Qifa Nabki
Lebanese Army
The Saga Continues: Nicholas Noe Responds to Schenker, Hokayem
Nicholas Noe sent me this commentary to publish at QN; it’s a response to the debate about U.S. military funding for the Lebanese Army that we’ve hosted here over the past week. In other news, check out a preview of Jesse Aizenstat’s book on surfing in southern Lebanon. Also, the new Arab Reform Bulletin is … Continue reading
U.S. Military Assistance and the LAF
A reader, Emile Hokayem, contributes this commentary in response to recent discussions about U.S. military assistance. Emile is a non-resident fellow at the Stimson Center. The starting point of any discussion on the LAF and its needs must begin with an honest assessment: it is a dysfunctional and inefficient organization that has no vision, no … Continue reading
Armed Caravans
In an article published yesterday in Forbes, Washington Institute fellow and former Pentagon official David Schenker weighs recent critiques of America’s efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces. He writes: “Many in Lebanon are concerned that U.S. weaponry enables the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to defend the state neither from Israel nor from local al-Qaida … Continue reading
Sleiman in Washington to Meet Obama Today
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman is in Washington today for an Oval Office ziyaara with President Barack Obama. Here’s what White House press secretary Robert Gibbs had to say about the visit: “The president looks forward to consulting with President Sleiman on a broad range of issues of mutual concern, including efforts to strengthen the bilateral relationship … Continue reading
U.S. Approves Massive Arms Shipment to Lebanon
BEIRUT, Lebanon — Ahead of a much-anticipated meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Lebanese President Michel Sleiman in Washington later this month, the Pentagon announced today that a major arms deal had been reached with Lebanon and that several millions of dollars worth of weapons and equipment would be delivered within weeks. This marks … Continue reading
Qifa Nabki 
And the people say…