Lebanon Intervention

Definition

The Lebanon Intervention (1958) was a brief military operation by the United States in response to a request from Lebanese President Camille Chamoun for assistance against threats of a coup during a time of civil unrest.

Analogy

Think about when you're playing a game with friends and someone starts cheating. You call in an older sibling or parent (in this case, the US) to help sort things out - that's what happened during the Lebanon Intervention.

Related terms

Camille Chamoun: He was President of Lebanon from 1952 until 1958. During his presidency, he asked for American intervention due to internal conflicts threatening his government.

Civil Unrest: A term describing acts of violence and disorder detrimental to public law and order. It can include protests, strikes, riots etc.

Eisenhower Doctrine: A policy enunciated by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957, under which the United States pledged economic and military aid to any Middle Eastern country threatened by communism.