Sen. Lindsey Graham Halts Talks Following Hezbollah Remarks
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) abruptly ended discussions after General Rodolphe Heikal, the Lebanese Secretary of Defense, declined to label Hezbollah as a terrorist organization supported by Iran.
Graham shared his frustrations on X, expressing dissatisfaction with the Lebanese government and broader power struggles in the Middle East.
“I just had a short meeting with General Heikal. I asked him directly if he sees Hezbollah as a terrorist group. He replied, ‘No, not in the Lebanese context.’ That was that, really. They are undeniably a terrorist organization. Just look at the U.S. Marines,” he said.
He added, “Hezbollah has been designated a foreign terrorist entity by both Republican and Democratic administrations since 1997, and there’s a good reason for that. If this perspective dominates the Lebanese military, then they can’t be seen as a trustworthy partner. I’m weary of their duplicity in the Middle East. There’s far too much on the line.”
Concerns About Hezbollah’s Influence
General Heikal’s refusal to acknowledge Hezbollah as a terrorist group has raised flags among security experts focused on the group’s activities.
Matthew Levitt, an expert at the Washington Institute, remarked that Heikal’s comments heighten worries that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) may view Hezbollah as a mediator instead of a threat. The ceasefire agreement specifies that Hezbollah must be disarmed in both southern and northern Lebanon. Yet, there have been instances where the LAF shared intelligence from the U.S. with Hezbollah instead of acting on it.
Levitt pointed out, “At a moment when the LAF is seeking international help for disarming Hezbollah, not recognizing the group as a foe — not just of Israel but Lebanon — undermines funding efforts.”
Israeli Reactions and Warnings
Sarit Zehavi, an Israeli security analyst, expressed little surprise at Heikal’s stance. “This reflects a bigger issue. Hezbollah is not seen as a terrorist organization within Lebanon. The Lebanese army clearly has no interest in confronting Hezbollah, which will not disarm voluntarily without conflict,” he mentioned.
He also suggested that the LAF has aided Hezbollah in concealing its military assets in southern Lebanon.
The United States facilitated a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel back in November 2024. A U.S. plan to disarm Hezbollah by 2025 was accepted by the Lebanese government, but there’s little evidence that this commitment is being honored.
Assessment of Lebanon’s Political Landscape
Thomas Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, recently described Lebanon as a “failed state.” He elaborated on the challenges, noting, “The current confessional system is dysfunctional. We have a Maronite president, a Sunni prime minister, and a Shiite speaker. There’s no movement towards resolution.”
He further stated, “Hezbollah is deemed a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., but it’s also a significant political group in Lebanon. The notion that we can disarm Hezbollah isn’t feasible militarily. My view is that if you take out one terrorist, you just create more. Rather, we must look for diplomatic avenues.”
Walid Fares, an academic with ties to U.S. political figures, emphasized that disarming Hezbollah is not just an external demand but has long been a priority for many Lebanese citizens since the 2005 Cedar Revolution.
“Although Assad’s regime has pulled out, Hezbollah continues to be armed. Back in May 2008, they seized control from the pro-Western government. Their involvement in recent conflicts highlights their influence and refusal to disarm,” he concluded.
