Israeli–Lebanese conflict

Hezbollah says it’s fighting alongside government forces in Syria to prevent violence from coming home to Lebanon. Some in Lebanon say Hezbollah is the one bringing the violence home.Hezbollah says it’s fighting alongside government forces in Syria to prevent violence from coming home to Lebanon. Some in Lebanon say Hezbollah is the one bringing the violence home.

Former Israeli leader Ariel Sharon has died after spending nearly eight years in a coma that followed a stroke. Sharon was highly controversial — both loved and hated. And few individuals in recent memory have had as much of an influence on the recent history of the Middle East.

The drumbeat for action against Syria has grown louder, with Syria promising to strike back at Israel if it’s attacked by the west. But in Israel, the government is saying it will strike back hard if Syria strikes — and it’s pushing for western airstrikes because of what it sees as the bigger picture.

Lebanese Hezbollah fighters have been supporting President Bashar al-Assad’s troops in their attempt to crush the uprising in Syria. Hezbollah has its own TV channel Al Manar. It looks pretty professional, but you wouldn’t mistake it for CNN.

The Lebanese have had rough month. And it may get rougher. Especially in south Beirut. There have been tit for tat bombings in the area, and scores dead.