The ring on the finger of the new U.S. deputy envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus was given more attention than it deserved, but its symbolism was far greater than what Lebanon could endure. Opponents did not differentiate between it being a religious symbol—perhaps because Judaism in Lebanon is often associated with Zionism, which led Lebanese Jews to flee, never to return, due to the harassment they faced over the years. This ring is akin to the hijab for Muslim women or the cross on the necks of Christian women—nothing more, nothing less.
However, for the “Resistance,” it was the nail in the coffin of Hezbollah’s political era, particularly given the unprecedented statements made by the U.S. envoy from Baabda Palace. It is clear that President Donald Trump’s administration is moving swiftly to wrap up key issues. The timeline has changed; there is no longer the luxury of waiting months or years for political solutions to be achieved through war or peace. The U.S. administration is in a hurry to reach peace agreements with Israel.
From this perspective, and just as Trump spoke openly and explicitly about the departure of Palestinians from Gaza without any ambiguity, the U.S. deputy envoy arrived at Baabda Palace to declare that Hezbollah had been defeated militarily and that it could no longer participate in the government. Suddenly, the government formation process was set into motion, and the deadlock over the fifth Shiite minister seemed to have been resolved.
What actually happened is that the signal given by Ortagus to the Lebanese left no room for interpretation: Lebanon is now under American scrutiny in a Saudi-dominated era, and the entire framework of outdated Iranian politics no longer has a place in Lebanese politics. Ortagus rushed to make this announcement, paying no attention to protests on the airport road or the burning of tires in opposition to her presence. She spoke candidly about the future of the region, even if the “resistance” struggled to digest her words.
The region has entered a new era—one of peace, stability, and investment. Those who fail to ride this wave have only themselves to blame. This is the essence of what the Americans are saying: if you cannot keep up, all you can do is sit back and await your fate, because the train is already on the tracks, and every state institution is now moving in a direction opposite to the will of the “resistance” and its allies.
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