Lebanon War

MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Despite uptick in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, both sides reluctant for war

Even as Israel's strikes on Hezbollah fuel speculation about a return to war, Israeli officials say the ceasefire in Lebanon will hold.

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

Men inspect the wreckage of a damaged cement factory following overnight Israeli airstrikes in Ansar, southern Lebanon, on Oct. 17, 2025.

Lebanon draws US, Arab envoys as Israel tensions spike

Intense international and regional diplomatic efforts are underway in Lebanon to accelerate Hezbollah’s disarmament and ease tensions between Israel and Lebanon amid rising fears of renewed war.

Chairman of the US-led committee to monitor the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel Lt. Gen. Joseph Clearfield meets Lebanon President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, Oct. 23, 2025.

‘No one wants to return to war,’ Lebanon’s Aoun tells US general overseeing ceasefire

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the committee tasked with monitoring the ceasefire that ended last year’s war with Israel to pressure the latter to end its daily attacks on Lebanon.

A sad and beautiful world

Culture

Director Cyril Aris on Lebanon’s Oscar submission, trauma and cinema

Lebanese director Cyril Aris talks about "A Sad and Beautiful World" — Lebanon’s official submission to the 2026 Academy Awards and winner of the People’s Choice Award at the Venice Film Festival — and reflects on art, trauma and finding humor amid national collapse.

Latest News

Israel launches heaviest wave of strikes in south Lebanon since ceasefire

COURTNEY BONNEAU/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon army chief visits Qatar amid push to disarm Hezbollah

The chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, meets with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, Oct. 8, 2025.

Culture

Miss Lebanon 2025 crowned in ceremony highlighting culture, heritage

Newly elected Miss Lebanon Perla Harb poses on stage after winning the Miss Lebanon 2025 pageant, in Zouk Mosbeh, north of Beirut, on Oct. 4, 2025.

US approves $230M for Lebanon’s push to disarm Hezbollah

Lebanese army soldiers and security forces deploy near a vehicle that was hit by a reported drone-strike at the entrance of the village of Barja, about 30 kilometres south of Beirut, on Sept. 9, 2025.

Lebanon's new Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam delivers a statement at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on Jan. 14, 2025.

Lebanese PM meets Egypt’s Sisi amid Hezbollah disarmament push: What to know

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged support for Lebanon’s stability and reconstruction during talks in Cairo with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack speaks during a joint press conference following his meeting with Lebanon's president at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on August 18, 2025. Barrack called on Israel to honour its commitments under a ceasefire that ended its war with Hezbollah, after the Lebanese government launched a process to disarm the militant group. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

US envoys in Lebanon as Hezbollah balks at disarmament plan

Israel said it was “ready to support” Lebanon’s efforts to disarm the militant group by year's end.

Lebanese army soldiers are stationed at the Burj al-Barajneh camp for Palestinian refugees in Beirut's southern suburbs on Aug. 21, 2025, as armed Palestinian groups in the refugee camps start handing over their weapons.

Lebanon begins disarming Palestinian factions after refugee camp hands over weapons

Lebanese and Palestinian officials confirmed that the first phase of the disarmament process of Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon has begun.

Jordanian King Abdullah II receives Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Amman on Aug. 19, 2025.

Lebanon PM in Jordan as Beirut pushes Hezbollah disarmament, Iran’s influence wanes

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam headed to Jordan following a similar visit by President Joseph Aoun two months ago, as the two countries seek deeper ties.

RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon's PM slams Hezbollah chief for making 'threat of civil war'

Tensions are rising as Lebanon’s government, under pressure from the US, moves forward with a plan to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, right, meets with US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, in Baabda, east of Beirut, July 7, 2025.

Analysis

Lebanon key to Trump plan for turnaround in Middle East

The final "This Week" column reflects on US policy toward Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza.

Andrew Parasiliti

By Andrew Parasiliti

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief Ali Larijani (C) speaks to reporters after meeting with Lebanon's parliament speaker in Beirut on Aug. 13, 2025.

Iran’s Larijani in Lebanon as Beirut, Tehran spar over Hezbollah disarmament

The visit of Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani to Beirut comes amid tensions between Lebanon and Iran following the approval of a plan to disarm the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which also rejected the move and vowed not to give up its weapons.

Hezbollah supporters wave the yellow flag of the Lebanese militant group during a parade on motorbikes while people returned to the area to check their homes in Beirut's southern suburbs on Nov. 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect.

Lebanon cabinet backs Hezbollah disarmament as US urges year-end deadline

Lebanon’s cabinet approved Thursday the goals outlined in a US proposal on the complete disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for the end of Israeli attacks on the country.

Lebanese demonstrators march during a gathering to honour the victims of the catastrophic port explosion in 2020 and to call for accountability for the blast, in Beirut on August 4, 2025. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on August 4, vowed justice and accountability five years after a catastrophic explosion at Beirut's port, as the investigating judge finished questioning defendants, a judicial official said. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon tasks army with plan to control weapons as Hezbollah rejects disarmament

Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the session, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the army must draft its plan and present it before the government for review before Aug. 31.

TOPSHOT - A person holds a sign with the Arabic slogan "we will not relinquish arms" as Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah supporters take part in a ceremony during the peak of Ashura, a 10-day period commemorating the seventh century killing of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein, in Beirut's southern suburbs on July 6, 2025. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon’s cabinet to discuss Hezbollah disarmament as US ups pressure

Lebanon is under growing US pressure to issue a formal decision on the disarmament of Hezbollah as soon as possible, with US Ambassador to Lebanon nominee Michel Issa, who is of Lebanese origin, saying the issue is a "necessity.”

TOPSHOT - France's President Emmanuel Macron (2nd-R) and Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (2nd-L) pose ahead of their working lunch at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, on July 24, 2025. (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP) (Photo by GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images)

On first visit to Paris, Lebanon's Salam secures $88M reconstruction pledge

During discussions with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Beirut must implement economic reforms before an aid conference can be organized to support Lebanon's reconstruction.

Traffic moves beneath a banner depicting the slain leader of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah (C) and his deputy Hashem Safieddine (C-R) as well as that of slain Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on Beirut Airport Road, in Beirut on February 19, 2025. The pro-Iran group has called for a huge turnout when Nasrallah, killed in a September Israeli strike, is laid to rest in the Lebanese capital on February 23. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon bans dealings with 4 Hezbollah-linked financial institutions

Lebanon’s Central Bank has banned licensed financial institutions from interacting with unauthorized entities including those linked to Hezbollah.