Lebanon Turns a Political Page as Hezbollah’s Hold Is Weakened
New York TimesJAN 3
Lebanon Forms New Government After Two Years of Deadlock
Above: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun hosts then Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at Baabda Palace in Beirut on Feb. 5, 2025, as part of efforts to form a new government Image copyright: Lebanese Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
A new political chapter has begun in Lebanon, with Hezbollah excluded from the government for the first time in almost two decades, as the Shia group has lost much of its influence amid changes in regional power dynamics. The West must help the new government dismantle Hezbollah and bring stability to the country.
Establishment-critical narrative
America and its allies have sought to meddle in Lebanese politics to anti-democratically exclude Shia Muslims from the new government, but to no avail, as running the country without them would be impossible. Hezbollah and its allies Amal are part of the Lebanese society and must be treated as such.