As Hezbollah vows to defend Iran, Lebanon braces for potential spillover Lebanon once again finds itself preparing for Hezbollah’s involvement in a looming US-Iranian military confrontation. Lebanon
Kuwait blacklists eight Lebanon hospitals over alleged Hezbollah ties: What to know The affected hospitals, located in areas where Hezbollah has a heavy presence, are believed to be run by Hezbollah-affiliated institutions. Lebanon
US sanctions Hezbollah-linked gold exchange, Iran-tied shipping network The move comes as the United States pursues a deal with Iran that would curb its support for Hezbollah and other regional militias. Lebanon
Lebanon, Syria sign deal to transfer 300 Syrian prisoners: What we know Lebanon and Syria signed a deal to transfer more than 300 convicted Syrians held in Lebanese prisons to their home country to complete their sentences. Lebanon
Lebanon reaps weapons windfall from Congress The tiny state has gone from pariah to partner thanks to the Islamic State. Saudi Arabia
Lebanese foreign minister: We cannot be the only ones receiving refugees In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil talks about the Syrian refugee crisis and the effects of the presidential vacancy on his country. Lebanon
What Israel should do about Iran Israel, if it fully takes into account the Mideast's yawning Sunni-Shiite divide, could benefit from reconsidering its point of view on Iran. Palestine
How to transfer money without financing terror During the Union of Arab Banks conference, officials discussed ways to monitor money transfers, to limit money laundering operations and the financing of terrorism. Egypt
Are reforms in Arab banking sector key to fighting terrorism? The latest Union of Arab Banks conference discussed ways to integrate all citizens in the banking sector’s database, to be able to fight money laundering and terrorism. Egypt
Israel fears return of Persian Empire According to a senior IDF source, Israel's major concern should be the Iran-Shiite-Hezbollah axis and Iran gaining regional influence and power after the nuclear agreement. Israel
Standstill persists in Lebanon Lebanon has been without a president for over a year now, and the current international pressure to hold elections is not going over well with the country's term-extending parliament. Lebanon
Opposition-regime swap deal in Syria frozen until further notice A Lebanese official told Al-Monitor that the swap deal discussed between the Syrian army and Hezbollah and the opposition fighters concerning Zabadani and two Shiite villages in Idlib province has been postponed until the outcome of King Salman’s visit to the United States unfolds. Lebanon
Why some Lebanese say arrest of Assir was not enough Lebanese security forces have arrested Salafist Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir in an operation that, while lauded by many, has stirred debate about the deepening sectarian tensions in the country. Lebanon
Republicans prepare for next round on Iran A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Sept. 14. Palestine
Is Hezbollah looking to restore its image through the West Bank? In light of allegations about the discovery of Hezbollah-affiliated armed cells in the West Bank, some sources say that Hezbollah might be seeking to regain the popularity it lost when it got involved in the Syrian war by militarily supporting Palestinians in their fight against Israel. Palestine
How the Islamic State has helped the Middle East The expansion of the Islamic State has forced regional powers to cooperate and is in fact strengthening state governance in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
