<DIV>Lebanon, a country no bigger than Connecticut, has become a battleground for the political, strategic and ideological conflicts of its neighbors and the great powers. It has come to reflect the broad historical experiences of the modern Middle East. <I>Beware of Small States</I> is an elegant and incisive history of Lebanon culminating with the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and its aftermath. David Hirst?a former Middle East correspondent for <I>The Guardian</I>, whose tough, skeptical voice has earned him death threats and seen him banned from six Arab countries?crafts a narrative that is essential for anyone wishing to understand the current political climate of the Middle East.</DIV>