Description: The US State Department has announced the approval of a $117 million in military aid package aimed to facilitate the establishment of an independent and sovereign Lebanese military and put a stop to the hostilities between the Israeli army and Hezbollah in country. With the Gaza ceasefire agreement initiated, the Israeli army is expected to withdraw from the country by 26 Jan 2025, while Hezbollah would dismantle their military infrastructure in the southern parts and withdraw north. Lebanon aimed to reestablish a national military force and rebuild the country in light of the 2019 economic crisis and the war between Israel and Hezbollah in the region.
Impact: Lebanon which had historically harbored Hezbollah and their entire military infrastructure, would look to incorporate an independent approach and build a sovereign government and military force mostly through foreign financial aid and support. Lebanon in its current state as a country represents a regional power – grab for global geopolitical players as they aim to establish a foothold in the country and use it as a proxy in future geopolitical endeavors. The US, France and Spain had most recently announced severe interest in the potential rebuilt of the country which indicates that Lebanon could pivot towards Western regional interests in the mid – term.