Strategies for Bolstering the Lebanese Armed Forces and Restoring State Sovereignty

The lack of effective sovereignty within the Lebanese state remains a primary obstacle to negotiations with Israel and efforts to disarm Hizballah. As hostilities between Israel and Hizballah intensified, the United States initiated diplomatic talks between the Israeli government and the Lebanese administration in April. Despite these efforts, combat persists, and Hizballah has recently declined a proposed ceasefire agreement.

In a landmark development in 2025, the Lebanese government outlined plans for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to facilitate the disarmament of Hizballah. However, implementation has been sluggish, driven in part by concerns that aggressive maneuvers could trigger internal fragmentation within the military. Compounding these tensions, Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of dozens of Lebanese security personnel, further straining the relationship between the Lebanese government and Israel.

While the United States provides ongoing support to the LAF, there is broad international and domestic consensus regarding the need to establish a highly capable and sovereign military. To explore practical avenues for support, we consulted four experts on the specific steps the United States and its partners can take to fortify the Lebanese government and its armed forces.

Faysal Itani, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Policy Council
The Lebanese Armed Forces require assistance specifically designed to deter or defeat Hizballah. While the military’s capabilities are often underestimated, they are currently crippled by severe financial instability. The inability to provide consistent salaries has forced personnel, including high-ranking officers, to seek secondary employment. This economic strain undermines the commitment of soldiers during politically sensitive and high-stakes confrontations—an advantage currently held by Hizballah. The LAF’s most urgent requirements are fundamental: sustainable funding, ammunition, and specialized training.

Ultimately, the challenge of confronting Hizballah is defined less by a lack of military hardware and more by Lebanon’s complex political and social landscape. With approximately one-quarter of the military composed of members from the Shiite community—the same constituency that forms Hizballah’s foundation—there is a significant risk that soldiers may refuse orders to engage their own community or, in extreme scenarios, turn against the state.

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