A mighty big "if"
President Bush stated the hopes of many people when he spoke of a united Lebanon free of terrorist influence.
With 15,000 Lebanese troops and another 15,000 foreign troops perhaps only weeks away from deployment near the border with Israel, Bush said Hezbollah no longer can keep Lebanon from becoming a democracy.
While the way forward is going to be difficult and require more sacrifice, the president said, "We can be confident of the outcome because we know and understand the unstoppable power of freedom.
Whether Hezbollah will be neutralized is the unanswered question. If it is then Lebanon will indeed be free to pursue their democracy apace. If Hezbollah remains as a terrorist force, however, Lebanon will return to the days when it was occupied by Syria and the scene of proxy wars with Israel. That is quite a big "if".
However, this is not just a test of Lebanon and their desire for freedom, it is also a test of the international community and if they desire freedom and democracy.
That is also a mighty big "if".
It is 2006 and yet the world's commitment to freedom and democracy remains a question.
With 15,000 Lebanese troops and another 15,000 foreign troops perhaps only weeks away from deployment near the border with Israel, Bush said Hezbollah no longer can keep Lebanon from becoming a democracy.
While the way forward is going to be difficult and require more sacrifice, the president said, "We can be confident of the outcome because we know and understand the unstoppable power of freedom.
Whether Hezbollah will be neutralized is the unanswered question. If it is then Lebanon will indeed be free to pursue their democracy apace. If Hezbollah remains as a terrorist force, however, Lebanon will return to the days when it was occupied by Syria and the scene of proxy wars with Israel. That is quite a big "if".
However, this is not just a test of Lebanon and their desire for freedom, it is also a test of the international community and if they desire freedom and democracy.
That is also a mighty big "if".
It is 2006 and yet the world's commitment to freedom and democracy remains a question.