A commentary based on remarks by Channel 14 political analyst Yaakov Bardugo argues that trust in the United States is eroding across Lebanon and the wider region, while Israel is increasingly viewed as the stable actor that can provide security. Bardugo said the current 60-day ceasefire could quickly turn into 120 or even 240 days of endless negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with Israel’s role in that process described as marginal.
He said the broader Middle East is watching U.S. policy toward Iran with alarm, from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, and that the more room Washington gives Tehran, the more moderate states will want to build a counterweight. In his view, Israel must focus on creating a new security reality and avoid any repeat of the “October 6 failure.”
On Lebanon, Bardugo cited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s message, “We will stay as long as necessary,” and said that means the Israel Defense Forces will remain present so long as Hezbollah is a threat or tries to establish facts on the ground. He added that Lebanese citizens themselves understand that Israel is the only stable anchor in the region. He also claimed the IDF has full freedom of action, even beyond the “yellow line,” and rejected suggestions that soldiers are constrained.
Bardugo accused the military General Staff of politicization, saying Netanyahu recently had to bring Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir into joint statements. He contrasted Netanyahu with political alternatives such as Gadi Eisenkot, whom he said speaks the language of the American “woke” left and supports a Palestinian state and acceptance of a nuclear Iran, and with Naftali Bennett, whom he linked to a Palestinian autonomy plan and to Mansour Abbas and Ahmad Tibi. He said Netanyahu is the only leader who can speak to the Americans in terms of shared interests and argued that his ties with Donald Trump are like family ties, durable despite disagreements. Bardugo also downplayed internal Likud unrest, including moves by David Bitan, saying none of the party’s internal bodies can deliver even half a mandate, while Netanyahu is focused on winning a decisive election and pressing Israel’s fight in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and Lebanon.
