ABSTRACT
In 1991 Lebanon assumed its place in the “new world order”—an ineffectual satellite of the Syrian Ba‘thist regime. Events in South Lebanon indicated the shakiness of the post-1990 stabilization, and its dependence on non-Lebanese geopolitics. With the Lebanese haute bourgeoisie under its control, the major communities debilitated, and a permissive international environment, Damascus looked to consolidate its hegemony. Lebanese-Syrian discussions on concretizing “privileged relations” began with a decision at the 20 March cabinet meeting in favor of a Lebanese government committee to consider “relations with Syria.” In South Lebanon, geography and demography combined to draw in the greater and lesser players of a variety of ME dramas, and hence to attract the attention of the international community. For Israel, a residual alignment in Lebanon provided cover for the northern border; gave a minimal strategic projection in relation to the Syrian deployment; and extended bargaining possibilities in Arab-Israeli discussions.
