U.S. Strategy to Challenge Hezbollah in Lebanon Faces Regional Skepticism
The U.S. is attempting to use the Israeli offensive against Hezbollah as an opportunity to change Lebanon’s political situation by promoting the election of a new president and diminishing Hezbollah’s influence. While Saudi Arabia shows support, Egypt and Qatar oppose the plan, viewing it as unrealistic and potentially destabilizing.
The United States is reportedly leveraging the ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon as an opportunity to challenge Hezbollah’s authority and influence over the Lebanese political landscape. The Biden administration is coordinating with regional allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, to gain support for a strategy that would potentially lead to the election of a new Lebanese president and the weakening of Hezbollah’s grip on governance. According to sources cited in a Wall Street Journal report, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has engaged with leaders from Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia to advocate for this agenda. Key components of the U.S. initiative involve utilizing the current conflict as leverage for political reform in Lebanon, with remarks from State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasizing a desire to dismantle Hezbollah’s dominance: “We would like to see Lebanon break the stranglehold that Hezbollah has had on the country and remove Hezbollah’s veto over a president.” While Saudi officials appear supportive of the U.S. plan, their counterparts in Qatar and Egypt regard it as impractical, expressing skepticism about Israel’s ability to eliminate Hezbollah. These Arab states perceive the plan as potentially exacerbating existing tensions in Lebanon, which remain sensitive due to the lingering sectarian divisions post-civil war. Among prominent Lebanese politicians, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri have indicated support for new presidential elections but also acknowledged Hezbollah’s role in resisting Israeli aggression. Furthermore, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem has firmly opposed any proposed political changes during the ongoing conflict with Israel. Despite years of American efforts to instigate political reform in Lebanon with limited success, the current situation presents a complex challenge as divisions persist within the Lebanese populace, complicating prospects for significant change in governance.
In the context of the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, the United States has identified an opportunity to reshape Lebanon’s political dynamics. The governing principles entrenched by Hezbollah have seen the group play a significant role in Lebanese politics and governance since the nation’s civil war concluded in the 1990s. As regional and international powers engage in diplomatic maneuvers, the U.S. aims to capitalize on the situation to diminish Hezbollah’s influence, a task complicated by Lebanon’s sectarian divisions and historical grievances stemming from its civil war. Regional players like Saudi Arabia express cautious support for U.S. efforts, while countries such as Egypt and Qatar voice serious concerns over potential escalations in internal conflict arising from these international interferences.
The United States is pursuing a contentious strategy to alter Lebanon’s political landscape by leveraging the conflict with Hezbollah. While the Biden administration garners backing from Saudi Arabia, apprehensions voiced by Egypt and Qatar highlight the complexity and potential pitfalls of their plan. The skepticism among Lebanese officials, coupled with Hezbollah’s strong resistance against political changes amidst war, underscores the challenging nature of achieving a political breakthrough in the region. Ultimately, the entrenched divide within Lebanese society complicates the realization of any meaningful reforms initiated by external forces.
Original Source: www.haaretz.com
