The Lebanese Army and UNIFIL Caught in Friendly Fire

The campaign against Army Chief General Joseph Aoun and the Lebanese Army has intensified, particularly among Hezbollah supporters and some of its political leaders. The recent Israeli raid on Batroun, which led to the abduction of Imad Amhaz, has provided further grounds for these groups to criticize the army, claiming it is unable to protect ...

US Not Convinced by Lebanon’s Ability to Implement Resolution 1701

The US is not convinced that Lebanon is capable of enforcing Resolution 1701. Washington did not receive any assurance from parliament Speaker and Amal Movement leader Nabih Berri or caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati indicating that Hezbollah would accept keeping the area south of the Litani River free of weapons and militants. All they heard ...

A Powerless and Toothless Lebanese State

Those in power need to act as statesmen, and the de facto powers need to show realism and courageously acknowledge that their actions have never been in the interest of Lebanon or the Lebanese people. It is inconceivable for a country to witness this ongoing destructive war for over a year while the state remains incapable of taking serious steps ...

Targeting the Army in the South Raises Questions

Several questions arise regarding the targeting of the Lebanese soldiers deployed in the south by the Israeli army, despite assurances that the Lebanese regular troops are not a target in Israeli military operations. The Lebanese Army had evacuated its forward positions along the border to avoid any Israeli attacks. However, some of its units in ...