US Security Adviser Brennan’s efforts to subvert Hezbollah illuminates US culpability in Assassination of Lebanon Intelligence Chief

Washington Lobbies Europe to Join Its War on Hezbollah
By Omar Nashabe – 29 October, 2012 – Al Akhbar

Washington’s attempts to cultivate what it called “moderate Shias” as a counterbalance to Hezbollah, as revealed in Wikileaks documents, has failed, and now the US is ratcheting up pressure on its European allies to go after the Resistance movement.

This appeal was made by John Brennan, the US President’s Deputy National Security Advisor, during a visit he made to Dublin on Friday.

Speaking at the Institute of International and European Affairs, Brennan criticized what he called the “Failure” of many European countries, including Ireland, to designate Hezbollah a terrorist organization, which, he said, “makes it harder to defend our countries and protect our citizens.”

Brennan also called on the European countries to hold Iran and Syria accountable for sponsoring Hezbollah
He went on to say that the UK’s move to designate Hezbollah’s armed wing a terrorist group was “simply not enough,” and declared that Hezbollah “will continue to operate with impunity” unless the international community joins the United States in taking a more “proactive posture” by working together to “uncover its infrastructure and disrupt its networks.”

The senior US official stressed that failure by the European countries to take action against Hezbollah has complicated law enforcement efforts against Hezbollah suspects arrested “for plotting in Europe.”

Brennan also called on the European countries to hold Iran and Syria accountable for sponsoring Hezbollah, a statement which comes at the same time as American accusations that Hezbollah is supporting the regime in Syria in its war against the armed opposition and its backers.

Brennan is one of President Barack Obama’s top advisers. The US media covered his remarks extensively in the final stretch of the campaign leading up to the the US presidential elections. The remarks follow a presidential debate focused on foreign policy in which both candidates pledged staunch support for Israel.

Nevertheless, the appeal made to the European countries to back the US attack on Hezbollah also suggests that there has been a shift in the approach declared by Brennan. …more