Staff Reports
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut has again underlined that Americans should think twice before packing their bags for Lebanon due to the ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. One wonders if anyone thought it was a good idea to go there in the first place with rockets and missiles already taking care of the local “fireworks.”
Us now warning its citizens not to travel to Lebanon
and also warns its citizens in Lebanon to be ready to leave at any moment pic.twitter.com/3WUYdxdOja
— Brian BJ (@iamBrianBJ) June 27, 2024
The advisory from the Embassy mentions that the security situation is about as stable as a Jenga tower in an earthquake. The Lebanese government, sterling in its history of maintaining control, apparently can’t promise to keep U.S. citizens safe if violence flares up. Color conservatives surprised.
Interestingly, while some European nations have told their citizens to pack up and hit the road, the State Department hasn’t gone that far. National security council spokesman John Kirby chimed in with some advice akin to telling folks to bring an umbrella to a hurricane zone—stay registered and stay safe. Thanks, John, brilliant insight as always.
Hezbollah and Israel have been tossing rockets back and forth like kids playing an extremely dangerous game of catch since the chaos unleashed by Hamas on October 7. A hundred thousand folks from both sides of the border have already been displaced. Leaders from both sides are saber-rattling about escalating the conflict into an all-out war—something nobody with a brain would find appealing.
Washington has been feverishly trying to sprinkle some diplomacy dust on the situation before it ignites into a regional firestorm. U.S. officials have been busy meeting with their Israeli counterparts to keep everything from blowing up. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin seems to be the voice of reason, talking about how nobody—including innocent civilians—wants this mess to turn into a full-on regional war.
Ever since the 2006 war, which ended with a U.N. resolution that both sides treat like optional guidelines, the region has been on a tightrope. But of course, with Hezbollah’s gentle provocations threatening another explosion, maybe it’s time to rethink those travel plans, unless you’re keen on getting an up-close tour of Middle Eastern conflict.
