Defining and Stabilizing Lebanon's Borders
The central challenge facing Lebanon today is whether the country will graduate to functional statehood or continue struggling to survive.
With Lebanese officials now insisting that the state "monopolize arms" and become the decisive arbiter on matters of war and peace, a relevant question arises: Where, territorially, does Lebanon begin and end?
This article is part of the series "Seizing Lebanon's Moment," a joint initiative with the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), which aims to identify Lebanon's critical problems and propose specific reforms.
Contributors to this series comprise top scholars, policymakers, and professionals from Lebanon, Europe, and the United States, dedicated to helping the country recover from its deep, multi-year crisis.
Author's summary: Lebanon's future depends on defining its borders and achieving functional statehood.