WASHINGTON—U.S. efforts to broker lasting peace in the Middle East appear to be gaining traction, with senior officials expressing optimism about the potential for historic agreements in the region.
“We are looking forward to peace, and we are aiming for peace, and by the grace of God, this will be achieved, hopefully soon,” said Massad Boulos, advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Israeli politician Yossi Dagan in Washington on Sunday.
The Trump administration has made Middle East diplomacy a cornerstone of its foreign policy, working aggressively to build on past agreements and expand the scope of regional cooperation. POTUS has placed particular emphasis on normalizing relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, a goal that gained momentum with the Abraham Accords, which were brokered during Trump’s first term in office.
Trump has entrusted his Special Envoy for Peace in the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus with the task of accelerating these diplomatic efforts. “I expect great results, and quickly,” Trump said, underscoring his commitment to achieving peace and stability in the region.
Witkoff has played a pivotal role in advancing U.S. diplomatic initiatives, particularly in the push to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords. Speaking last month, he expressed optimism that Lebanon and even Syria could follow suit, despite longstanding tensions with Iran-backed forces in those countries. “Lebanon, by the way, could mobilize and come into the Abraham Peace Accords, as could potentially Syria. So many profound changes are happening,” he said at an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee in Washington.
Meanwhile, Ortagus has reinforced the administration’s firm stance against Hezbollah, arguing that the group has suffered significant military setbacks and should no longer play a role in Lebanon’s government. During her last visit to Beirut, she called for the disarmament of Hezbollah and emphasized the need for Lebanon to shift from international aid dependency to sustainable economic growth.
“Israel has defeated Hezbollah, and we are grateful for that,” Ortagus said after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace on February 7. She stressed that the United States would continue its efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon.
With Trump determined to leave a legacy of peace in the Middle East and Israel taking a proactive stance on security matters, analysts believe that significant diplomatic breakthroughs may be on the horizon. Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, noted that the momentum for peace could soon extend beyond Israel and the U.S., potentially bringing Lebanese officials into the fold.
A Window for Israeli-Lebanese Peace
According to former Under Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale, geopolitical shifts have unexpectedly opened a window for peace between Israel and Lebanon, challenging long-held assumptions about Lebanon’s position in the region. Traditionally, Lebanon was seen as unlikely to be the first Arab state to normalize relations with Israel, largely due to Syrian and Iranian influence, stated Hale in his article titled “It Is Time for Israeli-Lebanese Peace.” However, with Hezbollah weakened, the Assad regime no longer controlling Lebanese affairs, and Tehran’s regional power in decline, the possibility of peace has become increasingly realistic.
Unlike Israel’s conflicts with Syria and the Palestinians, Lebanon presents no major territorial disputes. The Shebaa Farms, often cited as a point of contention, has long been used as a pretext by Hezbollah rather than a genuine obstacle to peace. A resolution could be reached through international arbitration or UN peacekeeping oversight, allowing negotiations to move forward.
As per Hale’s perspective, the peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon would likely include mutual security commitments, clear border delineations, an end to hostilities, and normalized diplomatic and economic relations. The economic benefits for Lebanon could be substantial, unlocking foreign investment, tourism, and much-needed financial stability. Beirut could once again emerge as a vibrant center of regional commerce and culture.
Timing will be crucial in these peace efforts. Analysts suggest that with Hezbollah weakened and Iran’s regional influence declining, there is a narrow but significant window to push forward diplomatic negotiations. Delays could risk losing the momentum created by recent geopolitical shifts. The maritime border agreement and recent ceasefire already demonstrate that diplomatic engagement yields tangible benefits and further hesitation could allow opposing forces to regroup and obstruct progress.
While some factions may resist such a shift—particularly remnants of Hezbollah and nationalist elements—it is becoming clear that continued hostility has only served external interests, not Lebanon’s. Washington and Arab Gulf states are likely to support such an initiative, and with Damascus and Tehran weakened, there are fewer external forces capable of obstructing it. As Lebanon faces a crossroads, its leadership must decide whether to seize this opportunity for peace or risk watching it slip away.
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