It interfered with the details of governance in Lebanon in a heavy handed and inflexible manner that was the primary reason for the political polarization that ensued.

Currently, however, Obama s smart power strategy is facing a stiff challenge from events in the Middle East.

The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic clearly exerted influence that went beyond the reasonable exercise of cooperative or neighbourly relations. It interfered with the details of governance in Lebanon in a heavy handed and inflexible manner that was the primary reason for the political polarization that ensued.