{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Lebanon on the Brink: Hizballah, Iran, and the War's Spillover","description":"Hosts Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj are joined by MEI Senior Fellow Fadi Nicholas Nassar to discuss Hizballah\u2019s role in the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the implications for Lebanon. A day after the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran, Tehran\u2019s Lebanese proxy fired missiles at northern Israeli territory. Israel responded swiftly and forcefully, and Lebanon\u2019s government and population now fear the Iranian-backed militia is dragging the country back into war. The conversation explores the broader repercussions of Hizballah\u2019s actions against the backdrop of a widening war in Iran and Lebanon\u2019s quickly evolving political climate. Nassar also outlines recommendations for how Lebanon can move forward as a sovereign and effective state. &amp;nbsp; Find Nick's recent article assessing the Lebanese authorities\u2019&amp;nbsp;actions to disarm Hizballah&amp;nbsp;here. &amp;nbsp; Recorded on March 4, 2026. ","author_name":"Middle East Focus","author_url":"http:\/\/www.mei.edu","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40330000\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/199284140"}