Lebanon War

An Israeli army Merkava main battle tank is carried on the back of a trailer truck to be deployed near a watchtower of the UN-patrolled buffer zone's Quneitra checkpoint, separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights, on March 2, 2025. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel doubts Syria breakthrough as Sharaa signals openness to Abraham Accords

Syria's new leader seems open to joining the Abraham Accords under 'certain conditions,' but Israelis remain skeptical about his true intentions and an emerging alliance with Turkey.

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

Commuters drive past a newly-installed billboard bearing the image of a Lebanese flag and a statement that reads in Arabic "Lebanon a new era", replacing a Hezbollah billboard, on the road leading to Beirut's Rafic Hariri International airport on April 10, 2025. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon secures initial World Bank approval for $400M loan

Lebanon is seeking international support to cover an estimated $11 billion in reconstruction costs, as its government navigates ongoing political and security challenges.

Teargas fumes erupt during clashes between supporters of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist movement Hezbollah and the Lebanese Army amidst a Hezbollah-organised rally to block the road to Beirut International Airport over a decision to bar two Iranian flights from landing there, in Beirut on February 15, 2025. An AFP correspondent said tear gas was fired to disperse crowds on February 15 after again blocking amidst calls by the Iran-backed group for a sit-in. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP) (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/

Analysis

Under US pressure, can Lebanon disarm Hezbollah without Iran's green light?

The issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament resurfaces amid US pressure, shifting regional dynamics, and Iran's decisive role.

Dario Sabaghi

By Dario Sabaghi

Lebanese army troops patrol the destroyed southern border village of Adaisseh, following the Israeli forces withdrawal on February 18, 2025. Lebanon's army said it deployed in southern border villages and areas vacated by Israeli troops on February 18, as a withdrawal deadline expired under a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's army expands presence, dismantles 500 Hezbollah sites: What to know

The Lebanese army intensified its deployment in southern Lebanon, dismantling Hezbollah positions and confiscating weapons as part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Latest News

Lebanon's Hezbollah ready to talk 'defense strategy' amid calls to disarm

A protester holds a framed portrait of Hassan Nasrallah.

Israeli FM says indirect US-Iran talks likely, hails 'common objective' with France

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (C) listens to Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar (L) during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem on March 24, 2025. (Photo by Menahem Kahana / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Spain arrests 3 suspects accused of supplying Hezbollah with drone parts

Civil Guard agents are pictured in an anti-terrorist operation against a Hezbollah drone manufacturing facility in this undated photo.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Analysis

Are Lebanon, Syria ripe for peace with Israel or on cusp of more escalation?

An Israeli soldier checks a Merkava battle tank deployed at a position in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria on March 25, 2025. Israel's military said it carried out a second strike in Syria on March 25, in response to incoming fire from across the demarcation line, hours after Syrian authorities reported that at least five people had been killed as a result of Israeli shelling. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

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

LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

France's Macron eyes defense deals, Lebanon support on Saudi state visit

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a one-on-one dinner on Tuesday.

Anti-regime fighters drive along the Aleppo- Damascus M5 international highway in the newly captured northwestern area of Khan al-Assal, as smoke rises in the distance on Nov. 29, 2024.

Analysis

Embattled in Gaza and Lebanon, can Iran defend Assad in Syria amid Aleppo offensive?

Iran is at a critical juncture amid the Sunni insurgent offensive in Syria, as it navigates the realities about its weakened ally Hezbollah and the complexities of its own presence in a geopolitical power play that involves multiple actors competing for different agendas.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Supporters wave national flags as well as orange flags of the Free Patriotic Movement and the yellow flag of the Hezbollah movement, as Lebanon's outgoing President Michel Aoun leaves the presidential palace in Babda, at the end of his mandate, east of the capital Beirut, on October 30, 2022.

Lebanon to hold January presidential elections amid fragile ceasefire

The announcement of a parliament session to elect a head of state after more than two years of presidential vacuum coincides with a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which the Israeli army said was being breached in the south.

A man climbs the ramp to enter the Boeing 777X demonstration aircraft at the 2021 Dubai Airshow in the Gulf emirate, on Nov. 14, 2021.

Emirates Airline 'frustrated' at aircraft shortage due to manufacturer delays

Executives at the Middle East’s largest airline have frequently expressed their dismay over delays and uncertainty around the delivery of the Boeing 777-9X jets.

United Arab Emirates

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei holds a weekly press conference in Tehran on Oct. 28, 2024.

Iran praises Lebanon ceasefire, vows response to Israel 'in due time'

Iran has repeatedly vowed to respond to the late October Israeli strikes on the country, and a senior official repeated the assertion following the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

An Israeli soldier sits in a tank stationed near the border with Lebanon in the Upper Galilee area in northern Israel, on Nov. 26, 2024.

Biden says Israel, Lebanon accept ceasefire to end war

President Joe Biden said the parties had agreed to a “permanent cessation of hostilities” after nearly 14 months of war.

The influential head of Lebanon's General Security apparatus, Abbas Ibrahim, is pictured during an interview at his office in the capital Beirut on July 22, 2020.

Interview

Lebanon’s ex-spymaster says Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire close

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim told Al-Monitor that a deal to end the year of fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah could be imminent.

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim

Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim

Former Lebanese intelligence chief

JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images

Four Italian UNIFIL peacekeepers injured in Lebanon as Argentina withdraws

UNIFIL announced this morning that four peacekeepers in its Italian contingent were injured by two rockets that hit their base in southern Lebanon. The rockets were likely fired by Hezbollah or affiliated groups, UNIFIL said.

Amos Hochstein

Hochstein in Beirut, says 'significant progress' on Lebanon-Israel cease-fire as Hezbollah accepts proposal

US envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut in a bid to secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Lebanese group reportedly approved a new proposal to halt the hostilities, with some comments.

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a flower-laying ceremony at the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square on the National Unity Day in Moscow on November 4, 2024. (Photo by Mikhail TERESHCHENKO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIKHAIL TERESHCHENKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With leverage in Syria, can Russia's Putin broker Israel-Lebanon deal?

Israel is considering accepting the Russian push for some sort of involvement in the talks or in the implementation of a deal with Hezbollah.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs