Misunderestimated

The elections propelled into the Lebanese parliament a man that every Lebanese knows very well, but one that none of them can predict. Meet Michel Aoun, Lebanon’s most paradoxical politician.


There is a lot to say about this 70-year old man whose followers are so young you’d think his political rallies are rock concerts; a man so mercurial that just when you think you’ve managed to understand him, he does something that completely takes you aback.

He shouts at journalists and lashes out at his fans, yet sometimes he’s so calm and serene he makes Nassib Lahhoud look like a neurotic.
He screams generalities and populist rhetoric in his electoral rallies, yet he has one of the most comprehensive and detailed electoral programs in the Lebanese elections.
His logic appears so simplistic, so black and white that you’d think he’s illiterate, that is until he easily incorporates, in French, a relevant reference to literature, history or philosophy in his conversation.
You’d assume that as an army person, he’d be most comfortable with macho men who just obey orders, yet the general surrounds himself with soft spoken rather effeminate experts in suits and glasses who advise him on his moves.
He’s the most secular Lebanese politician, yet his strongest base is in devout Christian areas.
He doesn’t have the slightest of Arabist feelings, yet he chose Aljazeera for his first post-victory interview.

The list goes on, but perhaps the biggest paradox of them all, is the one that brought him into parliament: The general, who was the symbol of resistance to Syria, allied himself with the very pro Syrians who used to endlessly harass his followers.

So why would people vote for someone who seems so erratic, unpredictable and hot-tempered? Well, it is precisely because he is erratic, unpredictable and hot-tempered.
Unlike all other refined politicians who speak in code and always say the right things, Michel Aoun can come across as human, warm and sincere. This makes a lot of people trust him. Some voters are not searching for arguments, they just want to have faith in someone; this is why they created an orange version of La3younak (for your eyes).

The man who was able to surprise Walid Jumblat, the king of political radars, and make him throw empty punches in the air, has got to be a master politician. But Michel Aoun is no Machiavelli, he’s a natural.

In his bestselling book about power, Robert Greene advises power seekers to “cultivate an air of unpredictability to keep others suspended in terror”, and to “seem dumber than one marks”. He also suggest that one “plays on people’s need to believe to create a cult-like following”, and to “enter action with boldness”. Did I mention that the book’s cover is orange?

Michel Aoun is a wild horse to tame. But one thing’s for sure, he has made politics in Lebanon much more interesting to watch.

(P.S: I'm being emailed that the word "misunderestimated" doesn't exist. In fact, it was a term that was coined by George W. Bush, which lately came to symbolize the mask of stupidity that he (unintentionally) wears. Read more here)