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