US Envoy Calls Lebanon a ‘Failed State,’ Urges Regional Normalization with Israel
US Ambassador Tom Barrack today delivered a stark assessment of Lebanon, repeatedly characterizing the country as a “failed state” and questioning its ability to disarm Hezbollah, while simultaneously advocating for broader diplomatic realignment in the Middle East.
Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Barrack, who serves as the US envoy for Syria and ambassador to Turkey, described Lebanon’s political and economic situation as chaotic, citing problems within its banking sector and infrastructure. He stated, “Lebanon is a failed state,” adding that the country has experienced “abject chaos and war for 40 years” and “six wars in the time that anybody can remember.” He also contrasted the financial support provided to Hezbollah fighters—$2,200 per month—with the pay of Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers, who receive $275 monthly.
Barrack acknowledged the difficulty of forcibly disarming Hezbollah, stating, “The idea of disarming Hezbollah — in our opinion, it’s not reasonable to tell Lebanon, ‘Forcibly disarm one of your political parties.’” He urged Lebanon and Syria to pursue accords with Israel, framing it as part of a larger regional shift, and pointed to the Abraham Accords as a potential model. He also claimed Israel “owes America a favor” following US support for Israel’s recent actions against Iranian nuclear facilities. This comes as tensions remain high along the Israel-Lebanon border, with Israel conducting strikes targeting what it claims are Hezbollah ceasefire violations.
The ambassador was also optimistic about potential progress with Syria, praising the interim government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. He suggested that Syria is moving towards normalization with Israel, stating, “Syria will get there first.” Barrack’s comments follow reports from Al Akhbar, a Hezbollah-aligned publication, that he warned Lebanese officials it was their “last chance” to negotiate with Israel regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament. Officials indicated further discussions are expected in the coming weeks to address the escalating regional concerns.
