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
Lebanon Army Prohibits Nakba Demonstration in Maroun al-Ras To avoid a repeat of last year, when Palestinian demonstrators breached the Israeli border fence, the Lebanese army has prohibited Palestinian demonstrators from going to Maroun al-Ras to commemorate Nabka Day. Palestine
Palestine and Syria Vie For Center Stage in Region Does the media’s preoccupation with Israeli-Palestinian negotiations overshadow developments in Syria? Palestine
Rise of Radical Jihadists Setback for Syria US military intervention would not have prevented, and will not prevent, radical jihadism in Syria. Lebanon
Russian Embassy in Beirut Becomes Hub for Syria Diplomacy With Russia’s diplomatic base relocated from Damascus to Beirut, Moscow is refining its strategy on the Syrian crisis as the second Geneva conference nears. Lebanon
Emerging Lebanese Pop Musicians Defy 'Habibi' Songs A new generation of musicians like Mike Massy is openly challenging the “plastic-surgery obsession and glam life” of the country’s thriving pop scene with their lyrics and performances. Lebanon
Can the Israeli Defense Budget Be Cut In Half? A veteran Israeli Defense Forces general claims the threats to Israel today do not require a massive military or huge air force. Egypt
Syrian Parties Respond to US-Russia Conference Proposal Syrian parties consider their participation in the conference proposed by the United States and Russia. Lebanon
No 'Good Guys' Or 'Bad Guys' in Syria Saudi Arabia and Qatar need to support a diplomatic outcome in Syria. Saudi Arabia
After 65 Years of Nakba, Hope In New Palestinian Generation The latest generation of Palestinian refugees may be one to restore the right of return. Palestine
Iran Fears Partnership on Syria Between US, Russia If Russia and the United States start cooperating to resolve the Syrian crisis, Assad may forced to jump into Iran’s lap. Lebanon
Game-Changers in Syria Will Lead To Israel-Iran Confrontation The confrontation between Israel and Iran is escalating over Syria and expanding in Lebanon. Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister-Designate Seeks to Break Deadlock Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is considering new options to break the deadlock on his forming a new government, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
