Episode 497: Israel’s Northern Exposure - with Matt Levitt - Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

Is Israel heading toward another war with Hezbollah, or is it already in one?

Dan is joined by counterterrorism expert Matt Levitt to unpack the fragile reality between Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah. While Hezbollah was significantly degraded, the threat never disappeared. Even as diplomatic efforts try to stabilize the situation, Israel is now actively working to prevent the group from rebuilding.

They discuss life in Israel’s north, Hezbollah’s status in Lebanon, the limits of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the risks of escalation. The conversation also explores new U.S.-backed diplomacy, and whether there’s a real path to long-term stability, or just a managed conflict.

In this episode:

4:20 – What the 2024 ceasefire was supposed to accomplish

5:55 – How much of Hezbollah’s capabilities were actually degraded

6:55 – Why life in northern Israel still hasn’t returned to normal

11:20 – Inside the IDF’s ongoing campaign in southern Lebanon

17:10 – Why the Lebanese Armed Forces haven’t fully disarmed Hezbollah

21:50 – Hezbollah’s role inside Lebanese politics and society today

25:10 – The threat of Hezbollah’s Unit 121 and internal intimidation

27:10 – New U.S.-led diplomacy and whether it can change the equation

36:10 – Whether Israel may need a long-term presence in southern Lebanon

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