This is Beirut - Tom Barrack

US Envoy to Visit Beirut as Lebanon Pushes Ahead with Disarmament Plan

Bassam Abou Zeid, 11/08 14:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Lebanese political leaders in contact with US envoy Tom Barrack confirmed he will visit Lebanon on August 18 to follow up on the decision to place all weapons under the state’s exclusive authority, as outlined in the US proposal negotiated with Lebanese authorities, particularly Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Official sources voiced confidence ...

Same Mistakes, Different Times

Johnny Kortbawi, 29/07 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Lebanese history is marked by a long string of repeated missteps, errors that quietly pile up as the country resists any course correction. They’re the product of a persistent pattern of poor decisions, while entrenched political forces keep trying, in vain, to turn the tide in their favor. Today, Lebanon is repeating a familiar mistake, one ...

Thomas Barrack: When Diplomacy Moves in Circles and Lebanon Follows

Natasha Metni Torbey, 29/07 09:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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Listening to Thomas Barrack, one might think Lebanon is close to redemption or on the edge of a cliff, perhaps both at once. For months now, the American special envoy has issued statements that are sometimes hopeful, sometimes threatening, often confusing, and always repetitive. With every tweet and announcement, the same message comes through: ...

Reluctant Settlements with No Preconditions

Johnny Kortbawi, 25/07 15:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Lebanon is in a position few would envy in the current round of settlements. This situation does not stem from a government crisis, but from the dominance of a single party. Had the state itself been responsible for the decisions that brought us here, the outcome—though difficult—might have been more acceptable. Unfortunately, Lebanon is now ...

Syrian, Israeli Ministers Meet US Envoy in Paris: Senior Diplomat

This is Beirut, 25/07 08:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The US special envoy for Syria said he held talks with Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris on Thursday on de-escalating sectarian violence in Syria. "I met this evening with the Syrians and Israelis in Paris. Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that," said the envoy, Tom Barrack, on X. "All parties reiterated ...

Caught Between the Hot Potato and the Pressure Cooker

Marc Saikali, 24/07 08:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Tom Barrack left exactly as he came, with the same uncertainties and delays. The American envoy must have been tearing his hair out (figuratively speaking) at the careless attitude he observed. The hot potato of disarmament has officially been passed on. “It’s an internal matter. The United States does not negotiate with an organization they ...

Explainer: What Shifted Between Tom Barrack’s First and Second Visits to Lebanon?

Chelsea Al Arif, 23/07 19:40 - Reading : less than a minute

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In the span of two weeks, Barrack first arrived promoting dialogue, then returned with warnings. This explainer breaks down what changed and why it matters for Lebanon.

Barrack to This is Beirut: There Is a Sense of Readiness in Lebanon Towards Normalisation with Israel

Tylia El Helou, 23/07 14:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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As Lebanon teeters on the edge of another potential war, with Hezbollah’s arms drawing the country closer to full-scale conflict with Israel, a more existential question arises: Why does the Lebanese state continue to abdicate its constitutional responsibilities? Why is the government still unwilling, decades after the Taif Agreement, to assert ...

Barrack Urges Cabinet Action on Weapons Control

This is Beirut, 23/07 11:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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US Middle East envoy Tom Barrack called for continued dialogue and responsibility from Lebanon's leaders following a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai on Wednesday. Barrack on Wednesday reaffirmed Washington’s call for the exclusive control of arms by the Lebanese state, emphasizing that this principle is rooted in law and must be ...

Barrack: “America Will Not Abandon Lebanon”

This is Beirut, 22/07 13:15 - Reading : less than a minute

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US envoy Tom Barrack expressed optimism about Lebanon’s future on Tuesday, urging the Lebanese people to “have hope” amid ongoing tensions. Following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain al-Tineh, Barrack described the talks as “excellent,” noting that both sides are working toward achieving long-term stability. “We ...

Barrack to Lebanon: Address Your Internal Issues!

Johnny Kortbawi, 22/07 09:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Tom Barrack’s third visit to Lebanon warrants a careful reading between the lines—coming, as it does, after Beirut conveyed its message to Washington and received a US response. On his first trip, the US emissary was notably diplomatic and optimistic, speaking at length about Lebanon’s prospects. But that optimism was tempered ...

Barrack: Hezbollah Disarmament Is a Lebanese Internal Matter

This is Beirut, 21/07 13:10 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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US presidential envoy Tom Barrack arrived in Beirut on Sunday for his third official visit to Lebanon in recent weeks, signaling a ramp-up in diplomatic efforts to ease escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Barrack began his meetings on Monday with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace, accompanied by US Ambassador Lisa ...

Tom Barrack