Lebanon | Council on Foreign Relations

Lebanon

Lebanon: How Israel, Hezbollah, and Regional Powers Are Shaping Its Future

An array of domestic and foreign powers are vying for influence in Lebanon, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, Hezbollah, Israel, Iran, Syria, and the United States.

by Jonathan Masters January 27, 2025
Syria

Syria After Assad: What to Know About HTS, Hezbollah, and Iran

The ascendance of Sunni Islamist rebels in Syria should be viewed with great caution by Western powers, but the Assad regime’s collapse disables a critical node in Iran’s regional proxy network.

by Bruce Hoffman December 9, 2024 National Security and Defense Program
Syria

Weighing Syria’s Future

In this video interview, CFR’s Steven A. Cook sits down with CNN’s Primetime Weekend Newsroom anchor Jessica Dean and CNN military analyst Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling to discuss a post-Assad Syria.

by Steven A. Cook December 9, 2024 Middle East Program

Israel

Sharon, Netanyahu, and the Lebanon Deal

Israel must act firmly to enforce the Lebanon agreement or it will collapse within months--and only Israel can be expected to enforce it.

by Elliott Abrams November 27, 2024 Pressure Points
Lebanon

What Is Hezbollah?

The Iran-backed Shiite militia was considered the most powerful non-state group in the Middle East, but an Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah in 2024 has considerably weakened it.

by CFR.org Editors October 29, 2024
Georgia

France Presses for Lebanon Aid, Japan Holds Snap Election, Georgia’s Divided Vote, and More

France seeks to spur international support for humanitarian aid for Lebanon as fighting grinds on between Israel and Hezbollah; Japan holds a snap general election as Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru hopes to rally the embattled and longtime ruling Liberal Democratic Party; Georgia heads to the polls in an election that could shift the country away from the European Union and firmly into Russia’s orbit; and China and India reach a border deal.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 24, 2024 The World Next Week

Lebanon

Where is the Lebanese Zelensky, Part II

My recent blog post "Where is the Lebanese Zelensky" elicited an interesting response suggesting that it is international support, not Lebanese voices opposing Hezbollah, that's missing today.

by Elliott Abrams October 18, 2024 Pressure Points
Lebanon

Where is the Lebanese Zelensky?

Lebanon may have an opportunity to escape from Hezbollah domination now, but only if Lebanese political leaders show courage that has thus far been missing.

by Elliott Abrams October 17, 2024 Pressure Points
Israel

One Year After the October 7 Attacks: The Impact on Four Fronts

The turbulent year since Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel draws to a close, marked by a sharp escalation in conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies. Four CFR experts assess the changes since the attacks.

by Elliott Abrams , Linda Robinson , Ray Takeyh and Steven A. Cook October 2, 2024 Middle East Program
Israel

One Year Later: U.S. Policy Options in the Israel-Hamas War

As the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks approaches, panelists discuss U.S. policy options regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, including the administration’s proposed peace deal and the ramifications of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

Virtual Event by Elliott Abrams , Aaron David Miller, Mara E. Rudman, Dana L. Stroul and Ethan Bronner October 1, 2024 Middle East Program
Lebanon

The Nasrallah Killing Is a Crushing Blow to Hezbollah

Hezbollah leader Sayed Hassan Nasrallah possessed a rare set of abilities that made the group a formidable foe to Israel and a power broker in Lebanon. His killing by Israel sharply weakens the threat posed by the group and its patron, Iran.

by Bruce Hoffman September 28, 2024
Diplomacy and International Institutions

UN Meets in Tense Times, Pager Explosions Rattle Hezbollah, Biden’s Last Quad Summit, and More

The UN General Assembly begins its seventy-ninth high-level debate amid questions about its limited role in resolving major conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; fears of a wider regional war grow as Hezbollah vows retaliation against Israel after thousands of pagers exploded across Lebanon; U.S. President Joe Biden hosts the leaders of the Quad in Wilmington, Delaware, to strengthen coordination in the Indo-Pacific region; and Russia seeks to add 180,000 troops to its army.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins September 19, 2024 The World Next Week
Lebanon

What Escalating Hezbollah-Israel Tensions and the War in Gaza Mean for Lebanon

Already hobbled by economic struggles, Lebanon now faces the prospect of war as the militant group and political party Hezbollah clashes with Israel in apparent support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

by Christina Bouri June 6, 2024 Middle East Program
Iran

Iran’s Regional Armed Network

Iran’s web of armed partners such as Hezbollah and the Houthis serves to strengthen its influence in the Middle East and could pose a significant threat to the United States and U.S. allies in the region, especially Israel.

by Kali Robinson and Will Merrow April 15, 2024
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Israel-Hamas War: Regional Escalation and U.S. Strategy

Panelists discuss the regional escalation of the Israel-Hamas war, developments in flashpoints including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, attacks on U.S. forces and the consequences for U.S. strategy in the Middle East.

Virtual Event by Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Jon B. Alterman, Gregory D. Johnsen and Kimberly Dozier February 12, 2024 Middle East Program