U.S. Strategy in Lebanon: Efforts to Diminish Hezbollah’s Influence and Reshape Political Leadership

The U.S. aims to utilize Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah to enhance political reforms in Lebanon, specifically to facilitate the election of a new president. While supportive voices exist, skepticism from regional allies like Egypt and Qatar casts doubt on the plan’s feasibility amidst ongoing conflict and entrenched sectarian divides.

The United States is reportedly leveraging Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon as a strategic opportunity to weaken the group and facilitate the election of a new Lebanese president. The Biden administration, as revealed by a Wall Street Journal article, perceives the current war as a pivotal moment to alter Lebanon’s political landscape, potentially leading to a reduction of Hezbollah’s influence. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is said to have engaged leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to garner support for this initiative, which includes planning for a new presidential election aimed at breaking Hezbollah’s longstanding hold on Lebanon’s governance. However, regional players like Egypt and Qatar have expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of this plan. They argue that the likelihood of Israel succeeding in dismantling Hezbollah is low and emphasize that any long-term political resolution must include representation from Hezbollah. Moreover, concerns were raised that foreign meddling in Lebanese politics could reignite conflagrations related to the country’s civil strife that formally ended in 1990. Key Lebanese political figures such as Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri have indicated support for new presidential elections but simultaneously acknowledged Hezbollah’s role in resisting Israeli pressures. In stark contrast, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem has outright rejected any political restructuring during the ongoing conflict with Israel. The historical context of American attempts to influence political reforms in Lebanon is marred by a lack of substantial progress over the years, compounded by deep-seated political and sectarian divisions within the Lebanese populace. With significant skepticism surrounding the capacity for facilitating change, calls for new leadership remain unfulfilled, prompting concerns about the potential for a comprehensive political settlement.

The article discusses the U.S. government’s current strategy aimed at destabilizing Hezbollah’s power in Lebanon amidst the ongoing Israeli military actions. This effort is framed as a response to the potential for political reform and leadership change within Lebanon, an objective the U.S. has pursued persistently without significant success. Tensions in the region are heightened by the complicated relationships with and among neighboring states, notably Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, whose varying responses to the U.S. plan highlight the complexities of Middle Eastern politics and the enduring influence of Hezbollah.

In summary, the United States is attempting to exploit the current conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah to promote political reform in Lebanon. While the drive for a new presidential election is supported by some Lebanese officials and allies like Saudi Arabia, skepticism from Egypt and Qatar reveals a critical divide on the viability of such a strategy. The enduring influence of Hezbollah and the intricate political landscape of Lebanon pose substantial challenges to any proposed changes in governance.

Original Source: www.haaretz.com