Bahrain: Lebanon Needs to Show that Hezbollah Can Change Behavior

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani speaks at the Manama Dialogue security forum. Photo: International Institute for Strategic Studies
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani speaks at the Manama Dialogue security forum. Photo: International Institute for Strategic Studies
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Bahrain: Lebanon Needs to Show that Hezbollah Can Change Behavior

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani speaks at the Manama Dialogue security forum. Photo: International Institute for Strategic Studies
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani speaks at the Manama Dialogue security forum. Photo: International Institute for Strategic Studies

Bahrain's foreign minister, Abdullatif Al Zayani, said on Saturday that Lebanon needs to demonstrate that Hezbollah can change its behavior to mend a rift with Gulf Arab states.

"We (can) extend support and try to find solutions in the future, but once it is demonstrated that Hezbollah can be changing its behavior," Zayani told the IISS Manama Dialogue security forum in Bahrain.

Zayani participated in the third plenary session entitled "Diplomacy and Deterrence," which included Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Iraq's Foreign Minister of Iraq Fuad Hussein.

The Bahraini official explained that deterrence no longer applies to the behavior of nation-states, as the world faces challenges from a host of state and non-state actors, including terrorist organizations, militias, proxy groups, and many others.

He added that what might be effective as deterrence against a nation-state may not be relevant in the case of non-state actors, reported the state news agency (BNA).

He also stressed the need to move beyond seeing deterrence through the lens of military action or sanctions and what might be called "hard power" deterrence.

In the post-COVID 19 era, nations need to look at deterrence as a broader range of potential outcomes that can be leveraged to influence the behavior of potential adversaries, suggesting that "hard power" deterrence can be complemented by cyber, economic, and social deterrence, said Zayani.



Saudi Crown Prince, Russian FM Discuss Regional, International Developments

The Crown Prince welcomed Minister Lavrov and his accompanying delegation to the Kingdom on Tuesday - SPA
The Crown Prince welcomed Minister Lavrov and his accompanying delegation to the Kingdom on Tuesday - SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince, Russian FM Discuss Regional, International Developments

The Crown Prince welcomed Minister Lavrov and his accompanying delegation to the Kingdom on Tuesday - SPA
The Crown Prince welcomed Minister Lavrov and his accompanying delegation to the Kingdom on Tuesday - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The officials reviewed relations between their countries and discussed ways to enhance and develop them in various fields.They also exchanged views on regional and international developments and the efforts exerted towards them to achieve security and stability.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.
The meeting was also attended by Aide to the Russian President Yury Ushakov, Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov, and several senior officials from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.