Among the first statements to be released following the assassination of Lebanese Cabinet Minister Pierre Gemayel on November 21 was that of Nicholas Burns, the American undersecretary of state. He called it an act of terrorism.

Both the Lebanese and American governments believe Syria is behind the attack on the anti-Syrian Gemayel, as do many Lebanese. Lebanese politics are riven between those allied with the traditionally dominant Maronite Christian, Sunni Muslim and Druse populations, and the pro-Syrian Shiite Muslims, who have a powerful representative in Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran as well as Syria. Both Syria and Hezbollah have condemned the assassination.

Assassinations, if they are one of many tools in terrorists' toolkits, are not inevitably considered terrorist acts. Morever, the charge of "terrorism" by an American official in the current context is extremely potent. It's a fighting word, and it carries heavy baggage when it travels in transnational media space. Read more ...