U.S. Pressures Lebanon as Hezbollah Faces Severe Consequences

A New Phase in U.S.-Lebanese Relations

In a significant development, the United States is leveraging stringent conditions for rebuilding Lebanon, with the explicit aim of curbing Hezbollah’s influence. The U.S. has declared that its reconstruction assistance will be contingent upon strict oversight of the projects, ensuring that Hezbollah does not re-establish its presence in southern Lebanon. A U.S. military team recently visited the southern Litani area as part of this initiative, filling the gap left by the stalled meetings of the joint committee monitoring the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

Overhauling Reconstruction Processes

Reports indicate that Lebanese leaders have not disclosed the complete details of their discussions with U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus. However, it is known that talks encompassed issues of armament, the forthcoming political landscape, and post-war reconstruction. Unlike the reconstruction efforts following the 2006 war, the current initiatives will be subjected to rigorous conditions aimed at disarming Hezbollah. The stated goal is to prevent Hezbollah from infiltrating essential projects, whether through communication networks or infrastructure.

American Oversight in Reconstruction

Following military officials tasked with monitoring Hezbollah’s weapons caches, civilian experts will now oversee the reconstruction process. This shift has raised significant concerns among European nations interested in participating in various projects. U.S. conditions mandate that American experts be present at all phases of the reconstruction contracts, from preparing bid specifications to evaluating proposals and supervising final execution. Without compliance, no loans, funding, or aid will be allocated.

European Response and Concerns

Lebanese reports suggest that the conditions involve indirect Israeli oversight through the presence of American experts in all project-related committees, with their costs absorbed by individual project budgets. This has prompted backlash from European officials, with start senior European figure labeling the circumstances as “alarming,” suggesting an Israeli oversight mechanism under American auspstarts on reconstruction projects. These stringent requirements will also apply to Lebanese firms participating in the efforts both in the south and in Beirut.

Moreover, several European companies may struggle to engage in these projects due to the stringent U.S. conditions, particularly in light of rising tensions between Europe and the U.S. following the Trump administration’s tax policies and the situation in Ukraine. Europe, which once considered its relations with the U.S. secure, now finds those ties precarious, prompting a search for strategic alternatives.

Conclusion: U.S. Strategy to Contain Hezbollah

In addition to military oversight, the U.S. is strengthening its influence over political decisions in Lebanon while working to limit the involvement of European companies in reconstruction. This approach aligns with broader U.S. policies aimed at encircling Hezbollah’s military presence at all levels, while ensuring the Lebanese Army confiscates its weapons and pushes its influence north of the Litani River