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
In shift, Lebanon grants Iranian ambassador residency extension Mohammad Reza Sheibani’s visa was set to expire early Tuesday morning and he was first ordered to leave in March. Iran
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
Gaza war brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer The war on Gaza offers an opportunity to renegotiate the strategic relationship between Hamas and Hezbollah, whose relationship has been severed over the past three years, providing major obstacles can be overcome. Qatar
How will the Lebanese military deal with Arsal? The battle in Arsal posed a major challenge to the Lebanese army while the people there waited for a military settlement. Lebanon
Arsal clashes a threat to Lebanon's future The outcome of the clashes in Arsal between the Lebanese army and fundamentalists supporting the Syrian opposition may hold the key to how Lebanon can resolve its political crises. Lebanon
Officials mum on Lebanese soldier's defection to Jabhat al-Nusra Government officials have refrained from directly commenting on news that a soldier has defected from the Lebanese army to join Jabhat al-Nusra. Lebanon
Will patriarch's plan lead to new Lebanese president? Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai has proposed an initiative to allow a president to be elected with only an absolute majority of the vote. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Christians react to crisis in Mosul The Lebanese Foreign Ministry has taken up the cause of the uprooted Christians of Iraq, calling on international organizations to intervene. Iraq
Foreign investments slip as Lebanon remains in crisis In addition to stability and electing a president, a series of reforms is necessary to stop the regression of Lebanon’s economy. Lebanon
Security forces move on radical Islamists in Tripoli The arrest of Hussam Abdullah al-Sabbagh, wanted for committing terrorist attacks, has triggered demonstrations by Salafists in Tripoli. Lebanon
Hezbollah, Hamas repair political ties during breakup The fraught relations between Hezbollah and Hamas could come to an end as Israel continues its ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Israel's legal framework for Gaza strikes Declaring Gaza a "belligerent, entity sui generis" has informed Israel’s strategy in the conflict. Palestine
Personal appearance by Nasrallah could be target for attacks While Hezbollah sources hint that Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah may appear in person to deliver this year's Quds Day speech, there are questions of whether he can, in light of genuine concerns for his safety. Lebanon
What is Hezbollah learning from Hamas? Any action taken by Hamas against Israel is likely being carefully studied by Hezbollah for future conflict purposes. Palestine