Michael Young

At the heart of the problem is Lebanon’s deep dysfunctionality as a state

The country is being buffeted by all sides in the region, with limited capacities to satisfy any one of them

There's only a narrow domestic margin of manoeuvre that Lebanon has to expand the military delegation to include civilians,

It's proving hard to disarm Hamas, and it's likely to be difficult with Hezbollah, too

Beirut should also explore whether other countries can help

Hezbollah might be willing to surrender its weapons if reform, or the Taif Agreement, were implemented fully

Washington should return to its initial proposal that included a step-by-step process

If Hezbollah insists on maintaining its weapons, Israel's reaction is unlikely to be what the Lebanese want

Country's old elites remain threatened by Tarek Bitar's investigation

The neighbours need to address their mutual resentments with an open mind

US envoy Tom Barrack’s recent visit to Beirut opens the door to a new phase, but one that puts its leaders in a quandary

The country's situation has changed too much for Unifil to go on as it is

The results have further entrenched the sectarian parties – at a time when regional dynamics demand the opposite

Washington is giving Hezbollah an excuse to delay disarmament by stalling conditions of its ceasefire proposal for Lebanon – mainly Israeli withdrawal

Lebanon's new government knows the way to consolidate state power is through a more gradual approach