A US vote of confidence in Lebanon?

Despite the Trump administration’s 90-day freeze on foreign aid, the State Department announced it was unfreezing $95 million in military assistance to Lebanon. The move is seen as a vote of confidence from the US in the new political order emerging in Lebanon, and in its efforts to continue to degrade Hezbollah. Steven Howard, the Director of Policy and Outreach at the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), and Sean Mathews, a journalist for the Middle East Eye covering the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans, join Thanos Davelis to break down why these funds matter for Lebanon, which is looking to rebuild after years of crises, and for the region.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

US green lights $95 million in aid for Lebanon’s army

Trump administration approves $95m in aid to Lebanon's military

US secretary of state hails Nicosia’s strategic role

EU leaders holding emergency meeting in Brussels on defense, Ukraine

Emergency EU summit seeks to bolster defence to counter US pivot from alliance