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
Syrian Government Insists: No Conditions on Dialogue A Syrian official says Damascus is in principle open to dialogue, but not with preconditions, reports Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Syria War Spurs US Military Aid To Lebanon The Obama administration intends to continue aid to the Lebanese army to help prevent the spread of sectarian fighting from Syria and to counter the influence of Hezbollah. Lebanon
'Orthodox Plan' Would Be A Setback for Lebanon The so-called "Orthodox Plan" for the forthcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections would be a setback for Lebanon and a step toward greater sectarianism, writes Clovis Maksoud. Lebanon
Nasrallah Threatens Israel Again Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has again threatened Israel, but the threats may stem from Hezbollah's fortunes declining as a result of the war in Syria, writes Shlomi Eldar. Israel
Hezbollah Defends Shiite Villages In Syria War A recent military operation by Hezbollah to defend Lebanese Shiite villagers in Syria is another sign that the Syrian conflict is spreading to Lebanon, argues Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
SNC Cites Hezbollah Role in Syria Syrian opposition forces claim Hezbollah is playing a growing role in the Syria conflict, reports Ali Hashem. Lebanon
Syria’s Oil Crisis Since the Syrian regime lost its grip on oil production, domestic oil prices have soared, increasing the civil war's burden on the Syrian economy, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Lebanon
Syria Between Dialogue, Disaster As the Syrian conflict intensifies, Nassif Hitti argues that the only way out of the crisis is through a mutual understanding between the regime and opposition based on the Geneva Declaration. Lebanon
Hezbollah Combats Corruption Since its founding in 1982, Hezbollah has expanded from a military body to include social, political and economic programs, as its leaders work to minimize corruption. Lebanon
Syrian Official Claims Regime 'Extremely Comfortable' While on a personal visit to Beirut, an official from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime said that the regime is “extremely comfortable” with the current political and military situation in Syria and abroad, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Burgas Is the Latest Chapter In US-Hezbollah 'Spy Wars' Hezbollah has recently been implicated in last summer’s Burgas bombing, a step that Jean Aziz describes as another installment in the "spy wars" between the Lebanese Shiite group and Washington. Israel
Iranian Official Reportedly Killed In Syria Houssam Khosh Nweis has been killed in Syria amid rumors and stories of the circumstances surrounding his death. Lebanon
