PAGER Act: U.S. Aid to Lebanon Halted Unless Hezbollah Disarmed and Disbanded

The "Preventing Armed Groups from Engaging in Radicalism Act," or PAGER Act, sets some serious conditions on U.S. support for Lebanon. Basically, it's a big "until you do this, you get nothing" to the Lebanese government and military, specifically targeting Hezbollah's influence.

Hezbollah Out, or No Cash

Starting 60 days after this Act becomes law, no Federal funds can go to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) unless the Secretary of State certifies to Congress a bunch of pretty drastic changes have happened. These include:

• Lebanon's government and parliament no longer recognizing Hezbollah, Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, and Amal as legitimate political parties. No ministers or cabinet officials can be from or allied with these groups.
• Hezbollah completely gone from Lebanon, thanks to action by the LAF and internal security forces. This is per UN Security Council Resolution 1559 (from 2004!), which calls for all militias to be disarmed.
• The LAF and internal security stepping up their presence in former Hezbollah strongholds to make sure they don't come back.
• Absolutely zero coordination, collaboration, or support between the LAF and Hezbollah, or any other group the U.S. considers a foreign terrorist organization in Lebanon.

And that's not all. No LAF member can coordinate with or get support from anyone connected to the Iranian Regime or Hezbollah. Any military aid Lebanon previously got from Iran (weapons, ammo, etc.) has to be destroyed or disarmed. Think of it like a forced, very thorough housecleaning, with the U.S. holding the purse strings until it's done to their satisfaction.

Court Cases Dismissed

There's also a clause in SEC. 2 about Lebanese courts dismissing charges and warrants against American citizens "who have advocated against Hezbollah’s influence over the Government of Lebanon." This includes American journalists who've appeared on Israeli news or had Israeli guests on their shows. It appears to protect certain Americans from legal trouble in Lebanon, but it's very specifically tied to those opposing Hezbollah.

UN Aid Cut-Off

It's not just the LAF feeling the squeeze. Starting 60 days after enactment, U.S. funds are also blocked from going to United Nations Development Programme livelihood support programs that help members of the Lebanese Armed Forces or internal security forces (SEC. 3). It is cutting off a different, but likely significant source of support.

Terrorist Designation

SEC. 4 straight-up designates Suhil Bahij Gharab as a specially designated global terrorist under Executive Order 13224. This triggers all the sanctions and restrictions that come with that designation.

Required Reading for Congress

Finally, the PAGER Act requires the Secretary of State, along with the Secretary of Defense and the CIA Director, to report to the House and Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services (SEC. 6) on Hezbollah and Iran's influence throughout the Lebanese government, including the Ministry of Defense. The first report is due 180 days after the Act's enactment, and then every 180 days after that (SEC. 5). It is forcing a regular, high-level check-up on the situation.

Real-World Impact

This bill, if enacted, will have major effects. For an average Lebanese citizen, the stability of their own government and military could be on the line. If the LAF is weakened by a lack of funding, who fills that power vacuum? For the U.S., it's a strong stance against Hezbollah, but it could also destabilize a country in a volatile region. It's a high-stakes gamble, and the consequences could be significant, both intended and unintended.