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
Russia Confronts Mideast SalafistsBy Courting Christians, Minorities Russia is courting Middle Eastern minorities, especially Christians, in a bid to confront Salafist extremism, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Israel
Iran Counters Saudi Diplomacy In Lebanon The competition between the Saudi and Iranian axes in Lebanon is high as the alleged Saudi “openness” toward Hezbollah proved to be less than it appeared, writes Jean Aziz. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon's Future Movement Deals With Syria Conflict Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict has been a point of controversy within Lebanon across all sects, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Lebanon's First Civil Marriage A Sign of Change On April 25, 2013, the first civil marriage was officially registered in Lebanon, a move that could forebode a radical change in the longstanding political sectarian system, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Israel Fencing Off Lebanese Village Would Violate UN Resolution Israel is attempting to build a fence around the northern part of Ghajar, a Lebanese village that lies on its northern border with Lebanon, in violation of UN Resolution 1701, writes Nasser Chararah. Israel
Hezbollah's Drone Distraction Amid reports of a Hezbollah drone shot down over Israeli airspace, some believe that the party’s leadership was trying to divert growing criticism from its base, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Is Hezbollah Losing Its Grip? The drone sent by Hezbollah to Israel must be interpreted as an outcry for survival by its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, writes Shlomi Eldar. Israel
Hezbollah Prepares for Attacks by Jabhat al-Nusra in Lebanon As Jabhat al-Nusra’s presence grows in Lebanon’s Sunni strongholds, Hezbollah braces itself for potential combat, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Lebanon Loses Pierre Sadek, Prominent Political Cartoonist Lebanese caricaturist Pierre Sadek, a staunch defender of press freedom, passed away on April 24, reports Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Hezbollah Denies Ownership Of Downed Drone Ali Hashem asks, If Hezbollah was not responsible for the drone downed over Israel, who was? Palestine
Hezbollah Base Questions Support for Assad With Hezbollah members increasingly dying in Syria, some of the party’s base are re-evaluating its role in the conflict, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Lebanese Government Formation at Impasse According to sources in the March 14 coalition, the slow process of forming Prime Minister Tammam Salam’s new government may damage both him and the coalition, Elie Hajj reports. Lebanon
