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General Joseph Aoun: Lebanon’s Unyielding Guardian in Crisis In a nation fractured by sectarian strife, economic collapse, and geopolitical chess games, one figure stands resolute: General Joseph Aoun, commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) . As Lebanon grapples with its darkest hour, Aoun’s leadership offers a flicker of hope amidst chaos. This blog post explores his journey, strategies, and the daunting path ahead. Forged in Fire: The Making of Lebanon’s Reluctant Savior (1957–2017) A Childhood Shaped by War Joseph Aoun, whose formative years began in 1957, experienced a life deeply shaped by Lebanon's enduring strife. From the 1958 Civil War ’s sectarian clashes to the 1975–1990 Lebanese Civil War, his formative years were a crucible of survival. As a young soldier, Aoun witnessed atrocities that shaped his pragmatic worldview: Karantina Massacre (1976) : Palestinian militants slaughtered Christian civilians, searing the cost of division into Aoun’s memory. Damour ...