Those of us who spent years studying Lebanese and Syrian politics feel betrayed by a whole body of scholarship on this subject. Watching the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) hearings in The Hague about the inner workings of Lebanese and Syrian politics has been the most rewarding and educating academic activity, much more enlightening than scores of books and treatises by scholars who struggled to rationalize the workings of thugs and criminals in Damascus. Given the time difference between California and The Hague, I paid heavy price for this endeavor in the form of many sleepless nights. But it was worth it! Allow me to share one funny moment with you.
During his early visits with Syria's future president, Walid Jumblatt described Bashar's beginners’ questions about the Druse and Christians in Lebanon as "orientalist." Hearing Jumblatt's testimony before the STL led me to wonder how much help the Syrian president, dubbed the "Protector of Minorities" or (حامي الاقليات), needs. Of course, no one is more qualified to offer crash courses on Levantine minorities than General Aoun and his parliamentarian soldiers!
