In a new article published on the social platform X, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack outlined what he described as a “security roadmap for the Levant” — one that openly prioritises Israel’s strategic interests through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the stabilisation of Syria under Israeli-friendly terms.
Barrack argued that Hezbollah’s disarmament is “not only a security necessity for Israel but also an opportunity for Lebanon’s renewal.” He claimed that regional partners are ready to invest in Lebanon “on the condition that the state restores its monopoly over legitimate force under the command of the Lebanese Army alone.”
He warned, “If Beirut continues to hesitate, Israel may act unilaterally — and the consequences will be severe.”
For Israel, he said, disarming Hezbollah means “securing its northern border.”
For Lebanon, he claimed, it would mean “regaining sovereignty and economic recovery.”
For Washington, it fits within President Trump’s framework of “peace through prosperity”, reducing U.S. exposure to regional risks.
And for the region, Barrack asserted, it would “eliminate a key Iranian proxy, alongside Hamas, and accelerate Arab modernisation and integration.”
“Syria and Lebanon Are the Next Pieces of the Peace Puzzle”
In his article titled “Syria and Lebanon Are the Next Pieces of the Levant Peace”, Barrack presented a vision that ties Syria’s reintegration and Hezbollah’s dismantling directly to Israel’s security architecture.
“As Syria restores stability with its neighbours, including Israel and Turkey,” he wrote, “this recovery forms the first pillar of Israel’s northern security framework. The second pillar is the disarmament of Hezbollah inside Lebanon and the start of border and security talks with Israel.”
He argued that Lebanon’s principle of “One country, one army” remains “an aspiration, not a reality,” constrained by Hezbollah’s political dominance and fears of internal unrest.
Barrack urged the U.S. to support Beirut’s separation from the Iran-backed militia and to align with regional “counter-terrorism rhythms,” before what he described as “a new wave of zero-tolerance policies against terrorist organisations” consumes the country.
Threats and U.S. Pressure on Lebanon
The envoy warned that if Lebanon does not act soon, Hezbollah’s military wing would “inevitably face a major confrontation with Israel — at a time when Israel is strong and Iran’s support for Hezbollah is at its weakest.”
He added that the group’s political wing could face isolation ahead of the May 2026 elections.
Barrack speculated that, in the event of an Israeli assault, Hezbollah might delay the elections to regroup — a move that could trigger national unrest reminiscent of the 2019 protests, but this time under armed tension and economic collapse, potentially leading to complete institutional breakdown and regional intervention.
He also revealed that the new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, is expected to arrive in Beirut next month “to help Lebanon navigate these complex challenges.”
Toward Rehabilitating Syria and Ending the Caesar Act
Shifting to Syria, Barrack called for the repeal of the Caesar Act, urging Congress to follow the Senate’s lead and lift sanctions on Damascus.
He wrote:
“The winds of reconciliation that began in Gaza must now cross Israel’s northern border and revive Syria’s redemption.”
He claimed that post-December 8, 2024 — with a “new Syrian government” in place — Syria is no longer the state it was in 2019. According to him, its leadership has embarked on reconciliation, restoring ties with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Europe, and even engaging in border discussions with Israel.
Barrack argued that lifting sanctions is “not charity but strategy”, saying it would unlock private-sector investment to rebuild electricity, water, schools, and hospitals, describing this as “one of the most significant reconstruction efforts since post-war Europe.”
Expanding the Abraham Accords
In his conclusion, Barrack celebrated what he called “a new symphony of cooperation.”
“The Gaza Peace Summit,” he said, “was not a symbolic theatre but an overture for regional integration — in energy, economy, and shared humanitarian aspirations.”
He framed the release of prisoners, the ceasefire, and the commitments made at Sharm el-Sheikh as “processes rather than events,” adding:
“The rhythm of dialogue must now extend northward — to Syria, and ultimately to Lebanon. The Abraham Accords for the entire region are the true testament of enlightenment.”
Critical Analysis
Barrack’s language, framed in the vocabulary of reform and stability, reflects a broader U.S.–Israeli project to redraw the political and security map of the Levant — one that seeks to:
- Disarm resistance movements under the pretext of “state sovereignty.”
- Normalise Israeli borders through indirect Arab cooperation.
- Integrate Syria and Lebanon into a post-war regional order governed by Israeli security priorities.
Such proposals underscore Washington’s continued effort to translate battlefield outcomes in Gaza into geopolitical gains, while undermining the legitimacy of armed resistance and transforming occupation into a “peace model.”
