Flags of Hezbollah waved during a demonstration in solidarity with the Iranian regime against attacks by Israel. (Archive photo by Atta Kenare/AFP)
It was clear from the very start of his term that President Joseph Aoun’s mission to restore the state’s monopoly on the use of force was no small task. But with the dangerous developments in recent days — namely the war between Israel and Iran — he now faces another major challenge: keeping Lebanon as far as possible from the fire that is spreading across the region and could once again engulf the country if Hezbollah, in particular, decides to join the conflict. Aoun, who was already struggling to silence criticism over what many perceive as his “timid” approach to Hezbollah’s arms, was now facing the challenge of preventing any reckless escalation, while still pursuing his initial objective. This task is all the more difficult given that Israel is growing increasingly provocative and appears to be lying in wait for Hezbollah to make a...
It was clear from the very start of his term that President Joseph Aoun’s mission to restore the state’s monopoly on the use of force was no small task. But with the dangerous developments in recent days — namely the war between Israel and Iran — he now faces another major challenge: keeping Lebanon as far as possible from the fire that is spreading across the region and could once again engulf the country if Hezbollah, in particular, decides to join the conflict. Aoun, who was already struggling to silence criticism over what many perceive as his “timid” approach to Hezbollah’s arms, was now facing the challenge of preventing any reckless escalation, while still pursuing his initial objective. This task is all the more difficult given that Israel is growing increasingly provocative and appears to be lying in wait for...
