U.S.-Lebanon defense relations burgeoned considerably over the last three years, during which time the United States has provided the LAF with nearly $400 million in security assistance. …
The charge that the LAF will not confront terrorists ignores the real steps the LAF has taken in recent years. … It has confiscated numerous weapons caches and, no less important, it represents an important step in the Lebanese government’s effort to expand its presence throughout the country. In 2007, the LAF successfully confronted Fatah al-Islam, a Palestinian terrorist group, in a bloody urban war. … Moreover, as the LAF has grown stronger, discussions have begun on Hezbollah’s weaponry, a previously taboo subject.
The second criticism—that materiel given to the LAF will leak to Hezbollah—ignores a little-known fact: Since the conclusion of the Lebanese civil war, the LAF has had an impeccable end-use monitoring record. … Because of the LAF’s diligence in keeping track of its materiel, the U.S. government has felt comfortable supplying it with various equipment and weaponry. …
Of course, at the end of the day, a military force is only as capable as its political leadership permits it to be. While that leadership in Lebanese has taken important steps over the last few years, the challenges it faces will only continue to grow. As Israelis know well, Lebanon is a state whose government has not held a monopoly over arms for a long time. As a first step, however, the U.S. effort to train and equip the LAF in recent years has been conducted appropriately and has made real gains. Those in Israel who question it would do well to consider if they would prefer a weak LAF unable and unwilling to confront terrorists. Access the full article>>
