The new United States ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, landed in Beirut on Friday to begin a particularly delicate mission. His arrival comes at a time when Washington is seeking to redefine the scope of its engagement in a country caught in a deep institutional crisis, latent tensions in the south, and growing international pressure over Hezbollah’s disarmament.
For his first official visit to the country, Mr. Issa is scheduled to meet on Monday with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. According to media sources, these meetings are expected to focus on bilateral cooperation and the overall security situation.
The ambassador’s stated goal is clear: to help strengthen internal stability, revive economic and security partnerships, and maintain a direct political channel between Beirut and Washington. He presents this mission as both a professional commitment and a personal return, at a time marked by debates over Lebanese sovereignty, Hezbollah’s role, and the institutional reforms demanded by the international community.
An Unconventional Profile for a Strategic Post
Michel Issa has been appointed to succeed Lisa Anne Johnson, following the conclusion of her term in late September 2025. Appointed by Donald Trump in March and confirmed by the Senate in early October, Michel Issa breaks the mold of a traditional career diplomat. A businessman and former banker, he brings decades of experience in international finance and entrepreneurship to his new post at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar.
Born in Beirut, he completed part of his studies in Paris, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Université Paris X Nanterre, followed by a specialization in banking at the Cours d’études supérieures de banques. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, he brings a rare blend of cultural and personal familiarity with Lebanon to his role as an American representative.
Professionally, he built over twenty years of experience in major financial institutions, including Crédit Agricole Indosuez in New York, Chase Manhattan Bank, and Banco Português do Atlântico in Paris. Recognized for his expertise in currency trading, he managed complex financial operations and chaired several compliance and credit committees.
In 1999, he left the finance sector to establish a company specializing in automotive concessions, representing Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen in the United States. The business rapidly grew to exceed $35 million in annual revenue. He currently leads Newton Investment Group LLC, headquartered in New Jersey.
A car enthusiast and an afficionado of golf and tennis, Michel Issa is also known for his long-standing personal relationship with Donald Trump, with whom he regularly plays golf.
A Clear Focus: Hezbollah at the Heart of Expectations
His nomination was accompanied by strong public statements. In July, during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Mr. Issa called for urgent action against Hezbollah, stating that its disarmament was not optional but necessary to safeguard Lebanese sovereignty.
At his swearing-in ceremony in Washington, he reaffirmed his commitment to Lebanon: “I was born in Beirut, and Lebanon has never left my heart.” He also expressed his desire to serve as a bridge between the two countries and strengthen bilateral cooperation at all levels.
Morgan Ortagus, U.S. special envoy to Lebanon, welcomed his appointment and expressed her intention to work closely with him in the region.
With his hybrid profile as a financier, entrepreneur, and now diplomat, Michel Issa embodies an American approach grounded in pragmatism and private-sector experience. His actions in Beirut will be closely watched and could signal a new phase in U.S.-Lebanon relations, at a time when Lebanon seeks balance in a turbulent region.
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