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
US offers to mediate as Israel, Lebanon remain 'far apart' on maritime border talks Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lamented the lack of progress between the two countries on their Mediterranean border. Lebanon
Lebanon passes law criminalizing sexual harassment Lebanese lawmakers broadened what constitutes domestic violence but did not specifically outlaw marital rape. Lebanon
Lebanese citizens see no relief as economic downturn worsens Amid plans to lift subsidies and private universities’ decision to raise tuition fees, the Lebanese people continue to suffer under the country’s crumbling economy with no end in sight. Lebanon
Lebanese activist sentenced to prison for collaborating with Israel Kinda El-Khatib, a critic of Hezbollah on social media, was sentenced to three years in prison by a military court. Lebanon
Hezbollah operative receives life sentences for Hariri assassination The Special Tribunal for Lebanon at the Hague had already convicted Salim Jamil Ayyash for involvement in the 2005 car-bomb assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister. Lebanon
Slovenia designates Hezbollah as terrorist organization Slovenia has followed other European states in designating Hezbollah as a terror group, including both its political and its military wings. Lebanon
Lebanese GDP to decrease by nearly 20% in 2020 The World Bank has proposed several reform measures as Lebanon continues to struggle with currency depreciation, the COVID-19 pandemic and more. Lebanon
Israel-Lebanon sea border talks postponed Israel and Lebanon have paused direct discussions over their maritime dispute in a gas-rich part of the Mediterranean in October under US supervision. Israel
Lebanon’s PM struggles to form Cabinet amid economic crisis Lebanon’s political elite have yet to form a government despite the urgency as the country slides further into economic collapse. Lebanon
Lebanon’s intelligence chief visited Damascus amid efforts to free Austin Tice Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim suggested efforts to secure the American journalist's release continued after Ibrahim visited Washington last month. Lebanon
Lebanon returns to lockdown as virus cases surge COVID-19 infections have risen steadily in Lebanon since the August explosion in Beirut. Lebanon
Syrian refugee in Lebanon sets himself on fire The UN refugee agency said the 58-year-old man was hospitalized and is receiving the necessary care. Lebanon
