Trump wants Syria to fight Hezbollah, alarming Lebanon and Israel

Key Points:

• U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Syria, led by an Islamist insurgent government, should take over the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon instead of Israel, a proposal that has surprised regional actors and raised alarms.
• Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has denied intentions to intervene militarily in Lebanon, stating that Trump's comments were misunderstood and emphasizing Syria's focus on peace and rebuilding.
• Syria's new leadership, which opposes Hezbollah's involvement in the Syrian conflict, aims to avoid regional entanglements and concentrate on domestic recovery, despite historical ties between Assad's regime and Hezbollah.
• Experts and regional observers criticize Trump's proposal as lacking understanding of the complex realities on the ground, highlighting Syria's internal challenges and the sectarian tensions that could be inflamed by such an intervention.
• Israel remains wary of Syria's government and its potential influence in Lebanon, but its primary concern continues to be Hezbollah's military capabilities amid ongoing regional conflicts involving Iran and its proxies.