Can Joseph Aoun's appeasement strategy succeed?

Nearly a year after an election that sparked renewed hope, the president is now facing a wave of criticism — both internal and external — regarding his ability to deliver on his agenda of establishing a state monopoly on arms. The situation remains especially critical, not just in terms of the disarmament of Hezbollah but also as Israeli strikes persist and the threat of war expanding continues.But is it too soon to call it a failure?The reality is more nuanced. Joseph Aoun’s essential aim appears to be maintaining his place at the center of the political chessboard, remaining equidistant from all sides, as shown by his successive positions. While he began his term with a strong inaugural speech that clearly aligned him with the sovereignty camp, he subsequently acted with diplomacy toward the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, publicly affirming...