Lebanon Paper
Gaining Stability in a Nation out of Control
Gaining Stability in a Nation Out of Control Lebanon remains a key component to the United States national interest in the Middle East. Senior Leaders, grasping the importance of this vital democratic state is paramount, because it is critical to U.S. strategic interests and you may find yourself in need of this knowledge for future Middle East engagements. This paper will explain Lebanon’s background, government, strategic importance, and its future direction and impact to the U.S. strategically in a volatile region.
Background
Lebanon lies on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and because of its location is the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, Lebanon has been the lynchpin of commerce and trade for thousands of years. The sea proximity made it a key area for trade, giving shape to its diverse culture. Trade, within Lebanon 's major cities such as the capital Beirut, brought wealth, prosperity and a diverse culture that once called itself the “Switzerland of the Middle East”. Lebanon became a strategic point because it is a perfect path to its neighbors, and finally, its mountainous region provided a strategic defense against enemies. Despite the country having been independent since 1943, its borders with Israel and Syria remain unresolved (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014). This is important because Israel is a major U.S. ally, and Syria a threat. U.S. involvement within a democratic Lebanon supports our national interest in the Middle East. The fact Syria occupied Lebanon from 1976 to 2005, has had a significant influence on the country 's internal and foreign policies. Today the Lebanese people consist mainly of Christians, and Muslims, and they are eager to become the vibrant economy of their past. The Lebanese are a proud people that highly value family, successful marriages, religion, power, social-economic status, and prestige. Modesty in
Gaining Stability in a Nation Out of Control Lebanon remains a key component to the United States national interest in the Middle East. Senior Leaders, grasping the importance of this vital democratic state is paramount, because it is critical to U.S. strategic interests and you may find yourself in need of this knowledge for future Middle East engagements. This paper will explain Lebanon’s background, government, strategic importance, and its future direction and impact to the U.S. strategically in a volatile region.
Background
Lebanon lies on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and because of its location is the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, Lebanon has been the lynchpin of commerce and trade for thousands of years. The sea proximity made it a key area for trade, giving shape to its diverse culture. Trade, within Lebanon 's major cities such as the capital Beirut, brought wealth, prosperity and a diverse culture that once called itself the “Switzerland of the Middle East”. Lebanon became a strategic point because it is a perfect path to its neighbors, and finally, its mountainous region provided a strategic defense against enemies. Despite the country having been independent since 1943, its borders with Israel and Syria remain unresolved (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014). This is important because Israel is a major U.S. ally, and Syria a threat. U.S. involvement within a democratic Lebanon supports our national interest in the Middle East. The fact Syria occupied Lebanon from 1976 to 2005, has had a significant influence on the country 's internal and foreign policies. Today the Lebanese people consist mainly of Christians, and Muslims, and they are eager to become the vibrant economy of their past. The Lebanese are a proud people that highly value family, successful marriages, religion, power, social-economic status, and prestige. Modesty in
References: Central Intelligence Agency. (2014). The World Factbook. Accessed from, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/le.html Kwintessential. Lebanon Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette. Accessed from, http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/lebanon.html Loughlin, J., Kincaid, J., & Swenden, W. (2013). Lebanon: The hybridity of a confessional state. In Routledge Handbook of Regionalism & Federalism (No ed., Vol. 35, pp. 499-509). New York: Routledge. Osegawa, T. (2013). Syria and Lebanon: International Relations and Diplomacy in the Middle East. UK: I.B.Tauris. Saab, A, (April 16, 2014). U.S. to confirm arming opposition in Syria: sources. The Daily Star. Accessed from, http://dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Apr-16/253472-us-to-confirm-arming-opposition-in-syria-sources.ashx#axzz39oxAvDSO U.S. Department of State. (November 4, 2013). U.S. Relations with Lebanon. Accessed from, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35833.htm