By Maria Maalouf
Hezbollah has a long history of exploiting leaks and personal narratives to discredit figures who openly challenge its dominance in Lebanon.
Personal relationships should never be weaponized to undermine political positions or professional credibility. Morgan Ortagus enjoys broad respect among the Lebanese public and maintains rare credibility with Israel—making her one of the few figures capable of contributing to a genuine shift toward peace and stability in Lebanon.
This relationship was not concealed from the U.S. administration, and there is no conflict of interest involved. If anything, it may further deepen Ortagus’s understanding of—and commitment to—Lebanon.
Moreover, her association with a leading economic figure such as Antoine Sehnaoui strengthens, rather than weakens, this trajectory. Sehnaoui is widely regarded as a strong economic leader with a modern vision and extensive international connections. With figures of this caliber, Lebanon could enter a phase of economic strength and global openness reminiscent of the Rafik Hariri era—when confidence, investment, and international engagement returned to the country.
Ultimately, the only beneficiaries of this manufactured controversy are the forces of destabilization—those unsettled by the prospect of Lebanon’s recovery, liberation, and a real path toward peace.
