Dear MEPIN Readers,
Today, I was interviewed by my friend and colleague Laura Cellier for Misgav, the Institute for National Security, one of Israel’s leading think tanks.
As Iran continues to test President Trump, targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening American allies from Kuwait to the UAE and Bahrain, and refusing to fully reopen international waterways or make the concessions needed to demonstrate an end to its nuclear weapons ambitions, the IRGC appears convinced it can outlast and outweigh U.S. pressure. This is before even considering Iran’s ballistic missile program and continued support for regional proxies.
In Lebanon, the administration has largely accepted Iranian demands by restraining Israeli operations against Hezbollah in its southern Beirut stronghold, while placing hope in Lebanese-Israeli diplomatic talks at the ambassadorial level. That hope is misplaced. As long as Hezbollah remains Lebanon’s dominant force and is deeply embedded within the Lebanese state and security apparatus, meaningful progress is unlikely.
To look beyond the headlines and discuss what should be done to advance U.S. security interests, I invite you to watch the interview and share your thoughts.