Lebanon, UAE ink deals, deepen economic ties on Emirati Beirut visit An Emirati business delegation signed the agreements in Beirut and met with President Joseph Aoun, indicating the UAE's interest in deepening economic ties with Lebanon. Lebanon
Newsletter: Business & Tech Iran keeps Hormuz reopening on hold Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remained low, with only five commodity vessels transiting the waterway on Tuesday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Large UAE delegation set to arrive in Lebanon in major investment push A large Emirati delegation of around 70 business leaders and government officials is heading to Beirut, in the latest sign of thaw between the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US lifts Syria's terror designation Pakistan and Iran report “significant progress” in talks on ending conflict; Lebanon’s Transport Minister Rasamni visits Damascus; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran threatens ‘devastating’ response as US ramps up sanctions By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
In Lebanon, Hezbollah’s alliance with Christian FPM movement shows cracks The presidential vacuum and ongoing cross-border hostilities have strained already deteriorating relations between the Shiite Hezbollah group and the Free Patriotic Movement. Lebanon
France's new FM Sejourne makes first visit to Egypt, Lebanon, Israel & Jordan French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné is set to visit the Middle East, meeting with almost all the parties involved in the Gaza war, except Qatar. Israel
Mideast corruption rankings: UAE least corrupt, Lebanon & Iran close to bottom Arab states’ average corruption score dropped to an all-time low in 2023, as did Turkey’s, the corruption index shows. Turkey
Analysis Iran says it won’t interfere in Lebanon-Israel border talks Tehran will still need to sign off on deal if it happens; Iran and Sudan; Netanyahu is a prisoner of hostage talks; US rethinks its force posture in Syria and Iraq; and a US envoy says Israel must be ‘absolutely sure’ in Gaza military operations. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti , Samuel Wendel
War looms for Lebanon as border escalation intensifies Cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah have been escalating in recent days amid fear of a full-blown war. Lebanon
US seeks diplomatic deal to contain Israel-Lebanon escalation Amos Hochstein said he was hopeful a "temporary compromise" could be reached to ease tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border. Lebanon
With Hezbollah cornered, Lebanon-Israel escalation may not be contained With Hezbollah backed into a corner and Israel relentlessly attacking, the rules of engagement set in 2006 no longer apply. Lebanon
Who are the Hezbollah fighters killed by Israel in 2024? The Lebanese military organization has announced the death of several fighters in recent days as clashes on the Israel-Lebanon border continue to rage. Lebanon
Israeli drone strike in Lebanon leaves three Hezbollah fighters dead The latest strike comes as the cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies. Lebanon
Analysis Lebanon’s fragile economy buckles under risk of Israel-Hezbollah war The country has seen a sharp decline in business conditions within the private sector since the Oct. 7 attacks. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
'Battlefield will speak for itself', Hezbollah chief warns Israel amid retaliation fears The region is boiling amid a series of developments that have raised fears of the Gaza war spilling into a wider regional conflict. Lebanon
In Israel, US envoy Hochstein struggles to defuse tension with Lebanon's Hezbollah Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US envoy Amos Hochstein that Israel is determined to profoundly change the security situation on its border with Lebanon by both diplomatic and military means. Israel