What was whispered behind the scenes is now being said openly. On Friday, statements by Morgan Ortagus, deputy to the U.S. president's special envoy for Middle East peace, confirmed the profound transformations in U.S. policy towards Lebanon and the region. Indeed, it's one of the few times an American official has spoken so directly and bluntly, and from the presidential palace in Baabda, no less. "Israel has defeated Hezbollah, and we are grateful to them," she declared after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun. "We have set clear red lines for the United States: Hezbollah can no longer terrorize the Lebanese people, including by being part of the government," she added. She emphasized that Washington "is committed to its partnership" with Lebanon and holds "great hopes" for the future, due to the rise to power of "credible and...
What was whispered behind the scenes is now being said openly. On Friday, statements by Morgan Ortagus, deputy to the U.S. president's special envoy for Middle East peace, confirmed the profound transformations in U.S. policy towards Lebanon and the region. Indeed, it's one of the few times an American official has spoken so directly and bluntly, and from the presidential palace in Baabda, no less. "Israel has defeated Hezbollah, and we are grateful to them," she declared after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun. "We have set clear red lines for the United States: Hezbollah can no longer terrorize the Lebanese people, including by being part of the government," she added. She emphasized that Washington "is committed to its partnership" with Lebanon and holds "great hopes" for the future, due to the rise to power of "credible and...