Make your own militia

On the side of a busy street Abu Imad stands in front of his warehouse that appears much the same as any other. Inside, the air is humid and Abu Imad’s products are stacked in boxes from floor to ceiling. Just inside the entrance is a display area for customers who wish to view the goods on offer. But Abu Imad is not in the business of peas and carrots; he is one of the many arms dealers that have been making a killing off rising demand for weapons both inside Lebanon and next door.  The smell of white chalk and sawdust from newly opened boxes full of M16s are telltale signs that the trade is booming, as is Abu Imad’s smile as he brags about his best selling items and Lebanon’s history of armed struggle. With a tinge of nostalgia in his voice he explains how collectors items and