August 27, 2026
We Cannot Let the Lebanon-Israel Breakthrough Slip Away
This article was originally published in Arab News.
For decades, the Middle East has reminded American policymakers of a difficult truth: opportunities for lasting peace are rare, fragile and often overlooked until they are gone. Yet from conflict and crises, opportunities often arise. Today, one such opportunity exists between Lebanon and Israel, countries that have technically been at war since the establishment of Israel in 1948.
The US has helped to open a window. For the sake of Lebanon, Israel and the wider region, they must not allow it to close.
While much of the world’s attention has understandably focused on wars between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and between the US/Israel and Iran, a quieter but potentially historic diplomatic process has continued to advance. Through determined American engagement, Lebanon and Israel are pursuing a path that, only months ago, many believed was beyond reach.
Read the full article in Arab News.
More from CNAS
-
U.S. Treasury Secretary Has Outlined the Trump Administration's New Economic Measures Against Iran
Alex Zerden, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, joins Al Jazeera to discuss the Trump Administration's announcement of Operation Economic Outc...
By Alex Zerden
-
To Understand the Middle East’s Future, Follow the Cranes
The Middle East exemplifies the reality that control of infrastructure has always meant more than commerce. That competition is already underway. Follow the cranes....
By Eitan Danon & Josh Kram
-
Rethinking Treasury's Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Office
The United States does not need a new department. It needs its existing economic statecraft apparatus to work—better resourced, better organized, and better calibrated to a th...
By Alex Zerden
-
Daniel Silverberg on Amanpour & Company
National security expert and adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security Daniel Silverberg joined Prof. Mehran Kamrava on Amanpour & Company to discuss Sec...
By Daniel Silverberg
