remains shia of course.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Welcome Comrade! I hope you are doing well in these times. Unfortunately like most in the west I know very little about Lebanon in the modern era. Do you have any recommendations for books or other media on the subject? Another question is what is the situation with the Lebanese military, are they actively resisting at this time?

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 month ago

A good and not-so-long read would be “A History of Modern Lebanon” by Fawwaz Traboulsi, a Marxist professor.

No, the army has never actively resisted since a very long time. I developed further on this matter in another reply.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Is it still safe in Saida? What was the Kataeb party’s response?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I don't live near saida so I don't have much info unfortunately.

Kataeb are critical of Hezbollah and the resistance, while still affirming their anti-zionist (more accurately anti-israeli) position. Their contention is that they don't want paramilitary groups with foreign allegiances to roam freely and challenge the autonomy of the state.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 month ago (1 children)

first of all, i would like to let you know that you have the solidarity of all decent people on this planet. i hope that you and your loved ones are and stay safe. from the river to the sea!

what is the general public opinion about the former soviet union, both in leftist circles and in the wider society, and how has the illegal dissolution of my country affected leftist organizing in your region?

what is the attitude towards the current russian government and its actions?

once again, i want to wish you and everyone close to you all the best.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The soviet union is rarely mentioned nowadays, be it positively or negatively. I presume this is because the union wasn't directly involved in the domestic affairs of the country, not even during the civil war. Some old people, usually muslims, have good impressions because they studied in soviet universities by means of scholarships. However the common talking points about soviet tyranny are prevalent here like in any capitalist society. Most true leftists I know defend the union or at least have sympathies towards it.

Opinions on the current Russian administration are mixed. Unsurprisingly the orthodox community is supportive of Russia. People's opinion also depends on how they view the Assadist regime in Syria, because Russia has been Syria's biggest ally since the eruption of the civil war. Sometimes you can see pro-Ruasian posters on advertisement signs. I also remember that Russia donated a remarkable quantity of wheat to Lebanon during the crisis.

Thank you for all your wishes, comrade. I dearly hope that your country one day regains its communist ways and surpasses its past glory.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago

thank you for your insight!

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I know this is a less serious question, but any tips/recommendations for someone visiting Lebanon? I’ve wanted to go there for the longest time.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I heard on a podcast that Lebanese pop music goes hard, is this true? And if it is can you provide some examples?

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Give my salaams to anyone you see on the ground with the acronymn "AMA" on their shirts.

Africa Muslims Agency (AMA) - a major South African humanitarian aid group

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago

Will definitely do so, comrade.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What do you think is the main political trends in alignment of Druze and Sunnis, in terms of foreign policy?

I mean, as much as they be reluctant, Christians and Shias are much thankful to Syria and Iran, it seems?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Since the 90's the two biggest sunni and druze parties—respectively, Future Movement and the Progressive Socialist Party—were anti-syrian and anti-iranian. FM had for the longest time tacit Saudi support. In 2008, Hezbollah clashed with both FM and PSP over the former's telecommunication systems.

Today, FM is inactive after its leader resigned from the premiership in 2019. There is a void in sunni politics, and they are divided among themselves but the populace is generally supportive of the resistance. As for the PSP, its position is a bit ambiguous and its leader seems to be on good terms with Hezbollah; shocking considering that most druze are adamantly opposed to Hezbollah and Iran.

Christians are divided on the issue. Some parties are pro-iranian while others are not. Shias were also divided along those lines historically but they managed to put aside their differences.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

No question , just solidarity and my sincere hope that you and yours are safe.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago

Thank you, comrade.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Are there any Lebanese writers you recommend checking out? Stay safe, comrade!

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Fawwaz Traboulsi is Marxist Historian and political scientist, definitely worth checking out.

Ussama Makdisi is Palestinian but wrote in depth about religious sectarianism in Lebanon.

Also check out kotobli which is a cool website to discover Arabic literature outside the framework of Anglo-American hegemony.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago

Sweet, thanks! heart-sickle

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What's your favorite book?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago

It's hard to choose only one! To keep it on theme I will recommend for fiction Azazeel by Youssef Ziedan, and for nonfiction Colonial Citizens by Elizabeth Thompson.

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