US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know Funding for such a program remains unclear, though the Pentagon has requested $36 million for fiscal year 2027 to support Lebanon’s army. Lebanon
Analysis Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects Hezbollah’s criticism of talks with Israel, insisting negotiations are aimed at ending hostilities and saying “treason” is taking the country to war for external interests. Lebanon
Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks With talks between Israel and Lebanon being held in Washington, Paris still insists that it must be involved to balance possible American bias and to protect Beirut’s interests. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Meet the likely successor of Islamic State’s Baghdadi After IS spokesman and second-in-command Abu Mohamed al-Adnani was killed in an airstrike last month, there are indications that Bahraini citizen Turki al-Binali may replace him. Saudi Arabia
Did Washington ask Lebanon to negotiate with Israel over oil? An agreement for Lebanon to begin exploiting oil and gas reserves in the Mediterranean appears to have been put on hold following an American request that Lebanon negotiate with Israel to resolve their maritime border dispute. Israel
Uncertain future for Syrians as EU-Lebanon migration deal looms Increasingly harsh conditions for Syrian refugees in Lebanon may present new problems for a prospective deal with the European Union. Lebanon
Iraqi militias aspire to be like Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units consider themselves as an "alternative" state institution, like the IRGC; Russia-Turkey "reset" stumbles on Syria; United States and Russia need to conclude agreement on Syria. Iraq
Why Hezbollah won't open all-out front against Israel Israel's arrest of activists recruited by Hezbollah through Facebook reflects the organization's current strategy of encouraging attacks in Israel orchestrated from afar. Israel
Municipal elections offer political first step for Lebanese women Female candidates won big in May's municipal elections across Lebanon, with a substantial jump in female representation from the last local elections in 2010. Lebanon
Top Brazilian judo fighter comes home to Lebanon for Rio Olympics Lebanese-Brazilian judoka Nacif Elias switched to Lebanon for the 2016 Olympics after reconnecting with the homeland he left as a child. Lebanon
Lebanon reels under weight of Syrian refugee crisis Lebanon's foreign and labor ministers are extremely worried about the consquences of Lebanon's hosting of Syrian refugees, particularly in light of the June 27 suicide bombings in the Bekaa Valley. Lebanon
Why did Egypt deport this British-Lebanese TV host? While Cairo says TV host Liliane Daoud had overstayed her residency permit, others suspect her deportation came as a result of her show hosting anti-government voices. Egypt
Bus Map Project to untangle Beirut's bewildering transit routes To address the heavy traffic and disorganized public transportation in Lebanon, a small team of volunteers is working to create an interactive bus map and encourage commuters to take advantage of the redeveloping services. Lebanon
Lebanese Christian village hit with eight suicide attacks in one day The eight suicide attacks that targeted al-Qaa, a Christian village bordering Syria, might revive sectarian tension, especially between the residents of the village and the Syrian refugees. Lebanon
