Lebanon, Syria, Hezbollah, and Israel: A tumultuous relationship spanning from 1982 to the post-October 7 period
Karim Émile Bitar, a distinguished scholar specializing in Middle Eastern politics, will deliver a lecture titled "The Fateful Quadrangle: Lebanon, Syria, Hezbollah, and Israel" on March 20, 2025, at Sciences Po Paris.
The lecture, to be held in English, will explore the complex and deeply intertwined relationships among these four actors, looking at historical, political, and security dimensions.
Overview of the Lecture (Typical Themes)
- Lebanon's Political and Sectarian Landscape:
- Bitar will delve into internal dynamics in Lebanon, including sectarianism, the role of Hezbollah, and the influence of external powers. He will also discuss the fragile balance of power among Lebanese political factions.
- Syria’s Regional Role:
- Bitar will examine Syria’s historical influence in Lebanon and its evolving strategy. He will discuss how Syrian policies affect Hezbollah and Lebanon’s stability.
- Hezbollah’s Position:
- Bitar will analyse the transformation of Hezbollah from a militia to a political party and a powerful military actor. He will explore Hezbollah’s relationships with Iran and Syria, as well as its role in Lebanon and its confrontation with Israel.
- Israel’s Security Concerns:
- Bitar will examine Israel’s military and diplomatic stance toward Lebanon and Hezbollah. He will discuss the impact of border tensions and conflicts such as the 2006 Lebanon War. He will also delve into strategies Israel uses to contain Hezbollah and the influence of regional alliances.
- The Quadrangle Dynamics:
- Bitar will delve into interactions among the four players and how their conflicts and alliances shape regional politics. He will also discuss the impact of international actors and broader geopolitical trends.
Relevant Publications by Karim Emile Bitar
- Bitar's research articles and papers on Lebanon’s political institutions, Hezbollah’s evolution, and Syria’s regional policies can be found on academic platforms and official think tank websites.
- He has published analyses of Lebanon-Israel conflicts and the impact of Syrian civil war on Lebanon.
- Bitar's studies have been published by institutes such as the Carnegie Middle East Center, the Middle East Institute, or in journals on Middle Eastern studies.
If you want access to the full lecture or specific articles by Karim Emile Bitar, I recommend searching for his works on academic platforms or official think tank websites. Unfortunately, I don't have direct access to downloadable files or video recordings of the lecture. However, I can help summarize or provide insights from his published work if you provide specific questions!
- The forthcoming lecture by Karim Émile Bitar, focusing on war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, will delve into the complex relationships among Lebanon, Syria, Hezbollah, and Israel, touching upon historical, political, and security dimensions.
- In his upcoming lecture, Karim Émile Bitar will discuss the impact of relevant publications, including his research on Lebanon’s political institutions, Hezbollah’s evolution, and Syria’s regional policies, which are found on academic platforms and think tank websites, to better understand ongoing war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news in the Middle East.
