Lebanon

Policy Analysis on Lebanon

Lebanon: Future Leadership of the State and the State Within

The Taif Accord, which ended Lebanon’s civil war almost three decades ago, stipulated that the country’s president be Christian, the prime minister be Sunni, and the parliament speaker be Shia. Today, two of these figures—President Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri—are in their eighties, and both demonstrate sympathy for Hezbollah, the Shia militia and party that serves as a national power broker.

Jun 11, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar

◆ Sudden Succession Essay Series

Articles & Testimony

Europe Has Not Faced Up to the Threat of Hizbollah

Britain's recent decision to designate the entire group as a terrorist entity was a step in the right direction, but now the EU needs to follow suit.

Jun 9, 2019

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Are Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah Trying to Reprise Syria in Venezuela?

U.S. rivals are diversifying their support for the Maduro government in familiar fashion, whether to parry the United States, exploit the crisis for profit, or both.

May 23, 2019

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Jay Solomon

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah-Iran Dynamics: A Proxy, Not a Partner

As U.S. pressure on Tehran heats up, many in Beirut, Washington, and Europe will argue that the group is still an independent actor, but past and recent evidence shows otherwise.

Apr 12, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah’s Procurement Channels: Leveraging Criminal Networks and Partnering with Iran

A February visit to Tehran by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad showcased just how close the Qods Force-Hezbollah alliance is when it comes to acquiring weapons.

Mar 21, 2019

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

U.S. Sanctions Are Hurting Hezbollah

To further tighten the noose, Washington should disrupt the group’s efforts to tap international aid, Lebanese ministry budgets, Syrian smuggling revenue, and other resources.

Mar 6, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Cyprus Gas Discovery Could Be an East Mediterranean Game-Changer

The latest success will encourage more exploration in the area, but probably more regional rivalry as well.

Mar 1, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Exploiting East Mediterranean Gas: New Milestones, New Obstacles

Even as exploration companies make crucial advances on specific projects, broader development of the area’s resources will require the players to overcome political tensions and market hurdles.

Feb 8, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Pushing Back on Iran in Syria: Beyond the ‘Boots’

Apart from its military intervention, Tehran has pursued a wide range of economic and social tactics for increasing its sway in Syria, but Washington can still push back with targeted assistance, innovative sanctions, and strategic messaging.

Jan 22, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar
Dana Stroul

Articles & Testimony

Foreign Policy Should Not Get Lost in Israel’s Election Campaign

Candidates need to be asked how they will deal with thorny issues such as Russian blowback in Syria, Hezbollah missile threats, Gaza reconstruction, and Iranian nuclear resurgence.

Jan 2, 2019

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David Makovsky
Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

What to Watch for as Lebanon Forms a New Government

The cabinet’s composition is a fait accompli, but foreign officials may still be able to influence key security appointments—or, failing that, up the financial and diplomatic pressure on Hezbollah and its political allies.

Dec 20, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

The Big, the Small, and the Needless: Rebalancing Three UN Peacekeeping Missions

A former Israeli general explains why rethinking the missions is crucial to containing Iran’s proxies and reducing waste in international security expenditures.

Dec 14, 2018

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Assaf Orion

Articles & Testimony

All Is Quiet on Iran’s Western Front, Say UN Peacekeepers

Local UN forces need serious rebalancing if they are to help address Tehran’s blatant military buildup in the area.

Dec 11, 2018

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Assaf Orion

In-Depth Reports

Iran's Precision Missile Project Moves to Lebanon

Three experts examine Tehran's objectives, Russia's regional goals, and the way these translate to long-term threats and short-term risks for Israel.

Dec 10, 2018

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Katherine Bauer
Hanin Ghaddar
Assaf Orion

Brief Analysis

How to Read Lebanon’s Acceptance of Russian Military Aid

The assistance package is small but symbolically important, demonstrating Moscow’s growing influence in Beirut while potentially throwing Hezbollah and Iran for a loop.

Dec 7, 2018

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Why Does Hezbollah Want Lebanon’s Health Ministry?

Iran’s economic problems have reportedly decreased the flow of financial patronage to the group, forcing it to seek another slush fund at home.

Oct 19, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah’s Urban Missile Factories Put Civilians at Risk

Even if exposing missile sites does not convince the group to dismantle them, it would at least counter the narrative that ‘resistance’ is good for the Lebanese people and economy.

Oct 4, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar
Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Iran and Hezbollah in Syria: U.S. Policy Options

A veteran Lebanese journalist discusses achievements by Iran and its chief proxy over seven years of war, and how U.S. countermeasures could still help restore stability and deter jihadism in Syria.

Sep 27, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar

A mural of slain prime minister Rafiq Hariri in Beirut

Brief Analysis

Prosecution Highlights Hezbollah, Syrian Links to Hariri Assassination

This week’s closing arguments laid out the clear connections between the plotters, senior Hezbollah figures, and the Assad regime, so the international community can no longer afford to look the other way.

Sep 14, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah’s Criminal and Terrorist Operations in Europe

As authorities consider correcting a past mistake and designating the group in its entirety, long-held assumptions about its European activities must be put to rest.

Sep 2, 2018

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Matthew Levitt

Supported by the

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Linda and Tony Rubin 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 Senior Fellow and director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute.

Hanin Ghaddar

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

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Policy Analysis on Lebanon

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