{
  "id": 8067250,
  "title": "Now or never: The fragile path to Lebanon normalization - interview",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/now-or-never-the-fragile-path-to-lebanon-normalization-interview",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T17:48:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/international/article-908858"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The intricate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon stand at a critical juncture, according to Morgan Ortagus, a former senior US envoy on Israeli-Lebanese relations. Ortagus likens the current situation to being \"halfway down the aisle,\" emphasizing that there is no definitive timeline for reaching a final agreement. She stresses that the potential for peace between Jerusalem and Beirut represents one of the most consequential and delicate opportunities in the region in recent years.\n\nOrtagus attributes the emergence of this opportunity to the significant weakening of Hezbollah and the shifting power dynamics among Israel, Lebanon, and Iran. Unlike many diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East, this one originated not in Washington but with the Lebanese people themselves. As she explains, \"The genesis came from the Lebanese people saying to me, 'We have to go for peace. It's now or never.'\"\n\nOrtagus, who previously served as a spokesperson for the State Department during President Donald Trump's first term, participated in a small team working on what would become the Abraham Accords. Despite the group's efforts, which were often conducted without certainty of success, Ortagus remains committed to the cause. With the backdrop of the October 7 attacks, the Middle East has undergone significant changes since the Abraham Accords.\n\nLebanon has long posed a challenge for the United States, with the country facing multiple wars and crises, including Gaza, Iran's influence, and economic difficulties. Ortagus recognized the need for the Lebanese state to regain political, economic, and military agency, but acknowledged the difficulties. Lebanon's economic crisis, the reconstruction needs of Syria and Gaza, and the potential return of Hezbollah create a complex situation.\n\nFor potential donors, the prospect of rebuilding southern Lebanon may seem like an additional financial burden. Ortagus emphasizes the difficulty of convincing both parties to invest billions in rebuilding southern Lebanon while maintaining the fear that Hezbollah will eventually reclaim the territory. Ultimately, Ortagus believes that Lebanon's Shi'i population may be the key audience for any future Israel-Lebanon peace agreement. She questions how to demonstrate to the Shi'ites that normal relations with Israel will lead to a markedly better life compared to their continued dependency on Iran.",
  "summary": "Then comes the inevitable American analogy. “This is not a football game,” senior diplomat Morgan Ortagus says, explaining why she cannot predict when the negotiations will produce a final agreement.",
  "key_points": [
    "Morgan Ortagus likens current Israel-Lebanon negotiations to being halfway down the aisle",
    "Opportunity for peace emerges from Lebanese people demanding to go for peace",
    "Lebanon's Shi i population may be key audience for future Israel-Lebanon peace"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}