From problem to petty

In the not so distant past, Lebanon’s southern border with Israel was a byword for instability and periodic violence. It was the frontier upon which the diplomatic community in Beirut would continually focus their attention for signs of another outbreak of fighting with Israel. These days, however, it is Lebanon’s northern border that is under observation and a source of unease. Small wonder, given the recent spate of cross-border shootings, kidnappings, arms smuggling attempts and brief incursions by Syrian troops. But anyone following the news in early May would have thought it was still the southern border that was the more volatile, given headlines that spoke of Israeli “incursions” and “violations and incidents”, of “tensions” building along the Blue Line, and UNIFIL calling on all parties to “avoid misunderstandings”. The source of this troubling news was an Israeli incursion into Lebanese territory to a depth of 65 centimeters. Yes, 65