The best way to look at how the renegotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will unfold for the US, Iran and the Middle East as a whole is, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”

The pomegranate shipment from Lebanon that was used to smuggle Captagon drugs and was seized by the Saudi authorities last week should not come as a surprise to anyone. Indeed, it has been well known for some time now that Hezbollah protects and engages in a myriad illegal activities.

The Latin phrase “bis repetitas placent,” which means “that which pleases is twice repeated,” certainly seems to apply for many of the stakeholders in the new round of discussions between the US and Iran — and especially the Europeans.

Weak Sunni political leadership is the cause of Lebanon’s problems today. This phrase is, in essence, pure poison and encourages sectarianism, yet it is unfortunately the best way to describe what is currently happening in the country, and specifically in Tripoli.