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
Does Lebanon’s Political System Need an Update? As Lebanon’s governmental crisis moves forward, traditional alliances may be shifting as inefficiencies in the old confessional system come to the surface. Lebanon
Why Did Iran's Foreign Minister Visit Jordan? Did Jordan's King Abdullah II charge Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi with sending a "friendly message" to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad? Jordan
Saudi-Qatar Honeymoon In Lebanon Is Over Seemingly eager to turn the regional unrest to their advantage, both Qatar and Saudi Arabia are carefully strategizing their diplomatic efforts in the Mideast. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon Army Prohibits Nakba Demonstration in Maroun al-Ras To avoid a repeat of last year, when Palestinian demonstrators breached the Israeli border fence, the Lebanese army has prohibited Palestinian demonstrators from going to Maroun al-Ras to commemorate Nabka Day. Palestine
Palestine and Syria Vie For Center Stage in Region Does the media’s preoccupation with Israeli-Palestinian negotiations overshadow developments in Syria? Palestine
Rise of Radical Jihadists Setback for Syria US military intervention would not have prevented, and will not prevent, radical jihadism in Syria. Lebanon
Russian Embassy in Beirut Becomes Hub for Syria Diplomacy With Russia’s diplomatic base relocated from Damascus to Beirut, Moscow is refining its strategy on the Syrian crisis as the second Geneva conference nears. Lebanon
Emerging Lebanese Pop Musicians Defy 'Habibi' Songs A new generation of musicians like Mike Massy is openly challenging the “plastic-surgery obsession and glam life” of the country’s thriving pop scene with their lyrics and performances. Lebanon
Can the Israeli Defense Budget Be Cut In Half? A veteran Israeli Defense Forces general claims the threats to Israel today do not require a massive military or huge air force. Egypt
Syrian Parties Respond to US-Russia Conference Proposal Syrian parties consider their participation in the conference proposed by the United States and Russia. Lebanon
No 'Good Guys' Or 'Bad Guys' in Syria Saudi Arabia and Qatar need to support a diplomatic outcome in Syria. Saudi Arabia
After 65 Years of Nakba, Hope In New Palestinian Generation The latest generation of Palestinian refugees may be one to restore the right of return. Palestine
