People walk past a Druze flag hanging on one of the concrete blocks marking the separation line with the buffer zone near the Druze village of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, on July 19, 2025. (Credit: Jalaa Marey/AFP)
Lebanon and Syria have had complex relations since their partial separation at the time of independence. Historically, they have often been on opposing sides, and even when their interests appeared to align, it was rarely by choice. Today, the two countries stand at a crossroads as the Levant enters a new phase marked by American pressure for normalization with Israel.Syria has quietly opened direct talks with Israel, but remains cautious about the political fallout of a rushed normalization. Lebanon, for its part, is still confined to indirect military negotiations within the cease-fire mechanism. Diplomacy in the works Barrack headed to Tel Aviv after Beirut, nothing new so far One must deal with the disarmament of Hezbollah, the other with the pacification of Druze armed groups. Lebanon has a structured national army, but the...
Lebanon and Syria have had complex relations since their partial separation at the time of independence. Historically, they have often been on opposing sides, and even when their interests appeared to align, it was rarely by choice. Today, the two countries stand at a crossroads as the Levant enters a new phase marked by American pressure for normalization with Israel.Syria has quietly opened direct talks with Israel, but remains cautious about the political fallout of a rushed normalization. Lebanon, for its part, is still confined to indirect military negotiations within the cease-fire mechanism. Diplomacy in the works Barrack headed to Tel Aviv after Beirut, nothing new so far One must deal with the disarmament of Hezbollah, the other with the pacification of Druze armed groups. Lebanon has a structured national army, but the...
