New proposals are reportedly being discussed for disarming Hezbollah. Unfortunately, they appear to be based more on wishful thinking than Middle Eastern reality.
One proposal would have the US train and equip a special Lebanese army force that would gradually replace Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and confront Hezbollah by force if necessary.
But Lebanon’s army has already received years of training and support from the US and France. What exactly would be different this time?
The fact remains: A significant portion of the Lebanese army is Shiite, and Hezbollah has long benefited from cooperation, intelligence leaks and assistance from elements inside Lebanon’s state institutions. Expecting the army suddenly to turn its weapons against Hezbollah is unrealistic.