Tom Friedman once described the U.S. Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, as “good, milk-faced boys who stepped into the middle of a passion-filled conflict, of whose history they were totally innocent and whose venom they could not even imagine.”
More than 20 years later, while American troops are in Iraq, Lebanon is still a code word for a worst-case scenario in Middle East military intervention. America’s active involvement in Lebanon ended in 1983, after Islamic terrorists bombed a military compound and killed 241 U.S. marines.
Amin Gemayel, who was then the president of Lebanon, says the U.S. decision to pull its troops was a turning point for his country and the region. Amin Gemayel on occupation and intervention — then and now.
Guests:
Amin Gemayel, former president of Lebanon.