Lebanon

Policy Analysis on Lebanon

Muhandis company launch event leadership attendeees

The profiles are a repository of institutional memory on the various armed groups, facade groups, and social organizations associated with Iraqi militias, to be used as concise reminders of how these entities are connected.

Mar 24, 2023

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Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah Infiltrates Israel (Part 2): Potential Responses

Israel should act quickly on multiple fronts to show Hezbollah that it will not shy away from escalation, especially if the organization continues to test it.

Mar 22, 2023

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Nadav Pollak

A suspected Hezbollah tunnel under the Lebanon-Israel border discovered by the IDF - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah Infiltrates Israel (Part 1): Another Step Toward Changing the Rules of the Game

Despite representing a significant escalation, the incident also continues a longstanding pattern of behavior aimed at rewriting the informal understandings established since the 2006 war.

Mar 21, 2023

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Matthew Levitt

Fikra Forum

Can Federalism Work in Lebanon?

For those promoting federalism in Lebanon, a historical analysis of the country's geographic and ethnosectarian divisions demonstrates the necessity of inclusive discussion and collective engagement.

Mar 20, 2023

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Robert Rabil

Lebanese protesters hold signs reading "Fearless" in Arabic in response to the assassination of Lokman Slim - source: Reuters

Video

Articles & Testimony

Middle East Matters, Episode One: The Murder of Lokman Slim: Justice Delayed in Lebanon

Watch a special conversation about the murder of Lebanese activist and writer Lokman Slim between veteran Lebanese journalist Hanin Ghaddar and Slim's widow and colleague, Monika Borgmann.

Mar 14, 2023

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Hanin Ghaddar

◆ Middle East Matters

Articles & Testimony

It Is Time for a New Hezbollah Policy

Growing domestic blowback presents a strategic opportunity to alter the balance of power in Lebanon, shrink Iran’s long-range influence, and promote true political diversity within the Shia community.

Mar 7, 2023

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Hanin Ghaddar

Buoys mark the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon in the Mediterranean Sea - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Securing or Insecuring Israel? Assessing the Israel-Lebanon Maritime Agreement

Taking stock of last year’s deal shows that while there were plenty of good reasons for Washington and Jerusalem to accept it, improving Israel’s long-term security was not one of them.

Mar 7, 2023

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Israel Planning to Export Gas via LNG Ship

The option, which would take several years to develop, would reduce or even remove the current need to export gas via Egypt.

Feb 22, 2023

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Simon Henderson

Fires burn after the August 2020 port explosion in Beirut - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Washington Should Sanction Officials Obstructing the Beirut Port Investigation

Prosecuting those responsible for the disaster via an independent Lebanese judiciary would help safeguard public funds, contain corruption, enable reforms, and protect citizens.

Feb 17, 2023

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Hanin Ghaddar

Video

The Symptom and the Disease: Cholera and State Collapse in Syria and Lebanon

What has caused Lebanon's devastating cholera epidemic, and why haven't authorities and healthcare professionals been able to stop it?

Jan 31, 2023

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Hanin Ghaddar
Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

The UNIFIL Follies Turn Deadly on the Israel-Lebanon Border

The recent murder of an Irish peacekeeper has once again exposed the international mission as a costly failure—one that should be drastically curtailed come renewal time this summer.

Jan 24, 2023

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David Schenker

Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.

Brief Analysis

Assessing Xi Jinping’s Middle East Trip

His discussions on nuclear proliferation, energy markets, defense cooperation, and other issues offered numerous contrasts with President Biden’s summer meetings in Saudi Arabia—as well as some unexpected criticism of Iran.

Dec 22, 2022

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Grant Rumley
Carol Silber
Eric Feely
Sarah Cahn
Sude Akgundogdu
Lauren von Thaden
Faris Almaari

Private Sean Rooney, an Irish soldier killed while serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon - source: Government of the Republic of Ireland

Brief Analysis

Expect More Violence If Hezbollah Isn’t Held Accountable for Murdering an Irish Soldier

Whether the group is pulling the trigger itself or inciting others to do so, its brazen disregard for Lebanese civil authority, international law, and Israeli redlines has reached a new low.

Dec 20, 2022

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Hanin Ghaddar

Fikra Forum

New Lebanon Opinion Poll Shows Continued Internal Dissatisfaction and Desire for International Partners

Lebanese respondents expressed positive views of the maritime deal and World Cup in Qatar, but seemed disappointed by almost everything else.

Dec 20, 2022

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Frances McDonough

A Lebanese protester holds a sign denouncing Iranian influence

Articles & Testimony

Iran Occupies Lebanon via Proxy, But the Lebanese Still Have Agency

Although not much can be done about disarming Hezbollah at the moment, any serious Western policy will need to focus on sanctioning the group’s domestic political enablers while engaging and protecting its Shia opponents.

Dec 13, 2022

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Hanin Ghaddar

Photo showing 1983 terrorist attack at U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.

Video

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah Turns 40: Implications of the Group’s Internal, Regional, and Strategic Shifts

Four experts assess Hezbollah's impact at home and abroad after decades of political maneuvering, military operations, and criminal activity.

Dec 2, 2022

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Hanin Ghaddar
Matthew Levitt
Mona Fayad
Akeel Abbas

Palestians on a Mediterranean beach in Gaza

Brief Analysis

Changing Population Patterns Will Reshape the Middle East

Several of the region’s demographic heavyweights will be surpassed, and major shifts at the global level may affect how great powers vie for influence there as well.

Nov 22, 2022

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Patrick Clawson

Fikra Forum

In 2022 Polls, Views on U.S. Relations On Par with Other World Powers in the Middle East

Regional polls from March and August reveal shifting power dynamics, as economic conditions and relations with Israel continue to weigh on citizens’ minds.

Nov 9, 2022

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Frances McDonough

Fikra Forum

The Legacy of Lebanon’s October Revolution

Although the results of the October 2019 protests and the May 2022 elections brought hope to many Lebanese desperate for change, entrenched political deadlock and dysfunction are as bad as ever.

Nov 3, 2022

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Ibrahim Karkouti

Articles & Testimony

How to Make the Most of Israel-Lebanon Maritime Deal

To maximize the benefits for the Lebanese people and regional stability, Washington must now increase pressure on Beirut to implement crucial reforms, particularly in the energy sector.

Oct 26, 2022

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Hanin Ghaddar

Supported by the

Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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Matthew Levitt

Matthew Levitt is the Fromer-Wexler Fellow and director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute.

Hanin Ghaddar

Hanin Ghaddar is the Friedmann Fellow at The Washington Institute's Geduld Program on Arab Politics, where she focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant.

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Policy Analysis on Lebanon

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Policy Analysis on Lebanon

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