Now What? In Beirut, Saudi Negotiators Pull Out

This video news segment from Al-Jazeera, in English, suggests a dire and perhaps violent outcome in Lebanon as various political and sectarian groups face off over control of the country.

The report captures a common line about the tensions in Lebanon: the country is vulnerable because outside powers are involved in a so-called proxy war.  Among the outsiders supporting some factions: Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and, yes, the United States and other Western powers.

And, of course, interested neighbors Israel, Turkey and Jordan have a stake in the outcome, since violence has a way of spilling beyond borders and inviting secondary consequences.

Once again here, the line gets blurry between media organizations and sponsoring (or protecting) political/cultural groups.