Jumblatt Warns of Regional Fragmentation, Criticizes Both Hezbollah and Its Opponents

From Paris, Walid Jumblatt—a dominant figure in Lebanese politics for nearly five decades—offers a grim assessment of his country's trajectory and the broader Middle Eastern landscape. Speaking with a measured tone weighted by memories of conflict, the 77-year-old former Progressive Socialist Party chief conveys profound unease about the accelerating fragmentation of the region as he has known it.

The remarks emerge from interviews conducted around the launch of his memoir, "Fate in the East," as reported by journalist Hala Kadmani in the French publication Liberation. Jumblatt characterizes the current Lebanese and regional political environment as having descended into "total chaos," with wars he describes as "destroying Lebanon and the entire Middle East."

Rejecting Western geographical terminology, Jumblatt dismisses labels like "Middle East" and "Far East" as "Orientalist terms invented by the colonial West." He prefers the designation "the East," which he defines to encompass Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel.

The autobiography, developed in collaboration with historian Sebastien de Courtet, arrives nearly half a century after his father Kamal Jumblatt published his own account. Kamal Jumblatt was killed in March 1977 by Syrian intelligence during Lebanon's civil war. "As an only son, it was impossible for me to escape my fate and the fate of my ancestors since the nineteenth century," Jumblatt reflects.

He traces his ascent to leadership of the Druze community and his party following his father's death, noting that while he adopted Kamal's political approach, he rejected his spiritual and religious teachings. His father had attempted to instill "spiritual joy" in him during youth, but Jumblatt rebelled against this instruction.

The former leader emphasizes the formative role of women throughout his life—from his Francophone Lebanese mother to his grandmother known as the "Queen of the Mountain," and to his current wife, Nora Sharabati, whom he describes as his "partner and protector." He contends that women remain underrecognized in Lebanese and Arab political spheres, pointing to his implementation of a 30% women's quota within his party.

Though he has transferred political leadership to his son Taymour Jumblatt, elected as a representative since 2018, the elder Jumblatt maintains involvement in political matters. However, he expresses frustration that his voice carries diminishing weight amid the region's deepening polarization.

Regarding Hezbollah, Jumblatt acknowledges a fundamental breakdown in communication. "I can no longer, and I no longer know how, to talk to Hezbollah," he states. During Hassan Nasrallah's tenure, dialogue remained possible, but following Nasrallah's assassination by Israel in 2024, "there are no longer any interlocutors. The new leadership is completely under Iranian influence."

Yet he extends criticism to Hezbollah's opponents as well, characterizing Lebanese opposed to the party as "completely extremist." He takes particular aim at Samir Geagea, suggesting he "is acting like Moses," and laments that all sides have "entered a cycle of violence and insults, while the rational voice disappeared."

Jumblatt addresses the recent tensions in Suwayda and broader Druze areas of Syria following President Ahmed al-Sharaa's rise to power. He recounts attempting to mediate between Syrian Druze and Damascus forces during confrontations in summer 2025, an effort that drew severe backlash. "I have become considered a traitor by the Syrian Druze," he reveals, while warning against escalating "Druze isolationism" and separatist movements that he claims receive Israeli encouragement.

He identifies what he characterizes as a longstanding Israeli strategy aimed at "creating sectarian, religious and tribal entities to dismantle the entire region," observing that this approach has gained renewed prominence. In his regional analysis, Jumblatt describes "general chaos" engulfing the Levant, accusing Israel of wielding "complete immunity" enabling it to "destroy Gaza and southern Lebanon and complete settlement in the West Bank."

Regarding the broader conflict with Iran, Jumblatt predicts prolonged confrontation, arguing that multiple interests—from defense contractors to energy producers and technology firms using the Gulf as a testing ground—benefit from sustained tension.

As the interview concludes, Jumblatt's outlook darkens considerably. He acknowledges being "completely pessimistic," a sentiment that may resonate with many Lebanese observing their region enter what appears to be an unpredictable period of profound realignment.