Washington, DC -- The sudden withdrawal of Israeli troops and disbanding of militias in Southern Lebanon has caught many Middle East watchers by surprise. Are UN peacekeepers up to the challenge of ensuring stability in Lebanon? Can Hezbollah be trusted to keep the peace? How will the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Southern Lebanon affect U.S. efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Syrian peace talks? Middle East specialists Jon Alterman, Ahmad Moussalli, Jeffrey Helsing, and Steven Riskin are available for questions, commentary, and analysis in examining the implications of the Israeli withdrawal from Southern Lebanon and its impact on the Middle East peace process.

• Jon B. Alterman
  
• Jeffrey Helsing
  
• Ahmad Moussalli
  
• Steven Riskin

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent organization created and funded by Congress to promote research, education, and training on the resolution of international conflicts.