Congress reviews US Lebanon strategy

The United States (US) Congress will convene a high-profile hearing today, on 3 February 2026, titled “US Policy Toward Lebanon: Obstacles to Dismantling Hezbollah’s Grip on Power,” coinciding with a series of strategic meetings between Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander and senior Pentagon officials.

The dual-track events underscore Washington’s renewed focus on Lebanon’s political, security, and military challenges in light of the delicate situation facing the country.

Congressional hearing on Lebanon

The congressional session will be held by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET), and will include as witnesses the following:

- David Schenker

Former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (2019-2021) and Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

- Hanin Ghaddar

Friedmann Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

- Dana Stroul

Director of Research and Shelly and Michael Kassen Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

The session will focus on Lebanon’s internal power dynamics, highlighting Hezbollah’s influence over political decisions and the broader implications for the country’s stability. US lawmakers will examine the challenges facing the Lebanese state, including the security, financial, and institutional hurdles that complicate governance under the persistent shadow of armed militias.

The hearing will thus the importance of strengthening state institutions and ensuring that Lebanon’s national decision-making is free from non-state influence (namely referring to Hezbollah). Discussions will also touch on counterterrorism efforts and the need for a strategic US approach to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and resilience amid regional pressures.

LAF Commander meetings at the Pentagon

Simultaneously, LAF Commander General Rodolphe Haikal will be conducting a series of high-level meetings at the Pentagon. The latter includes discussion with:

- General Dan McKinnon

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

This meeting will discuss regional military cooperation, border security, and anti-smuggling operations. The session will stress on bolstering the LAF’s role in maintaining domestic stability and securing Lebanon’s strategic position in US defense planning in the Eastern Mediterranean.

- Daniel Zimmerman

US Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs

This meeting will review US strategic priorities in the Middle East and Lebanon’s role within that framework. Discussions will also focus on strengthening bilateral military relations and enhancing Lebanon’s operational readiness to address both internal and cross-border threats.

- Sebastian Gorka

Deputy Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism National Security Council

This meeting will address Hezbollah’s military wing and broader transnational security risks, as well as cooperation frameworks regarding tackling terrorist groups in the region.

Afterwards, the day will conclude with an engagement with the Lebanese diaspora at the US Embassy in Washington, led by Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Moawad (who, along with Military Attaché General Ziad Barakat), further highlighting the multi-dimensional nature of Lebanon’s strategic outreach.

Implications for Lebanon

Today’s meetings can be described as a potentially pivotal moment for Lebanon, linking congressional evaluation of the political crisis with direct engagement of the army leadership at the Pentagon. These combined efforts may shape Lebanon’s capacity to reassert control over its institutions and define its position in US strategy for the Middle East, amid persistent domestic tensions and external influence.

Indeed, they come amid the Lebanese State’s effort to achieve the monopoly of arms across the entire country, amid Hezbollah intransigence. It also comes after the LAF presented its final report to the Council of Minister in January 2026 regarding achieving the aforementioned group’s disarmament in south of the Litani River (with phase two commencing in the north), which signaled to the American leadership a sense of Lebanese commitment towards reclaiming their undermined sovereignty. On another note, the Washington discussions come prior to the scheduled donor conference to aid the LAF and Internal Security Forces (ISF) in Paris on 5 March 226, which is considered essential to boost much needed aid to the military and security apparatus in Lebanon, thus enhancing their capabilities to be able to fulfill their required tasks.

In conclusion, the meetings in Washington demonstrate the US commitment to reinforcing Lebanon’s sovereignty, strengthening its armed forces, and addressing the enduring challenge posed by Hezbollah. By coordinating policy review and military engagement, Washington is signaling the importance of a structured, institution-driven approach to ensuring Lebanon’s stability and resilience in a volatile regional context.