U.S. Envoy Labels Lebanon a 'Failed State' as Syria Moves Toward Washington and the Anti-IS Coalition

U.S. envoy criticizes Lebanon; praises Syria's rapprochement with Washington

The U.S. special envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, on Saturday described Lebanon as "a failed state," criticizing what he called a "paralyzed government" in remarks at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Speaking on a panel about "U.S. Policy in the Levant," Barrack framed the comment as an expression of Washington's frustration with Beirut's inability to provide basic services while non-state actors step in.

At the same forum, Barrack also highlighted recent diplomatic developments involving Syria. He said Syrian leaders are moving closer to the United States and that Syria is expected to join the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) — a grouping Barrack described as "a big step" and "remarkable." He added that a visit to Washington by Syria's president was expected on Nov. 10, noting that such engagement would be unprecedented in decades if it proceeds.

Barrack: "The state is Hezbollah — it provides for supporters and fighters in ways the Lebanese state cannot."

Barrack argued that Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group, has assumed many social and security roles in parts of Lebanon where electricity, water and other services are unreliable. "It is really up to the Lebanese," he said, adding that the United States would be reluctant to become more deeply involved while a foreign terrorist organization and a weakened state "dictate the pace and ask for more resources and more money and more help."

On the security front, Barrack said the U.S. would not directly intervene in all regional disputes but would support its allies "if Israel becomes more aggressive toward Lebanon." He defended Israel's recent strikes in southern Lebanon as responses to what Israeli officials describe as remaining caches of rockets and missiles that pose a threat, while acknowledging the serious political risk of trying to forcibly disarm armed factions inside Lebanon.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah flared after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel and later escalated into broader clashes that culminated in a war that officially ended with a ceasefire last November. Since then, both sides have accused one another of violating the ceasefire: Israel says it continues to target Hezbollah militants, weapons depots and command centers across southern Lebanon, while Lebanese officials say some strikes have hit civilian areas and damaged infrastructure unrelated to Hezbollah.

Barrack encouraged indirect dialogue involving Israel and Syria as part of U.S.-led efforts to reduce tensions. He said a further round of de-escalation talks between Syria and Israel was expected and pointed to the 1974 framework — which established a demilitarized separation zone and a U.N. peacekeeping presence — as an example of the kind of arrangements diplomats are trying to restore.

Observers note the region remains volatile: Israeli officials say they will not allow hostile forces to entrench themselves along their borders, while many in Lebanon fear internal conflict if an attempt is made to disarm powerful militias. The United States is promoting diplomatic channels while urging Lebanese, Israeli and Syrian interlocutors to pursue negotiated steps to reduce the risk of renewed large-scale fighting.