In his recent speech, MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore highlighted the agency’s focus on Iran, amidst growing threats from state actors like Russia and China. Specifically, he noted the role of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon’s political turmoil. To counter Hezbollah’s influence, the UK has long supported the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as an alternative security force.
The LAF, trained and equipped by Britain and the US, serves as a counterweight to Hezbollah’s power and Iran’s influence in Lebanon. British military involvement extends to training Lebanon’s special forces and providing essential support.
With recent escalations in the region, including Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, the role of the LAF and Hezbollah remains uncertain. The UK’s continued support for the LAF, alongside calls for a ceasefire, raises questions about British policy in the region.
As tensions rise and conflicts escalate, it remains to be seen how the UK’s investment in Lebanon’s security forces will impact the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
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