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
Hezbollah Prepares for Attacks by Jabhat al-Nusra in Lebanon As Jabhat al-Nusra’s presence grows in Lebanon’s Sunni strongholds, Hezbollah braces itself for potential combat, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Lebanon Loses Pierre Sadek, Prominent Political Cartoonist Lebanese caricaturist Pierre Sadek, a staunch defender of press freedom, passed away on April 24, reports Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Hezbollah Denies Ownership Of Downed Drone Ali Hashem asks, If Hezbollah was not responsible for the drone downed over Israel, who was? Palestine
Hezbollah Base Questions Support for Assad With Hezbollah members increasingly dying in Syria, some of the party’s base are re-evaluating its role in the conflict, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Lebanese Government Formation at Impasse According to sources in the March 14 coalition, the slow process of forming Prime Minister Tammam Salam’s new government may damage both him and the coalition, Elie Hajj reports. Lebanon
Syria’s Christians ThreatenedBy Ideology, Geography Attacks against Syria’s Christians are not only motivated by extremist Islamic ideology, but also because of the strategic area in which they live, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Battle for Qusair Key Front in Syria War The aim of the battles raging on the Syria-Lebanon border near Qusayr is directly tied to the war in Syria, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Sheikh With Lebanese Ties Linked to Marathon Bombers Excerpts of speeches from jihadist Sheikh Feiz Mohammad were allegedly found on the YouTube account of one of the Boston Marathon bombers, Jean Aziz reports. Lebanon
What Is the Extent of Hezbollah's Involvement in Syria? While Hezbollah claims that it has sent militants to Syria to protect Lebanese citizens living in border towns, there are conflicting reports regarding the size and purpose of the party’s involvement, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Encroaching Syrian Conflict Pits Hezbollah Against Jabhat al-Nusra Border villages of Hezbollah-backed Shiites sympathetic to Assad are clashing with the Sunni Jabhat al-Nusra, reports an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
What Are Saudi Arabia’sIntentions in Lebanon? Saudi Arabia has increased its diplomatic efforts in Lebanon, and Jean Aziz asks what exactly Riyadh’s intentions are. Saudi Arabia
Has 'Fatahland' Returned To Lebanon's Shebaa Farms? The concept of "Fatahland" has been revived as a response to the Syrian conflict in Lebanese villages on the border areas with Syria, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
