Lebanese Foreign Policy (1/8)

In a period where the whole Arab world is going through uprisings and revolutions, and the world in general is taking a different direction away from the New World Order introduced by George Bush the father, adding to that the world economic power, the collapse of the Euro and the Chinese economic development I decided to write this article and introduce a NEW FOREIGN POLICY that has to applied in Lebanon.

Bear in mind that the foreign policy that I am going to talk about will not be applied right now, but rather when the new leadership takes place at the time where one leader only will be ruling Lebanon uniting the country under his rule and justice.

This policy will be using the philosophy of as close is the country as strong the relations are, the policy will make sure that all the neighboring countries will have strong unbreakable bonds which will provide the country with security and prosperity with the exception of Israel, which has a special case I will be talking about in the last article where I will explain some intentions and actions required to deal with this sensitive issue.

This policy will be divided into eight sectors,

     Syria

     Arab League

     Turkey and Iran

     East Asia

     Europe

     North America

     Latin America

     Israel

   Syria:

(Note: this flag is the Syrian flag after the revolution, for hopefully the regime will collapse soon and Syria will have freedom. Another reason for selecting it is to show support for our Syrian brothers and sisters and to mercy 6000 martyrs who passed away till now)

I will start off with Syria for many reasons. Syria the only friendly neighboring country which surrounds us from east and north, therefore the Lebanese-Syrian relationship has to be the strongest. Lebanon and Syria are one country when it comes to Geography, Lebanon is a small extension of Syria in the South West. The people in those two countries share almost the same traditions and culture and their dialect in the Arabic language is the same. However,  Sykes-Picot agreement  in 1916 invented a new small country  called Lebanon. The creation of this small interesting state was essential to protect minorities especially the Christians who feared that they might be deprived from their rights in a big Muslim country. Bad or weak relations with Syria will mean a weak Lebanon standing alone.

For those reasons, it is possible and totally correct to merge the two countries again, not politically but economically. The economic unity with Syria is essential as the most reliable way to get the countries and the citizens very close. Establishing free trade in addition to the “Arabic Lira” as one currency for the two countries will help developing both states fast.

The reasons why free trade is essential is because Lebanon containing 4 million citizens will not require a very big market to rely on and Syria with its 22 million people will help consuming the Lebanese production which will grow during the new era or the new regime hopefully will be established. Moreover, the common currency will help us getting rid of our currency which is very low and permits inflation to kill out citizens in addition to establishing a new strong currency which will fit the new strong economy that will emerge.

The strong ties with Syria will not be limited to economy, but rather to the military matters. The establishment of a Syrian-Lebanese co-operation united which will preserve the non-aggression pact and will connect the fate of the two countries and makes it one. United against a common enemy will be our aim.

You should not misinterpret what I wrote in the above paragraph in two ways. It is not right so mention that my article says that the two friends will attack a third, but rather a common defense forces so that each country will be able to defend the other at any foreign attack or intervention. Another point is for Lebanese people who will disagree saying that we all suffered from all the Syrian intervention, let me clarify few points:

1.      Lebanon and Syria will be two independent states each have its own political system.

2.      The military co-operation will be very limited to military bases.

3.      Internal Security will be internal issue to each of the countries.

4.      Syrian soldiers will have no authority on Lebanese soil and Lebanese soldiers will have no authority on Syrian soil.

Because of this, Lebanon will secure most of its borders, and rather will expand itself east until Lebanon has access to Europe easily and has huge market to sell its products and would have taken a good key ally and will benefit from some changes that will be mentioned later. Even though this ally might not be strong economically and in armament wise, without it our small state will not find way or access to further countries and will find economic hardship. Syria will be the land and key used to start a new era of development for Lebanon and to merge the two nations. 

To be Continued...

Bassem Walid El Remesh