US Special Envoy delivers dual “carrot and stick” message on Hezbollah to Lebanon

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack delivered a nuanced and unprecedented message to Lebanon this week, combining stern warnings with diplomatic incentives aimed at addressing the long-standing challenge posed by Hezbollah’s weapons.

Speaking in Beirut, Barrack urged swift Lebanese action on disarming Hezbollah, emphasising the delicate regional dynamics Lebanon faces. “You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn’t move, it’s going to be Bilad Al Sham again,” he said, referencing the historical name for the Syria region. The warning sparked concern among Lebanese political circles, who interpreted it as a signal of “existential danger” if Lebanon fails to act, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, Barrack’s approach extends beyond mere threats. Government sources revealed that Barrack’s strategy is to use a combination of pressure and incentives — the so-called “carrot and stick” approach — to encourage Lebanon’s cooperation. The “stick” represents Washington’s readiness to apply pressure and sanctions, while the “carrot” offers a potential path for diplomatic and economic engagement.

In a significant shift, Barrack publicly distinguished for the first time between Hezbollah’s political and military wings. While reaffirming the US designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, he acknowledged the political wing separately, signalling a potential opening for dialogue. “It’s a message of inducement aimed directly at Hezbollah, despite the fact that Washington has long treated both branches as inseparable,” said a source familiar with the envoy’s message.

Following sharp criticism of his “Bilad Al Sham” remark, Barrack clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that his comments praised Syria’s recent diplomatic advances, not a threat to Lebanon. He highlighted Syria’s rapid re-engagement with regional and international partners, facilitated by the easing of sanctions and increased investment from Turkey and Gulf countries.

Barrack stressed that Syria seeks “coexistence and shared prosperity with Lebanon based on sovereign equality” and that the United States supports a bilateral relationship promoting “peace, prosperity, and mutual respect” between the two neighbours.

The envoy’s calibrated message underscores Washington’s broader regional strategy: applying pressure on Hezbollah’s military capabilities while encouraging political integration and peaceful coexistence through diplomatic engagement. This dual approach aims to gradually reshape Lebanon’s internal balance and reduce the influence of armed groups, while fostering stability in a volatile region.

By Vugar Khalilov