Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, on March 3, 2025, in Riyadh. (Credit: Saudi Press Agency/X)
Since the regional war began, the United States appears to be calling the shots in Lebanon more than ever. The Five-Nation Group on Lebanon, aka the Quintet, comprising Washington, Paris, Riyadh, Doha and Cairo, has been overshadowed by the cease-fire monitoring mechanism, which brought France and the U.S. together with Israel and Lebanon. Although the “mechanism” now seems to be obsolete, with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), comprising the United States, Lebanon and Israel, emerges as the main body to manage deconfliction in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile... Facing Israeli expansion in Lebanon and Syria, Jordan seeks to secure itself Yet, Saudi Arabia’s role remains central to Lebanon. It has long been the country’s main financial backer and remains key to its return to the Arab fold. But for some, Riyadh’s role...
Since the regional war began, the United States appears to be calling the shots in Lebanon more than ever. The Five-Nation Group on Lebanon, aka the Quintet, comprising Washington, Paris, Riyadh, Doha and Cairo, has been overshadowed by the cease-fire monitoring mechanism, which brought France and the U.S. together with Israel and Lebanon. Although the “mechanism” now seems to be obsolete, with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), comprising the United States, Lebanon and Israel, emerges as the main body to manage deconfliction in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile... Facing Israeli expansion in Lebanon and Syria, Jordan seeks to secure itself Yet, Saudi Arabia’s role remains central to Lebanon. It has long been the country’s main financial backer and remains key to its return to the Arab fold. But for some,...
