Chairman Ros-Lehtinen on the hearing: “It’s been nearly a year since Lebanon broke its political deadlock and elected a president, making this an opportune time to assess U.S. policy toward Beirut under the new administration. Hezbollah and its patron Iran’s influence within the Lebanese government continues to grow, exacerbating longstanding concerns about U.S. cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces. The U.S. is also providing aid for a number of programs intended to encourage democracy and economic growth, in addition to assisting with the humanitarian needs of over one million Syrian refugees. This hearing will allow Members to question administration officials about U.S. objectives and programs in Lebanon, how they fit into larger U.S. interests in the region, and determine what changes to U.S. policy need to be made.”

Opening Statements

Witnesses

Mr. Michael Ratney
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
U.S. Department of State
[full text of statement]

Ms. Jeanne Pryor
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator
Bureau for the Middle East
U.S. Agency for International Development
[full text of statement]

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Hearing transcript (PDF)