Guerres secretes au Liban

A French and a Lebanese analyst join forces to review the past dozen years of warfare in Lebanon. They blame Palestinians and Iran for much of what happened but hold Syria and Israel responsible for the tragedy. Indeed, like some Middle East analysts, they discern an 'Alawi Jewish conspiracy. All this means going very easy on the Lebanese who began the whole conflict — indeed, the Lebanese come out of this account looking like innocents. While adding little new on the matter of PLO, Iranian, and Israeli efforts, Laurent and Basbous provide important new information on Syrian efforts in Lebanon. They make a strong case that President Hafiz al-Arad of Syria has succeeded in a double game, "first acting as a pyromaniac, then donning the uniform of a fireman to put out the fire." Although the net effect has been effective Syrian dominion in Lebanon, they see no likelihood of Damascus taking legal control of Lebanon — not because this would offend international opinion, but because it entails responsibilities Asad would rather avoid.