James Stavridis, former NATO supreme allied commander, says Israel-Hezbollah

James Stavridis, former NATO supreme allied commander, says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire a ‘direct result’ of incoming Trump admin

“Iran [is] very vulnerable. What that means is that in the fight that Israel continues to have with Hezbollah … you’re seeing Hezbollah willing to go to a ceasefire,” he told radio host John Catsimatidis in a Sunday interview on “The Cats Roundtable” on WABC 770 AM.

“I think that’s a direct result of the presence of a new Trump administration coming on.”

The truce, which started Wednesday, was seen as the first step toward resolving conflict in the region following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. However, both Hezbollah and Israel have accused each other of violating the agreement.

Stavridis says foreign leaders are waiting for Trump to take office before making any permanent decisions.

“In many capitals around the world, the leaders are holding their breath. [They’re] just unsure of what’s coming,” he said.

“If that is used as a negotiating ploy, as a way to keep an opponent off balance, it works out pretty well. When it’s used with our allies and partners and friends, like the NATO alliance, it can have consequences that are less good.”