Lebanon’s Bid for Sovereignty: Israel’s Security Considerations – Jerusalem Studio

Lebanon has never been a sovereign nation to the fullest extent. As it emerged from under French control, its stronger neighbor Syria still dominated its politics, except when Nasser’s Egypt dominated Syria and then, by extension, Lebanon. Subsequently it has fallen victim to civil war, Iranian influence and Hezbollah’s “state within a state” with its terror militia having prominence above the military. Now, finally, thanks to Israel soundly defeating Hezbollah during last fall, the new leadership in Beirut is challenging the heavily armed Shiite party to disarm and make Lebanon a sovereign, if not great, nation. So what are the various factors and prospects, how crucial is American’s role in all of this, and will this cause Israel to be more secure throughout this process and beyond?