Damascus races to reassure Beirut as Trump pushes Syria to take on Hezbollah

What Happened

United States President Donald Trump has publicly proposed that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa take responsibility for curbing Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon, suggesting on 16 June at the G7 summit that Syria could perform more effectively than Israel. These remarks follow reports from 17 March that Washington had encouraged Damascus to deploy forces into eastern Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, a claim denied by US envoy Tom Barrack. Syrian officials, including President al-Sharaa and presidential adviser Ahmed Muwaffaq Zaidan, have rejected the prospect of a Syrian military or security intervention, stating on 11 and 21 June that Damascus intends to support Lebanese state institutions rather than deploy troops across the border.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The proposal to involve Syria in Lebanese security affairs represents a significant shift in US regional strategy, potentially altering the balance of power in the Levant. If pursued, such an intervention would risk inflaming sectarian tensions and drawing Syria directly into the broader regional conflict, complicating the existing security framework in southern Lebanon.

Watch For

Monitor further diplomatic exchanges between Washington and Damascus regarding the specific nature of the 'political and economic' contributions Syria might offer. Additionally, observe any potential shifts in the posture of the Lebanese state as it navigates the pressure from both the US and Syria regarding the future of Hezbollah's influence.