Lebanon Strategic Position in the Middle East & Its Effect on Foreign Relations

INTRODUCTION: Although Lebanon is geographically small, its strategic location, long history, and culturally diverse population have simultaneously made it a place of opportunity and confrontation, a crossroads of cultures, and a region of conflict. Today, Lebanon is facing extreme economic and political instability, but it continues to retain a meaningful role in the Middle East and beyond as a center for cultural exchange and coexistence. OBJECTIVES: This research examines Lebanon’s position in the Middle East and how Lebanon’s strategic position in the Middle East impacts Lebanon’s choices for foreign affairs and diplomacy. It attempts to understand Lebanon’s regional position and, therefore, the political, strategic, and economic factors that influence Lebanon’s interactions with other regional and global players. Ultimately, the research provides strategic recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of Lebanon’s diplomatic efforts and enhancing Lebanon’s ability to be resilient and credible in the eyes of the international community. METHODS: This study uses a qualitative, exploratory research design to explore Lebanon's strategic positioning in the Middle East and how the institutional, political, and discursively constructed mechanisms through which this positioning influences foreign policy behavior and diplomatic practices.