Conflict in LebanonConflict in Lebanon

Historical roots

David D. Peck, Ph.D.BYU-Idaho Academic Society

September 7, 2006

Historical roots

David D. Peck, Ph.D.BYU-Idaho Academic Society

September 7, 2006

Colonial LegacyColonial Legacy

Modern Middle East Nation-building Colonial Powers shaped region to own interests

Indigent responses Often patterned on Western political concepts Nationalism Alternatives: cultural and religious patterns

Modern Middle East Nation-building Colonial Powers shaped region to own interests

Indigent responses Often patterned on Western political concepts Nationalism Alternatives: cultural and religious patterns

NationalismNationalism

Two elements A “people” A “place”

Defining the legitimate “people” Race/ethnicity, language, religion, culture

Defining the legitimate “place” Historical location: Home, father/mother, or holy land

Exclusivist, confrontational, “Us” versus “them” “This land is mine, God gave this land to me.” Ethnic cleansings and genocides are extremes

Two elements A “people” A “place”

Defining the legitimate “people” Race/ethnicity, language, religion, culture

Defining the legitimate “place” Historical location: Home, father/mother, or holy land

Exclusivist, confrontational, “Us” versus “them” “This land is mine, God gave this land to me.” Ethnic cleansings and genocides are extremes

Theme from “Exodus”Theme from “Exodus”

This land is mine, God gave this land to me

This brave and ancient land to meAnd when the morning sun reveals

her hills and plainsThen I see a land where children

can be free.

So take my hand and walk this land with me

And walk this golden land with meThough I am just a man, when you

are by my sideWith the help of God, I know I can

be strong.

This land is mine, God gave this land to me

This brave and ancient land to meAnd when the morning sun reveals

her hills and plainsThen I see a land where children

can be free.

So take my hand and walk this land with me

And walk this golden land with meThough I am just a man, when you

are by my sideWith the help of God, I know I can

be strong.

To make this land our home

If I must fight, I'll fight to make this land our own

Until I die, this land is mine.

To make this land our home

If I must fight, I'll fight to make this land our own

Until I die, this land is mine.

What “they” hear…What “they” hear…

This land’s not yours, God gave this land to meI’ll take this ancient land from you.And when the morning sun reveals her hills and plainsThen I see a land where my children can run free.

With the help of God, I know I can be stronger than you.

To make this land our home

If I must fight, I'll fight to make this land our own

Until you die, this land is mine.

This land’s not yours, God gave this land to meI’ll take this ancient land from you.And when the morning sun reveals her hills and plainsThen I see a land where my children can run free.

With the help of God, I know I can be stronger than you.

To make this land our home

If I must fight, I'll fight to make this land our own

Until you die, this land is mine.

Theme of Hezbollah?Theme of Hezbollah?

This land’s not yours, God gave this land to meI’ll take this ancient land from you.And when the morning sun reveals her hills and plainsThen I see a land where my children can run free.

With the help of God, I know I can be stronger than you.

To make this land our home

If I must fight, I'll fight to make this land our own

Until you die, this land is mine.

This land’s not yours, God gave this land to meI’ll take this ancient land from you.And when the morning sun reveals her hills and plainsThen I see a land where my children can run free.

With the help of God, I know I can be stronger than you.

To make this land our home

If I must fight, I'll fight to make this land our own

Until you die, this land is mine.

Where Children Can Run Free?Where Children Can Run Free?

Mid-East Borders (post WWI)Mid-East Borders (post WWI)

The “Mandate System”The “Mandate System”

League of Nations “Big Brother” program on national level Guide nations to full sovereignty on day Thin guise for outright colonialism

Britain granted mandate for Palestine France granted mandate for Syria Implementation of Sykes-Picot Agreement

of 1916

League of Nations “Big Brother” program on national level Guide nations to full sovereignty on day Thin guise for outright colonialism

Britain granted mandate for Palestine France granted mandate for Syria Implementation of Sykes-Picot Agreement

of 1916

British Mandate of PalestineBritish Mandate of Palestine

June, 1922-1948 1917, Balfour Declaration:

“establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people…it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine”

September, 1922: “Transjordan” split off

June, 1922-1948 1917, Balfour Declaration:

“establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people…it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine”

September, 1922: “Transjordan” split off

French Mandate of SyriaFrench Mandate of Syria

1920-1945 official 1920, France separates

“Lebanon” Republic of Mt.

Lebanon formed. Allowed greater

French control

1920-1945 official 1920, France separates

“Lebanon” Republic of Mt.

Lebanon formed. Allowed greater

French control

Lebanon: MilestonesLebanon: Milestones

1926: France “gives” Lebanon constitution mithaq system, 6:5 Christian/Muslim ratio 1932 last census taken; representation fixed

1958: First Civil War U.S. military intervention (Eisenhower)

1975-90: Lebanese Civil War (9 phases) Dead: 150,000; Cost: $14 billion

1982: Israeli invasion/Syrian occupation 2000: Israeli withdrawal

1926: France “gives” Lebanon constitution mithaq system, 6:5 Christian/Muslim ratio 1932 last census taken; representation fixed

1958: First Civil War U.S. military intervention (Eisenhower)

1975-90: Lebanese Civil War (9 phases) Dead: 150,000; Cost: $14 billion

1982: Israeli invasion/Syrian occupation 2000: Israeli withdrawal

1970: Black September1970: Black September

Palestinian Refugees Southern Lebanon:

250,000 Jordan: 600,000

Jordan used as PLO base

Israel and Jordan force PLO out of Jordan

PLO in Lebanon

Palestinian Refugees Southern Lebanon:

250,000 Jordan: 600,000

Jordan used as PLO base

Israel and Jordan force PLO out of Jordan

PLO in Lebanon

1982-19841982-1984

Second Israeli invasion, Sharon Min. Def. Operation Litani 13 September, PM Gemayel assassinated Israel occupies Beirut (13th-29th), Christian allies Phlangists allowed to massacre

16-18 Sept., 2,000+ unarmed Palestinians raped/killed Sharon resigns

PLO HQ moved to N. Africa, but survives

Second Israeli invasion, Sharon Min. Def. Operation Litani 13 September, PM Gemayel assassinated Israel occupies Beirut (13th-29th), Christian allies Phlangists allowed to massacre

16-18 Sept., 2,000+ unarmed Palestinians raped/killed Sharon resigns

PLO HQ moved to N. Africa, but survives

1982-1984 (cont.)1982-1984 (cont.)

Iranian involvement 1953 US-Backed coup, undoes democracy Installs unpopular Shah 1979, Khomeini returns from Exile, Hostage crisis 1980, Islamic Republic of Iran created 1982, Hezbollah created (Iran funds/arms, Syrian OK) 1983, Marine Barracks in Beirut bombed

Truck with 12K pounds of TNT 242 killed

Iranian involvement 1953 US-Backed coup, undoes democracy Installs unpopular Shah 1979, Khomeini returns from Exile, Hostage crisis 1980, Islamic Republic of Iran created 1982, Hezbollah created (Iran funds/arms, Syrian OK) 1983, Marine Barracks in Beirut bombed

Truck with 12K pounds of TNT 242 killed

HezbollahHezbollah

1982: formed 1985: “Manifesto” announced Three planks:

Eradicate Western imperialism in Lebanon Transform Lebanon into an Islamic State Total destruction of the “Zionist Entity”

2000: Claims victory Israeli withdrawal Some regard as legitimate resistance movement “Civilian” authority improves life for Arabs

Clinics/hospitals, food banks, day care

1982: formed 1985: “Manifesto” announced Three planks:

Eradicate Western imperialism in Lebanon Transform Lebanon into an Islamic State Total destruction of the “Zionist Entity”

2000: Claims victory Israeli withdrawal Some regard as legitimate resistance movement “Civilian” authority improves life for Arabs

Clinics/hospitals, food banks, day care

ConclusionsConclusions

Lebanon: example of failed nation-building “Confessional System” (mithaq) a failure Foreign interventions, domestic disunity Nationalism becomes factionalism Fundamentalism combines with nationalism

Is there a “Lebanon”? No unified institutions No unified army; private militias Economic ruin Current war makes it worse Hezbollah the victor?

Lebanon: example of failed nation-building “Confessional System” (mithaq) a failure Foreign interventions, domestic disunity Nationalism becomes factionalism Fundamentalism combines with nationalism

Is there a “Lebanon”? No unified institutions No unified army; private militias Economic ruin Current war makes it worse Hezbollah the victor?