right turn, heading east. It was apparent that he knew the address Azizi had given, as he asked no questions en route.
At length the cab stopped at an undistinguished building in the Evin district in the north of town. Azizi paid the driver and led Esmaili into the entrance. It proved to be an apartment complex with a dining area, evidently at one time for upscale patrons. Now, based on Azizi’s easy mastery of the layout, it seemed to be owned or at least controlled by Dr. Momen’s organization.
Esmaili was quickly shown to a small, well-appointed room with a bath and was instructed to make himself comfortable. Azizi said, “I will call for you tomorrow after lunch. We will see the doctor then. Meanwhile, talk to no one about your work. No one. But other than that, enjoy the area.” He indicated the view from the window.
The Evin district was composed of the older section featuring orchards and gardens and the newer section with modern skyscrapers. Esmaili already knew that it lay near Shahid Beheshti University and Evin Prison with its notorious political prisoner’s wing. SAVAK used it before 1979 and the Ayatollah’s minions ever since.
After his guide left, Esmaili took a walk to familiarize himself with the building and the area. It was an acquired habit of long standing: he was unable to relax until he felt comfortable with his surroundings.
Strolling in the afternoon sunlight filtered through the perpetual smog, Ahmad Esmaili allowed himself to wonder what one of his nation’s most prominent scientists wanted with him.
7
Frank Leopole had no idea how many briefings he had delivered in his time at Strategic Solutions, but he was comfortable with his audience, and increasingly with his subject. Like any good O-5, he had done his homework.
“Gentlemen, as you know, our mission involves working with Druze militias in central and southern Lebanon. There’s increasing Hezbollah pressure in the area, trying to expand the territory where Iranian-backed groups can train and equip for operations against Israel. As you probably know, the Beirut government is largely unable to defend its own interests in some provinces. So we’ve been asked to step in, providing training and actual defense of specific villages and tribal areas.
“The primary Druze area is southeast of Beirut, fifty or sixty miles from the Israeli border. But the region has excellent defensive terrain, and the Druze control some of the best artillery positions in the country, including hills east of Beirut. The Hezzies would like to grab some of it for artillery positions and observation.
“The fly in the ointment is the Israeli concern with appearances in the international arena. Tel Aviv does not want to be seen backing the Druze in any overt manner, even though it’s an open secret that the IDF works inside Lebanon, especially since there are Druze in the Israeli Army.
“Basically this is another training mission. But to maintain the charade we’ll be working with Israeli Druze who will provide liaison and translator services. However, I’m hoping to assign at least a couple of our Arabic speakers to this operation.”
Jason Boscombe raised a hand in the second row. “Sir, if we’re going to work with the Druze, shouldn’t we know more about them?”
“Odd you asked,” Leopole replied. He turned and said, “Dr. Mohammed?”
Omar Mohammed was SSI’s resident Middle East expert. The Iranian native had been hired for his reputation as a training officer but with a PhD in international relations, fluent in most Muslim languages plus French and Russian, he was as Frank Leopole said, “A one-stop shopping center.”
Typically elegant, Mohammed smoothed his Brooks Brothers suit coat as he stepped to the lectern.
“Most of you are familiar with Lebanon’s recent history, which briefly stated is one of internal conflict, frequent foreign occupation, and government disintegration. As an aside, I can say that in my youth, Beirut was called the Paris of the Mediterranean. A beautiful, cosmopolitan city that has since been destroyed in repeated fighting among the Syrians, Israelis, and Lebanese themselves.”
Mohammed opened his PowerPoint presentation with a map of Lebanon on the screen.
“Lebanon is smaller than Connecticut with about 3.8 million people. More than ninety percent are of Arabic ancestry though roughly forty percent are Christians who do not identify with the Muslim culture.
“The nation is divided into six
“Excuse me, Doctor,” Leopole interjected. “I was looking at the CIA World Book, and it says there’s eight provinces.”
Mohammed gave an eloquent shrug. He stroked his salt and pepper beard, then ventured, “Well, that’s the agency for you.” He waited for the laughter to abate, then proceeded.
“The country is geographically divided along religious lines. The Shia are concentrated in the south, Sunnis in the north and east, and Christians in the center. The Druze are mostly between the Shia and Christians in the south-central region around Beirut.
“For a moment I want to address the two southern governates bordering with Israel. They are the main source of conflict at present.”
Using a laser pointer, Mohammed sketched the boundaries of both areas. “South Governate, or Al Janub on some maps, lies here along the coast and Nabatiyeh farther inland. These are the areas of most military activity. Hezbollah, with strong Iranian backing, has established enclaves in several districts in both provinces, and obviously intends to stay. In fact, it is making overt efforts to expand its control in the region with the obvious intent of increasing attacks on northern Israel.
“Now, the United Nations maintains a so-called peacekeeping mission called UNIFIL, for U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon. ‘Interim’ calls for some perspective, since UNIFIL has been there since 1978. It varies but has run as high as twelve thousand troops from several member nations. I would imagine that you will have some dealings with U.N. officials, but they are far more observers than enforcers. You will have liaison officers to meet with UNIFIL and other agencies, so don’t be overly concerned.”
“Don’t worry, Doc. I’m not.” Breezy’s off-the-cuff response prompted chuckles in the audience and a smack on the head from Bosco.
Mohammed, who nursed a quiet fondness for the brash paratrooper, ignored the lad’s flippancy.
“As far as the Druze themselves, they are an Islamic reformist sect, mainly in Lebanon but with adherents in Jordan, Syria, and Israel. I can explain the religious aspects, but few Druze consider themselves Muslims. They’re actually monotheists.”
Breezy turned to Bosco. “Monotheists?”
The erstwhile Ranger nodded. “Like, they believe in one God.”
Mark Brezyinski wrinkled his forehead. “Well, so do we, dude. So what’s the diff?”
“About that much.” Bosco rubbed a thumb and forefinger together as if dispensing salt.
Mohammed was speaking again. “They have been in the region for about a thousand years but since they’re neither Muslims nor Christians they’re mistrusted by both. Most Americans never heard of them until their militia became a factor in the Lebanese Civil War of 1975-90 when they defeated the Christian Phalangist militia. Later an accord was reached, and the two parties became nominal allies.
“In Lebanon the Druze are seen as a separate religious community with its own courts. In Israel the Druze are loyal to the government. Many serve in the armed forces and even in the Knesset. Others along the Golan identify with Syria.”
Bosco raised a hand. “I’ve heard of them but not much in a long time. If they’re involved in all these different countries, why don’t we know more about them? I mean, like Hezbollah or Hamas?”
“Well, remember,” Mohammed replied. “They’re not Muslims and they have nothing in common with Hezbollah or Hamas. But mainly we don’t hear much about them because secrecy is a large part of their culture. The Druze seldom accept converts, owing to a long history of persecution.”
“So can we trust them?”
Mohammed shrugged. “That depends upon the individuals. It’s like Christianity: everybody quotes the Golden Rule but how many Christians actually practice it?” He permitted himself an ironic smile.
