Should the United States support calls for a cease-fire and a political solution to the current conflict between Lebanon's Hezbollah faction and the nation of Israel?
Few countries have a more complicated pattern of religion, politics, and recent history than Lebanon. Israel occupied the southern part of the country for eighteen years before pulling out in 2000; Syrian military occupied Lebanon until 2005. Christians represent a strong 40 percent minority with political clout and representation in a slightly majority Muslim nation. The country celebrated democratic elections in 2005, but Iran and Syria still exercise considerable influence in the nation through their financial and military support of the Islamic group Hezbollah. Now Hezbollah has prompted a conflict with the Israeli military by attacking and kidnapping soldiers and by responding to Israeli air attacks with rocket attacks on Israeli targets. What are American Christians to think about this action that truly requires a scorecard to follow the players?