In recent years, global conflicts have escalated in several regions, and the involvement of powerful international actors like the United States has come under intense scrutiny. One such critic, Ibrahim Farihat, a professor of international conflict resolution at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, has highlighted the role of U.S. President Joe Biden in supporting these wars with American resources and weapons, drawing attention to Lebanon as the latest theater of war.
A Broader Strategy of U.S. Involvement
According to Farihat, the war in Lebanon is not an isolated conflict but the third in a series of wars sponsored by President Biden. The U.S. has already played a major role in two other significant ongoing conflicts — Ukraine and Gaza — both of which have drawn heavily on American military and economic support. Now, Farihat suggests, Lebanon has joined this list, with the U.S. backing Israel in its fight against Hezbollah and other regional forces.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel, which has deeply impacted Gaza, has reverberated across the Middle East. As expected by many analysts, the violence spread to Lebanon. Hezbollah, a key player in Lebanon’s political and military landscape, shares significant ideological ties with Hamas, and the border skirmishes and rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been seen as a natural escalation of the war in Palestine.
Mass Casualties and the Impact on Civilians
Farihat’s analysis is especially critical of the disproportionate impact these conflicts have on civilian populations. In the context of Lebanon, the professor pointed to the alarming death toll, with nearly 500 civilians being killed in a single day — a tragedy that shocked the region. This mass casualty event raises serious questions about the scale and nature of the conflict, particularly with regard to civilian protection and human rights violations.
The international community, including Western governments, has largely remained silent in response to the massacre, drawing harsh criticism from scholars, human rights organizations, and media outlets. Farihat emphasized that the lack of diplomatic pressure on Israel to cease its aggressive military actions further fuels the conflict, allowing for unchecked violence and destruction.
Western Silence: A Critical Factor
A central point in Farihat’s argument is the disturbing silence from Western governments in the face of indiscriminate killings. Despite the widespread destruction and death in Lebanon and Gaza, no substantial statements or actions have come from leading Western nations. The professor underscores that this silence may be enabling further violence, as it suggests tacit approval or at least an unwillingness to intervene.
While Western governments, including the U.S., have justified their support for Israel as necessary for national security and stability in the region, critics like Farihat view it differently. For them, this lack of condemnation for civilian deaths is a troubling indication of the geopolitical priorities at play, where human lives take a backseat to broader strategic interests.
Implications for Lebanon and the Region
The war in Lebanon is part of a much larger conflict that has embroiled the Middle East for decades. However, the current situation has reached a new peak, with Lebanon now caught between internal instability and external pressure. Hezbollah’s involvement in the war alongside other militia groups has escalated tensions with Israel, with the possibility of a full-blown conflict growing by the day.
For Lebanon, a country already grappling with political instability, economic collapse, and a humanitarian crisis, this war could have devastating long-term consequences. The influx of refugees, the destruction of infrastructure, and the loss of life only deepen the wounds that have yet to heal from past conflicts. International actors, including the U.S., will play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome, for better or worse.
The role of the United States in the war in Lebanon, as described by Ibrahim Farihat, shines a light on the broader geopolitical strategies that are unfolding across the globe. Lebanon, like Gaza and Ukraine, has become a battleground where powerful nations exert their influence. Whether through direct military support or diplomatic silence, the U.S. continues to be a significant player in these conflicts. The consequences, however, are profound, especially for the civilians caught in the crossfire. As the war continues, calls for peace, accountability, and human rights will need to grow louder if the violence is ever to end.
