Lebanon conflict and nationalism cannot be discussed without including Syria and Israel. Lebanon is primarily composed of Christians and Muslims. A wide range of demographic and geographic realities exist within the nation, depending on which group or parties are involved. Adding to the internal strife between factions is the perception of Israel as the enemy and Syria as an ally. The Golan Heights is one geographic area of contention between Israel and Lebanon, as are the terrorist Hizbollahs whose forces are positioned in Lebanon and promote violence against Israel. The crux of the contention between Israel and Lebanon is the Lebanon-Israeli border, and Lebanon’s desire for complete withdrawal of Israeli influence in southern Lebanon. Israel desires the complete removal of Syrian armed forces from Lebanon. However, the matter is complex because not only are their internal warring factions, but Lebanon also must appease Israel and fight for its liberation from Syria to achieve true national liberation, “It is no longer purely a civil war among rival Lebanese factions, much less a religious war [between Christians and Muslims]. It is a war of national liberation against Syria, which directly and through its proxies now controls 70 percent of Lebanese territory” (The Real 1). For any real and lasting peace to come to the area, there will have to be dialogue and consensus between leaders of Lebanon, Israel, and Syria. This analysis will discuss the history, nationalism, mediation and chances for true national liberation in Lebanon.
Colonial history and the Cold War have both played a role in the present conflict in Lebanon. This is because Lebanon is often perceived as gaining its sovereignty from the quasi-colonial power of France. French colonialism was significant in changing the social infrastructure of Lebanon with respect to its entrance into the modern world, for it “hastened the integration of Lebanon into...