Lebanon as a Fertile Ground for Public Diplomacy: A Case Study on Public Diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

One of the main requisites for the successful implementation of public diplomacy programs is the preparedness of the host society. Lebanon is a fertile ground that is susceptible to the implementation of public diplomacy programs and soft influence of foreign governments. The author enumerates four factors including the tribal fabric of the society, weak government, open cultural atmosphere and inefficient economy that overall make Lebanon an ideal place for the presence of governmental and nongovernmental foreign institutions as well as free conduct of public diplomacy activities. Drawing upon his own personal observation and field study, the author has tested this hypothesis with respect to the public diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has concluded that significant success gained by Iranian public diplomacy in Lebanon, in addition to the activities of Iranian institutions, has resulted from the four aforementioned factors. Taking these factors into consideration and comparing them with the conditions in other countries would provide guidelines on how to devise viable public diplomacy strategies by the Iranian foreign policy-makers.