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
SNC Cites Hezbollah Role in Syria Syrian opposition forces claim Hezbollah is playing a growing role in the Syria conflict, reports Ali Hashem. Lebanon
Syria’s Oil Crisis Since the Syrian regime lost its grip on oil production, domestic oil prices have soared, increasing the civil war's burden on the Syrian economy, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Lebanon
Syria Between Dialogue, Disaster As the Syrian conflict intensifies, Nassif Hitti argues that the only way out of the crisis is through a mutual understanding between the regime and opposition based on the Geneva Declaration. Lebanon
Hezbollah Combats Corruption Since its founding in 1982, Hezbollah has expanded from a military body to include social, political and economic programs, as its leaders work to minimize corruption. Lebanon
Syrian Official Claims Regime 'Extremely Comfortable' While on a personal visit to Beirut, an official from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime said that the regime is “extremely comfortable” with the current political and military situation in Syria and abroad, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Burgas Is the Latest Chapter In US-Hezbollah 'Spy Wars' Hezbollah has recently been implicated in last summer’s Burgas bombing, a step that Jean Aziz describes as another installment in the "spy wars" between the Lebanese Shiite group and Washington. Israel
Iranian Official Reportedly Killed In Syria Houssam Khosh Nweis has been killed in Syria amid rumors and stories of the circumstances surrounding his death. Lebanon
Obama's Visit to West Bank Clovis Maksoud suggests that the recent Israeli elections may have unexpected results for President Obama's visit. Lebanon
Assassination Will Not Weaken Iran’s Support for Assad Meir Javedanfar speculates that the assassination of a senior member of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (IRGC) will not sink Iran’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Lebanon
In Address, Obama Offers 'Steadfast' Support for Israel US President Barack Obama was eloquent in his State of the Union address, although there was no mention of Palestinians or Israeli settlements, writes Clovis Maksoud. Lebanon
Terrorism Case Against Samaha Moves to Next Stage Michel Samaha and Ali Mamlouk, along with a third accomplice known as Col. Adnan, have been indicted on charges of plotting to carry out terrorist attacks, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Lebanon
Syria's Wealthy Refugees Wait Out War in Beirut Many affluent Syrians who have escaped the violence sweeping their country have temporarily settled in Beirut, given its proximity to Syria and opulent lifestyle, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
