Conflicts rarely occur in isolation. They have compounding effects and often spill over into neighboring regions. Yet, return and repatriation programs in complex conflict contexts continue to rely on templates rooted in a nation-state container logic, where refugee return is conceptualized as a linear movement from a host country to a country of origin. This framing fails to account for the fact that decisions around voluntary return unfold within broader ecosystems of (im)mobility, uncertainty, and elliptical displacement. Rather than representing simple transitions from country A to country B, these movements are shaped by multi-layered constraints and shifting conditions. This piece sets out to conceptualize refugee return policymaking as part of a broader ecosystem that accounts for a holistic approach to peacebuilding. The case of refugee returns from Lebanon to Syria offers critical insights for peacebuilders and humanitarian organizations seeking to develop recovery and repatriation programs.