For several years, Lebanon has been a vulnerable and fragile state. A vicious cycle of violence, poverty, and unemployment has undermined socio-economic progress in the nation, and last year, anti-government protests rocked the country. Many of these shortcomings can be attributed to Hezbollah, a major political party and military group in Lebanon that is heavily influenced and financed by the Iranian government. To foster peace, stability, and democracy, Lebanon must turn away from allies, such as Iran, and instead forge relationships with other regional powers, like Israel.
The sociopolitical and economic climate in Lebanon is in decline. Over the past year, the country’s banking system broke down, and a rapid rise in inflation and unemployment sparked anti-government protests around the country. According to World Bank projections, 45% of the population would be below the poverty line in 2020, and the COVID-19 crisis has further exacerbated these estimates. Also, the country has suffered from violent terror attacks and conflict for many years. Over the past two months, the city of Beirut has also been rocked by two major explosions, one at the Beirut port, and one in the neighborhood of Tariq al-Jadideh, both of which resulted in casualties and mass destruction.
At the center of these ongoing crises is Hezbollah, a Shiite political party and military entity that has played a prominent role in Lebanese politics since 1992. In 2005, after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the group acquired formal political power by obtaining cabinet positions. Since then, it has played an influential role in shaping the sociopolitical landscape in the country. Hezbollah, however, does not act in the best interests of the Lebanese people. The group is considered a proxy of the Iranian government and an ideological offshoot of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.
Hezbollah receives over $700 million in funding from the Iranian administration, and extensive weaponry and other resources. It also shares many geopolitical stances with Iran. For example, the country has expressed opposition to Western powers such as the United States and its allies. As a result, it has also borne the brunt of the United States’ campaign against Iran. Today, Hezbollah is considered a designated terrorist organization by the United States. Many of the country’s economic woes, including banks without dollars, cities without electricity, and a severe decline in the standard of living, are consequences of American influence and sanctions.
Evidently, Iran’s long-standing influence in Lebanon has prevented the country from achieving peace and prosperity. For Lebanon to progress as a nation, it must distance itself from Iran’s influence and instead focus on fostering relationships with other regional powers, such as Israel. This is easier said than done, however, as Israel and Lebanon have shared a tumultuous history. Lebanon fought against Israel during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and Israel played a role during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s and 1980s, it also supported a secessionist movement in south Lebanon. Hezbollah can also attribute some of its initial popularity to these turbulent relations. In 2000, the group led the resistance movement to liberate Israel’s territory in south Lebanon. Israel shared similarly volatile relationships with other Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.
However, over the past several months, the two Arab countries have normalized relations with Israel. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped to broker the normalization agreements, indicated that other Arab countries will be following suit. This could provide a perfect opportunity for Lebanon to sever its ties with Hezbollah and Iran and strategically align itself with allies such as Israel and the United States, who can better support its goals of achieving peace and prosperity.
A formal partnership with Israel could also positively influence Lebanon’s socioeconomic environment. For example, the two nations could enhance cooperation around critical sectors such as agriculture and technology. An alliance with Israel could also help prevent further U.S. sanctions and economic impacts on Lebanon, allowing its economy to recover. Last month, reports surfaced indicating that Israel and Lebanon initiated civilian negotiations around land and maritime borders, led by the United States and overseen by the United Nations. This is an important first step, and Lebanon should take advantage of these efforts to create long-term positive change in the nation.
Lebanon has suffered from instability, poverty, and violence for far too long. The country needs a change, and for this to happen, it must undercut Hezbollah and Iran’s influence in the nation and forge strategic alliances with Israel and the United States. In doing this, Lebanon will be able to prioritize its own interests and socioeconomic progress and re-develop the country’s image and the lives of its citizens.
