Aoun Returns from Washington as Hezbollah Considers New Strategies
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has concluded his visit to Washington, which carried significant political expectations amid a sensitive phase Lebanon is going through, especially regarding negotiations over the future of the south. Despite the warm reception from U.S. President Donald Trump, the announced outcomes did not meet Lebanese expectations, as they lacked any clear step regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces or the return of prisoners. Trump only spoke of a “repositioning” of Israeli forces rather than a full withdrawal. Additionally, the changes in terminology used by Washington and Tel Aviv raise doubts about the true intention to end the occupation, particularly given the continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon. While the agreement to restore direct flights between the United States and Lebanon is considered a result of the visit, it does not guarantee that flights will begin immediately. It appears that the results of the visit did not match the scope of Lebanese concessions, and the United States continues to impose obligations on Lebanon without achieving tangible sovereign gains—particularly concerning the complete Israeli withdrawal and Lebanon's sovereignty. The talks also covered supporting the Lebanese army and strengthening its relationship with Damascus, which raises concerns about reconfiguring regional influence under an American umbrella. Repeated mentions of Syria’s role within Lebanon open the door to new guardianship and threaten Lebanese sovereignty. Overall, the results of the visit indicate that Lebanon has given a lot without receiving an equivalent return. The upcoming phase is likely to see new balances that could impact the country's future and the south in particular.
تنويه: هذا ملخص تم إنشاؤه بواسطة الذكاء الاصطناعي
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