Lebanon’s 'Arab Spring' : exploring identity, security, and change

Abstract

The Arab uprisings were received with enthusiasm, support and optimism across the whole spectrum of the Lebanese political leadership and society. Many even went so far as to say that the ‘Arab spring’ originated and was inspired by the 2005 Lebanese ‘Independence Uprising’ which successfully ended a 30-year Syrian occupation.1 Nevertheless, even in the earlier stages, voices of concern over minority issues were heard.2 While Lebanon had long been the centre of attention, it seemed to be watching the events sweeping across the region from afar. Was Lebanon to glide through the regional instability? And, was Lebanon not to have its own radical Spring? Different media outlets hypothesised as to why Lebanon seemed to be unaffected by the regional events. Ultimately, however, a ripple effect from the regional instability slowly built up and challenged the initial enthusiasm. As the uprisings reached Syria, anxiety soon took over the political rhetoric in Lebanon. The uneasy relationship that binds these two countries would aggravate an already precarious situation. The two leading political blocks in Lebanon had been in a stand-off since 2005. Simply put, Lebanon has been at a crossroads, and the direction forward has been fiercely fought over. As regional showdowns continue to be vividly mirrored in Lebanese politics, the Syrian events were seen as the perfect opportunity for the two leading blocks to entrench their positions and escalate their mobilisation. Repercussions of the regional situation were felt in Lebanon when the uprisings appeared to take over Syria; this paper, therefore, focuses on the impact of the Syrian events over Lebanese politics and security. In doing so, it highlights the mobilising effect of sectarian identities and the intricate relationship between identity and security. In addition, drawing on ‘critical security studies’ school, this study attempts to suggest a more comprehensive approach to reconstructing a common identity, but remains cautious about its prospects.