Elias Bejjani/Peace with Israel and neutrality are the true foundations of Lebanon’s protection—not weapons, wars, or the deceit and illusions of the so-called resistance
Peace with Israel and neutrality are the true foundations of Lebanon’s protection—not weapons, wars, or the deceit and illusions of the so-called resistance. A Wake-Up Call for Lebanon: The Path to Peace and Neutrality Elias Bejjani/September 25/2025
In his latest interview with Sky News Arabia, U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack presented positions that were unprecedented in their frankness and clarity. He did not settle for vague diplomatic rhetoric but instead spoke plainly about official U.S. policy toward Lebanon, confirming that his words were a precise reflection of Washington’s stance. This makes his remarks a political document worthy of careful attention.
1. American Honesty in Confronting Lebanese Duplicity Barrack stressed that the Lebanese authorities are practicing what he called “clever maneuvering”: issuing promises and slogans that are never implemented. He explained that the government manipulates the international community, saying one thing and doing the opposite—especially regarding its obligation to disarm Hezbollah in accordance with international resolutions and the ceasefire agreement. This was not a polite remark or a passing observation. It was a direct and blunt accusation that the Lebanese state is complicit in covering for the Iranian militia’s hegemony. Barrack made it clear: Washington no longer believes empty promises—it wants real commitments, not words.
2. The Reality of U.S. Support for the Lebanese Army One of the statements that stirred debate was Barrack’s remark that America will not supply Lebanon with offensive weapons against Israel. Some voices seized upon this and launched attacks against Washington, accusing it of leaving Lebanon exposed. Yet such criticism is distorted and selective. The facts are clear: the United States has provided consistent support to the Lebanese Army for years—training, equipment, vehicles, border surveillance, and significant defensive weaponry. This support amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, allowing the army to maintain cohesion in a country suffering total economic collapse. Without this aid, the army would struggle even to pay soldiers’ salaries. Why won’t America supply Lebanon with offensive weapons? The answer is simple: Lebanon neither needs nor can acquire offensive weapons on the scale of Israel’s arsenal. Any attempt to do so would be strategic suicide. Israel possesses nuclear weapons, the most advanced air defense systems in the world, precision-guided smart munitions, and military technology far beyond that of any regional state. Even if Lebanon acquired some heavy weapons, it would not alter the balance of power.
3. What Protects Lebanon is not Weapons but Agreements and Peace True protection for Lebanon will not come from an arms race but from adherence to international law, respect for U.N. resolutions, and a commitment to peace. The examples from neighboring states are clear: Jordan has limited military capacity, yet since signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1994 it has faced no Israeli aggression. Egypt fought bloody wars with Israel, but since the 1979 Camp David accords, its borders have remained secure. These examples prove that peace safeguards small and vulnerable nations more effectively than weapons ever could. If Lebanon chose a similar path, it would be safe from aggression and spared the devastation of endless wars.
4. The Collapse of the “Resistance” Myth Here it is necessary to expose the claims of Hezbollah, Iran, and the broader Islamist movements—Shiite and Sunni alike—including the Muslim Brotherhood and their sponsors in Qatar and Turkey. They wave the banner of “resistance” and promise to wipe Israel off the map. Yet reality has proven the exact opposite: In 1967, all Arab armies were defeated by Israel in just six days. In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon, reached Beirut, and expelled the PLO. In 2006, the July War plunged Lebanon into devastation, proving that Hezbollah’s weapons do not protect the country but instead invite catastrophe. Lately Israel has managed to cripple Hezbollah’s capabilities in the south through deterrence and precision strikes, while helping in toppling the Assad regime and end Iran’s presence in Syria. Meanwhile Israel is on the way to eliminating Hamas in Gaza, despite extensive Iranian, Qatari, and Turkish support. These facts reveal that Hezbollah’s and Iran’s slogans of “divine victories” are nothing but hypocrisy, deceit, and delusion. The Iranian project is built on exploiting the illusion of “resistance” to keep populations under control, but in the end, it has suffered repeated defeats.
5. Lebanon Needs No “Phantom Resistance,” Only Neutrality and Peace The core reality is that the Lebanese Army does not need offensive weapons, nor should it be dragged into futile wars. Its capabilities are limited, its economy shattered, and it has no interest in confronting a regional military powerhouse like Israel. What Lebanon truly needs is: The disarmament of Hezbollah, in line with international resolutions. The adoption of positive neutrality, following Switzerland’s example, to escape the regional proxy wars. A fair peace agreement with Israel, securing its borders and resources while allowing Lebanon to focus on rebuilding and development.
6. Debunking Misleading Arguments Those who attack Ambassador Barrack and claim that Washington is “preventing Lebanon from defending itself” ignore basic realities: Lebanon cannot engage in an arms race with Israel. It cannot purchase weapons worth billions while drowning in economic collapse. The weapons Hezbollah claims “protect Lebanon” have not stopped Israel from striking the south daily, nor have they prevented financial and political ruin. On the contrary, they have destroyed Lebanon’s sovereignty. These arguments are nothing more than propaganda tools serving Iran’s agenda.
Conclusion: An Opportunity to Save Lebanon Ambassador Tom Barrack’s words should be read as a wake-up call: Lebanon stands before two stark choices. Either it continues in its duplicity and empty promises, covering for Hezbollah’s weapons and sliding deeper into crises and ruin. Or it takes the bold decision to break free from the culture of arms, return to international legitimacy, and embrace neutrality and peace. All of Hezbollah’s and Iran’s claims about “resistance” have collapsed in utter defeat. They have neither deterred Israel, nor regained territory, nor empowered Lebanon. On the contrary, they have only brought international isolation, poverty, and mass emigration. The only viable protection for Lebanon is peace. This is the core message carried by the U.S. Ambassador: there is no room left for illusions.
رابط فيديو لحلقة نقاش بالإنكليزية تدور حول شخص الرئيس ترامب ورؤيته تديرها مورغن اوتاغوس مع السفيرين ستيف وتكوف وتوم براك تدور حول مهمة كل منهما في الشرق الأوسط/A link to a video of a panel discussion about President Trump’s vision, moderated by Morgan Ortagus featuring Ambassadors, Steven Witkoff, & Tom Barrack focusing on their respective roles in the Middle East September 25, 2025
رابط فيديو مقابلة باللغة الإنكليزية مع السفير الأميركي لدى تركيا توم براك /Video Link – Interview in English with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack September 22, 2025
