Wolfgang, I honestly don't know enough about the Lebanese political situation to comment much on it. I would think, though, that they are better off without either Israel or Syria controlling them.

I think the subject of misleading TV reporting is one worth mentioning at any time, but I'm not sure if it applies to this Lebanese situation...or it it does?...how? I do think that virtually all the news we get on the mainstream media is pre-cooked, so to speak, to push a certain predetermined viewpoint.

Readings of Orwell's 1984 can be quite useful in regards to understanding how that works.

It sounds like Mr Assad is feeling quite insecure these days, and is trying to wiggle his way out of an increasingly worse strategic position. I imagine he has good reason to feel insecure. It all comes down to power politics...and who's got the most power to kill people. Right now, that would be the USA.

Democracy in Lebanon? Well, that will be encouraged if it helps move America's strategic plans forward...and it will be crushed if it doesn't. Just like in Latin America. Remember Chile?