U.S. president Donald Trump welcomes Lebanese president Joseph Aoun at the entrance of the West Wing of the White House, in Washington dC, on July 21, 2026. (Credit: Saul Loeb/AFP)
Since his election in January 2025, President Joseph Aoun has made numerous trips abroad, marking Lebanon’s return to the diplomatic stage after several years of institutional paralysis. Today, the war between the United States and Iran makes it easier to gauge the effects of this reopening on Lebanon’s room for maneuver and on the evolution of its foreign policy, in a regional environment profoundly different from the start of his term.The first year followed a relatively clear orientation. The president’s first trip, to Riyadh in March 2025, showed the desire to restore trust with Saudi Arabia after several years of disengagement. Political relations resumed, though the kingdom is still expecting progress on several issues before making a greater commitment. Openings towards Cyprus and other partners were expanding the realm of...
Since his election in January 2025, President Joseph Aoun has made numerous trips abroad, marking Lebanon’s return to the diplomatic stage after several years of institutional paralysis. Today, the war between the United States and Iran makes it easier to gauge the effects of this reopening on Lebanon’s room for maneuver and on the evolution of its foreign policy, in a regional environment profoundly different from the start of his term.The first year followed a relatively clear orientation. The president’s first trip, to Riyadh in March 2025, showed the desire to restore trust with Saudi Arabia after several years of disengagement. Political relations resumed, though the kingdom is still expecting progress on several issues before making a greater commitment. Openings towards Cyprus and other partners were expanding the realm of...
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