According to a report by Al Jazeera on June 3, 2026, Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon may be driven less by declared security concerns and more by domestic political calculations surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future, according to security analyst Colin Clarke of the Soufan Center.
Clarke argued that the continuation of the conflict is closely tied to Netanyahu’s personal political situation. “I don’t even think about it as the Israelis. I think about it as Benjamin Netanyahu and his need to continue the war machine to avoid judicial culpability,” Clarke told Al Jazeera. “Once the music stops, you have to look for a chair, and he’s facing a lot of pressure back home domestically in Israel.”
He further suggested that Israel’s campaign in Lebanon cannot be sustained without backing from Washington, stressing that the United States ultimately holds decisive influence over the conflict’s direction.
“There will not be a continuation of this war without US support. Netanyahu can convince President Trump to launch a war, and President Trump can reverse that pressure and end the war.”
Clarke added that Washington must recognize the limits of military power in resolving the conflict. He warned that expectations of a complete Iranian collapse were unrealistic. “The Iranians are not going to fully surrender or capitulate. This is not a paper tiger you can overthrow overnight like Venezuela. Once that’s understood, I think he can do it.”
The remarks come amid continued regional tensions and escalating Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, which have drawn concern over long-term stability in the region…..See More
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