Reality - not so obvious ?

It is often seen that after some incident, the outcome is interpreted too quickly based on popular opinions, emotions or propaganda. Reality surfaces much later, and may be quite different to what was perceived. We have two perfect example of this in context of international politics or better, Middle Eastern politics.

In the latest democratically held election in Palestine, the militant outfit 'Hamas' emerged victorious over the incumbent Fatah party. The militant outfit was/is indeed popular with the local population as demonstrated in the election result. International opinion about denouncing the militant outfit 'Hamas' was perceived in context of Israel’s wish (as with anything in Middle East). Finally Hamas did make the government even though it maintained its stand of not recognizing Israel. I had done an earlier post here.

The reality 10 month later is quite different. Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of the Fatah party, unilaterally offered to step down. He further asked for a unity government to be formed with the opposition Fatah party. This he said would stop alienation of Palestine from the international community, and international aid will flow back to Palestine.

The second and more obvious example comes from neighboring Lebanon. It was the end of armed conflict between terrorists of Hezbollah and Israel. The war started due to Hezbollah, and ended in a ceasefire, removal of Hezbollah terrorists from the northern border of Israel. Hezbollah chief Nasrallah gained immediate popularity in Lebanon and other Islamic countries as some Islamic hero, who stood up against Israel. He was touted as saviour of Islam in the ongoing war against terror, wrongfully dubbed as war against 'Islam' by many.

Now see what ‘Hero’ Nasrallah is doing to Lebanon. He has asked the government, led by Fouad Seniora to step down. He also got 6 Shia ministers to resign from the government, which has not been accepted by Prime Minister Seniora. Nasrallah has threatened to start mass street protest to bring down the government. Nasrallah is using the same purported victory over Israel to take Lebanon down to a civil war. Who is going to be hurt by this? Israel or Lebanon? Is this the victory Lebanese people were celebrating. As I write this post, Lebanon has further plunged into crisis after another anti Syrian politician, industry minister Pierre Gemayel has been assassinated in Beirut and Nasrallah has just now threatened about starting civil war. Had he been stopped or removed during the war with Israel, it is for Lebanese people to see who would have benefited more? The reality is and will always be the same that terrorists are loyal to none save for their selfish cause, and the only way to deal with them is to eliminate them.