Synthetic Media as a Vector for Escalation in Lebanon
Authors: Daria Alexe & Bilgesu Tabakoglu
Editors: Naureen Salim, Ksenia Luzhko & Chiara Caterina Gatti
In May 2026, during an active ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic engagement, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International aired an AI-generated satirical video depicting Hezbollah supporters. Pro-Hezbollah online networks subsequently responded with AI-generated content targeting Christian religious figures, highlighting the escalation potential of synthetic media in Lebanon's largely unregulated digital environment.
This report assesses the role of AI-generated media in escalating tensions in Lebanon and identifies the risks arising from this escalation.
