How the Arab Spring impacted Iran

In light of Iran's new openness to the world following the nuclear deal, how do Iranian pro-reform activists interpret the events of the Arab Spring?

Lebanon

What Hezbollah stands to gain from Iran's nuclear deal

As the Iranian nuclear deal enters its implementation phase, analysts are discussing the repercussions of Iran’s openness to the West on Lebanese Hezbollah.

Saudi Arabia

Lebanon holds breath for deal to export trash abroad

Although officials have announced that Lebanon will export its waste as a solution to the garbage crisis plaguing the country since July, the government has yet to sign contracts with any foreign companies.

Lebanon

Hezbollah's pick for president of Lebanon

It seems Hezbollah is not giving up on Christian parliament member Michel Aoun’s candidacy for the Lebanese presidential elections, especially since Aoun now has the support of another major Christian leader in Lebanon, Samir Geagea.

Saudi Arabia

Meet one of Hezbollah's teen fighters

As more young Lebanese Hezbollah fighters travel to Syria, Al-Monitor spoke with one of these boys about their reasons for waging jihad and the training they go through before joining the fight.

Lebanon

Was Beirut airport threat real or political conspiracy?

Some say rumors of a potential bombing at the Beirut airport could be designed to pressure Lebanon to agree on a political settlement to elect a president.

Lebanon

Lebanon’s Christian foes become friends

Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea, the two Lebanese Christian leaders, finally turn the page on their historical bloody feud and have agreed on backing Aoun for president.

Lebanon

Lebanon's banks to pay price of sanctions on Hezbollah

New US sanctions against Hezbollah are adding pressure to Lebanon’s already struggling banking sector, further burdening the country’s economy.

Lebanon

Lebanon feels aftershocks of Saudi-Iran crisis

The current crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran against the backdrop of the execution of Shiite Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has already affected the strained relationship between Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon, but will it reinforce Christian political ties?

Saudi Arabia

How Lebanese banks are handling US sanctions on Hezbollah

It remains to be seen whether US sanctions will hurt Hezbollah or merely inconvenience banks and their customers.

Lebanon

Why so many Lebanese are looking abroad

As the economic and political situations in Lebanon worsen, more Lebanese seek to emigrate to the West and to Gulf countries for better job opportunities.

Lebanon

What are the real goals of Riyadh’s new Islamic coalition?

The Saudi-led Islamic coalition was not formed to only combat IS, but also to determine the future of Sunni areas in the conflict areas in Syria and Iraq.

Saudi Arabia