Why is the US building the second largest embassy in tiny Lebanon?

80% of the population lives in poverty in Lebanon. The country is smaller than the state of Connecticut and has a population of 6 million people.
The US Embassy in Lebanon will be the second largest US embassy in the world after Baghdad.
Construction began in April 2017.
The US Embassy refuses to comment about the size of the compound. It is believed to be a military intelligence fortress. No one is sure how far the underground goes.
Following a 1983 suicide bombing of a US Embassy, there has been a focus on building walled compounds in suburban locations and centering design around defense and security.
The US relationship with Lebanon is complex. Although there is a history of cooperation, there has been tension and conflict at times. Lebanon has been a key player in helping the US counter Hezbollah which is considered a terrorist group. However, Hezbollah plays a role in Lebanon and has influence there.
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