- 15:45
The ostrich policy: look away and pretend that security is under control.
For the past few weeks, in a scattered yet synchronized manner, acts of delinquency have been multiplying in certain neighborhoods of Beirut. Of course, there’s no proof that these incidents are coordinated. However, in Lebanon, there’s always a “but!” The profile of the targeted areas, the locations… strong clues cast a dangerous shadow of suspicion. Businesses, nightlife spots, establishments and individuals are being targeted in Achrafieh, Badaro… And some people have been injured. Not to mention the heinous crime in Faraya and the assassination of Archimandrite Kojanian.
Sometimes, when criminals aren’t enjoying certain “protections,” they’re arrested, but there’s always someone ready to take over. The pool of bandits, of all kinds, is far from running dry.
The feeling of insecurity is growing alongside the anger of residents. They have limited trust in the judicial system and are wondering where the municipal police have gone. Therefore, what everyone fears is starting to unfold. People are beginning to talk about self-defense, about coming together to protect their property… a dangerous shift away from state control.
Let’s be honest, the state is preoccupied elsewhere, trying to form a government. Back to the familiar game of political horse-trading. Every party is scrambling for as many “prime positions” as it can get. A pinch of Shiite tandem here, a dash of the Free Patriotic Movement there… The designated prime minister’s main task? To avoid ruffling too many feathers while steering clear of the most “unacceptable” names. It’s as if there had been no war. No defeat. No international pressure. We’re recycling the same old faces and starting over… running in vicious circles! To break this cycle, a little push is needed. And it's on the way.
This Thursday, Beirut is expecting the visit of Morgan Ortagus, who succeeds Amos Hochstein as Donald Trump’s special envoy to Lebanon. One can’t exactly say her personality is of any convenience to irresolute and procrastinating Lebanese politicians. She will surely demand strong actions and, chances are, she’ll be back regularly to shake up the current apathy. What will she talk about? A government in which Hezbollah doesn’t call the shots, respect for UN resolutions, the disarmament of militias, support for the Lebanese army, the looming February 18 deadline, marking the end of the extended Israeli withdrawal and the truce… The list is long.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese, not just those in the capital city, will continue to keep a close eye on the delinquents lurking around—as if an invisible hand is trying to divert their attention. Paul Valéry once said, “Politics is the art of preventing people from engaging with what concerns them.” And here we are.
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