Transatlantic Rift: Future of UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon Under Debate
The future of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, is causing a divide between the US and European allies. The Trump administration aims to wind down the operation, seeing it as inefficient, while Europe argues for extension to prevent a security vacuum that could benefit Hezbollah.
- Country:
- United States
The future of UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon is sparking tensions between the United States and its European allies, threatening regional security strategies in the Middle East. The disagreement centers on the funding and mandate of UNIFIL, a peacekeeping mission created in 1978, that has long been a point of contention.
The Trump administration has been pushing to reduce US involvement and funding, criticizing the mission as ineffective against Hezbollah's influence. European nations, however, advocate for its continuation, arguing that UNIFIL's withdrawal could create a vacuum Hezbollah might exploit, similar to past scenarios in other regions.
The debate highlights a broader transatlantic rift over international cooperation and defense strategies, intensifying as the UN Security Council's mandate renewal deadline approaches. French officials are tabling resolutions for extension, despite calls for budget cuts and operational scaling down from the US.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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