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An Israel-Lebanon Agreement May Not Be Worth the Costs

(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) David Schenker - U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and French minister for Europe and foreign affairs Stephane Sejourne have visited Beirut repeatedly in recent months to lay the groundwork for a joint de-escalation plan between Hizbullah and Israel. Key elements of the U.S.-French initiative include redeploying Hizbullah's Radwan special forces 7-10 km. north of the border and allowing the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to conduct less restricted patrols in south Lebanon. Hizbullah has flatly rejected the plan. It is likely that Hizbullah will not adhere to any deal Beirut reaches with Washington and Paris. The lesson from previous agreements is that the group will pocket whichever provisions benefit its position at home and the interests of its sponsors in Iran while ultimately disregarding the rest. The writer, former assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, is director of the program on Arab politics at the Washington Institute.
2024-05-19 00:00:00
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