Analysis Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election Ahead of the eighth round of talks in Rome, the Israeli military reported clearing Hezbollah's underground stronghold at Ali al-Taher after besieging the ridge for months. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why Ali al-Taher ridge is emerging as Israel-Hezbollah flashpoint Israel has intensified its strikes and ground operations around the strategic hill in a bid to force Hezbollah out. Lebanon
Israel to release 5 Lebanese prisoners ahead of next talks: What to know Israel said the detainees are "civilians who are not members of a terrorist organization" and "were not involved in terrorism," concluding, "There is no reason to continue holding them in Israel." Israel
Israel, Greece sign $3.5 billion air-defense deal: What to know Against the backdrop of growing tensions with Turkey, Israel signed one of its largest-ever defense industry deals to supply Greece with advanced air defense systems. Israel
Analysis UAE gauges new Lebanon deals amid Levant economic stabilization push By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Israel’s Lebanon dilemma: Confront Hezbollah without angering Trump, triggering Iran By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Do Christians Have a Future In the Middle East? A recent conference in Amman gathered prominent Christian academics, politicians and parlimentarians from the Middle East to discuss the challenges Christians face in the wake of the Arab Spring. Palestine
Challenges Await Egypt's New Constitution The 50-member committee for reviewing Egypt's constitutional amendments is trying to work out differences over certain key elements. Egypt
Israel Should Acknowledge Its Own Nuclear Program Instead of focusing solely on Iran, the international community should examine Israel's purported nuclear arsenal and its refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel
Hezbollah and Rouhani Hezbollah's relationship with Iran is not dependent on the Iranian presidency or government, but rather insitutions connected with the office of Iran's supreme leader and the velayati-e faqih. Lebanon
Netanyahu Should Not Dismiss Rouhani Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his lack of faith in negotiations with Iran, but the international community should choose its own path. Israel
US-Iran Deal Would Bring Good News to Lebanon A thaw in US-Iran relations would, over time, have a positive effect on regional conflicts. Lebanon
Lebanese Army Takes Over Security In Beirut’s Southern Suburbs For the first time in decades, the Lebanese army has taken over security in Beirut’s southern suburbs — Hezbollah’s traditional stronghold — leading some to hope that this step can be applied throughout the country. Lebanon
International Support Group To Maintain Stability in Lebanon The participants of the International Support Group for Lebanon have a collective goal of maintaining stability in Lebanon, despite their individual opinions and policies on the Syrian crisis. Lebanon
Obama-Rouhani Phone Call Thaws Relations The phone call between Presidents Barack Obama and Hassan Rouhani is a beacon for future US-Iran relations. Lebanon
New Information Indicates Kidnapped Syrian Bishops Still Alive The two Syrian bishops kidnapped in April are still alive, according to new information, and Turkish authorities may be working to secure their release. Lebanon
In Lebanon, Syrian Refugees Put Political Differences Aside Syrian refugees in Lebanon try to avoid the divisions that are fueling the war at home. Lebanon
Rouhani UN Speech a Significant First Step Despite opposition from Israel's prime minister, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's speech to the UN General Assembly could push talks forward. Lebanon
