US brokers deal for limited Israeli withdrawal in south Lebanon The deal establishes a US-facilitated military coordination group to oversee the creation of two initial pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Explainer Gulf states push incentives for investors, expats after war dents image Several Gulf states are working to recover their images as global havens of stability in the wake of the Iran war. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran insists on right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz Supreme Court backs Trump move to end Syrians’ deportation protections; Lebanon cancels national high school exams; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As US talks stall, Hezbollah chief defiant, says Israel to leave Lebanon ’humiliated' The speech comes as the Lebanese-Israeli talks appeared to reach a deadlock this week amid Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanese territory as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Is the Aoun-Nasrallah Alliance Stagnating? As relations between Lebanon’s Free Patriotic Party, led by Gen. Michel Aoun, and Hezbollah appear to be stagnating, both sides take time to reflect on the rationality of sustaining Lebanon’s first Shiite-Maronite coalition. Lebanon
Hezbollah Regions Targeted As Syria War Spreads to Lebanon Amid rising sectarian tensions and following Hezbollah’s decision to fight in Syria's civil war, attacks against Hezbollah-controlled regions throughout Lebanon have increased. Lebanon
Lebanese Alliance Shifts Ultimately Depend on Syria After Lebanon’s parliament failed to pass a new electoral law, speculation began to circulate that Gen. Michel Aoun might end his long alliance with Hezbollah and Amal. Lebanon
Squeaks in US-Israeli Relations Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments on "Face the Nation" about what the US should do about Iran stir controversy. Israel
Illegal Marijuana Trade Thrives in Lebanon While the Lebanese government is preoccupied with domestic and regional conflicts, efforts to combat the country’s growing cannabis trade are put on the back burner. Lebanon
Egypt Question Takes Priority in Arab Politics Egypt is taking the place of Syria on the front burner of regional politics as the world waits to see how the Muslim Brotherhood and its allies will react to the president's ouster. Egypt
Emir Signals Change by Replacing Head of Qatar Investment Authority In the second article of a two-part series, the new Qatari emir seeks to separate politics and business. Qatar
Egyptian Army Enables Democratic Transition It is time to end the debate of whether what took place in Egypt was a coup or revolution. Egypt
Will Offshore Gas Spark New Lebanon-Israel Conflict? As exploration and exploitation of offshore gas fields in Lebanese waters has yet to get going, concerns have been raised that bordering Israeli fields could serve as a pretext for Israel to steal Lebanese gas. Israel
Bomb Shakes Hezbollah Stronghold A first-hand account from the Bir el-Abed neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs, the scene of a bombing today, July 9, which injured 53. Lebanon
The Message Behind The Bomb in South Beirut Given that the recent car bomb in Beirut’s southern suburbs occurred in a location that was part of Hezbollah’s security perimeter prior to the 2006 war, some may be trying to send a message that Hezbollah will pay a price for its involvement in Syria. Lebanon