Israel’s High-Stakes Diplomacy: Leveraging War for a Northern Peace

Israel is engaged in a high-stakes diplomatic game, leveraging the outcome of its war with Hezbollah to pursue a comprehensive peace on its northern border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed the government’s strategy on Sunday, confirming active talks with Syria and a new opening with Lebanon.
The biggest prize on the table is a peace treaty with Syria, a nation that has been an enemy since Israel’s founding. The ouster of Bashar al-Assad put this prize within reach, and the new Syrian government is at the negotiating table, with one of its officials hoping for a security deal by the year’s end.
In Lebanon, the game is to isolate and weaken Hezbollah, forcing the Lebanese state to fill the power vacuum. Israel continues to use its military leverage with targeted strikes, while the U.S. applies diplomatic pressure on Beirut. This has resulted in the Lebanese government folding and agreeing to disarm the militia.
Netanyahu laid his cards on the table in his statement. “Our victories in Lebanon against Hezbollah have opened a window for… peace,” he said, revealing the core of his high-stakes strategy. He acknowledged “some progress” in the Syrian negotiations, a key part of his gambit.
The chips are now starting to fall Israel’s way. Syria is discussing a demilitarized zone, a major concession. Lebanon has committed to disarming Hezbollah in the south, a move that would significantly enhance Israeli security. The high-stakes bet on leveraging war for peace appears to be paying off.