The Roundtable Series on Political Developments in Lebanon and Syria explores crucial events and issues in the two countries and their impact on U.S. foreign policy. Among the questions being addressed are: How can Lebanon avoid its recurring cycle of violence and political paralysis, and what effects does this have on the wider region and on U.S. interests? Can Hezbollah be disarmed and fully integrated into the Lebanese political system? Are there alternatives for the sectarian-based political system in Lebanon, and what can the United States do to promote them? What factors should shape U.S. policy toward Syria? And can Syria be pressed into playing a more constructive role in the region?