U.S. Foreign Policy and Lebanon

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R‑S.C., says he abruptly ended a meeting with Lebanese Chief of Defense Gen. Rodolphe Haykal after Haykal refused to affirm that Iran‑backed Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, instead saying it was not 'in the context of Lebanon.' In a post on X, Graham cited Hezbollah’s U.S. terrorist designation since 1997 and its role in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing to argue the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are not a reliable partner so long as they won’t treat Hezbollah as a terrorist adversary. Hezbollah expert Matthew Levitt told Fox News Digital that Haykal’s stance will deepen concerns that the LAF is deconflicting with Hezbollah, even allegedly sharing targeting intelligence, rather than working to disarm it under ceasefire terms. Israeli analyst Sarit Zehavi added that Lebanon has not legally designated Hezbollah as a terrorist group and accused the LAF of helping the militia conceal weapons and activity in southern Lebanon. The episode comes as the LAF seeks more international aid and as U.S. lawmakers debate whether American military assistance is strengthening a state institution or indirectly shoring up Hezbollah’s position along Israel’s northern border.