Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: An Israeli drone strike targeted Houmin al-Fawqa
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes raid the Jarmaq area
Israeli platform: One Israeli was seriously injured in a ramming operation near Kedumim, near Nablus
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri to Sayyed Nasrallah: On the day of your martyrdom, I recall your voice echoing across the lands: 'Standing against falsehood, even if it leads to martyrdom, will unveil all masks; that is a true Hussaini victory'
Larijani: Resistance was born in this arena, and Lebanon today stands as a fortified trench against the Israeli entity
Larijani: Lebanon may be small in size, but its people are great and strong
Larijani: The Israeli attack on Qatar was clear evidence of Sayyed Nasrallah’s repeated talk about Israeli aggression against countries across the region
Larijani: It has now become evident that the positions voiced by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah over the past decades were accurate
Larijani: The region has witnessed many developments since my last visit
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council: One of the objectives of this visit is to take part in the ceremonies honoring the martyrs who defended Lebanon

Carnegie: US push for military approach to Hezbollah arms worst option

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Carnegie Endowment
  • 6 Sep 2025 11:02
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

A Carnegie commentary by Michael Young argues that the US attempt to push for Hezbollah's disarmament in Lebanon has collapsed, exposing Washington's lack of leverage and the dangers of a military approach.

Listen
  • x
  • afp
    Protesters hold up Hezbollah flags behind graffiti reading 'Barak is animal,' as they demonstrate against the planned visit of US envoy Tom Barrack to south Lebanon, after he had called Lebanese reporters 'animalistic', on August 27, 2025, in Khiam, South Lebanon. (Rabih DAHER / AFP)

A commentary published by writer Michael Young for the Carnegie Endowment described the recent visit of US officials to Beirut as a diplomatic debacle that exposed Washington's lack of leverage in Lebanon.

The trip brought together envoy Tom Barrack, former envoy Morgan Ortagus, Senators Lindsey Graham and Jeanne Shaheen, and Representative Joe Wilson. Rather than advancing dialogue, the delegation provoked controversy. Barrack called the Lebanese press "animalistic," sparking outrage, while Graham warned bluntly, "Don't ask me any questions about what Israel is going to do until you disarm Hezbollah."

Failed Mission

According to Young, Barrack had returned from "Israel" without the concessions he had hoped for. Israeli leaders reportedly refused to scale back attacks or withdraw from occupied territory in the south, leaving his disarmament plan void of reciprocity. The Lebanese government has since dismissed the proposal and its end-of-year timetable as unworkable.

Related News

China urges DPRK to oppose ‘hegemony’, in veiled swing at US

US braces for largest fed. worker resignation in history under Trump

The episode also raised doubts about Barrack's position. With little backing from the administration, Young suggested he may soon step aside, while Ortagus, who returned to Beirut alongside US Central Command's new head, is likely to take on a more prominent role in security discussions.

Dangerous Shift

Graham's remarks hinted at a deeper shift in Washington. "If we cannot reach a peaceful disarmament solution for Hezbollah, then we need to look at plan B. Plan B is disarming Hezbollah by military force," he said, signaling US willingness to consider a military path.

Lebanon's army leadership, however, has warned of the dangers, as Army Commander Rudolph recently threatened to resign rather than take such a step. His closeness to President Joseph Aoun suggests the two do not see matters very differently, especially when taking into account past attempts to disarm factions, like earlier attempts in the 1980s, and the prolonged battle in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp. Young noted that the military is unlikely to survive a confrontation intact, and that Hezbollah would rally widespread Shia backing if force were used.

Read more: 'Israel' announces readiness to support Hezbollah disarmament plan

Political Suicide

Think tanks in Washington have echoed Graham's approach. David Schenker of the Washington Institute argued the US should keep pressure on by conditioning aid and reconstruction on Hezbollah's disarmament, but Young countered that such pressure risks sparking civil war rather than strengthening Lebanese sovereignty.

He concluded that Lebanon faces "political suicide" if it bows to calls for an internal armed conflict with Hezbollah. The US, he wrote, has repeatedly abandoned allies once wars become inconclusive, and "there is absolutely no reason for the Lebanese to destroy themselves in order to purportedly save themselves."

  • United States
  • disarmament
  • Hezbollah
  • Lebanon
  • Carnegie

Most Read

Iran exposes Israeli nuclear projects in major security breach

Iran exposes Israeli nuclear projects in major security breach

  • Politics
  • 24 Sep 2025
27 wounded in Eilat drone explosion amid failed interception

27 wounded Israelis in Eilat drone explosion amid failed interception

  • Politics
  • 24 Sep 2025
'Israel' drone strike wipes out family in South Lebanon, 3 kids killed

'Israel' drone strike wipes out family in South Lebanon, 3 kids killed

  • Politics
  • 21 Sep 2025
Last photo showing Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Martyr Hajj Hassan in a Resistance operations room, Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, days before their martyrdom (Al Mayadeen)

In heart of battle: Al Mayadeen shares last photo of Sayyed Nasrallah

  • Politics
  • 27 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem gives a speech on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Safieddine, September 27, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

Legacy, path of Sayyed Hassan and Sayyed Hashem eternal: Sheikh Naim

Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul Malik al-Houthi gives a speech for Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's anniversary of martyrdom, on September 27, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

Sayyed Nasrallah was region safety valve versus enemy plots: Al-Houthi

Hezbollah supporters shout slogans during an event commemorating the anniversary of the martyrdom of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Lebanon honors Sayyed Hassan, Sayyed Hashem's martyrdom, legacies

The Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighter jets fly over a Patriot Air and Missile Defense System in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (AP)
Politics

Zelensky confirms Israeli Patriot operating in Ukraine

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS