CONTEMPORARY EURASIA IX ( 1 )
international factors . The comparison of Rafik and Saad Hariri , Najib Mikati and Issam Fares illustrates the importance of confessional position and international alliances in explaining the different strategies of new contractors and their relative success .
Issam Fares was less “ successful ” and focused his efforts on public policy think-tanks . International alliances are also crucial to understanding the relative success of different new businessmen in Lebanon . Hariri enjoyed strong support from Saudi Arabia . Mikati and Fares were allied to Syria , although they also maintained ties with Riyadh . Despite the obvious differences in alliances between Hariri and Mikati , the willingness and the ability of Prime Minister Mikati to chart an independent path from Hezbollah over the STL funding issue approves that the similarities between new businessmen in Lebanon can be as important as their differences .
Received June 8 , 2020 , Accepted August 8 , 2020
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