Mullin's Pulte problem (National Security Daily newsletter)

MORE PILOT ZONE TALKS: Israeli and Lebanese delegations kicked off another round of talks in Rome today to discuss progress on the implementation of the "pilot zone" program they agreed upon in U.S.-facilitated negotiations earlier this summer.

The pilot zone program - under which Israeli troops withdraw from certain areas to allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to regain control - launched on July 20, according to the State Department. The plan also involves the disarmament of Hezbollah, which was not a party to the agreement and has repeatedly condemned the Lebanese government's direct engagement with Israel in recent months.

Progress has been slow and rocky in the village of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya, the first test zone in the plan. According to Lebanese media, state officials have expressed frustration that the presence of Israeli troops operating near the delineated areas has obstructed the LAF's ability to work.

Those frustrations are likely to come up in this week's talks, as diplomatic and military delegations participate in negotiations. Israeli Ambassador to Washington YECHIEL LEITER will represent Israel's diplomatic delegation while Lebanon's delegation will be led by its current and former ambassadors to the U.S., NADA HAMADEH MOUAWAD and SIMON KARAM.

State Department spokesperson TOMMY PIGOTT confirmed the start of negotiations in a social media post today, writing that agenda items include "the pilot zone process, verified disarmament of Hizballah and other Iran-backed security threats, redeployment of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and laying the ground for a comprehensive peace and security agreement."

The State Department did not immediately respond to NatSec Daily's request for detail on the talks.