“Lebanonization“: Framing Policy for the Puzzles of the Middle East

Policy makers, academics and the media have characterized the postArab Spring era as a period of great upheaval, chaos and turbulence, at times making comparisons to the Balkans. These characterizations are relatively imprecise, unhelpful and inaccurate. Closer scrutiny reveals that an increasing number of countries are adopting historically familiar behaviors and outcomes. Parts of the Levant, North Africa and the Gulf are closely mimicking Lebanon. Recognizing and understanding these parallels makes Lebanon a valuable tool for the advisers who are informing current U.S. policy and preparing for future challenges.