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October 24, 2026

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Lebanon uncovers new tunnel amid tensions with Hezbollah: What to know

A tunnel was discovered near Beirut as tensions between Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah have been running high over the seizure of weapons shipments destined for the Iran-backed group.

Israeli troops stand guard on the dividing line between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and Syrian, near Majdal Shams, July 16, 2025.

Analysis

'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma

The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Qatar PM in Beirut as Lebanon seeks economic relief: What to know

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani’s visit to Beirut coincides with the Lebanese authorities’ ongoing efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the country.

Mihrac Ural, who was also known as Ali Kayali, was arrested

Explainer

Syria arrests Mihrac Ural, ex-Assad militia head also wanted by Turkey

The Turkey-born militia chief and a longtime ally of the Assad-regime, was sought by Ankara over the deadly Reyhanli bombings and by Damascus over his alleged role in massacres on the Mediterranean coast.

Latest News

Syria denies meeting with Lebanon’s Hezbollah in Turkey: What to know

Lebanon seeks Turkey’s help to join Syria-Saudi rail link: What to know

A picture taken on May 1, 2019 shows a railroad of Mar Mikhael neighborhood in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Lebanon PM meets Rubio as Israel talks stall: What to know

SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon's PM calls for international force to replace UNIFIL: What to know

Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP via Getty Images

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Joyce Karam

Editor-in-Chief

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Hanna Davis

In Beirut, reporting on politics, migration, human rights

Rodayna Raydan

In Boqaata, reporting on culture

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi hold a banner with his picture as they gather at the Rabaa Adawiya square, where they are camping, in Cairo July 12, 2013. Tens of thousands of Egyptians packed into squares and marched along streets in Cairo on Friday to protest against the military overthrow of Islamist President Mursi, and the United States called for the first time for him to be freed. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL U

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.

Ahmad Mohamed Al-Sayed, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) at Qatar Holding, speaks during a news conference at the Qatar Motor Show in Doha, January 26, 2011. Qatar Holding's call for a higher price has threatened to derail commodities trader Glencore's $26 billion bid for miner Xstrata. With assets in excess of $100 billion, Qatar's sovereign fund has built a stake of around 11 percent in Xstrata since February. Picture taken January 26, 2011. To match Factbox QATARHOLDING-INVESTMENTS/

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.

A man with a poster of the chief of Egypt's armed forces General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on his car, talks to a protester in Tahrir square, in Cairo, July 9, 2013. Sign reads, "I love Egypt". REUTERS/ Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11HPZ

Egyptian Army Enables Democratic Transition

It is time to end the debate of whether what took place in Egypt was a coup or revolution.

$Caretaker Energy Minister Gebran Bassil points at a map during a tour of areas believed to have gas reserves, off Lebanon's coast near Beirut May 30, 2013. Offshore seismic surveys suggest Lebanon has at least 30 trillion cubic feet in just a small fraction of its Mediterranean waters Bassil said. Lebanon has selected 46 international oil companies to bid to explore for gas off its coast, where survey ships have been assessing prospects after discoveries in waters off neighbouring Israel and Cyprus. Pictur$

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.

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.

Civil Defence members, security personnel and civilians gather at the site of an explosion in Beirut's southern suburbs July 9, 2013. At least 18 people were wounded by a car bomb blast in Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday, a stronghold of the Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah militant group that has been fighting in Syria's civil war, security sources said. The sources were unable to confirm initial reports from medics at the scene that an unspecified number were killed in the massive blast. REUTERS/Issam Kobe

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.

Lebanese military police inspect the remains of a vehicle, at the site of an explosion in Beirut's southern suburbs, July 9, 2013. A car bomb exploded on Tuesday in a Beirut stronghold district of the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group that has been fighting in Syria's civil war, wounding at least 38 people, a hospital official told Reuters. REUTERS/Hasan Shaaban (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX11HK5

International Community Reacts To Beirut Bombing

In the wake of the car bombing in southern Beirut on July 9, international actors expressed their commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability.

Supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah carry his pictures and shout slogans near the site of an explosion in Beirut's southern suburbs, July 9, 2013. A car bomb exploded on Tuesday in a Beirut stronghold district of the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group that has been fighting in Syria's civil war, wounding at least 38 people, a hospital official told Reuters. REUTERS/Khalil Hassan (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11HIU

Morsi's Ouster Leaves Hezbollah Uncertain About Egypt Ties

Hezbollah remains unsure of what to make of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s ouster.

A protester, with his forehead painted with the colours of the Egyptian flag, sits on sand bags used to secure the entrance of Tahrir square, in Cairo, July 9, 2013. REUTERS/ Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11HQ0

Five Lessons From Egypt'sSecond Revolution

The dynamics of change in Egypt and the direction they will take.

Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman (R) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential palace in Baabda, near Beirut July 3, 2013. REUTERS/Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - RTX11BAD

Abu Mazen: I Will Not Utter The Words ‘Armed Resistance’

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, while visiting Beirut, said he was ready to reconcile with Hamas and that he unequivocally rejected armed resistance against Israel, stressiong “peaceful” and “diplomatic” resistance.

A protester supporting deposed Egypt's President Mohamed Mursi holds a poster of Mursi during clashes outside the Republican Guard barracks where Mursi is being held in Cairo July 5, 2013. At least three protesters were shot dead on Friday outside the barracks in Cairo, security sources said, as angry Islamist supporters confronted troops across the country. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX11DTC

A New Era for Egypt

Though Mohammed Morsi was the legitimate, elected president of Egypt, he quickly lost actual popular legitimacy by isolating large segments of the Egyptian population.

Bullet casings are seen on a street , during clashes with gunmen of hardline Sunni Muslim cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir, in Sidon, southern Lebanon, June 24, 2013. Lebanese soldiers fought Sunni Muslim gunmen in the southern city of Sidon on Monday in one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence fuelled by sectarian divisions over the civil war in neighbouring Syria. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY) - RTX10YXN

Assir Crisis Reflects Deeper Lebanese Divide

Although the Lebanese army successfully eliminated Salafist Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir, the societal divide that led to his emergence remains.