The Illusion of Disarmament: Washington's Perennial Playbook for Lebanon
THE CLAIM: Washington Supports Lebanese Army's "Disarmament Efforts" The headline itself frames General Rodolphe Haykal's visit as a collaborative effort to bolster Lebanon's sovereignty by disarming Hezbollah. The implication is that the Lebanese army, with US backing, is moving to neutralize a rogue actor that undermines state control. THE EVIDENCE: A History of Selective Disarmament Demands The
US has consistently pushed for Hezbollah’s disarmament for decades, particularly after the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 2006 Lebanon War. However, this advocacy rarely extends to other non-state actors or historically armed factions within Lebanon (e.g., various Christian militias active during the civil war). The focus on Hezbollah has always been inextricably linked to its direct
opposition to Israeli regional interests and its strong ties to Iran. US military aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has often been conditioned on its role as a counterweight to Hezbollah, rather than facilitating a universally applied disarmament strategy. According to the US Department of State, between 2006 and 2017, the US provided over $1.5 billion in security assistance to the LAF,
largely with the stated aim of strengthening the state's capacity to confront 'extremist groups' – a term often broadly applied to include Hezbollah (US Department of State, 2017 data). THE CONTRADICTIONS: Ignoring the Elephant in the Room The article suggests a 'cautious approach' to expanding the LAF's geographic scope. This is a diplomatic euphemism for the reality that the LAF has neither the