Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militia has seen its political and military clout diminished after a devastating war with Israel gutted its leadership, emptied its coffers, and depleted its once formidable arsenal. The fall of the Bashar Assad regime in neighboring Syria has compounded Hezbollah's woes, leaving it isolated, unable to rearm, and increasingly powerless to dictate Lebanese affairs. Many Lebanese have warmly welcomed the end of Iranian hegemony and the crippling of its biggest proxy in the Middle East. Backed by the US, France, and Saudi Arabia, Aoun's election by Lebanese lawmakers is the clearest indication yet that Iran's influence in Lebanon is spent, opening the way to reforms and international support to help pull the nation out of the mire.