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
Islamic State sets sights on sea in Lebanon The Islamic State has hopes of connecting with the sea, but to achieve this it must go through Lebanon, which will be a tough fight. Lebanon
Concerns rise in Lebanon as another soldier defects A handful of soldiers have defected from the Lebanese army to join Jabhat al-Nusra, which has caused concern among the Lebanese that it might become a trend. Lebanon
Iranian-Turkish relations strained over Syrian agendas Turkey's desired outcome in Syria would result in massively scaling back Iran's influence in the region, with Tehran losing its ally in Damascus, Hezbollah confined to Lebanon and Iraq threatened. Iraq
UN envoy meets with Hezbollah to discuss Syria Staffan de Mistura is the first UN special representative to the Syrian conflict to meet with Hezbollah officials to get the organization's assessment of the Syrian crisis. Lebanon
Is Hezbollah preparing large assault on Israel? If Iran succeeds in securing an agreement that enables it to preserve nuclear capabilities, it might decide to attack Israel through Hezbollah on the Lebanese and Syrian borders. Israel
Lebanese army struggles for financing Without a proper budget and new weapons procurement, the Lebanese army faces an uphill struggle in combating terrorism and securing the country. Why then have recent international donations not materialized? Lebanon
Beirut's archaeological heritage threatened by construction The new construction sites in Beirut are built without taking into consideration the archaeological heritage of the capital. Lebanon
Assad dismisses security chief of powerful 'Branch 40' The dismissal of Col. Hafez Makhlouf, head of Syria's internal security, may be a sign of reformist policies or even a change of leadership within the regime. Lebanon
Erdogan's Syria policies spark riots in Kurdish cities Turkey’s Syria policies spark massive protests in Kurdish cities, with at least 30 protesters killed; no relief for Syrians in Homs and Aleppo; Jabhat al-Nusra attacks Hezbollah in Lebanon. Lebanon
Nusra attacks on Lebanon attempt to 'change rules of game' Attacks by Jabhat al-Nusra on Hezbollah-controlled positions inside Lebanon represent a troubling development for the Lebanese and possibly the regime in Damascus as well. Lebanon
Jihadists target Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon’s Bekaa Gunmen from the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra have exploited Eid al-Adha to attack Hezbollah in a new location in the center of Lebanon’s border with Syria. Lebanon
Israel's war with the US As Israel-US ties continue to deteriorate, Israel is dealing with two other fronts: the Lebanese border where an explosive device just wounded two soldiers, and the mysterious explosion at the Parchin nuclear plant in Iran. Israel