An episode looking at the possibilities for state-to-state engagement, direct diplomacy and constructive dialogue between Lebanon and Iran.

With Michael Young - senior editor at Carnegie’s Middle East Center and editor of Diwan.

Articles mentioned in this episode include

"Israel can inflict even more damage if Hezbollah doesn't disarm"

https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2025/08/13/how-much-damage-can-israel-cause-if-hezbollah-doesnt-disarm/

"Hezbollah’s Margin is Tightening - The Lebanese government’s efforts to secure a monopoly over weapons are advancing, but can it ignore Iran?"

https://carnegieendowment.org/middle-east/diwan/2025/08/hezbollahs-margin-is-tightening?lang=en

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Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:12 Diplomacy with Iran

4:56 What Iran wants

7:53 What the Iranians and Americans are discussing

8:47 The Lebanese Forces' rejection to Larijani's visit

11:57 Lebanese state as interlocutor

13:15 Deadline for disarmament

14:34 Comparisons to earlier attempts at militia disarmament

15:37 Israeli entry into the fight

17:10 Betting on time

20:48 US goals vis-a-vis dialogue with Iran

21:52 A normal relationship with Iran

25:05 Letter to Rouhani