Lebanon’s Peace Without Paris: US and Israeli Strategies Reshape Diplomatic Dynamics and Raise Questions of Balance and Legitimacy

While negotiations proceed in Washington, France, despite its longstanding relationship with Lebanon, has been deliberately excluded. This exclusion underscores a US-Israeli preference for controlled mediation and raises concerns regarding the legitimacy and distribution of power in the process.

The current negotiation framework risks producing an imbalanced settlement primarily shaped by Israeli strategic interests rather than mutual compromise. As noted by Le Monde, this arrangement may prove unstable, and the absence of the EU further underscores the narrowing of diplomatic pluralism in the region.

Detailed Analysis of the Arguments

First, the decision by the United States and Israel to centralize negotiations in Washington should be interpreted as an assertion of strategic control over the negotiation framework. The current talks, hosted and facilitated by the US State Department, function as instruments for Washington to convert military leverage into political outcomes. Including France would potentially dilute American primacy and introduce alternative diplomatic perspectives, particularly those emphasizing Lebanese sovereignty and European multilateral norms. Israel’s interest is basically its security; Lebanese sovereignty is not its concern. Historically, US-led negotiations in the region have prioritized........

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