During the 12th century, a small group of Muslims from the Shia Ismaili sect set about to destabilize the Sunni-dominated Islamic empire by a limited, persistent campaign of assassinations. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the group achieved mythic status in the history of the region and have since been termed by western scholars as the first terrorists. While some credit the group as having provided inspiration for Osama bin Laden, they may well also be the inspiration behind Syria?s new strategy in Lebanon .

Gibran Tueni has become the sixth Lebanese critic of Syria to be targeted for assassination since former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was killed last February . Though three of the targeted have escaped with their lives, the wave of assassination attempts has provoked responses that may prove damaging to Lebanon?s ability to form a peaceful independent state. Syria, which refuses to recognize a border with Lebanon or to set up any form of diplomatic mission in the country, may be operating under the assumption that Lebanese instability will provide a new conduit for it to regain its prized hegemony over Lebanon.