Syria foils Hezbollah-linked plot to attack Homs refinery: What to know Syrian authorities have intensified a crackdown against Hezbollah’s alleged plans to launch attacks inside Syrian territory as well as smuggling attempts. Syria
UAE’s Al Habtoor Group to sell all assets in Lebanon: What to know The company suspended operations in Lebanon back in January, citing massive losses exceeding $1.7 billion due to the country's financial crisis, capital controls and security concerns. Lebanon
Lebanon uncovers new tunnel amid tensions with Hezbollah: What to know A tunnel was discovered near Beirut as tensions between Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah have been running high over the seizure of weapons shipments destined for the Iran-backed group. Lebanon
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Lebanon's Gathering Storm Over Syria As the Syrian conflict enters its second year, Lebanon's security situation is weakening as sectarian tendencies rise, signaling a coming crisis, writes Scarlett Haddad. Lebanon
Jabhat al-Nusra and Hezbollah In First Confrontation For the first time in the 23-month-old Syrian civil war, Jabhat al-Nusra and Hezbollah have been involved in direct confrontations, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Lebanese Elections Likely to Face Postponement As the debate regarding the Orthodox Gathering law rages on, amid a complicated web of alliances between Lebanon’s sectarian contingents, elections are unlikely to take place according to schedule, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Dissension Emerges Among Islamists In Egypt, Tunisia The divisions among Islamic parties have hampered stability and governance in Egypt and Tunisia, writes Nassif Hitti. Egypt
Fear of Islamic Extremism Brings Eastern Churches Closer There are growing links between the various churches of Eastern Christianity, driven by what they see as the threats to Christianity in the Middle East as a result of the Arab Spring, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Israeli Road Project Increases Tensions on Lebanon Border Israel plans to build a road near the Lebanese border and the Wazzani River, the site of many conflicts and confrontations in the past, reports Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Strong Message of Support for Israel At AIPAC Conference As the Israeli lobby meets in Washington, both US parties are trying to prove they're more pro-Israel than the other, writes Clovis Maksoud. Israel
Lebanon Beset by Kidnapping,Drugs and Jabhat al-Nusra Instability, kidnapping and terrorism have taken hold of Lebanon during a period of turbulence exacerbated by the civil war in neighboring Syria, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
UN Security Council Should Seek End to Israeli Occupation Nassif Hitti argues that a third Palestinian intifada is imminent, and says the UN Security Council should make a serious commitment to ending the Israeli occupation. Palestine
Lebanese Unions End Strikes As Economic Crisis Continues Although Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has succeeded in ending a weeklong wave of public sector strikes that paralyzed much of Lebanon, the country’s economy still faces many challenges, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Hagel, Syria, the P5+1 and Iran The Senate confirmed Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense as the United States announced $60 million in non-lethal aid to the Syrian Opposition Council; Israel, Iraq and Lebanon continue to be concerned about the regionalization of the war in Syria; and Iran puts Syria in play after the P5+1 meetings. Iraq
Lebanese Politician Criticizes Failures in Government Services Speaking to Elie Hajj, a prominent Lebanese politician argues that the country’s political class is incapable of resolving problems and fails to address the citizens' most basic needs. Lebanon
