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Hello,

Blogs are a familiar feature on the internet - where users post content in an accumulating manner, with comments, and search options, etc. They facilitate expression and exploration, and via attached comments, also debate and synthesis.


Reading and
Navigating Blogs

Our blogs are quite powerful. Each writer can post, as is typically the case. Sustainers who have the option can also post, however. All Blogs appear in the blog system, and sometimes also in content boxes the top page of ZNet - and always via the left menu of the top page - and can be found via searches, etc.

Commenting on blogs follows the blogs, attached at the bottom, and blog comments, like all others, are also visible in many places that show comments including in the forum system. In addition, the entire blog system gathers content for everyone - but one can look at the accumulating content in many ways.

  • For example one can look at one writer's efforts - so one is seeing what is effectively a blog system for that one writer, or Sustainer.
  • One can also look at the content by topic, seeing blogs that are tagged as being about a certain topic - or place, as well. Thus, when doing that, it is a blog system about a topic, or a place, with many contributors.
  • One can look at only writer blogs, or only sustainer blogs, as well.
  • One can look at blogs for particular Groups, too.

All this is easily done using the left menu. Searches allow even more variables and refinements.


Creating Blog Posts

If you are a Sustainer with permission, and are logged in, you will see a link in the left menu for you to post a blog - and you can use that to post one, and then tag it various ways (such as with a topic or place, or a group tag), and once you do, it is in the system with you as the author.

You can also use the console button to the left to post a blog - anytime and from anywhere in the site, as long as you are logged in.

Meanwhile, enjoy the blogs - and, by the way, if you are a Free Member or a Sustainer with a ZSpace page, of course you can put one or more content boxes on it, pulling blog links of any sort you may want to filter for, for example, by you or by your friends or by others - and by topic, about places, for groups, etc.

Blogs

The_final_me_

Michelle Peterson's Blog

Web Address: http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/beggiani
Bio: (More)

All Peterson Blogs

Lebanon and Syria

By Michelle Peterson at May 12, 2011


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The enduring unrest in the Middle East is staggering. There is a feeling that anytime, anywhere in the region, another explosive outbreak will occur. News of Syria’s massive, violent protests have flooded the covers of newspapers around the world. President Bashar al-Assad’s government has been relentless in its desire to crush the uprising, including the use of military force. It’s possible this regime will get support from other parts of the region. Namely, Lebanon.



The Syrian-Lebanese relationship is important in the Arab world. Syria is supplying weapons and military equipment to Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shi’a Muslim resistance group, political party, and military force. The U.S. has asked Syria to stop the supply of weapons to Hezbollah, but to no avail. Syria has had significant ties with Hezbollah for decades. Hezbollah and Syria are being investigated by the Special Lebanese Tribunal (SLT) pertaining to the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri in 2005. This past January, Hezbollah took down the government under Saad al-Hariri, Rafiq’s son, by its members and allies resigning from the government cabinet. It was in response to Saad’s support of the SLT. Hezbollah’s political leaders replaced Saad al-Hariri with Najib Mikati who is the acting prime minister until a new cabinet is put into place. It is evident that Hezbollah holds the strongest role in the development of a new government.



Hezbollah has said that the protests in Syria are a conspiracy against Syria and Lebanon. With Hezbollah having so much political and military power in Lebanon, it is hard to say what role Lebanon will play in the Syrian crisis. The current Syrian regime is of great importance to Hezbollah. It is Hezbollah’s strongest supporter in the region. Iran has also had significant ties to Hezbollah and has supported their military efforts as well, which can only complicate things further. Hezbollah official Mousawi stated, “We can say, with great confidence, that we are in a position of power...we feel reassured about facing regional developments. And what we have spent on reinforcement in defending Lebanon makes us confident that we can defend our nation and our people.” Defending our “nation and people” may also include defending the current government in Syria. Hezbollah is dependent on Syria and does not want a government collapse. As the days pass, and more violence is afflicted on Syrian protestors, we will have to wait and see what role, if any, Lebanon will play. Lebanon and Hezbollah should not be underestimated. Lebanon could fight to maintain the current Syrian government. The question I want to know is: What would the people of Lebanon do? Would the support of Syria bring about protest and potential war? Is there more violence to come? These are questions we must ask ourselves. Lebanon can not be ignored as it so often is. The U.S. would probably ask: “Well, where’s the oil? Is it hurting Israel?” Hopefully, most of us can see the importance of this country beyond those questions. At least that is what I hope.
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