Mass Explosions in Lebanon: Implications for the Lebanese State and the Dynamics of the Escalating War Between Hezbollah and Israel

On September 26, 2024, the Fares Center hosted Rami George Khouri, AUB Distinguished Public Policy Fellow, book author, and columnist, who shared his reflections on mass explosions in Lebanon, the pager attack, and the escalating crisis between Hezbollah and Israel. Drawing on his decades of experience, Mr. Khouri outlined five key elements at play in this discussion: (1) Hezbollah, (2) Iran, (3) the international system and human rights, (4) the relevance of Arab statehood and sovereignty, and (5) the role of history.

Mr. Khouri spent much of his talk exploring the role of the United States as an appeaser of Israel. He called this a “real historical moment of reckoning” around how the United States will choose to move forward. He warned that the U.S. State Department’s policy of non-contact with Hezbollah limits America’s ability to understand the nature and intentions of the players involved. He argued that the choice to privilege military force over diplomacy only makes the situation more violent, contributes to a state of perpetual warfare, and results in further suffering with no real winners. Mr. Khouri also discussed broader power dynamics in the region and the role of regional groups in Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon.

Because the situation is still developing, Mr. Khouri noted that the long-term implications of this moment are difficult to predict. As events continue to unfold, he encouraged attendees to seek out diverse news sources for updates on Lebanon and the broader region, emphasizing the importance of framing and criticizing the narrow analytical lens of Western media.