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
Rouhani’s Election Win in Iran Promises to Ease Tension Hassan Rouhani's election is expected to ease tensions among Iranians and the international community. Lebanon
Is Israel Considering Participation By Russia in UNDOF? If true, it raises many questions about the shifting regional balance of forces. Lebanon
Life in Homs a Mixture Of Fear, Danger A first-hand account from Homs reveals a city divided and under siege by the Syrian war. Lebanon
Richard Falk Will Not Be Another Richard Goldstone UN human rights investigator Richard Falk suggests that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has joined pro-Israel UN Watch in defamatory remarks against him. Palestine
Lebanon Seeks to Make The Most of Hydrocarbons Lebanon seeks to avoid a false euphoria and make the most of a potential oil and gas windfall. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Taif Agreement Needs Revision The Taif Agreement is still the key to Lebanon’s political compact, although it should be reviewed and amended. Lebanon
Beirut’s Historic Hamra Street No Longer Cultural Epicenter Once an epicenter for Arab and Lebanese intellectuals, Beirut’s famous Hamra Street has in recent decades been transformed by consumption-oriented establishments. Lebanon
Whether Qusair Will Tip The Balance Remains to Be Seen The defeat of Syrian opposition forces in Qusair may be a turning point toward a deepening of the conflict or a catalyst for a peace conference. Lebanon
Which Way Is Turkey Going? Are we witnessing a clash between Islamism and Kemalism in Turkey? Lebanon
US Needs Iran, Turkey For Diplomatic Surge in Syria The latest UN report on Syria calls for a “diplomatic surge” to end the war, which has reached “new levels of brutality.” Israel
UN Must Address Syrian Humanitarian Tragedy While the UN issued the biggest financial appeal in its history, a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in Syria and for Syrian refugees abroad. Lebanon
