Lebanon: After the Cedar Revolution - Softcover

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8 ratings by Goodreads

9780199342969: Lebanon: After the Cedar Revolution

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199342962 ISBN 13: 9780199342969

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2014

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.

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About the Author:

ARE KNUDSEN is a Senior Researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) in Bergen, Norway.
MICHAEL KERR is Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern Studies at King's College, London.

Review:

"Clear-eyed and often shrewd analysis of the huge political and social changes in Lebanon wrought by the Hariri assassination in 2005. Indispensable even for those who think they know the country well."--Roger Owen, A. J. Meyer Professor of Middle East History, Harvard University

"This book presents astute critical readings of post-Cedar Revolution Lebanon. Its interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary Lebanese history and politics offers an excellent overview of the on-going struggle over powersharing, state security, economic revitalization and the post-war recover"--Craig Larkin, University of Exeter

"The expert contributions to this sophisticated volume address the tumultuous politics of post-2005 Lebanon. This is a valiant effort to throw light on the complexity of the country's conflicts, its diverse internal identities and commonalities, its power-sharing arrangements and their intricate connections to regional and international actors and processes. The authors carefully trace the continuities from and ruptures with the country's previous history. This is academia at its best, balancing empirical detail with conceptual sophistication and bringing together various disciplinary perspectives."--Katerina Dalacoura, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, London School of Economics

"They say that if you think you understand Lebanon you haven't been studying it long enough. This book provides a shortcut. It is a must-read if you wish to understand today's reality in this complex, fascinating and ever-attractive country. From community power-sharing to corporate consociationalism, from the state of the army to the image-making around the late Rafiq Hariri, a wide range of topics are covered in great depth."--Frances Guy, British Ambassador to Beirut, 2006 - 2011

"Begins with concise and informative summary by the co-editor Michael Kerr ...overall there is a deft balance between scholarly discourse and the personal observation of an insider". -- Times Literary Supplement

"Arsan skilfully reviews and analyses major themes . . . Lebanon: A Country in Fragments is well-written and deftly explained . . . strongly recommended."--Choice

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