Talks of life: can Israel and Lebanon find peace?

This episode of The Intelligence from The Economist explores the fragile prospect of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon amid an ongoing military offensive in Lebanon. With Israeli forces conducting airstrikes targeting Hezbollah and over a million Lebanese civilians displaced, the possibility of diplomacy has emerged, spurred by rare U.S.-mediated negotiations and a public push from Donald Trump. While both nations share an interest in a ceasefire and the disarmament of Hezbollah, deep structural challenges remain: Israel seeks long-term security zones and Lebanese cooperation, while Lebanon struggles with a weak army and Hezbollah’s entrenched power. The U.S. finds itself balancing diplomatic engagement with broader strategic goals, particularly its desire for a deal with Iran. Meanwhile, the episode shifts to domestic policy, examining the UK’s triple lock pension system—a policy praised for protecting pensioners but criticized for fiscal instability, volatility, and regressive impacts on future generations. The discussion highlights how the policy’s design undermines public finances and the social contract, even as it benefits current retirees. Finally, the episode turns to football, spotlighting Uzbekistan’s historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup, driven by investment in youth development and a national identity tied to regional pride.