That ship has sailed

 

"Power is not an institution, and not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with; it is the name that one attributes to a complex strategical situation in a particular society". Michel Foucault

An Iranian ship carrying fuel reached Lebanon a few days ago after passing through Syrian territorial waters and unloading on Syrian lands. Parades of gasoline-filled trucks entered Lebanon amidst an ambiance of delight and relief. Hezbollah emerged ever-so-defiant and victorious, and a sigh of relief could be heard across the tiny nation.

The arrival of Iranian fuel shipments to Lebanon coincides with the US congressional statement that the US sought to resolve the Lebanese fuel crisis, whilst reiterating the importance of its “no Iranian oil” policy.  Months of economic downturn and fuel shortages have left the country at a brisk of complete collapse. Beirut has been struggling to survive an economic crisis that has seen prices skyrocket and the local currency devalue over 10 times in two years. The Lebanese have lost count of the reasons responsible for their economic hardship. International forces have issued a series of recommendations and action points that would help the Lebanese people resolve the economic and political crises, all of which falling short of an actual, imminent, tangible, and realistic solution. Hezbollah has certainly pointed this out, and has worked on securing Iranian oil to salvage the Lebanese economy, albeit  Washington’s concerns.

The U.S. did not stand arm-folded, and pushed its Iraqi and Egyptian partners to export oil and gas to crisis-ridden-Lebanon. The U.S. message is crystal clear: we can control the oil intake, if you listen to us. Hezbollah’s message was louder and clearer: we need not listen. We have our allies.   

This political backlash involves a number of countries that already suffer from their own internal problems: a sanctions-crippled Iran; a torn Syrian nation; an impoverished Egyptian economy; and a perpetually sectarian Iraqi scene. The political dynamics and proxy confrontations masked by the oil-rescue do not mean a single thing to Lebanese people: that ship has literally sailed – pun intended.

The overland delivery through neighbouring Syria violates U.S. sanctions imposed on Tehran, and the U.S. was livid. However, futile are the US calls to ban imports from Iran, and equally void are the Lebanese premier’s complaints about Hezbollah’s aggression on "national sovereignty". The Lebanese people need their oil, even if it were offered by the devil himself. The proxy wars have become boring, and predictable. Nothing worse can be inflicted on the Lebanese nation and its weak government. Hezbollah’s move came as no surprise to anyone: it has already taken over Lebanese foreign policy and defence policy, it plays a role in banking, controls the port and airport, and has just marked its place in regional trade and the internal market.

Washington is left in an awkward position following this stunt. Owing to the seriousness of Lebanon’s humanitarian and energy disaster, the U.S. may choose to overlook the fuel imports, irrespective whether the ships docked in Lebanon, Syria, or the moon. This option risks making the U.S. seem inconsistent and in violation of its own rules of imposing sanctions on countries that deal with Iran – but leaves a better taste in people’s mouths. Alternatively, the U.S. can impose sanctions on Lebanon, which would only embolden Hezbollah and its regional allies, and stir public opinion against a cold-hearted U.S policy. The U.S. will have to bite its tongue this time, and see how long Iran can afford such generosity.

Even if Iran’s shipment comes at an incredibly high price for a sanctioned and weakened Tehran, the political message was heard. The solution is temporary, mainly because the core of the problem is not the lack of fuel, but the lack of currency to buy it; but it is still a solution. And what the Lebanese citizen will remember this night is that they can switch on the light when it gets dark, thanks to Iran. They will have enough dark nights to listen to as many speeches about the tunnel’s lighted end.