The Trump administration has approved $95 million in military aid to Lebanon, redirecting funds initially meant for Egypt. This decision indicates a shift in U.S. strategy aimed at countering Hezbollah amidst changing power dynamics, especially following recent violence in the region. The new Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, was supported by U.S. efforts, further complicating Hezbollah’s standing in Lebanese politics.
The Trump administration has authorized a waiver to provide $95 million in military assistance to Lebanon, signifying progress against Hezbollah. This authorization, communicated by a State Department spokesperson on Tuesday, represents a rare instance of foreign military aid during the Trump presidency. Earlier in January, a 90-day funding pause for all aid was instituted by the State Department, with exceptions exclusively for Israel and Egypt, while assistance to Ukraine was also curtailed amidst ongoing tensions.
The allocated $95 million in aid was initially intended for Egypt, but the Biden administration redirected these funds towards the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). This action highlights a significant shift in Lebanon’s power dynamics following the outbreak of violence on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks against Israel, prompting Hezbollah’s retaliatory strikes.
After prolonged stagnation in Lebanon, former army chief Joseph Aoun was elected president in January, significantly influenced by U.S. advocacy, which included a promise of reconstruction funding from Saudi Arabia. Facing opposition from Hezbollah and Iran, Aoun, a Maronite Christian, appointed Nawaf Salam, a member of a noteworthy Sunni family, as the nation’s prime minister. While Hezbollah commands considerable support, especially among impoverished Shia communities, it has faced increasing pressure from the new government.
Lebanon’s government made notable moves by indefinitely suspending flights to and from Iran, inciting protests from Hezbollah supporters met with tear gas from the LAF. Furthermore, there were reports of a $2.5 million cash seizure at Beirut’s airport destined for Hezbollah, and the government plans to seek an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, which Hezbollah had historically resisted. Lebanon’s economy has been in freefall since 2019, rendering a large part of its populace impoverished.
The U.S. has positioned itself as an emerging power in Lebanon, trying to curtail Hezbollah’s influence after decades of struggle. U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, remarked on Hezbollah’s loss to Israel, an sentiment that would have been considered extraordinary just a year prior. The LAF have taken control of areas in southern Lebanon previously under Hezbollah’s domain, but Israel continues to maintain military presence in strategic locations despite deadlines for withdrawal.
Efforts have been made by France and the U.S. to motivate Israel towards full withdrawal, suggesting peacekeeping forces or private security companies; however, Aoun opposed the latter. Israel’s retention of troops aligns with agreements made under a U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism. Lebanon intends to address its grievances with the United Nations regarding Israeli incursions into its sovereignty.
In summary, the authorization of $95 million in military aid to Lebanon by the Trump administration reflects a strategic maneuver to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces against Hezbollah. While Lebanon’s political landscape is changing with new leadership, Hezbollah continues to hold substantial support despite increasingly harsh scrutiny from the new government. The shift in U.S. strategy represents a significant development in Lebanon’s ongoing socio-political turmoil and the broader Middle Eastern context.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
