Analysis Israel’s Lebanon dilemma: Confront Hezbollah without angering Trump, triggering Iran Israeli sources point out that the pilot project for Israel's withdrawal and the Lebanese military taking control over the area is not working because of the government's reluctance to search for Hezbollah's weapons in private homes. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz Syria, Saudi Arabia to establish joint bank; Lebanon, UAE ink deals, deepen economic ties; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US lifts Syria's terror designation By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Meet Lisa Johnson, US nominee to be ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson has a background fighting the drug trade, which could relate to Lebanon’s role as a transit point for illegal Captagon. Lebanon
Explainer: What is behind Lebanon's new exchange rate? There are multiple exchange rates between the Lebanese pound and the US dollar, and the official rate being below the black market rate helps financial institutions pass on their losses to the public. Lebanon
Middle East corruption rankings: Syria most corrupt, UAE least, Turkey slipped Corruption remains rampant across the Middle East and North Africa, Transparency International reports, with the region’s average score in combating corruption hitting a new low of 38. Turkey
Qatar's energy giant cements Lebanon deal, substituting Russia The Qatari firm officially took over the stake previously held by a Russian company. Legacy: Gulf
Meet judge Tarek Bitar, rattling Lebanon's political class in Beirut blast probe The leading investigative judge into the Aug. 4 Beirut port blast has come back after a 13-month stall, rattling the political and judicial establishment. Lebanon
Culture UNESCO lists two locations in Lebanon, Yemen as heritage sites in danger In an urgent session on Wednesday, UNESCO named two sites from Lebanon and Yemen to its List of World Heritage in Danger, calling for their immediate preservation. Lebanon
Qatar's energy giant joins Lebanon gas exploration group France’s TotalEnergies, which is also part of the consortium, said they hope to start drilling in Lebanese waters for oil and gas in 2023. Lebanon
Lebanon's prosecutor retaliates, charges judge investigating Beirut port blast The latest charges made by Beirut port explosion Judge Tarek Bitar against Lebanon’s key political figures has angered many in the political elite who banned him from travel on Wednesday. Lebanon
US sanctions Hezbollah financial adviser in Lebanon The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on Lebanese economist Hassan Moukalled, his two sons and his money-exchange business. Lebanon
Lebanon's blast investigator charges former PM Diab, senior security officials Among those charged are Prosecutor General Ghassan Oweidat, the head of Lebanon's domestic intelligence agency Major General Abbas Ibrahim, former army commander Jean Kahwaji, and other current and former security and judicial officials. Lebanon
Lebanon's army 'on alert' following border tension with Israel The Lebanese army is on alert following rising tensions with Israeli forces at the border. Israel
Lebanon's currency hits an all-time low as gridlock continues Lebanon's currency has set a new record low as the parliament failed yet again to elect a president. Lebanon
