The United Nations and United States Efforts to Stabilize Lebanon: Peacekeeping or Nation-Building?
Abstract
The Summer 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War should be seen in the context of the long series of conflicts that have afflicted Lebanon during its modern history. While outside actors have played a major role, the weakness of the Lebanese state lies at the foundation of these conflicts. The Lebanese government has been unable to exercise the most fundamental elements of state sovereignty: the control of its borders and a monopoly on the use of force. Thus, any international effort to stabilize and reconstruct Lebanon in the wake of this most recent conflict must focus on the political objective of strengthening the government of Lebanon. The expansion of the United Nations' peacekeeping force and the U.S. effort to bolster the security arms of the Lebanese government will not result in a lasting peace in Lebanon. To be successful in the long-term, the United Nations' intervention and the U.S. approach must change from a force separation and force enhancement mission to a holistic nation-building effort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 21, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA493631
Entities
People
- William K. Mooney Jr.
Organizations
- Georgetown University