As long as politicians' positions are stated purely in relation to Syria (as "pro-Syrian" or "anti-Syrian"), the Lebanese themselves are inflating Syria's influence instead of shaking it off.

The Syrian regime currently seems intoxicated with power and confidence, reveling in its recovered status as an incontrovertible accomplice to any regional arrangement.

Relations have entered another dimension which actually defines Syria's standing on the international scale, where Syria's cooperation--or lack thereof--on all things Lebanese will now delineate its position with the big powers.

The more Syria feels pressured, the more it chokes Lebanon; the more it fuels resentment in a new Lebanese generation, the more it hurts itself in the process.