Middle East and North Africa

When U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly forced the Israeli government last week to restrain its attacks on Lebanon and accept its offer for peace talks, many observers believed that he was motivated by the desire for some sort of diplomatic win amid the war with Iran. Receiving less attention is what exactly was motivating Lebanon’s pursuit of those talks in the first place.

Since the start of Israel’s most recent war with Lebanon, the Lebanese state has blamed Hezbollah for plunging the country into war at Iran’s behest. It now seems inclined to pursue a definitive solution to the problem. In initiating direct talks with Israel, Lebanon is hoping not only to end conflict with Israel but also to eliminate the threat Hezbollah wields inside the country.

When U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly forced the Israeli government last week to restrain its attacks on Lebanon and accept its offer for peace talks, many observers believed that he was motivated by the desire for some sort of diplomatic win amid the war with Iran. Receiving less attention is what exactly was motivating Lebanon’s pursuit of those talks in the first place.

Since the start of Israel’s most recent war with Lebanon, the Lebanese state has blamed Hezbollah for plunging the country into war at Iran’s behest. It now seems inclined to pursue a definitive solution to the problem. In initiating direct talks with Israel, Lebanon is hoping not only to end conflict with Israel but also to eliminate the threat Hezbollah wields inside the country.

The Lebanese president has not yet spoken to his Israeli counterpart, but ambassadorial-level talks in Washington last week were the first diplomatic contact between the hostile neighbors since 1983 and were hailed as historic—a small opening for lasting peace.

Lebanese and Israeli interests align to the extent that a strong Lebanese state—with a monopoly on arms—suits both. So far, both sides have managed to spin the start of a........

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