Lebanon

Israel should study the strategic consequences of the continuous economic deterioration in Lebanon, with an emphasis on the Shiite community's situation. It might favor Hizballah.

This paper reviews the responses of Middle Eastern countries to the spread of the coronavirus and highlights diplomatic and defense implications stemming from the situation. The assessment of JISS fellows is that the coronavirus crisis will not fundamentally change power dynamics in the region or alter the prevailing ambitions and policies of key countries.

The virus has no political preferences, and its generalized assault has led to cooperation in some arenas between bitter rivals.

The new government is the product of escalating popular protests under way since October 15. The protests are in response to Lebanon’s dire economic state.

Will the people succeed in undermining the Iranian plan to spread power across the region?

Tensions on Israel's northern border.
Dr. Eran Lerman speaks to Xinhuanet on the tensions on israel's northern border.

Hizballah today controls the key nodes of power in Lebanon, while allowing the formal structures of the Lebanese state to exist – for its own benefit.

News Analysis: Israel sees Lebanese new gov't formation with caution.
An interview with Yossi Mansharof on the elections in Lebanon and the integration of Hezbollah.

Lebanon has neither the desire nor the ability to address Hezbollah’s threat to its sovereignty. The likelihood of Lebanon suffering severe damage in a war against Israel does not change this situation.

The Folly of Supporting Lebanon’s Military.
Yossi Mansharof: Washington must acknowledge that the Lebanese Armed Forces and Hezbollah are allies.

Israel and Lebanon: Dangerous Liaisons.
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: Relations between Israel and its northern neighbor have become dangerously explosive.

Should a large operation inside Lebanon be considered after Hezbollah's tunnels are successfully neutralized?

Israel Moves to Seal Hezbollah Tunnels at Lebanon Border.
General Amidror: Now the ball is in the Hezbollah court. They can react – and the reaction to their reaction might be devastating.

IRAN'S LEBANESE CONTROL DEMANDS REEVALUATION OF WEST'S SUPPORT FOR BEIRUT.
General Amidror: Hezbollah’s bases will have to be destroyed by the Israeli air force, and there is no tactical way to do so without massive amounts of damage.

Hezbollah’s leadership has come to realize that harsher US sanctions pose a serious threat to the revolutionary regime in Tehran. It will become increasingly difficult for the regime to finance the full spectrum of its revolutionary ambitions. Hezbollah has therefore had to focus on securing its own sources of funding and providing employment for its members and followers through ever-deeper engagement in Lebanon’s economic and financial spheres of activity.

The Lebanese army should be treated as a hostile entity, its camouflage should be stripped away, and the American administration should be supplied with conclusive evidence of the multi-faceted cooperation between it and Hezbollah.

Bad management, corruption and a failure of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to generate expected levels of foreign investment compound the problem.

The biggest loser in the May 6 elections was the Future Movement of Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri.