Commentators Analyze Hariri/Hezbollah Strength after Walkout

Writing for Foreign Policy, Elias Muhanna called Hezbollah’s walkout “uncharacteristically shortsighted” as it undermines Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s ability to make conciliatory gestures toward the group when the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) indictments are released. Emile Hokayem assessed that Hariri was unlikely to have emerged from the situation strongly regardless, as distancing himself from the tribunal would have caused ire among Sunnis in his government, whereas supporting the tribunal would have led to a continuation of the internal deadlock. However, Hokayem argued the walkout has left Hezbollah in a stronger position and advises Hariri to “bank on the missteps of the opposition,” especially given his popularity among Sunnis and Hezbollah’s opposition to the STL.  Nicholas Noe, writing at The Guardian’s Comment Is Free, argued that the situation was avoidable and points blame at past and present U.S. administrations who failed to construct an effective policy towards Lebanon and relations with Hezbollah.