Are there parallels between Iraq and Lebanon

[Farnan]

Are there parallels between the two Arab democracies Iraq and Lebanon?

Besides both being democratic, they both have a history of sectarianism with steep sectarian divides. And both have gone through devastating civil wars.

I will even draw parallels between pre-surge Iraq and Lebanon during the 1975-1990 Civil War. Further it can be said that Iraq now draws some parallels with the 2008 Lebanese Civil War, in that there is sectarian violence due to political problems, the government now has to deal with it on its own (Lebanon without Syria and the Iraq without the US), but the government is also not going to collapse.

[Il-Principe]

Lebanon is a very unique entity in the Arab world. In Lebanon various Christian and Islamic sects are located. And Lebanon has a very rich and confusing history. I think parallels between Lebanon and any other country in the region are largely superficial. The only notable parallel (from US point of view) is that America lost in both countries many men. But you're probably not hinting at that.

[Jom]

Does Iraq have powerful militias providing local amenities like Lebanon has in the form of Hizbollah?

[Farnan]

Does Iraq have powerful militias providing local amenities like Lebanon has in the form of Hizbollah?

You mean like the Sadrist Movement? Though its militia is officially disarmed.

Il-Principe: I'm hinting at them both being Arab Democracies with major political problems (at least Lebanon in 2008), powerful sectarian divides and militias.

[mrmouth]

I think there are a ton of parallels, right down to the major outside influence/instigator. At this point Iraq doesn't look much different from Lebanon over the last 20 years.

[Surgeon]

Wait, are you suggesting USA should liberate Lebanon like they did Iraq?

[Armenum]

Are there parallels between the two Arab democracies Iraq and Lebanon?

Besides both being democratic, they both have a history of sectarianism with steep sectarian divides. And both have gone through devastating civil wars.

I will even draw parallels between pre-surge Iraq and Lebanon during the 1975-1990 Civil War. Further it can be said that Iraq now draws some parallels with the 2008 Lebanese Civil War, in that there is sectarian violence due to political problems, the government now has to deal with it on its own (Lebanon without Syria and the Iraq without the US), but the government is also not going to collapse.

The divisions have some similarities but also many differences. Remember in Iraq you have the Kurdish component in a way separate, and then the Sunni and Shi'ite division which is more pronounced.

Sometimes I don't understand, is a civil war and all its bloodshed and violence worth it just to have a country stay together. In other words, isn't better sometimes to separate the country along the lines of division rather than go through a tumultuous and violent civil war? Yes the division will make the country weaker, but so will a civil war and will only make that weakness deeper and more prolonged.

[HissingNewt]

The divisions have some similarities but also many differences. Remember in Iraq you have the Kurdish component in a way separate, and then the Sunni and Shi'ite division which is more pronounced.

Sometimes I don't understand, is a civil war and all its bloodshed and violence worth it just to have a country stay together. In other words, isn't better sometimes to separate the country along the lines of division rather than go through a tumultuous and violent civil war? Yes the division will make the country weaker, but so will a civil war and will only make that weakness deeper and more prolonged.

Are the Maronite Catholics comparable at all to the Kurds?

[Armenum]

Are the Maronite Catholics comparable at all to the Kurds?

no, Kurds are a different ethnic group, while the divisions in Lebanon are mostly along political/religious lines.