The Fear Factor: Tom Barrack’s Strategy in Lebanon

IMAGE: Tom Barrack, United States Ambassador to Türkiye and US special envoy to Lebanon

Last Friday, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated that the group ‘will not disarm as long as Israel’s assaults and occupation persist,’ cautioning that if the government takes action against Hezbollah, “there will be no life in Lebanon.” At the heart of these tensions is the tireless work of Tom Barrack, the US Special Envoy in Lebanon, who over the past few months has been putting pressure on Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, intensifying openly the pressure on his cabinet to compel Hezbollah to disarm, in other words, openly advocating for civil war in Lebanon.

U.S ENVOY ADVOCATING FOR CIVIL WAR IN LEBANON

Dive into this explosive revelation about the U.S envoy openly promoting conflict in Lebanon. Curious about how international diplomacy can spiral into chaos? This clip breaks down the high-stakes game behind the Middle East… pic.twitter.com/suxu7sphAx

— Patrick Henningsen (@21WIRE) October 20, 2025

Ibrahim Majed, an astute Lebanese analyst and researcher, holds the view that Israel, with support from the United States, aims to disrupt the ceasefire in Lebanon and violate UN Resolution 1701. In a post on X, Ibrahim articulates how Israel and the United States are advocating for a new agreement that would take into account the “shifting power dynamics”, which ultimately would benefit Israel significantly. In this case, Tom Barrack’s role is to inject fear into the Lebanese government using the threat of repeated Israeli attacks and the partial occupation of southern Lebanon as a means to precipitate a new agreement; this, despite Israel’s total lack of interest in authentic discussions with both Lebanon and Syria.

Israel, Backed by the United States, Seeks to Undermine Lebanon Ceasefire and UN Resolution 1701

Recent developments indicate that Israel, with the backing of the United States, is actively seeking to undermine the ceasefire arrangements with Lebanon.
Their objective extends… pic.twitter.com/0xGJXF9qnS

— Ibrahim Majed (@ibrahimtmajed) October 21, 2025

The U.S. envoy cautioned that not disarming Hezbollah might provoke a new Israeli military action and postpone Lebanon’s parliamentary elections. This warning was issued a week following Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s appeal for direct talks with Israel to address unresolved matters, such as the delineation of the land border.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem accuses the Lebanese government of “acting in favour of Israel and enabling the deaths of both fighters and civilians,” warning that it would be fully accountable for “any internal strife or devastation that might arise in Lebanon.” Earlier this month, the United States allocated $230 million to strengthen Lebanon’s security forces in their fight against Hezbollah, distributing $190 million to the army and $40 million for internal security.

In an unusually lengthy post on X, dated Oct 20, 2025, Barrack discusses the United States’ “One More Try” proposal, which outlines a strategy for gradual disarmament, monitored compliance, and economic incentives overseen by the U.S. and France. However, Lebanon chose not to accept this offer because of Hezbollah’s representation and influence within the Lebanese Council of Ministers.

A Personal Perspective – Syria and Lebanon Are the Next Pieces for Levant Peace

By Ambassador Tom Barrack

October 13, 2025, will be remembered as a defining moment in modern Middle Eastern diplomacy. In Sharm el-Sheikh, world leaders did more than celebrate the release of…

— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) October 20, 2025

According to a report from Al Manar TV,  during the launch ceremony for the book “Singing and Music – Studies by Imam Ali Khamenei”, Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the US administration and its representative Thomas Barrack need to understand that they should cease their threats to undermine Lebanon’s strength and integrate it into ‘Greater Israel’.

The report indicates that Imam Ali Khamenei asserted, “Despite global collusion, ‘Israel’ has not succeeded and will not succeed in its objectives. Netanyahu may claim he kills indiscriminately, but he cannot assert that he has secured stability or that the future is in favor of the Israeli entity.” He added, “When Netanyahu talks about ‘Greater Israel’, it serves the interests of Greater America, as evidenced by Trump’s actions worldwide.”

On this special occasion, Sheikh Qassem further stated, “Lebanon will not concede to ‘Israel’ or America’s demands, as long as there exists a proud populace ready to make significant sacrifices.” He further remarked, “We are in a phase of conflict that is both painful and hopeful, because Israel has not met its aims and will not meet them.” Sheikh Qassem emphasises that Lebanon’s stability hinges on halting Israel’s aggression, stating, “Lebanon must continue to be a sovereign, free, dignified, independent, strong, and capable nation.”

It would appear that not just southern Lebanon is facing aggression (occupation), but the very sovereignty of Lebanon itself is at stake, as Israel seeks to diminish the Lebanese army to merely a police force stationed along the Awali River, serving as an extra buffer zone to safeguard Israel…

The New Arab reports…

US envoy Barrack threatens Lebanon with Israel war if Hezbollah is ‘not disarmed’

Tom Barrack said that Lebanon is likely to face ‘a major Israeli confrontation’ if the country fails to act on Hezbollah’s disarmament.

US envoy Tom Barrack has threatened Lebanon with Israeli attacks if it fails to disarm Hezbollah, in a new warning on Sunday.

Barrack warned that if Beirut “fails to act now”, Hezbollah’s military wing will inevitably face “a major confrontation with Israel”.

“Should Beirut continue to hesitate, Israel may act unilaterally – and the consequences would be grave,” he warned in a lengthy post on X.

Hezbollah’s disarmament has been a topic of contention in recent months in Lebanon. US envoys have been putting pressure on President Joseph Aoun and his cabinet to disarm the group, which has resisted such calls and refused to lay down its weapons.

Barrack also revealed an offer the United States made to Lebanon earlier this year, part of a plan called “One More Try”, which included a framework for phased disarmament, verified compliance, and economic incentives under American and French supervision.

However, Lebanon “refused to adopt it due to Hezbollah’s representation and influence in the Lebanese cabinet”, he claimed.

The US envoy spoke of Washington’s efforts to push Lebanon towards a peaceful solution with Israel, allegedly “by offering incentives, linking reconstruction aid from Gulf states through US, French and UN oversight, and strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces through targeted training and support”.

This month, the US said it committed more than $200 million in additional funding to the Lebanese army.

Barrack also went on to criticise the Lebanese leadership in his post, saying its divided Council of Ministers “sends mixed messages” to the Lebanese Armed Forces, who lack “the funding and authority to act”.

“Washington was willing to provide diplomatic cover for Hezbollah’s peaceful political transition, coordinate regional statements linking investment to progress, and help Beirut present disarmament not as surrender but as a restoration of sovereignty”.

But “all of these initiatives have faltered while the rest of the region hastened to expel Iran’s terrorist proxies”, he said.

He also questioned how Lebanon “allows” for Iran to continue funding Hezbollah in spite of sanctions.

Barrack stressed that Hezbollah’s disarmament “is not only Israel’s security imperative, but Lebanon’s opportunity for renewal”. He warned that foreign control of Hezbollah, in a likely reference to Iran, “undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty, deters investment and erodes public confidence”.

“Lebanon faces a defining choice: to seize the path of national renewal or remain mired in paralysis and decline.”

In his lengthy post, Barrack spoke about “peace initiatives” for Lebanon and Syria, from his own perspective.

He also warned that in the event of an Israel attack against Hezbollah, the group will “almost certainly seek to postpone” the scheduled May 2026 parliamentary elections, and throw Lebanon into chaos.

In his post, Barrack confirmed that newly appointed US ambassador Michel Issa will visit Lebanon next month “to help steer a steady course through these complex issues”.

This comes as Joseph Aoun called for indirect negotiations with Israel on Monday “to find solutions” as Israeli forces continue to violate the ceasefire agreement, which came into force in November 2024.

According to a statement from the presidency, Aoun said: “The Lebanese state has previously negotiated with Israel under US and UN auspices, which resulted in an agreement to demarcate the maritime border.”

“We cannot be outside the current path in the region, which is the path of crisis resolution, and we must be part of it, as we can no longer tolerate more war, destruction, killing, and displacement.”

Hundreds of breaches have been reported, including attacks which have killed over 100 people. On Monday, Israeli airstrikes were reported in several villages of the Jezzine district.

Israeli forces also continue to be stationed in five “strategic” hilltops, in another violation of the ceasefire.

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Source: https://21stcenturywire.com/2025/10/22/the-fear-factor-tom-barracks-strategy-in-lebanon/