Diplomacy or defiance? Americans no longer observe basic norms of human conduct

Pars Today – The U.S. envoy justified his insult toward journalists at Lebanon’s presidential palace.

A U.S. congressional delegation, headed by Tom Barrack, visited Beirut last Tuesday as part of continued pressure and to push Israel’s demands on the Lebanese government regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah. During the visit, the delegation held separate meetings with Lebanon’s three top officials.

A trip that involved an insult that, according to many political analysts, reflects a distorted image of Western diplomacy. Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Lebanon, came to the Baabda Palace during this trip to insult, used the word “animalistic,” and then left. Barrack told journalists who sought to interview him: “the moment this situation becomes chaotic, more like animal behavior, we will leave.”

Hezbollah condemned the insult by the U.S. delegation, particularly Tom Barrack, toward Lebanese journalists at the country’s presidential palace. The movement stated that the logic of bullying and U.S. superiority over Lebanese journalists is not surprising and called on Lebanese authorities to immediately summon and reprimand the U.S. ambassador.

According to Pars Today, quoting Mehr News Agency, Tom Barrack, in an online interview justifying his behavior, claimed: “I did not use the word ‘animal’ in a bad or insulting way. What I meant was: Can we stay calm and be patient for a moment? Yes, we must be civilized!”

He added: “My actions were inappropriate while the media were performing their duties. I know better than anyone how complex and difficult this situation is. Opportunities for journalists to speak with decision-makers are rare. They thought that person was me. I should have acted with more patience.”

In response, Lebanese media outlets condemned the uncivil and audacious behavior of the U.S. representative and questioned: “Could an American official speak to journalists in Washington the way Tom Barrack spoke to Lebanese journalists in Beirut?”

Yola Yacoubian, a Lebanese journalist, reacted to Barrack’s insult, saying: “These insults do not diminish the role of the press or Lebanese journalists; rather, they reveal the collapse of Western diplomacy and its failure to observe even the most basic rules of respect and diplomatic communication.”

Inas Karime, another Lebanese journalist, stated: “Tom Barrack, the U.S. representative, from Lebanon’s highest official podium, lectured Lebanese journalists on civility and urban conduct, threatening that if the situation turned into ‘animalistic chaos,’ he would leave. See how the U.S. envoy insulted our country’s journalists amid the humiliating silence of Lebanese officials.”

She addressed Lebanese officials, saying: “Have you reached such a point of submission that you swallow your words and remain silent in the face of the insulting and humiliating behavior of the United States toward yourselves and your fellow citizens? You must either force Tom Barrack to issue a formal apology, or this situation will continue to serve as evidence of the collapse of your slogans and a revelation of your humiliation and subservience.”