World

UNIFIL is leaving. Who will protect Lebanon?

For almost five decades, UN peacekeepers have patrolled southern Lebanon, one of the most dangerous and sensitive borders in the Middle East. They have witnessed wars, political crises, the rise of Hezbollah and repeated attempts to bring stability to a region that has rarely known lasting peace. Now, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon is preparing to leave. Its operations are scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2026, followed by a gradual withdrawal during 2027. The decision raises a troubling question: