Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran threatens ‘devastating’ response as US ramps up sanctions Syrian Kurds announce integration with Damascus; US Treasury issues Hezbollah Iran-linked sanctions; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US Treasury issues Hezbollah sanctions, labels group Iran-linked The sanctions target couriers ferrying Hezbollah funds on commercial flights across the region. Lebanon
In first, Lebanon to hand over former Syrian general to Sharaa government The decision comes as Syria's new authorities move to prosecute former regime figures over alleged crimes committed during the country's civil war. Lebanon
After 44 years, Israel retrieves remains of soldier killed in Lebanon: What to know The Israeli military recovered the remains of Yehuda Katz, an Israeli soldier who was killed in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub in Lebanon 44 years ago. Israel
Analysis Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanese PM urges Israeli withdrawal in meeting with US envoy By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel moves against West Bank settlers after Huckabee criticism By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Israeli air force debates purchase of F-35 fighter planes As the Syrian, Lebanese and Turkish skies grow ever more crowded with Russian, American, British and Saudi fighter jets, Israel has decided to purchase more F-35s of its own. Israel
How the Arab Spring impacted Iran In light of Iran's new openness to the world following the nuclear deal, how do Iranian pro-reform activists interpret the events of the Arab Spring? Lebanon
What Hezbollah stands to gain from Iran's nuclear deal As the Iranian nuclear deal enters its implementation phase, analysts are discussing the repercussions of Iran’s openness to the West on Lebanese Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon holds breath for deal to export trash abroad Although officials have announced that Lebanon will export its waste as a solution to the garbage crisis plaguing the country since July, the government has yet to sign contracts with any foreign companies. Lebanon
Hezbollah's pick for president of Lebanon It seems Hezbollah is not giving up on Christian parliament member Michel Aoun’s candidacy for the Lebanese presidential elections, especially since Aoun now has the support of another major Christian leader in Lebanon, Samir Geagea. Saudi Arabia
Meet one of Hezbollah's teen fighters As more young Lebanese Hezbollah fighters travel to Syria, Al-Monitor spoke with one of these boys about their reasons for waging jihad and the training they go through before joining the fight. Lebanon
Was Beirut airport threat real or political conspiracy? Some say rumors of a potential bombing at the Beirut airport could be designed to pressure Lebanon to agree on a political settlement to elect a president. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Christian foes become friends Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea, the two Lebanese Christian leaders, finally turn the page on their historical bloody feud and have agreed on backing Aoun for president. Lebanon
Lebanon's banks to pay price of sanctions on Hezbollah New US sanctions against Hezbollah are adding pressure to Lebanon’s already struggling banking sector, further burdening the country’s economy. Lebanon
Lebanon feels aftershocks of Saudi-Iran crisis The current crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran against the backdrop of the execution of Shiite Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has already affected the strained relationship between Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon, but will it reinforce Christian political ties? Saudi Arabia
How Lebanese banks are handling US sanctions on Hezbollah It remains to be seen whether US sanctions will hurt Hezbollah or merely inconvenience banks and their customers. Lebanon
Why so many Lebanese are looking abroad As the economic and political situations in Lebanon worsen, more Lebanese seek to emigrate to the West and to Gulf countries for better job opportunities. Lebanon