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
Israeli Flees to Lebanon to Escape ‘Social Suffering’ The Israeli man who jumped the border fence into Lebanon last week did so to escape “his suffering in Israeli society,” writes Nasser Chararah. Israel
In Memoriam: Lebanon Loses Beloved Musician Imane Homsy Lebanon's foremost qanun musician, Imane Homsy, has passed away, leaving behind her a legacy of musical innovation, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Syria Calls Attack by Israel 'Declaration of War' Ali Hashem reports on reactions from Syria and Hezbollah, blaming Israel for the attacks on Damascus that represent an escalation of the Syria war. Israel
Hezbollah Leader Defends Involvement in Syria Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is basing his involvement in the Syrian war on grounds that are both religious and having to do with the conflict with Israel, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Hezbollah Leader 'Will Not Let Syria Fall' Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has said that "Syria has real friends in the region, and the world will not let Syria fall into the hands of America, Israel or [radical Islamist] groups," reports Ali Hashem from Beirut. Lebanon
Russia Confronts Mideast SalafistsBy Courting Christians, Minorities Russia is courting Middle Eastern minorities, especially Christians, in a bid to confront Salafist extremism, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Israel
Iran Counters Saudi Diplomacy In Lebanon The competition between the Saudi and Iranian axes in Lebanon is high as the alleged Saudi “openness” toward Hezbollah proved to be less than it appeared, writes Jean Aziz. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon's Future Movement Deals With Syria Conflict Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict has been a point of controversy within Lebanon across all sects, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Lebanon's First Civil Marriage A Sign of Change On April 25, 2013, the first civil marriage was officially registered in Lebanon, a move that could forebode a radical change in the longstanding political sectarian system, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Israel Fencing Off Lebanese Village Would Violate UN Resolution Israel is attempting to build a fence around the northern part of Ghajar, a Lebanese village that lies on its northern border with Lebanon, in violation of UN Resolution 1701, writes Nasser Chararah. Israel
Hezbollah's Drone Distraction Amid reports of a Hezbollah drone shot down over Israeli airspace, some believe that the party’s leadership was trying to divert growing criticism from its base, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Is Hezbollah Losing Its Grip? The drone sent by Hezbollah to Israel must be interpreted as an outcry for survival by its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, writes Shlomi Eldar. Israel
