According to MTV’s correspondent in Washington, U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler described Lebanon as standing “at a historic crossroads” and highlighted the November 2024 ceasefire agreement as “an unprecedented opportunity for the international community to support the Lebanese government in freeing itself from Iranian influence and strengthening its sovereignty,” according to MTV’s correspondent in Washington.
Speaking during a congressional hearing on Lebanon, Lawler said, “Washington wants to see Lebanon as a true partner in the region, with the potential in the future to join the Abraham Accords and the normalization track.”
Lawler emphasized that there is a narrow window to weaken Hezbollah’s influence amid recent regional changes. “This opportunity could be lost if swift decisions are not made,” he warned, adding that the U.S. must support Lebanon’s stability while preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities. Reducing security assistance at this sensitive moment could jeopardize the country’s future,” he said.
Former U.S. diplomat David Schenker told lawmakers that “Hezbollah remains a threat to Americans, Israelis, and Jews worldwide, with a long history of operations abroad. While the group has been weakened militarily in recent years, the disarmament process is extremely slow, and the Lebanese government has been hesitant. U.S. assistance must be performance-based rather than open-ended, and the Lebanese army is essential for maintaining stability.”
He added, “Support for the army must be tied to tangible progress against Hezbollah’s influence. Financial and political reforms are just as crucial as military action to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, journalist Hanin Ghaddar noted that Hezbollah’s power today is no longer purely military but relies heavily on a parallel cash-based financial network. Any disarmament efforts will fail without targeting this unregulated economy that sustains the group.
She pointed out that Hezbollah survived recent setbacks by repositioning itself within Lebanon’s cash economy after the banking collapse. Money transfer companies, informal exchange houses, and unregulated cash markets have become an ideal environment for financing the group outside of official oversight. Reconstruction projects could also become a source of funding if they are not channeled through official state institutions such as the Council for Development and Reconstruction.
Ghaddar stressed that U.S. pressure must address financial networks, reconstruction actors, and state entities that allow Hezbollah to bypass government control. Economic and political stability are essential because disarmament without a sustainable economic and political framework will not succeed.
She added, “Washington’s battle with Hezbollah is no longer only about security—it is financial. Any plan to disarm the group will fail if this network is not targeted first.”
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Dana Stroul described Lebanon as “facing a historic but limited opportunity. Focusing solely on disarming Hezbollah is insufficient. The U.S. strategy must also address elections, reconstruction, the economy, and politics.”
Stroul highlighted regional shifts, noting that Iran is weaker and less capable of supporting its proxies. The new Lebanese government is saying the right things and must be supported—but with increased pressure. Disarmament is important, but it is only one component of the overall strategy.”
She emphasized that U.S. support for the Lebanese army must be tied to performance and transparency, and that political engagement is needed to support elections that produce a different political class. Reconstruction efforts should be linked to clear steps toward state control over weapons. Washington must also warn that a U.S. vacuum will allow other forces to step in and potentially strengthen Hezbollah again. She noted that if the current path continues, there is a realistic opportunity for a long-term process that could lead to calm and possibly future peace with Israel.
Stroul concluded that “Washington has a narrow window to reshape Lebanon, but this will not be achieved through military pressure alone. A comprehensive political and economic strategy is required, linking U.S. support to reforms, elections, and reconstruction.”
Speaking during a congressional hearing on Lebanon, Lawler said, “Washington wants to see Lebanon as a true partner in the region, with the potential in the future to join the Abraham Accords and the normalization track.”
Lawler emphasized that there is a narrow window to weaken Hezbollah’s influence amid recent regional changes. “This opportunity could be lost if swift decisions are not made,” he warned, adding that the U.S. must support Lebanon’s stability while preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities. Reducing security assistance at this sensitive moment could jeopardize the country’s future,” he said.
Former U.S. diplomat David Schenker told lawmakers that “Hezbollah remains a threat to Americans, Israelis, and Jews worldwide, with a long history of operations abroad. While the group has been weakened militarily in recent years, the disarmament process is extremely slow, and the Lebanese government has been hesitant. U.S. assistance must be performance-based rather than open-ended, and the Lebanese army is essential for maintaining stability.”
He added, “Support for the army must be tied to tangible progress against Hezbollah’s influence. Financial and political reforms are just as crucial as military action to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, journalist Hanin Ghaddar noted that Hezbollah’s power today is no longer purely military but relies heavily on a parallel cash-based financial network. Any disarmament efforts will fail without targeting this unregulated economy that sustains the group.
She pointed out that Hezbollah survived recent setbacks by repositioning itself within Lebanon’s cash economy after the banking collapse. Money transfer companies, informal exchange houses, and unregulated cash markets have become an ideal environment for financing the group outside of official oversight. Reconstruction projects could also become a source of funding if they are not channeled through official state institutions such as the Council for Development and Reconstruction.
Ghaddar stressed that U.S. pressure must address financial networks, reconstruction actors, and state entities that allow Hezbollah to bypass government control. Economic and political stability are essential because disarmament without a sustainable economic and political framework will not succeed.
She added, “Washington’s battle with Hezbollah is no longer only about security—it is financial. Any plan to disarm the group will fail if this network is not targeted first.”
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Dana Stroul described Lebanon as “facing a historic but limited opportunity. Focusing solely on disarming Hezbollah is insufficient. The U.S. strategy must also address elections, reconstruction, the economy, and politics.”
Stroul highlighted regional shifts, noting that Iran is weaker and less capable of supporting its proxies. The new Lebanese government is saying the right things and must be supported—but with increased pressure. Disarmament is important, but it is only one component of the overall strategy.”
She emphasized that U.S. support for the Lebanese army must be tied to performance and transparency, and that political engagement is needed to support elections that produce a different political class. Reconstruction efforts should be linked to clear steps toward state control over weapons. Washington must also warn that a U.S. vacuum will allow other forces to step in and potentially strengthen Hezbollah again. She noted that if the current path continues, there is a realistic opportunity for a long-term process that could lead to calm and possibly future peace with Israel.
Stroul concluded that “Washington has a narrow window to reshape Lebanon, but this will not be achieved through military pressure alone. A comprehensive political and economic strategy is required, linking U.S. support to reforms, elections, and reconstruction.”
