Israel’s Northern Exposure - with Matt Levitt

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:

- What the 2024 ceasefire was supposed to accomplish

- How much of Hezbollah’s capabilities were actually degraded

- Why life in northern Israel still hasn’t returned to normal

- Inside the IDF’s ongoing campaign in southern Lebanon

- Why the Lebanese Armed Forces haven’t fully disarmed Hezbollah

- Hezbollah’s role inside Lebanese politics and society today

- The threat of Hezbollah’s Unit 121 and internal intimidation

- New U.S.-led diplomacy and whether it can change the equation

- Whether Israel may need a long-term presence in southern Lebanon

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Credits: Ilan Benatar, Adaam James Levin-Areddy, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo