I. Foreign intervention, hegemony and conscociationalism -- Introduction: The cedar revolution and beyond / Are Knudsen and Michael Kerr -- Before the revolution / Michael Kerr -- The limits of corporate consociation: Taif and the crisis of power-sharing in Lebanon Since 2005 / Amal Hamdan -- II. Sovereignty, security and violence -- Foreign Interventions, power sharing and the dynamics of conflict and coexistence in Lebanon / Marie-Joëlle Zahar -- Lebanon in search of sovereignty: Post-2005 security dilemmas / Élizabeth Picard -- Enclaves and fortressed Archipelago: violence and governance in Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps / Sari Hanafi -- III. Entrepreneurs, statesmen and martyrs -- The 'new contractor Bourgeoisie' in Lebanese politics: Hariri, Mikati, and Fares / Hannes Baumann -- The reconstruction of Lebanon or the racketeering rule / Fabrice Balanche -- The making of a martyr: forging Rafik Hariri's symbolic legacy / Ward Vloeberghs -- IV. Truth, coexistence and justice -- 'History' and 'Memory' in Lebanon Since 2005: blind spots, emotional archives and historiographic challenges / Sune Haugbolle -- Sects and the city" socio-spatial perceptions and practices of youth in Beirut / Nasser Yassin -- Special tribunal for Lebanon: homage to Hariri? / Are Knudsen.
Summary:
"Lebanon is the prisoner of its geography and its history. It has been a prize for invaders since ancient times and is presently a small multi-denominational state still recovering from a bloody civil war in its search for political autonomy and stability. Lebanon examines the country's recent past since 2005 -- when a mass movement agitated against Syrian dominance in the wake of the assassination of Rafik Hariri, the then President of the country -- and also details the roles of Hezbollah and other political groups. Sectarian tensions have escalated, predominantly between the Sunni and Shia communities, causing outbursts of street violence and a paralysis in government. This two-bloc system has left Lebanon ungovernable, not simply due to deep-seated political differences, but also because of their external linkages to foreign patrons, namely the USA and Iran. As the Arab Spring develops, it also increases Hezbollah's significance to Iran as the embattled Assad regime struggles to quash the Syrian insurgency. The authors examine the changes that recent events have brought to Lebanon, whether lasting or ephemeral, and the challenges they represent for a state, which despite the resilience of its power-sharing system of government remains hotly contested and unconsolidated"-- Provided by publisher. "A comprehensive look at contemporary Lebanon and the ongoing attempts by Israel, Syria and Iran to influence its domestic affairs"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.