Syria, Lebanon stress noninterference as Damascus mulls Hezbollah talks When asked whether Damascus would be willing to meet with Hezbollah in the future, Syria’s foreign minister indicated that it would not rule out such a meeting. Syria
Culture Lebanon arrests man after video of public assault on wife goes viral The man seen violently beating a woman at a restaurant has been arrested, but the incident has reignited debate over domestic violence amid warnings that such abuse can increase during periods of war. Lebanon
Newsletter: Security Israel-Lebanon deal faces rocky road The agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel last week has reintroduced debate over the US military's role in southern Lebanon, even as Washington appears intent on limiting its direct involvement. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Qatar reports progress in US-Iran talks Syrian FM in Lebanon; Pro-Palestinian candidate unseats long-serving Democrat in Colorado; Turkish jets strike al-Shabab targets in Somalia; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Araghchi warns Israel as US, Iran hold technical talks in Doha By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis For Israel, Lebanon deal 'historic' despite fears Hezbollah will rebuild By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Al-Monitor highlights diversity of Islamic feminism Al-Monitor’s monthlong series on women concludes; Lebanese foreign minister appeals to UN Security Council for protection of Christians; members of Congress seek "formal dialogue" on future of Turkish democracy; the fault lines in Aleppo; have Israeli elections sparked long-stalled Palestinian reconciliation?; Ali Hashem profiles self-proclaimed Islamic State Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Iraq
Lebanese foreign minister: UN needs to show its political will In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil asked for the international community to stop the flight of Christians and minorities from the region. Lebanon
Hamas hopes to expand regional relations Hamas is seeking to expand its regional relations, namely with Egypt, which is seemingly trying to ease tensions with the movement. Palestine
Israel takes Hezbollah threats seriously The Israel Defense Forces have altered the topographical contours of the Western Galilee to create a steep cliff adjacent to the border with Lebanon, with the objective of turning the ground into a strategic advantage against Hezbollah. Israel
No 'deal' for Lebanese singer turned militant Amid the speculation, public resentment and mixed views that have been surrounding the case of Fadel Shaker, will the former singer, now militant, manage to find a way out? Lebanon
Is the Shiite revival here? Iran's support of religiously motivated forces in the Middle East has been viewed by many as a success while Saudi Arabia has struggled to find find reliable proxies. Saudi Arabia
The Islamic State in Africa The Islamic State presence in the depth of the African continent was strengthened after Nigerian movement Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the terrorist group. Egypt
After four years, Syrian revolution continues Syrian rebels say that the shift to armed movements against Bashar al-Assad’s regime has pushed people away from the main purpose of the revolution that started in 2011 and called for achieving justice, equality and freedom for all. Egypt
Lebanese domestic workers to unionize Domestic workers in Lebanon are working together to create a union to push for their rights and thwart potential abuses. Lebanon
Lebanese church struggles to support Iraqi refugees The Chaldean church in Hazmiyeh, Lebanon, is doing all it can to help Iraqi Christian refugees flooding into the country. Iraq
Lebanon schools struggle to integrate Syrian children UN agencies struggle to meet the education needs of Syrian refugees living in Lebanon. Lebanon
Does Iran have a card to play in Bahrain? While protests in Bahrain have remained largely peaceful, does Iran have any influence among the various Bahrain opposition groups? Saudi Arabia
