“The effect of energy discoveries in the Levant basin on the securitized relationship between Lebanon and Israel” -

Abstract

Hostilities, conflicts and wars have been synonymous with the Middle East where enmity has historically prevailed between Israel and Arab states. The discovery of large hydrocarbons reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean have convoluted the already complex relationships between the countries in the region. Adopting Copenhagen School’s securitization theory and its framework and analytical tools. The seecuritization theory examines how a certain matter is transformed by an actor into a matter of security in order to allow for the use of extraordinary measures, therefore, desecuritization is the process that involves the removal of securitized issues from the “security realm” back into the realm of public political discourse, where the practice of “normal” political dispute and the adherence to established rules become the norm again. This research will explore how these newfound energy reserves are reshaping the geopolitical pivots of the region and how they are going to influence the deeply securitized Lebanese-Israeli relationship. Will the potential for economic collaboration lead to any political and-or military desecuritization and relatively curb the prevailing securitization trends between Lebanon and Israel? Or will the opposite occur, where energy discoveries would exacerbate the existing securitization trends among the two countries? Additionally, the research will analyze every aspect of the securitized relationship between Lebanon and Israel aided by an in-depth analysis of the societal, economic, political, and military situation in both countries and by a thorough examination of the effect of the introduction of energy on the two countries. Yet, and in contrast to Copenhagen School’s adoption of energy as a strictly economic referent object in securitization, this research will address energy securitization vis-à-vis the economic, political, and sectors in both countries. The analysis will highlight the significance of energy security in securitization proces