September 01, 2006

The Lebanon War - A Boon for Syria as Israel's Blockade Continues?

Far too much of the press coverage on Lebanon since the cease-fire has seemed to suggest - hey, Lebanon can now get on with rebuilding. Well, no, not yet it can't. The Israeli blockade continues and vital shipments of goods are not getting through to those who are still suffering. This problem is likely worse than many realize given that Lebanon imports 85% of its consumer goods. But one interesting point in this nightmare that I haven't seen reported on much if at all on this side of the Atlantic is how this is strengthing Syria - that it's now become a vital transportation conduit, and the sectors of Syria's economy connected to transportation and trade are surging now that Lebanon's ports can't be used.

Posted by armand at September 1, 2006 02:01 PM | TrackBack | Posted to International Affairs


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