Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images

First round of Lebanon-Israel talks concludes in Washington: What to know

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the meeting a “historic opportunity” to end Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press as he departs Tel Aviv for Qatar following an official visit, at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Lod, Israel, September 16, 2025. Israel heavily bombarded Gaza City on September 16 2025, witnesses told AFP, after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new offensive there and its stated goal of eradicating Hamas. (Photo by NATHAN HOWARD / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NATHAN HOWARD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Lebanon-Israel talks begin, can Rubio press Netanyahu into ceasefire?

"Donald Trump pressured Benjamin Netanyahu into these negotiations...Trump sees what is happening in Lebanon as a troublesome issue that prevents him from addressing the main problem with Iran," an Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A photograph shows the damage in the aftermath of a drone strike in the Seef district of Manama on March 10, 2026.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia summon Iraqi diplomats over militia attacks: What to know

The United States and Kuwait have likewise criticized Iraq over actions tied to Iran-backed armed groups in the country.

Ghassan Salame, then-UN Envoy for Libya, holds a press briefing during UN-brokered military talks on Feb. 18, 2020 in Geneva.

Interview

Ghassan Salame says Lebanon-Israel talks ‘not negotiations,’ Hezbollah disarmament by force ‘illusion’

"The idea that you can disarm just by making two phone calls or two check points here and there is just an illusion," Lebanon's minister of culture, Ghassan Salame, told Al-Monitor.

Ghassan Salame

Ghassan Salame

Lebanese Culture Minister

Latest News

Analysis

In talks with Lebanon, Israel seeking guarantees to contain Hezbollah

NABATIEH, LEBANON - APRIL 08: Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike in the city center on April 08, 2026 in Nabatieh, Lebanon. Israel has stepped-up its attacks on Lebanon following President Donald Trump's announcement of a two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, conditional on shipping being allowed to resume through the Strait of Hormuz. Israel says it will observe the ceasefire with Iran but insists Lebanon was not included in the deal, and has since launched the "largest coordinated strik

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Lebanon boosts army presence in Beirut as Hezbollah slams Israel talks: What to know

A Lebanese army vehicle is parked at the departures area of Beirut's Rafik Hariri airport on April 10, 2026. Israel's military on April 9 warned residents of Beirut's southern suburbs, long a stronghold of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, of imminent strikes and called for them to evacuate. While Israel regularly issues evacuation warnings before bombing the southern suburbs, the announcement also included the outskirts of Lebanon's only international airport. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Ahead of Washington talks, Israel has little choice but to accept ceasefire in Lebanon

TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli strike that targeted an area in Beirut on April 8, 2026. Israel launched a series of strikes on Beirut on April 8, the most violent attack on the Lebanese capital since the start of war. The strikes came as Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, which drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by attacking Israel on March 2, claimed it was close to a "historic victory". (Photo by Dylan COLLINS / AFP via Getty Images) /

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Exclusive

'King of Iraq': Top judge Zaidan played key role in Shelly Kittleson's release

An undated image of Shelly Kittleson.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Day 84 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Dec. 29

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

Day 83 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Dec. 28

Honor guards carry the coffin of Sayyed Razi Mousavi.

Funeral held for Iran's IRGC commander killed by Israel as Tehran vows revenge

Iran said Sayyed Razi Mousavi was killed in an Israeli strike in Syria. The death of the commander, who was mourned in Syria and Iraq, could ignite war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Smoke billows over the northern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment from southern Israel on December 27, 2023 amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Day 82 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Wednesday, Dec. 27

Day 81 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Tuesday, Dec. 26

Day 80 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Monday, Dec. 25

A picture taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 10, 2023, shows smoke rising above the northern part of the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

Day 79 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Sunday, Dec. 24

A picture taken during an organised tour by Yemen's Huthi rebels on November 22, 2023 shows the Galaxy Leader cargo ship (R), seized by Huthi fighters two days earlier, approaching the port in the Red Sea off Yemen's province of Hodeida. The Bahamas-flagged, British-owned Galaxy Leader, operated by a Japanese firm but having links to an Israeli businessman, was headed from Turkey to India when it was seized and re-routed to Hodeida November 19, according to maritime security company Ambrey. The Huthis said

Day 78 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Saturday, Dec. 23

A Palestinian man walks past a graffiti on a wall showing the Star of David under an inverted "red triangle", a symbol used by the Palestinian Hamas movement's military wing al-Qassam Brigades to identify Israeli targets in their videos, in the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on December 16,2023. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Hamas popularity triples in West Bank since Oct. 7, US support at 0%

The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research’s most recent public opinion poll shows most Palestinians support Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel despite the death in Gaza and do not believe the group committed atrocities.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

A picture taken from southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Dec. 10, 2023, shows smoke rising above the northern part of the Palestinian enclave amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

Day 77 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Friday, Dec. 22

Smoke billowing following Israeli bombardment in southern Gaza amid ongoing battles with the Palestinian Hamas militant group, Dec. 21, 2023.

Day 76 of Hamas-Israel war blog: Thursday, Dec. 21

Activists take part in a ceremony marking the second anniversary of the controversial death of Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman on January 18, 2017 in Buenos Aires. Nisman died in mysterious circumstances in January 18, 2015, after accusing Argentina's then president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, of obstructing his investigation of a 1994 bombing at a Buenos Aires Jewish center. / AFP / EITAN ABRAMOVICH (Photo credit should read EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP via Getty Images)

US charges Colombian-Lebanese Hezbollah member in Argentina bombing

The US alleged Samuel Salman El Reda helped Hezbollah perpetrate the deadly 1994 attack against a Jewish community center in the Argentinian capital, following sanctions related to the attack earlier this year.