Sam Menassa

Sam Menassa

Lebanon Is at a Crossroad: Either Peace or an Alternative Arena

It has been a month since Israel launched its war against Lebanon and Hezbollah in response to the latter's "support and harassment" in backing Hamas in Gaza since October 8, 2023. Following the lethal blows dealt to the party, most notably the assassination of its Secretary-General Hassan…

Al-Aqsa Flood: Militias Drown as the State Returns

The main conclusion that can be drawn a year after the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation in the Gaza Envelope and the launch of the “support” war from Lebanon, is that this "flood" has drowned those behind it. Hamas has been reduced to Yahya Sinwar and his small entourage; Hezbollah has lost Sayyed Hassan…

Has the Hour of ‘Abandonment’ Arrived?

It is not the time to address the earth-shattering attack on the central command of Hezbollah, the horrific assassination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and the regional and international repercussions of the attack. The operation crowned an unprecedented wave of escalation using airstrikes, drones,…

An Arab Vision for America’s Changed Presidency

American presidential debates have only changed the course of the race twice. The first time this happened was in the race between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, who outperformed his rival. The second it happened was when Joe Biden faltered in his debate with Donald Trump, compelling Biden to…

A State in a Hole and a Party in a Tunnel

Hezbollah recently released a video depicting a military facility in which vehicles loaded with missiles move across extensive, fortified, and illuminated tunnels. There had been talk about Hezbollah's tunnels before it made these unprecedented revelations. However, the matter did not receive the…

The Failures of Piecemeal Diplomacy and the Day After

All eyes are on the negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. Despite the strenuous efforts, however, the picture does not seem rosy. The talks could falter as they had before, bringing us back to square one. Even if we assume that the negotiations will succeed, a compromise is reached…

From Kidnapped Hostages to a Kidnapped Region

Benjamin Netanyahu was not content with kidnapping Israel itself, Palestine, Lebanon, and perhaps Syria. He has decided to take the entire region hostage before finishing the Gaza war and drag it to the place it wants to avoid. No one following regional developments a year ago, and no experts in…

The Ceilings of a Hypothetical Dialogue with Hezbollah

In light of the current impasse in Lebanon, there has been a lot of talk about dialogue. However, there are differences around the nature of this dialogue: Is it a dialogue or consultation? Between groups or a duo? The country will be back in the labyrinth of futile debates. Meanwhile, the…

The Implications of the Gaza War Ending for Lebanon

A ceasefire agreement between Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas hangs in the balance. The two men principally concerned know that it would spell the end of the war, and that ending the war means the beginning of their political end. The war will end one day, whether through a negotiated ceasefire that…

Peace Amid Mutual Deterrence and the Impotence of Extremists

The World Economic Forum held in Riyadh last week strengthened the momentum of the ongoing negotiations. Its speakers could be heard over the sounds of the weapons fired in Gaza, and the white smoke rising from Riyadh overshadowed the black smoke over Tel Aviv. A ceasefire that leads to the release…