U.S. Envoy Declares Lebanon a ‘Failed State’ Amid Regional Shifts

The U.S. special envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, labeled Lebanon a “failed state” during remarks at the Manama Dialogue summit in Bahrain on Saturday. His comments reflect the frustration of Washington regarding the paralysis of Lebanon’s government. At the same time, Barrack highlighted a potential shift in relations between the U.S. and Syria, with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa expected to visit Washington on November 10, 2023, marking the first such visit by a Syrian president since the country’s independence in 1946.

During the panel discussion titled “U.S. Policy in the Levant,” Barrack noted significant developments in Syria following the overthrow of Bashar Assad in December. He characterized Syria’s anticipated inclusion in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group as “a big step” and “remarkable.” This coalition comprises around 80 countries dedicated to preventing the resurgence of IS.

While discussing Lebanon, Barrack emphasized that it is the only nation in the region not aligning with the recent geopolitical realignments. He remarked, “The state is Hezbollah,” referring to the Iran-backed group that provides essential services to its supporters in a country where the government struggles to deliver basic necessities like electricity and water.

Barrack asserted that the U.S. would not deepen its involvement in Lebanon’s situation, which he described as being dictated by a foreign terrorist organization. He stated, “America is not going to get deeper involved in the situation with a foreign terrorist organization and a failed state dictating the pace and asking for more resources and more money and more help.”

Tensions between Lebanon and Israel have escalated recently, with Israel intensifying its military actions in southern Lebanon. Barrack explained that while the U.S. supports Israel, it will not intervene directly in regional disputes. He highlighted Israel’s ongoing airstrikes, which target Hezbollah militants and associated infrastructure, emphasizing that “thousands of rockets and missiles” remain in southern Lebanon, presenting a threat to Israel.

Since the ceasefire that nominally ended the latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2023, both sides have accused each other of violating the terms. The conflict had erupted following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to full-scale war by September 2024. Israeli forces have maintained positions in strategic locations within Lebanese territory, prompting Lebanese officials to call for respect for their sovereignty and an end to strikes on civilian areas.

Barrack acknowledged the complexities of Lebanon’s political landscape, noting that it would be unreasonable to expect the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, given the fear of reigniting civil war. He stated, “The path is very clear — that it needs to be to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for a conversation along with Syria. Syria is showing the way.”

The U.S. is actively facilitating diplomatic efforts involving both Syria and Israel, which are engaged in direct negotiations aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring the 1974 ceasefire agreement. This agreement established a demilitarized zone between Israeli and Syrian forces, with a United Nations peacekeeping presence to maintain stability.

Following Assad’s overthrow, tensions have surged, leading to Israeli forces seizing control of the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in Syria and conducting airstrikes on military installations. Israel’s government remains wary of the new Syrian leadership, which is comprised of former Islamist insurgents.

The evolving dynamics in the region underscore a critical juncture for U.S. foreign policy as it navigates complex relationships and seeks to stabilize a historically volatile area.