Rep. Berman Ends Ban on US Military Aid to Lebanon
'Satisfied' With Obama Administration Review
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D – CA) today announced that he has agreed, following a thorough review from the Obama Administration, to end his ban on military aid to Lebanon, allowing the $100 million aid package to resume.
“I continue to be concerned about developments in Lebanon,” insisted Berman, adding that he was “satisfied” with the review the Obama Administration conducted regarding the aid. Berman banned all aid in August to punish Lebanon for a border clash with Israel.
The revocation of the military aid led to an offer from Iran to replace the funds, sparking outrage from Obama Administration officials and calls to hurry up and resume the American funding of the Lebanese military.
Interestingly, US officials had threatened to suspend all military aid from Lebanon in October to punish them for allowing Iranian Presient Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to vist. The threat was of course an empty one because at the time all military aid had already been suspended. Now that the aid is officially resumed, US officials will once again be able to threaten, credibly, to revoke it.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- No Deal: US Restarted Pakistan Drone Strikes Despite Objections - February 22nd, 2012
- Syrian National Council Demands Foreign Invasion - February 22nd, 2012
- State Dept.: Pakistani Taliban 'Not Welcome' at Truce Talks - February 22nd, 2012
- Israeli FM: Our Decision to Attack Iran None of US, Russia's Business - February 22nd, 2012
- Hunger Strike Ends, but Adnan's Detention Without Charges Doesn't - February 22nd, 2012





davidgrayling
November 12th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
So the U.S. has to approve aid to Lebanon again so it can threaten to withdraw it! This is something from a Three Stooges skit surely.
But then most of American foreign policy has much in common with the Three Stooges. But at least they were funny on occasion.
But if America threatened to withdraw aid to Israel, now that would be really something. Then pigs might fly too!
http://www.dangerouscreation.com
Klyde
November 13th, 2010 at 6:43 am
This article is more evidence, not that any thinking person needs more, that there is no difference between the two major paties. Both serve the needs of Isreal before the needs of the US.
tomofsnj
November 14th, 2010 at 6:42 am
The reality is Lebanon has lots of water and Israel does not. It has been the reason for the repeated attacked on Lebanon. In 1918 The zionist knew of the need for water and they wanted the land that the zionist to get to go up the Latavi river. They knew that Demacus was part of prior Israel but they did not want the many non jews that would come with getting Demacus. What ever the aid to Lebanon by the USA it is all about getting 1/2 of Lebanon for Israel. Our traitors in the congress and the senate are just marching to the tune played by bibi.