BEIRUT, Lebanon — Many Lebanese citizens voiced distrust toward American foreign policy ahead of the U.S. presidential election, expressing doubt that the outcome would affect Lebanon’s political future.
For many, the elections are seen as distant and irrelevant, especially in light of recent U.S. efforts to mediate in the region, which critics described as ineffective. Last week, American attempts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah collapsed, with sources close to the negotiations describing the U.S. proposal as “unrealistic” and noting Israel’s insistence on enforcing any truce terms directly.
“The U.S. election has nothing to do with Lebanon,” said Joseph, a Lebanese resident. “To solve Lebanon’s problems, foreign interference needs to stop. Let us elect a president, form a clean government, and rebuild on our own. Linking our conflict to the U.S. is just not accurate.”
Polling in the United States shows a close race, with Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, backed by strong support among female voters, and former President Donald J. Trump, 78, gaining traction with Hispanic voters, particularly men.
Meanwhile, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified, adding tension along the southern Lebanese border. Israel recently announced that it uncovered Hezbollah tunnels and weapons depots in southern Lebanon, alleging that the Iran-backed group was planning an attack larger than Hamas’s October 7 assault. The escalating clashes run parallel to the ongoing Gaza conflict, amplifying anxieties in Lebanon about renewed regional instability.
