Lebanon cancels national high school exams due to war: What to know Lebanon has canceled its national exams for the year due to the war and ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, following weeks of pressure on the Education Ministry. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week Hormuz tolls and frozen funds pose early tests for Iran deal; Iran's generals intensify anti-US rhetoric; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Explainer Lebanon advances controversial $500K golden visa law: What to know While its supporters say the scheme would help Lebanon's economy recover, critics say it could offer a channel for corruption. Lebanon
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu With the fifth round of talks set to begin Tuesday, Israel is prepared to withdraw from at least one “pilot zone,” allowing the Lebanese army to take control of the area. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says nuclear negotiations have not started yet By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis As US reshapes Lebanon strategy, Israel finds itself sidelined By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Lebanese visa regulations cause more distress for Syrians The announcement of new regulations requiring Syrians to obtain visas to enter Lebanon has caused consternation and confusion among Syrians as well as in the Lebanese government. Lebanon
Hezbollah's three options on Israel The Lebanese Shiite group has only a few options for responding to the Israeli strike against it in Syria and wants to be careful not to cause an expansion of the conflict onto Lebanese territory. Israel
Israel anticipates Hezbollah's reaction Israeli security experts estimate that although Hezbollah is not interested in raising tensions with Israel, it will respond to the Jan. 18 attack on its convoy, either in the Golan Heights or against Israeli targets abroad. Israel
New visa regulations confuse Syrians Syrians in Lebanon who have legal residency permits are worried that new regulations will not protect them from being deported. Lebanon
How will Hezbollah respond to Israeli strike? Speculation has arisen as to how Hezbollah will respond following the Israeli raid on its location in Syrian territory, which led to the killing of six of its members. Israel
Did Nasrallah blur red line on Assad? Hezbollah’s leader says a political solution could include Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s departure “after the end of his term”; Kerry supports Russia, UN diplomacy on Syria; Who does Israel back in Syria?; Did Turkey arm Jabhat al-Nusra?; Iran’s shallow influence in Yemen. Yemen
Nasrallah: 'The game is over' In an interview with pan-Arab news channel Al-Mayadeen, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah talked about sensitive regional issues, mainly the Syrian crisis, saying that "the game is over" there with the failure of hostile plans. Palestine
Lebanese await outcome of prisoner swap deal Lebanon has witnessed three interrelated security developments in the past few days that will prove decisive in the prisoner swap deal between the Lebanese government and Jabhat al-Nusra. Lebanon
Lebanon’s continued electricity cuts portend disaster The Lebanese state has yet to secure a continuous electricity supply to its citizens, nearly 20 years after the end of the civil war, which has led to heavy debts and will incur a major disaster in the near future. Lebanon
Negotiations to free Lebanese soldiers remain at impasse The hostage takers have demanded the demilitarization of areas on the Lebanese-Syrian border and the release of prisoners, both of which have been met with significant opposition by the Lebanese political establishment. Lebanon
Lebanon’s economic outlook for 2015 The economic situation in Lebanon does not bode well for the coming year, but hope remains if governing political forces move away from the region's conflicts. Lebanon
Refugee, Lebanese women forge friendships A project to produce mouneh, the traditional processing of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs into jarred preserves, is bringing Lebanese women together with Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Lebanon