Reporting for the Middle East Political and Economic Institute, Foreign Policy Association blogger Manuela Paraipan brings us an exclusive interview with Aram Nerguizian, resident Middle East and North Africa scholar with the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at Center for Strategic and Security Studies (CSIS). Please visit the MEPEI website to access the interview in audio/pdf format and to check out other interviews by Manuela Paraipan.
The Levant Gains From Robust Border Regimes
By Manuela Paraipan, Middle East Political and Economic Institute
Manuela Paraipan: What does LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) need in terms of training and equipment in order to secure the border with both Syria and Israel?
Aram Nerguizian: Border security, internal security and counter-terrorism are the LAF’s current mission prerogatives.
However, the latter two would be immensely challenging without a meaningful border regime. Managing Lebanon’s border with Syria have and will continue to require high initial investments in electronic surveillance, border stations, constabulary and border management training, and the cost of bringing higher manpower levels online. However, securing Lebanon’s border with Syria ultimately comes down to improving bilateral relations between the two states. It will require increased cooperation between Lebanese and Syrian authorities and security institutions in order to demarcate the Lebanese-Syrian border, addressing the presence of armed Palestinian groups and Hezbollah training facilities close to the border and delineating common objectives and goals for an effective border regime. In the past this would have proven difficult given tensions between Lebanon and Syria.
The formation of a national unity government in Lebanon that enjoys the support of all of the countries principal interest groups and that presents less of a threat to Syria is not a negligible factor. If relations between the two neighbours continue to improve, Syria should take the initiative on border security at best to regulate illicit activity and foster cooperation with Lebanon out of common interest. At worst, Syria can make up for lost confidence among the Lebanese on Syria’s shifting and detrimental role when it comes to their country by showing it is serious about the border.
As for Israel and Lebanon, the Blue Line does not constitute a border between the two countries. Before Lebanon and Israel can demarcate the border, they must first move to normalize relations. As such, discussing a Lebanese-Israeli border regime is purely academic without a meaningful peace process that ultimately addresses Israeli, Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian grievances.
MP: How can international players such as United States, European states and others, contribute?
AN: Lebanese security forces envisage securing Lebanon’s 375 km border with Syria in 4 stages of 80-90 km. Doing so also includes bringing 4 800-1,000-man LAF regiments online in sequence as the backbone of a 4,000-strong CBF.
Stage 1 covering the north of the country is essentially complete with some 800 in the LAF’s First Border Regiment. Stage 1 cost the international community some $US 30 million and LAF estimates place the cost of security stages 2 through 4 at some $US300 million through the expected completion date of 2012.
Again, it is important to stress that no technical, manpower or force structure investment on a border regime will be meaningful without strong Lebanese-Syrian cooperation.
It is also important to remember that Lebanese border enforcement would not have, and will not make, meaningful progress without international cooperation, and technical and financial assistance.
International assistance providers such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany have all brought their experience and expertise to help Lebanon manage its borders. The LAF has and should continue to learn from past and current border management efforts including the US-Mexico, Finland-Russia and other resource-intensive border areas.
The Levant stands to gain considerably from more robust border regimes. Ultimately, stability and the regulation of instability in the region should continue to drive international interest and investment in the CBF project.
This interview can also be read at its original source at http://mepei.com/web-exclusive/lebanon/352-laf
