Samenvatting

Offering the societal perspective, the author deals with state building and the role of religion in Lebanon, prior to, during and after the 2006 war. The internal Lebanese problem is also an element in the international tensions between Sunnis and Shiites, between the Arab/Islamic world and Israel, between the United States and Iran. Lebanon is described as a failed, weak or fragile state, like there are many more in the world, and of which a number are likely to become the theatres of operations for western military forces somewhere in the (not so distant) future. In todays conflicts, social, political and institutional phenomena are as relevant as military and security issues. Tensions and the rising distrust about and among the different religions and ethnic groups provide important explanations as well. This case study emphasises the need to strengthen state systems, which, incidentally, was not addressed that much during the 2006 conflict itself.