Commentary
Michael Young
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Source: Getty
In The Media
The Idea That Lebanon's Armed Forces Represent a Solution to the Current Crisis is an Illusion
The military reflects a society divided by sectarianism, with all the paradoxes that entails.
Published on Dec 15, 2019
Source: The National
There have been two broad interpretations of how the Lebanese armed forces have behaved in the ongoing protests in Lebanon. Both are inaccurate and both fail to understand what really drives the country’s military.
One interpretation – that held by many protesters – is that the army has protected demonstrators and, within the limits imposed by the sectarian political system, has supported their demands. The second, advanced by politicians and pundits on the political right in the US who support Israel, is that the armed forces are a facade for Hezbollah. Even a cursory look at what has taken place in Lebanon in the past six weeks disproves both narratives.
About the Author
Michael Young
Editor, Diwan, Senior Editor, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
Michael Young is the editor of Diwan and a senior editor at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.
- Where is the Groundwork for Lebanon’s Negotiations With Israel?
- A Military Balance Sheet in the U.S. and Israeli War With IranCommentary
Michael Young
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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