The events in Beirut : How does it matter for South East Asia ?

The events in Beirut : How does it matter for South East Asia ?

How do the events that happened recently – economic, financial, political and finally a dramatic explosion – may be a matter of concern for South East Asia ?

1/ Could such as an explosion happen in Asia ? Singapore also made its mark in the world by using its port as a centre for trade redistribution in the world, and a key element of its prosperity. But it also generated an industrial risk.

Another virus, that of terrorism, hurt next door Indonesia, less able to keep checks on its territory. Singapore has so far been more effective at protecting itself.

Could such countries be more capable of avoiding the industrial accident which just took place in Beirut ? The West should not lecture Asia about it since ammonium nitrate has killed in countries like France (31 workers dead in AZF in Toulouse in 2001), more than 550 people in Germany in the 20s or the USA in 1947, merely a few such events among many.

Used by thousands of farmers all over the world, this chemical must be closely watched because it is so vulnerable to fire.

2/ Thus, in the whole world, some countries enjoy a government with effective control on their territory and others, Lebanon among them, less so.

Citizens demonstrate, the Prime minister calls elections. Yet, Lebanon survived so far only on a pact giving a share to each community based on religious affiliation. It allowed the higher-skilled members of its constituencies to be hired away in all parts of the world. They keep Lebanon, a land of great beauty and history, as their beloved motherland, but where a lack of opportunities left them with no other choice but to expatriate and work elsewhere.

3/ A large portion of Lebanese are French-speakers and French-speaking media naturally focus on them.

Some South-East Asian countries have been part of the French speaking world, but where are their successors ?

France is chatting a lot, it “sides with the Lebanese people”, organizes disaster relief support conferences, feels Lebanese as cousins – well, at least those who speak its language, although not all of them can.

In reality, France can only act close to its territory : it doesn’t have the means anymore to extend far beyond its borders. The USA hosts about twice as many people of Lebanese descent, but does it have any more say to answer that difficult question : what kind of Lebanon should be rebuilt ?

4/ Therefore, what is left to hope from global and regional powers who mourn Beirut’s victims like they mourned so many victims of decolonization or postcolonization ?

Regardless of the aid provided, what is essential is the capacity of the local government, likeable or not, to control what is happening on its territory.

When the writer was working as a deputy in Singapore, the authorities knew at any moment where people who might present a risk would be ; the police would politely check every visitor, even an innocent tourist, taking videos at sensitive places downtown.

Other Asian countries – many of them, better left unnamed – have shown to be unable to tell the truth when that truth is unpleasant, reveals their incompetence and incapacity to provide for their own people with a safe place to live.

But at least, they can control their own territory. Let’s be realistic : it is a lot, it is vital !.

As we know, in this world national interest prevails. Brotherhood doesn’t weigh as much as the capacity of every government to know what is happening at home and to do its best to lead it in a way that conforms to its interest.5/

5/ Another lesson South East Asian governments could draw from events that occurred thousands of miles away : contrary to what dictators may pretend, it is imperative for countries who wish to protect their identities to maintain ties with each other rather than rejecting multilateralism outright. Should they become isolated, no amount of identity and independence can weigh against the giants. 

South-East Asian countries have no other choice but to mutually accept their diversity if they want to retain control over their independence in the future.