One year after the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the Lebanese arena is undergoing changes. These changes are reflected both in the internal balance of power between Lebanon’s new leadership and Hezbollah, as well as in the balance of power between the organization and the IDF, which has not relented and continues to weaken it. However, this opportunity for change is overshadowed by Hezbollah’s determination to recover and by the difficulties facing the Lebanese government, which remains weak as it attempts to compel the...
Hezbollah’s position has deteriorated following the war between Israel and Iran. The organization’s decision to refrain from opening an additional front against Israel—despite expectations—highlighted its weakness. The outcome of the war has further exacerbated the challenges it now faces: Iran currently lacks the attention and capabilities to support Hezbollah; the IDF continues to target its operatives and infrastructure; and Lebanon’s new leadership is taking action against the organization, particularly in hopes of disarming...
During the war between Israel and Hezbollah, the total failure of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to help prevent Hezbollah’s military entrenchment in southern Lebanon was exposed. Despite UNIFIL’s presence, Hezbollah managed to organize militarily in the area on a large scale. In light of this, the question of the usefulness of UNIFIL’s continued presence has become more pressing. The host country, Lebanon, is seeking to extend the mandate, which expires this coming August. However, voices in Israel and the United States...
