Why a Strong Lebanon Terrifies the West: The Long War on Hezbollah’s Power

In recent months, the United States and Israel have intensified their pressure on the Lebanese government, aiming to push Beirut into pursuing the disarmament of Hezbollah from within. Over the years, Hezbollah’s political presence in Lebanon has taken root, securing significant public legitimacy. The results of multiple parliamentary elections demonstrate this clearly: Hezbollah’s representatives have consistently participated and earned the votes of the Lebanese people. With such a social base, the question arises: Why are Western governments and Israel so determined to strip Hezbollah of its weapons? The answer lies in a broader strategic landscape.

Lebanon’s anti-imperialist tradition is deeply rooted. The United States, long involved in interventionist policies across West Asia, has always viewed popular resistance movements with suspicion and hostility. In Washington’s historical memory, Lebanon is tied to episodes such as hostage-taking of foreign occupiers between 1982 and 1992 and the 1983 bombing of Western military barracks. These events, part of Lebanon’s resistance legacy, remain unforgettable to Western governments and Israel, who are determined to prevent any repetition.

Hezbollah’s historic victory over Israel in 2000 further cemented the group’s standing. The conflict, triggered by Israel’s military incursion into Lebanese territory, ended with a humiliating retreat under the pressure of Hezbollah’s resistance. For American strategists, the conclusion was clear: as long as Hezbollah remains the dominant power in Lebanon, Israel cannot freely implement its strategic or expansionist ambitions in the region. Think tanks in the United States subsequently developed a medium-term strategy aimed at weakening the core pillars of Hezbollah’s power.

Following the 2000 victory, Western and some Arab states sought to undermine Lebanon’s internal stability by influencing political factions within the country. Their aim was twofold: weaken the Lebanese state and frame Hezbollah as responsible for that weakening. Lebanon’s energy shortages, severe banking sanctions, and economic collapse align closely with this strategy. Meanwhile, efforts to overthrow the Syrian government were also part of a broader project to cut Hezbollah off from a vital ally. Syria’s strategic role as a logistical and political supporter of Hezbollah made it a cornerstone of the resistance axis.

The declared justification behind these efforts has always been the same: dismantle Hezbollah, Lebanon’s most influential resistance movement. In practice, however, the outcome has been the systematic erosion of Lebanon’s governance and infrastructure.

Ultimately, Hezbollah’s rise after the year 2000 placed Lebanon on a trajectory that Western governments and Israel deemed unacceptable. A strong Lebanon anchored by Hezbollah is something they refuse to tolerate. As a result, a multilayered, long-term plan has been unfolding since 2000 to neutralize Hezbollah’s influence once and for all. Several Arab states have joined this project, viewing it as a necessary alignment with Western strategic goals. A politically fragmented and insecure Lebanon presents an easy target for Israel, enabling potential territorial expansion under the guise of security. Western support for such destabilizing measures stems from their commitment to protecting their regional proxy.


Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Amir Ali Yeganeh


1. https://www.aei.org/op-eds/to-disarm-hezbollah-look-to-the-past/
2. https://www.marines.mil/News/Marines-TV/videoid/634642/dvpTag/Beirut/