https://pjmedia.com/michaeltotten/2011/05/17/dont-even-try-defecting-to-lebanon/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usFri, 12 Jun 2026 07:31:55 -0400<![CDATA[Three Syrian soldiers tried to defect to Lebanon after shielding fleeing refugees from Bashar al-Assad’s violent Shahiba miltia, but they were promptly arrested by Lebanese army officers and will most likely be sent back to Damascus. “Defecting” from Syria to Lebanon in 2011 is as useless as fleeing Moscow to East Berlin during the Soviet era. Anyone who tries is all but guaranteed to be arrested, will most likely be tortured, and faces the real possibility of being executed.]]>Tue, 17 May 2011 09:10:42 -0400<![CDATA[Michael J. Totten]]>https://pjmedia.com/michael-j-totten-2/2011/05/17/dont-even-try-defecting-to-lebanon-n145084