The author underlines what he considers to be the "lessons of Lebanon" for US foreign policy in the greater Middle East and in the world at large. He suggests that the President must take the lead in policy formulation and interagency coordination; diplomacy and force must both be a part of balanced foreign policy; and "loose cannons" like Robert RAYMOND TANTER is Professor of Political Science and Research Associate at the Middle East Center at the University of Michigan. He served at the White House on the National Security Council staff, 1981-82. In 1983-84 he was Personal Representative of the Secretary of Defense to arms control talks in Helsinki, Madrid, Stockholm and Vienna.