Economist Podcasts Who will deal the final blow? Israel, Lebanon and Hizbullah
76 snips
Mar 20, 2026 
Gareth Browne, a Beirut-based Middle East correspondent, tracks Israel’s calculations, Hizbullah’s weakness and Lebanon’s struggle to reclaim sovereignty. Sue-Lin Wong, an Asia correspondent covering politics and society, explores why Islam is becoming more central in public life across South-East Asia. There is also a brief tribute to philosopher Jürgen Habermas.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Why Anger At Hizbullah Turned Into Patriotism
- Lebanese anger at Hizbullah briefly surged after it pulled the country into war, but Israel’s massive strikes quickly revived a rally-around-the-flag response.
- Gareth Browne says Hizbullah’s social contract has frayed because Iran-linked funding problems left it unable to rebuild southern Lebanon after the 2024 war.
Lebanon Starts Saying The Unsayable About Hizbullah
- Israel sees a uniquely weak Hizbullah and may aim for a decisive end, not another temporary ceasefire.
- Browne says the deeper shift is inside Lebanon, where the government now openly talks about disarming a group once too dangerous even to discuss.
Why The Lebanese State Must Move Before Israel Does
- Lebanon’s army may not need an immediate showdown with Hizbullah, but visible state action now could be its last chance to preserve sovereignty.
- Browne warns that weak pay, second jobs and sectarian displacement make inaction dangerous because Israeli occupation and internal fracture could follow.