The Redefinition of State Sovereignty by Congressional Decree
THE ACTORS: Who is involved in this story? Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): A senior member of the US Senate, known for his hawkish foreign policy stances and close ties to neoconservative circles. His positions often align with those advocating for robust military intervention and a strong stance against perceived adversaries of US and allied interests in the Middle East. As of 2022, Senator
Graham's campaign committee received significant contributions from defense contractors and pro-Israel lobbying groups (OpenSecrets.org, 2023). General Rodolphe Haykal (Lebanese Armed Forces): A representative of Lebanon's state military institution. His refusal to label Hezbollah as solely a 'terrorist organization' reflects the complex political reality within Lebanon, where Hezbollah is both a
political party with parliamentary representation and a significant military force integrated into the nation's social fabric, particularly in the south. Hezbollah: A Shi'a Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US Department of State in October 1997, it also functions as a major political and social actor within Lebanon,
holding seats in the Lebanese parliament and cabinet, and providing social services. THE FUNDING: Where does their money come from? Senator Graham: His political campaigns have received millions in contributions from various sectors. For instance, in the 2022 election cycle, committees associated with Graham received over $1.5 million from the securities and investment industry, and defense