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The Soviet-Syrian Alliance and the Battle of Souk el Gharb

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US Foreign Policy and the Multinational Force in Lebanon

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Abstract

This chapter deals with the Soviet-Syrian alliance due to the increasing US-Syrian tensions in 1983 and the MNFII’s operational evolution from ‘peacemaking’ to ‘aggressive self-defence’ to, finally, ‘vigorous self-defence’. It argues that, due to the failure of US diplomatic attempts to coerce Israel and Syria to reach a lasting ceasefire, the Reagan Administration moved towards an escalation of the MNFII and establishment of a separate US military force.

Multinational Force II, Phase Two (18 May to 22 October 1983)

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Notes

  1. 1.

    [Lebanon: Litmus Test for U.S. Credibility and Commitment], p.1.

  2. 2.

    ‘Shultz presse Moscou de promouvoir un retrait Syrien’, 11 May 1983, L’OLJ, p.1.

  3. 3.

    Odd Arne Westad, ‘The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of our Time’, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005), pp.331–363 & Dilip Hiro, ‘Apocalyptic Realm: Jihadists in South Asia’, (Cornwall: TJ International, 2012), pp.55–56.

  4. 4.

    Louis Kriesberg, ‘International Conflict Resolution: The U.S.-USSR and Middle East Cases’, (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992), pp.199–200.

  5. 5.

    Gabriel Kolko, ‘The Roots of American Foreign Policy’, (Boston: Beacon Press, 1969), p.138 & Alan Taylor, ‘The Superpowers and the Middle East’, (New York: Syracuse University Press, 1991).

  6. 6.

    Taylor, p.137.

  7. 7.

    Westad, pp.356–357.

  8. 8.

    Michael Cox, ‘From the Truman Doctrine to the Second Superpower Détente: The Rise and Fall of the Cold War’, Journal of Peace Research, No. 27, 1990, pp. 33–36, Robert Freedman, ‘Patterns of Soviet Policy toward the Middle East’, AAPSS, Vol. 482, 1985, pp. 40–64 & Condoleezza Rice, ‘U.S.- Soviet Relations’, in Larry Berman, eds., Looking Back on the Reagan Presidency, (Baltimore: John Hopkins Press, 1990), pp.71–89.

  9. 9.

    Karen Dawisha, ‘The U.S.S.R in the Middle East: Superpower in Eclipse?’, Foreign Affairs, Vol.61, No.2, pp.438–439.

  10. 10.

    Rashid Khalidi, ‘Sowing Crisis: The Cold War and American Dominance in the Middle East’, (Boston: Beacon Press, 2009), pp.145–150.

  11. 11.

    ibid. p.149.

  12. 12.

    Gerald F. Seib, ‘Our Mideast Plan: What Next?’, Wall Street Journal, 1 October 1982, p.30.

  13. 13.

    [Lebanon], p.2.

  14. 14.

    ‘Moscou serait determine a contrer, a tout prix, l’initiative U.S. au Liban’, 19 April 1983, L’OLJ, p.5 & Dawisha, pp. 438–439.

  15. 15.

    [Andropov’s Approach to Key US-Soviet Issues], 9 August 1983, NIE 11/9-83, CIA, pp.22–23.

  16. 16.

    Jacques Amalric, ‘Les cartes de M. Andropov’, Le Monde, 5 January 1983.

  17. 17.

    Freedman, p.53.

  18. 18.

    [Thatcher/Mitterrand Meeting], 6 December 1983, PREM 19/1077, UKNA, pp.1–3.

  19. 19.

    Robert Pfaltzgraff, ‘The Superpower Relationship and U.S. National Security Policy in the 1980s’, AAPSS, No. 457, 1981, p.196.

  20. 20.

    [Our Strategy in Lebanon and the Middle East], 13 October 1983, Box 8, RRPL, p.2.

  21. 21.

    ibid. p.23 & [Soviet Policy toward Lebanon], 7 August 1984, NI IIA 84–10012, CIA Archives, p.1.

  22. 22.

    [Andropov’s Approach to Key US-Soviet Issues], p.23.

  23. 23.

    Dawisha, p.441.

  24. 24.

    [Lebanon], p.1.

  25. 25.

    Alexander George, ‘US-Soviet Global Rivalry: Norms of Competition’, Journal of Peace Research, No. 23, 1986, pp.252–255

  26. 26.

    Freedman, pp.50–52.

  27. 27.

    Theodor Hanf, ‘Coexistence in Wartime Lebanon: Decline of a State and Rise of a Nation’, (London: Centre for Lebanese Studies, I.B. Tauris & Co, 1993), pp.174–175.

  28. 28.

    Nizar Hamzeh, ‘Islamism in Lebanon: A Guide to the Groups’, Middle East Quarterly, September 1997, pp.47–53 & [Terrorist Threat to Western Interests in Lebanon], 30 November 1983, Box 43, RRPL, pp.1–6.

  29. 29.

    [Our Strategy in Lebanon and the Middle East], p.9.

  30. 30.

    ibid. p.2.

  31. 31.

    [Energy and Natural Resources], 18 February 1983, CIA, pp.3–5.

  32. 32.

    [The Soviet Challenge to US Security Interests], 10 August 1982, NIE 11/4-82, CIA, p.27.

  33. 33.

    Zach Levey, ‘United States Arms Policy Toward Jordan’, Journal of Contemporary History, Vol.41, No.3, July 2006, pp.527–543.

  34. 34.

    Thomas L. Freidman, ‘Arab Inaction on Lebanon: News Analysis’, NYT, 21 June 1982, p.1.

  35. 35.

    ibid. p.9.

  36. 36.

    Parker Hart, ‘An American Policy Toward the Middle East’, AAPSS, No.390, 1970, pp.111–112.

  37. 37.

    Freedman, pp.52–54.

  38. 38.

    Blair, Cohen & Gottfriend, ‘Command in Crisis: A Middle East Scenario’, Security Dialogue, No.17 1986, p.114.

  39. 39.

    [Israeli opinions on Lebanon War], 31 December 1982, S-0354-001-15, UNARMS, pp.1–2.

  40. 40.

    [The Soviet Challenge to US Security Interests], p.2.

  41. 41.

    [Draft Paper on Next Steps in Lebanon], 6 October 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.1.

  42. 42.

    [Meeting of Lebanese Foreign Minister with Countries Contributing Contingent], 10 June 1983, S-0356-0028-06, UNARMS, pp.1–2.

  43. 43.

    John McLaughlin, ‘Escalation in Lebanon’, National Review, 14 October 1983, Vol. 20, No. 35, p.1259.

  44. 44.

    [Importance of IDF withdrawal and Syria], 11:53am, 2 August 1983, Cable #1570, S-0354-001-15, UNARMS, p.1.

  45. 45.

    [Recognizing our Alternatives in Lebanon], 6 October 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.1.

  46. 46.

    ibid. p.2.

  47. 47.

    [Outline of NSDD- Lebanon], 12 September 1983, p.4 & [Near Term Lebanon Strategy], 6 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.1.

  48. 48.

    Option A, [Near Term Lebanon Strategy], p.2.

  49. 49.

    Hallenbeck, pp.76–77.

  50. 50.

    Option B, [Near Term Lebanon Strategy], p.3.

  51. 51.

    ibid. p.1.

  52. 52.

    [Our Strategy in Lebanon and the Middle East], p.3.

  53. 53.

    [McFarlane/Fairbanks Mission: Worst Case Strategy For Lebanon], 1:04am 9 September 1983, Cable #9947, NSC00088, RRPL, p.2.

  54. 54.

    Lt Col. James DeLoughry, ‘The United States and the LAVI’ Airpower Journal, Vol. 4, No. 3, 1990, pp.34–44 & [Remarks of the President and Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir of Israel Following Their Meetings], 29 November 1983.

  55. 55.

    [Our Strategy in Lebanon and the Middle East], pp.5–7.

  56. 56.

    [Israeli’s Redeployment to the Awali River], 23 June 1983, S-1066-0097-03, UNARMS, pp.1–3.

  57. 57.

    [Andropov’s Approach to Key US-Soviet Issues], 9 August 1983, SC 0307883, CIA, p.23 & [Draft Paper on Next Steps in Lebanon], p.1.

  58. 58.

    ‘Arrive hier a Washington, le Chef de L’Etat a eu un premier contact avec Shultz’, 20 July 1983, L’OLJ, p.1 & Hallenbeck, ‘Military Force as an Instrument of US Foreign Policy’, pp.76–77.

  59. 59.

    [Lebanese Unity Government], 1 May 1984, S-0354-001-15, UNARMS, p.1.

  60. 60.

    Jean Gueyras, ‘L’opposition libanaise dénonce le rôle prédominant des États-Unis, dans la force multinationale’, Le Monde, 26 October 1983.

  61. 61.

    [Lebanon: Shia Discontent], 21 October 1983, TCS 2947/83, CIA, p.2.

  62. 62.

    [Recognizing our Alternatives in Lebanon], p.5.

  63. 63.

    ‘McFarlane reaffirme les engagements des Etats-Unis a l’egard du Liban’, 3 August 1983, p.1 & Cable from Urquhart to Erskine, [UNTSO, Syria and Israel], in Lebanon- Country File, Box UNRWA, S-0354-001-15, 29 September 1983, UNARMS, p.1.

  64. 64.

    ‘Washington n’exclut pas ‘entrée de la F.M. dans la Montagne’, 26 August 1983, L’OLJ, p.1.

  65. 65.

    [Our Strategy in Lebanon and the Middle East], p.2.

  66. 66.

    ibid . p.1.

  67. 67.

    [Movement of the USS New Jersey (BB62) to Lebanon], 20 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.1.

  68. 68.

    [Strategy for Lebanon], 10 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.1.

  69. 69.

    ‘A Souk el-Gharb et sands la Banlieue-Sud: La troupe repousse ses assailants’, 12 September 1983, L’OLJ, p.1.

  70. 70.

    [Next Steps in Lebanon], 8 November 1982, Box 91286, p.1 & [Strategies for Lebanon if Current Concepts Proves Inadequate], 26 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.2.

  71. 71.

    ‘Mitterand reaffirmera aujourd’hui a New York “le role de la France au service de la paix”’, 28 September 1983, L’OLJ, p.6 & Lucien George, ‘“La France ne tient pas à être prise dans l’engrenage d’une guerre civile”, déclare M. Mitterrand’, Le Monde, 1 September 1983.

  72. 72.

    [Thatcher/Mitterrand Meeting], 6 December 1983, PREM 19/1077, UKNA, pp.1–3.

  73. 73.

    [Press Conference by Lebanon], 19 September 1983, S-0354-001-15, UNARMS, p.1.

  74. 74.

    [Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the UN to the President of the Security Council], 9 September 1983, No. S/15974, S-0354-001-15, UNARMS, pp.1–2.

  75. 75.

    [Strategies for Lebanon if Current Concepts Proves Inadequate], p.1.

  76. 76.

    [Next Steps in Lebanon], 28 October 1982, Box 91286, p.1 & [Accelerating the Withdrawal of Foreign Forces from Lebanon], 27 April 1983, Box 1, RRPL, p.1.

  77. 77.

    [Strategy for Lebanon], 10 September 1983, p.1 & [NSDD on Lebanon], 10 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  78. 78.

    [NSDD on Lebanon], 10 September 1983, p.1.

  79. 79.

    [Addendum to NSDD on Lebanon September 10 1983], 10 September 1983, Box 8, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  80. 80.

    Ariel Sharon resigned as Defense Minister in February 1983 after the Kahan Commission found him personally responsible for the Sabra and Shatila Massacres through taking inadequate precautions to avoid possible bloodshed. Menachem Begin effectively retired from office in August 1983, although he was not succeeded until October 1983. The Israeli Bank Crisis of September 1983 also put a strain on the Israeli economy, with the Lebanese occupation being one of the leading drains. ‘Alors que la crise économique s’aggrave Le directeur de la Banque d’Israël critique sévèrement la politique gouvernementale’, Le Monde, 2 June 1983; Ze’ev Schiff & Ehud Ya’ari, Israel’s Lebanon War, (London: Counterpoint, 1986), pp. 297–300 & [Outline of NSDD- Lebanon], 12 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  81. 81.

    [Draft NSDD], 8 September 1983, NSDD103 File, Box 91291, Executive Secretariat, NSC Records: NSDD Series, RRPL, p.4 & John McLaughlin, ‘Escalation in Lebanon’, National Review, 14 October 1983, No.35, Vol.20, p.1259.

  82. 82.

    [Comments on Lebanon Draft NSDD], p.2.

  83. 83.

    Caspar Weinberger stated, ‘Beirut was an absolutely inevitable outcome of doing what we did’, in ‘Interview with Caspar Weinberger’.

  84. 84.

    [McFarlane/Fairbanks Mission: Meeting with General Tannous, August 22, 1983], 11:52am, 23 August 1983, Cable #9266, Box 91407, RRPL, p.2.

  85. 85.

    Enclosure D, [Future Training Assistance Teams], 12 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.1.

  86. 86.

    [Response to 10 September 1983 NSDD, Strategy for Lebanon], 12 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, pp.1–2.

  87. 87.

    ‘Le “New Jersey” une armada a lui tout suel’, 25 September 1983, L’OLJ, p.1.

  88. 88.

    [Comments on Lebanon Draft NSDD], p.3.

  89. 89.

    Enclosure A: [Weapons and Equipment Provided], Enclosure B: [Training Assistance Teams] & Enclosure C [Weapons, Equipment and Ammunition to be Shipped], 12 September 1983, Box 91291, RRPL, p.1.

  90. 90.

    ‘Libano/Sempre più ostili Assad, Gheddafi e Olp alla forza multinazionale!’, La Stampa, 19 September 1983, p.4.

  91. 91.

    Hallenbeck, pp.80–106.

  92. 92.

    ibid.

  93. 93.

    [Strategy for Lebanon], p.1.

  94. 94.

    [Strategies for Lebanon if Current Concepts Proves Inadequate], pp.1–4.

  95. 95.

    ibid. p.2.

  96. 96.

    [Lebanon], 16 February 1983, PREM 19/1077, UKNA, p.1.

  97. 97.

    ‘L’Ambassadeur Wibaux passé en revue les forces Françaises de la F.M.’, 2 October 1983, L’OLJ, p.3.

  98. 98.

    Hallenbeck, pp.86–87.

  99. 99.

    [Lebanon/MNF], 1:30am, 9 December 1983, #354, PREM 19/1077, UKNA, p.1 & ‘Rome est à la recherche d’un biais pour retirer, à moyen terme son contingent du Liban’, Le Monde, 28 November 1983.

  100. 100.

    ‘La Guerre au Liban La France, l’Italie et la Grande-Bretagne se concertent pour arrêter une action diplomatique commune’, Le Monde, 22 September 1983.

  101. 101.

    [Report on Strategies for Lebanon if Current Concepts Proves Inadequate], p.8.

  102. 102.

    ibid. p.9 & Nelson, pp.95–100.

  103. 103.

    ‘Reagan: Le Liban est d’une importance vitale pour la securite des U.S.A’, 18 October 1983, L’OLJ, p.1.

  104. 104.

    [Report on Strategies for Lebanon if Current Concepts Proves Inadequate], p.10.

  105. 105.

    [Multinational Force in Lebanon Resolution], 3 January 1983, p.5 & [Multinational Force in Lebanon Resolution], 12 October 1983, Box 91834, RRPL p.1.

  106. 106.

    ‘Shultz- la F.M. pourrait occupier des positions strategiques’, 26 September 1983, L’OLJ, p.1.

  107. 107.

    Hallenbeck, pp. 67–80 & Richard Nelson, ‘The Multinational Force in Beirut’, in Anthony McDermott and Kjell Skjelsbaek, eds., The Multinational Force in Beirut 1982–1984, (Miami: Florida International University Press, 1991), pp.98–100.

  108. 108.

    [Operation Urgent Fury: Grenada], Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1997, pp.51–62.

  109. 109.

    [Report on Strategies for Lebanon if Current Concepts Proves Inadequate], p.7.

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  1. Institute of Digital Education Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Corrin Varady

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Varady, C. (2017). The Soviet-Syrian Alliance and the Battle of Souk el Gharb. In: US Foreign Policy and the Multinational Force in Lebanon. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53973-7_6

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