352. Israel’s 1982 Invasion of Lebanon (Part 7)
Summary
This episode details the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, driven by Ariel Sharon’s ambition to dismantle the PLO and install a friendly Christian government. Hosts discuss the siege of Beirut, the complex negotiations for the PLO’s withdrawal, and the premature departure of US Marines. The narrative culminates in the assassination of President-elect Bashir Gemayel and the subsequent Sabra and Shatila massacre, highlighting the geopolitical failures and human toll of the conflict.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and intro: Empire Club, LRB, BetterHelp, Tremfya
Lebanon in the 1960s-70s: Cosmopolitan life and rising tensions
Ariel Sharon's plans and the 1982 invasion catalyst
The Phalange, Bashir Gemayel, and the assassination attempt
The siege of Beirut and Palestinian refugee conditions
US diplomacy, Reagan's pressure, and PLO evacuation talks
PLO exit, multinational force, and Bashir Gemayel's election
Assassination of Gemayel and the Sabra and Shatila massacres
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