1. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Education Department The Middle Eastern Jigsaw Puzzle: Lebanon in the 1980s

2. Lebanon & The Middle East

3. Situation & Timeline April 13, 1975 – Lebanese Civil War begins o Christians & Muslims competed for political power June 1982 - “Peace for Galilee” Invasion o Israel responded to Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) guerilla attacks August 1982 – U.S., France, and Italy sent a Multi-National Peace Keeping Force to supervise removal of PLO forces U.S. sought to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Issue, and created the May 17 th Agreement (formally signed in 1983) o Syria rejected the agreement

4. Situation & Timeline September 29, 1982 – Redeployment of the M.N.F. forces in response to Bachir Gemayel’s assassination, and the Sabra & Shatila massacres. October 23, 1983 – Marine Barrack bombings Since re-deployment, the U.S. had become entangled in the Civil War As a result, the U.S. was seen an enemy to certain factions

5. Major Players Amine Gemayel The U.S. supported Lebanese President during the Civil War, who worked with Israel, and Reagan to create the May 17 th Peace Agreement.

6. Menachem Begin As the Prime Minister of Israel during the Lebanese Civil War, Begin worked with the Americans to create the May 17 th Peace Agreement.

7. George P. Shultz Philip Charles Habib The Secretary of State who worked with Lebanon and Israel in creating the May 17 th Agreement. The diplomat who negotiated a cease-fire settlement, calling for Israeli and PLO troop withdrawal.

8. Hafez al-Assad The President of Syria who did not approve of the May 17 th Agreement. It is believed that al-Assad also supported the group that caused the Marine Barracks Bombing.

9. Beirut – Before the Civil War

10. Beirut – After the Civil War

11. Events Unfolding The U.S. contingent of the M.N.F. arrives in Lebanon in 1982.

12. Events Unfolding President Reagan morning meeting with Senior Staff for National Security Planning Group meeting on Lebanon bombing in the situation room. 10/23/83.

13. What questions do we have?

14. What options did the United States Government have for responding to this crisis?

15. Options Immediately withdraw U.S. troops Send more U.S. troops Attack Syria Engage in Economic Sanctions Support Economic Assistance to cooperative factions Have the U.S. intervene among the various factions in Lebanon, and attempt peace negotiations Other?

16. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Education Department Mira Cohen Director of Education Mira.cohen@nara.gov 805-577-4019