The current presidential crisis in Lebanon presents a concrete danger, internally and externally, that could have an impact on the region in general and Israel in particular. The events are overshadowed by the more dramatic developments in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and elsewhere, but their dangerous potential cannot be ignored. The escalation of the internal conflict in Lebanon and the spillover of violence could bring the civil war in Syria deep into Lebanon, as has occurred thus far along its borders and at certain points in major cities. This state of internal conflict in Lebanon is undesirable for Israel and Lebanon’s other neighbors in the region, and Israel must prepare for its consequences with a variety of possible future scenarios.
