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
Why Kerry Wants a Fast Reboot Of Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks US Secretary of State John Kerry wants a quick resumption of Mideast peace talks, hoping to elicit some flexibility from Israel and to head off UN countermeasures by the Palestinians. Palestine
Lebanese Shiites' Divisions Intensify Over Syria The murder of a student leader of an anti-Hezbollah Shiite group has served as a reminder of historical and shifting divisions within Lebanon’s Shiite community. Lebanon
Lebanon's Assir Gone, But Problems Remain While the Lebanese army has successfully booted Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir from the city of Sidon, the popular divide that allowed for his movement's growth persists. Lebanon
No Secret Deal Behind Assir’s Escape Although many think that a secret escape deal was struck between Ahmad al-Assir and the Lebanese army, logic suggests that this is not the case. Lebanon
Lebanon Threatened by Civil War In the tense few days following the clashes between followers of Salafist Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir and the Lebanese army, many are wondering what the implications for the stability of the country will be. Lebanon
Egyptians Resist 'Brotherhoodization' The policy of Brotherhoodization of Egypt and the resistance to it. Egypt
Palestinians Refuse Assir's Call To Join Battle in Sidon Hamas is staying out of Lebanon’s sectarian conflict. Lebanon
Sheikh Al-Assir's Militants Kill Lebanese Soldiers in Sidon After supporters of Sunni Salafist Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir killed Lebanese soldiers in Sidon, Lebanon seemed on the edge of open conflict. Lebanon
Lebanese Expert: Constitutional Council Must Be Restructured Speaking to Al-Monitor, Mahfouz Skina, a former adviser to Lebanon’s State Council, comments on the country’s political crisis and says the Constitutional Council must be restructured. Lebanon
Geneva II: A Chance to End Syria’s Tragedy There is hope that the Geneva II conference can help stem Syria's bloodshed. Lebanon
Conditions for Takeoff for Geneva II Russia and the United States must reach an understanding to set Geneva II up for success. Lebanon
Lebanon Headed Toward Crisis, Full-Blown Sectarian Violence Lebanon’s government crisis as well as repercussions of the war in neighboring Syria are threatening to drag the country into a crisis of major proportions. Lebanon
