In a latest escalation of violence, the Israeli military has confirmed that they are conducting a ground operation inside Lebanon to target Hezbollah. This move comes after more than a week of air strikes across the country, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Lebanese civilians and Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
There have been increasing calls from Israel’s allies, including United States President Joe Biden, for a ceasefire and negotiations with Hezbollah. However, the US’s stance on the situation is unclear, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressing support for the Israeli military’s actions in Lebanon.
The question now arises: what is the US’s strategy in the Middle East? Is it aiming to push Israel towards a diplomatic solution, or is it assisting in weakening Hezbollah?
To shed light on these issues, Mohammed Jamjoom hosts a panel discussion with guests Michael Wahid Hanna, Ilan Baruch, and Andreas Krieg. Michael Wahid Hanna, the US program director at the International Crisis Group, provides insight into the potential strategies the US may be pursuing in the region. Ilan Baruch, chairperson of the Policy Working Group focusing on policy issues related to the two-state solution, offers an Israeli perspective. Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, contributes his expertise on Middle East security matters.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, it remains to be seen how the US and its allies will navigate the complex situation unfolding in Lebanon.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
