Taef accord interpretations. Amendment 64 vs 53. Doha Agreement. Personal tit-for-tats. Political vengeances. The ego of men continues to take center stage.
As the nation continues to plunge in misery, the cartel continues its traditional modus operandi of mafia tactics and horse trading plays.
When the revolution started in October 2019, many loyalists had accused the thawra of triggering uncertainty and panic, thereby causing the collapse.
It was often ignored that over $20bn had already been withdrawn from banks from 2018 until the thawra started, and that dollar liquidity had become harder to obtain by importers very early in 2019.
Following the failed reform attempt of the Diab government, and hopeless government deadlocks, the grim reality has become much more evident to growing numbers of the Lebanese population.
The traditional media narrative had gotten it wrong. The regime was the cause of the chaos. The thawra came to correct the chaos.
Cartel factions are stubbornly resisting all pressures to cut losses on their network of narrow sectarian clientelistic interests. They believe that, by playing the scapegoat game and manipulating the justice system, they may preserve themselves politically or economically in Lebanon.
The best one might hope for from this class of people is to step back from interfering in cabinet reform measures.
Doing so will allow a government that can maybe offer a minimum level of social protection, begin the banking restructuring, support the justice system, clean up some ministries, execute short-term electricity plan and allow for a transitional period leading to a new political regime.
The fall of the regime is an inevitable phenomenon. It is a matter of time, space, and unfortunately, its delay will further increase the social and human costs.
Dear ruling class, you destroyed our past, present and future. You destroyed the air, water and ground of the nation. You have nothing left to exploit.
SAVE YOURSELVES SOME HONOR AND RESIGN. THERE IS GREAT VIRTUE IN RECOGNIZING ONE’S FAULT.