More On The Complex Relationship Between Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army

Nadim Koteich argues that the Army could serve as useful fig leaf for Hezbollah in the future:

In contrast with the war it initiated in 2006, today there can be no better excuse for Hezbollah to engage in a war with Israel than joining one in support of the Lebanese army and other state institutions. Such a strategy would save Hezbollah any public disapproval and would make it hard for political parties to blame Hezbollah for the consequences.

Sounds diabolical. But for this to be successful, there should be a sort of complicity from the Army:

This would require, however, an under-the-table deal with factions of the army loyal to Hezbollah, a matter on which many observers have little information, yet enormous suspicions.

This would be very serious. Israel is already calling this the “Hezbollisation of the Lebanese Army” but I don’t think this is an accurate characterization. It’s true that Hezbollah has many supporters in the rank and file of the armed forces, but what matters is the clarity of strategy within the top command. All parties should strive to make the army’s strategy more in line with the Lebanese government than with Hezbollah’s sponsors.