The Kissinger Plan in Lebanon is a conspiracy theory about alleged political strategies of the former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in Lebanon, who played a complex role in the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990)[1] and the region.[2][3] One of the most contentious claims is that Kissinger had a plan to evacuate Lebanese Christians from the country[4] by ships,[5] facilitating the resettlement of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.[6][7][5]
The theory which has circulated in the Middle-East, particularly among some Lebanese and Arab communities, has no concrete evidence supporting its existence and has been dismissed by many analysts and scholars.
Kissinger's broader strategy aimed at stabilizing Lebanon through US mediation between Lebanon and its neighbors, particularly Israel.[1] However, his policies are also criticized for contributing to the instability that led to the prolonged civil war and subsequent Syrian occupation of Lebanon.[1]
The alleged plan
edit- Some claim that Kissinger proposed resettling Lebanese Christians[4] in the West to allow Palestinian refugees to settle in Lebanon[7] and end the conflict. However, this remains unconfirmed.[6][8]
- In 1976, US envoy Dean Brown[7] allegedly communicated to former Lebanese President Camille Chamoun plans to move Lebanese Christians[4] to Canada or the US, but the intentions behind this are unclear.[6]
- Critics argue Kissinger neglected the Palestinian issue in Lebanon out of contempt for the parties involved and to flatter Israel, fueling tensions.[8]
- It remains unclear if the US encouraged Syria's intervention in Lebanon in 1976 to subdue the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Lebanese left in favor of Christian groups aligned with US objectives, or if Syria sought US approval fearing the rise of Palestinian factions.
Bibliography
edit- Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy by Martin Indyk
- The Kissinger Legacy, American-Middle East Policy, by Ishaq I. Ghanayem, Alden H. Voth
Further reading
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Stocker, James R. (2016-10-15). "How Henry Kissinger's Misguided Policy Helped Undermine Lebanon". History News Network. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
- ^ حايك, جورج (2023-12-01). "رياح لبنان سارت عكس ما تشتهيه سفن كيسنجر!". موقع لبنان الكبير (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ "لبنان في نظرية كيسنجر للشرق الأوسط: دولة يمكن الإستغناء عنها؟!". Elnashra News (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-08-31.
- ^ a b c Limited, Elaph Publishing (2021-05-28). "خطة "كيسنجر" لتهجير المسيحيين اللبنانيين وإحلال الفلسطينيين مكانهم". Elaph - إيلاف (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-09-11.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b Butter, Michael; Reinkowski, Maurus (2014-08-19). Conspiracy Theories in the United States and the Middle East: A Comparative Approach. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. ISBN 978-3-11-037299-1.
- ^ a b c Hamadé, Ali A. (2023-12-01). "Henry Kissinger and Lebanon: Regional Strategy and Conspiracy Theory". This is Beirut. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
- ^ a b c "مات كيسنجر عاش المخطط". الجمهورية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ a b MARDAM, Soulayma (2023-06-07). "Kissinger and the Arab world, myths and realities". L'orient Today.