Forever at war? US, Iran trade blows as Israel pushes deeper into Lebanon


Issued on: 01/06/2026 - 
Play (42:50 min)From the show

What happened to that four-week campaign that the Pentagon promised? Overnight volleys between Iran and the United States are met by many with a shrug, so often has the current ceasefire been violated. Even the deal in the works is mostly to roll over that fragile truce and open more talks, not to permanently settle differences. Ceasefires and their violations seem to be the norm, as Israel and Hezbollah continue to trade blows and US-brokered truces for both Lebanon and Gaza go mostly ignored.


We ask if the taking of the Crusaders-era castle at Beaufort in Lebanon is a PR stunt, or are Israelis digging in at what was an army command centre for nearly two decades during the last occupation of south Lebanon?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu espouses a super Sparta state mentality to national security, insisting that Israel – like the Ancient Greek state – embrace a permanent war footing. Do the benefits outweigh the costs for an Israeli leader who's again up for re-election?

And what about for Hezbollah, the Iranian regime and a United States whose leaders promised no more boots on the ground but who under Donald Trump has increasingly made use of or threatened military might around the globe. Does that project strength or weakness? And is it sustainable?

Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Charles Wente.

OUR GUESTS

Rina BASSISTCorrespondent for Al Monitor
Nadim HOURYExecutive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative
Adam WEINSTEINResearcher, Quincy Institute
Michael PREGENTFormer intelligence officer; National security consultant

BY:

François PICARD

Rebecca GNIGNATI

Juliette Laffont

Ilayda HABIP

Charles WENTE

VIDEO BY:

François PICARD