WINEP: "regardless of the timing of the standoff, it appears the government miscalculated...& for Washington, there are few policy options..."

WINEP's Schenker wants to throw the Army in the fray ...here

"......Given the bleak prospects, all eyes are on the LAF, considering the pivotal role it could play on the ground. But so far, it has not intervened.....With so much at stake, now is the time for Washington to use whatever leverage it might have to encourage the LAF to fulfill its national responsibility to protect Lebanese institutions. Concerned about the potential fragmentation of the military, LAF senior leadership is typically loath to insinuate the army into this kind of affair. In this case, however, they should be pressed to make an exception ....."