UANI Issues Policy Recommendations To Reshape And Secure The U.S.-Lebanon Relationship

(New York, N.Y) – Between 2006 and 2022, the U.S. gave over $5.5 billion in foreign aid to Lebanon, even as the nation faced increasing influence from the Iran-backed Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. Now, 40 years after Hezbollah’s bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut–-the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. citizens before 9/11–-the primary U.S. interest in Lebanon remains combatting, countering, and degrading Hezbollah: the Iranian regime’s deadliest proxy. To support such efforts, today, on the anniversary of the Beirut Bombings, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is publishing new policy recommendations to reorient all U.S. action vis-à-vis Lebanon toward achieving that goal.  

To read UANI’s resource Suggested Changes To U.S. Lebanon Policy, please click here. 

Recent Hamas attacks on Israel underscore the urgency for the U.S. to address the Iranian regime and its allied terrorist groups holistically. Traditional U.S. policy has often isolated efforts against Iran-backed terror groups from broader Middle East strategies, especially concerning U.S. foreign aid. However, as the horrific October 7 terrorist attacks have made clear, Washington cannot ignore the influence of groups like Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza, mirroring concerns in Lebanon.  

In the Biden administration’s first year, the U.S. Treasury Department prioritized sanctions against those financing Hezbollah in Lebanon. There were four sanction announcements targeting Hezbollah affiliates. Recently, sanctions targeted Hassan Moukalled, linked to aiding Hezbollah during Lebanon's economic crisis, and his associated entities. Despite numerous U.S. sanctions across administrations, Hezbollah remains resilient. Solely, financial measures have been inadequate, indicating the U.S. needs a more significant strategy shift.  

UANI recommends that the U.S. condition its foreign aid to Lebanon on “genuine reforms to combat political and economic corruption and waste” and “deep-seated change in the country’s political makeup and the application of the government’s sovereignty within its territory.” In other words, addressing the foundational problems of Lebanon’s makeup of which Hezbollah is a symptom. In addition, U.S. policymakers must take care not to “unintentionally alleviate” Hezbollah’s economic burdens.  

“Hezbollah is a symptom of Lebanon’s instability, not its source,” said UANI’s Director of Lebanon, Israel, and Syria Research, David Daoud. “It is time for the U.S. to move beyond economic sanctions against Hezbollah and insist upon tangible delivery on its requests and refuse additional aid as an incentive for implementing superficial economic or political reforms, or implementing what should be routine political processes – like electing a president or forming a government. These are matters that are primarily, and exclusively, in the Lebanese interest and do not warrant a reward in American or other Western assistance.”  

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