Four responses to criticisms against framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel

Michel Ghazal is an international negotiation expert, mediator and consultant to the Lebanese delegation in charge of the maritime border negotiations. He is also the author of "Missed Opportunity? The Secrets of Lebanon-Israel Maritime Negotiations" (Dar al Nahar, October 2023).On the occasion of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's visit to Washington, following the cycle of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under the sponsorship of the United States, I would like to offer my perspective on four criticisms leveled at the framework agreement signed at the end of June.For several days, social media have been overflowing with dogmatic analyses. Many are suddenly discovering international negotiations. This phenomenon has a name: "ultracrepidarianism," the tendency to give an opinion on subjects one does...