The foreign policies of the US & France : convergences & divergences : the case of Lebanon : 2016-2021

Abstract

Lebanon, the second smallest state in the Middle East, has been influenced by numerous foreign interventions, of which most significant are those by, regional and global powers, the French Republic and the United States of America. Beyond their direct military presence in the past, both the US and France have been constantly accused of meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs. In the past few years, the United States had been regularly imposing sanctions on Lebanese companies and individuals, whereas, more recently still, France was becoming directly involved in the Lebanese political crisis. Indeed, while, both, USA and France have each, and even together at times, intervened in the internal issues of Lebanon, they have not always agreed on their foreign policy – not just in Lebanon. At times, some of their viewpoints and practices of foreign policy have converged, coming together to meet at a common understanding – at other times still, these have diverged, differing from each other in path and direction. After the Port of Beirut explosion on the 4th of August 2020, the President of the French Republic arrived in Lebanon and assured the Lebanese people that France will help the country find a path to reform. Standing in his way, however, were many obstacles, among which were the United States’ sanctions and foreign policy towards Lebanon. Since then, while some suppose that French efforts to get all parties on the table have been significantly delayed and impeded by the United States’ foreign policy towards Lebanon, many others believe that France and the United States have been coordinating every step of the way. This thesis studies the convergence and divergence of American and French foreign policy, taking Lebanon as a case study and specifically after the 31st of October 2016. It provides an up-to-date reading of the current foreign policy of the US and France towards the situation in Lebanon and of where these policies could be heading in the future.