- 01
- Dec.
- 2023
Henry Kissinger and Lebanon: Regional Strategy and Conspiracy Theory
modified on 07 Oct. 2024 à 16:45 Read : 5 minute(s) A A A
On November 29, the world bid farewell to an eminent figure of international diplomacy, Henry Kissinger, who passed away at the age of 100. A master of his craft, Kissinger was a visionary architect of international relations and left an enduring legacy in each decade of his distinguished career. He stood out with his exceptional intelligence and unique capacity to craft peaceful solutions to the most intricate challenges. His diplomatic sagacity and unwavering commitment to consensus established him as a vital figure whose influence transcends borders and eras.
Among the countless complicated dossiers that Henry Kissinger grappled with during his tenure as Secretary of State, the Middle East – especially Lebanon — remains the most controversial. Amid the myths surrounding his role and the complex reality of regional political dynamics, Kissinger's contribution to the Lebanese dossier continues to nurture historical discussions. The intricacies of his subtle 1970s diplomacy, marked by the Lebanese crisis, reveal a man immersed in crucial geopolitical issues, a man whose perception remains open to interpretation. Lebanon, characterized by sectarian tensions and external influences, posed a formidable challenge and reshaped Kissinger's role into a complex subject, thus contributing to fascination with regard to his diplomatic career.
Historical Context
In 1975, Lebanon was dragged into a 15-year civil war that claimed the lives of at least 200,000 people. The conflict also led to Syrian occupation, which lasted until 2005, and the establishment of Hezbollah, which has been functioning as an Iranian proxy ever since.
While many portray Henry Kissinger as distanced from Middle Eastern politics at the onset of the Nixon administration, entrusting this portfolio to Secretary of State Bill Rogers and the State Department, he closely monitored the events in the region. This was especially true when the stability of American allies seemed jeopardized, as witnessed in Lebanon.
The US government viewed the Lebanese government, at least since 1964 during the presidency of Charles Helou, as an ally. However, Lebanon, whose political system is undermined by communal and religious divisions, had been deeply divided since gaining independence in 1943. Tensions heightened after the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, and the defeat of Arab States fueled the emergence of Palestinian militias and militant groups aiming to challenge Israel directly from neighboring states such as Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
A Kissinger Plan?
In Lebanon, the legacy of Henry Kissinger continues to be a subject of debate. Many still assert the existence of a “Kissinger Plan.” According to historical sources, this alleged conspiracy aimed to prompt Lebanese Christians to leave the country to allow the resettlement of Palestinian refugees.
The theory of the “Kissinger Plan” only gained significance when Kissinger visited Lebanon on December 16, 1973 (landing at Riak Military Airport) and met with Lebanese President Sleiman Frangieh. Although information shared by sources close to the late president remains unconfirmed, it does suggest that Kissinger proposed the resettlement of Lebanese Christians in the West, undoubtedly to resettle Palestinians (the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), among others) in Lebanon and put an end to the conflict in the occupied territories. These allegations have fueled the perception of a “satanic” plan (as Lebanese media outlets called it at the time) devised by Kissinger, generating constant questioning as to the nature and implications of his actions in Lebanon.
Three years later, in 1976, the visit of Dean Brown, American envoy and Kissinger’s representative, possibly revolved around the Christian exodus proposal. According to Christian sources, Brown communicated to former President Camille Chamoun his intention to move Lebanese Christians to Canada or the United States. As for the Muslim Lebanese, they believed that his only goal was to strengthen Syria and the Christians and drive the PLO out of Lebanon.
Despite persistent rumors and conspiracy theories around the Kissinger Plan, it is widely believed that the American diplomat’s priority was to look for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order to preserve the integrity of the Hebrew state. However, stating that Kissinger was deliberately planning the "dechristianization of Lebanon" would be pure speculation.
Kissinger, Ally of Syria’s Hafez al-Assad
The diplomatic efforts made by the former Secretary of State were also meant to manage the complex relations with Syria under late President Hafez al-Assad. Although generally perceived as a despot, Assad was, in the eyes of Kissinger, a responsible and credible regional actor who remained true to his word, which rarely benefited Lebanon.
Trust between the American government and the Syrian president was consolidated even further when Israel and Syria signed – and abided by – the ceasefire agreement on May 31, 1974, under the auspices of Henry Kissinger. This major diplomatic step not only put an end to the hostilities between the two countries but also illustrated Syria’s capacity to honor its commitments towards the international community.
Some analysts have theorized that it was Kissinger who gave America’s green light to Hafez Assad, allowing for a Syrian military intervention in Lebanon in June 1976 which then gave way to Syria’s occupation of a large part of Lebanon. The orchestrator of a verbal covenant dubbed the "Kissinger Accords," the American Secretary of State’s condition would have been that the Syrian army would stay at least 40 kilometers away from the Israeli border. Assad would not breach the agreement until Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982. This stance, according to observers, could have reduced the PLO’s influence in the country.
Between myth and reality, Henry Kissinger will forever be an emblematic figure who shaped modern global diplomacy. His influence transcends borders and causes guesswork over a number of conspiracies.
Today, the world mourns the passing of an exceptional personality whose political vision and strategic genius have left an indelible mark on global affairs. Henry Kissinger has made history and reminded everyone of the complexity of diplomacy and the necessity to adopt a nuanced approach to better understand the legacy of this master of international policy.
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