Syrian troops leaving Lebanon through the Masnaa border crossing on April 26, 2005. (Credit: Daniel Khayat)
Anthony Elghossain is a lawyer and writer. He advises organizations on geopolitics, U.S. foreign policy and the rule of law.U.S. leaders have returned to old delusions this year. They have tried to use military force as a substitute for political strategy in western Asia, abetted neo-revisionist Israeli leaders seeking to transform Lebanon with military force, and pushed partners to jump on bandwagons that they have already abandoned.Attacking the Iranian regime, U.S. leaders have resurrected another delusion: a so-called “Syrian solution” for Lebanon. Since March 2026, U.S. President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly proposed that Syrian forces may help handle Hezbollah — thus revealing an ignorance of history or succumbing to an insanity of repetition. U.S. officials have raised the possibility in private meetings with leaders in...
Anthony Elghossain is a lawyer and writer. He advises organizations on geopolitics, U.S. foreign policy and the rule of law.U.S. leaders have returned to old delusions this year. They have tried to use military force as a substitute for political strategy in western Asia, abetted neo-revisionist Israeli leaders seeking to transform Lebanon with military force, and pushed partners to jump on bandwagons that they have already abandoned.Attacking the Iranian regime, U.S. leaders have resurrected another delusion: a so-called “Syrian solution” for Lebanon. Since March 2026, U.S. President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly proposed that Syrian forces may help handle Hezbollah — thus revealing an ignorance of history or succumbing to an insanity of repetition. U.S. officials have raised the possibility in private meetings with leaders in...
