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 Hezbollah ExaggeratingJabhat al-Nusra’s Strength? According to a Lebanese politician once close to Hezbollah, the organization is exaggerating Jabhat al-Nusra’s size to scare Lebanese Shiites into continuing to support the party, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Syria Civil War Causes Return Of Saudi Influence to Lebanon Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, there has been a resurgence in Saudi Arabian influence in Lebanon, as the desert kingdom attempts to fill the vacuum left by Syria, Nasser Chararah writes. Saudi Arabia
US, Russia Diplomatic Cold War in Beirut As the Syrian civil war continues to encroach on life in Lebanon, the US and Russian ambassadors have been playing an intriguing diplomatic game, competing in support for their Lebanese allies and currying favor with politicians, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Hamas, Hezbollah Take Opposite Sides in Syria Hamas and Hezbollah leaders find themselves on opposite sides of the war in Syria, writes Shlomi Eldar. Palestine
Al-Qaeda Seen Expanding Influence in Lebanon Salafist and jihadist groups, including those affiliated with al-Qaeda, appear to be deepening their roots within Lebanon, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Tammam Salam Likely March 14 Candidate for Lebanese Premier Tammam Salam, a parliamentary representative from Beirut and a member of the March 14 coalition, looks to be a likely candidate for prime minister of Lebanon, Elie Hajj writes. Lebanon
Lebanon's 'Fuel War' Linked To Syrian Conflict Opponents of the Syrian government in Lebanon are blocking transportation of diesel into Syria, reports Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Is a Pan-Arab Reform Possible? Nassif Hitti asks, “Will the Arab League be able to take the road of pan-Arab economic cooperation, institutional reform and modernization?” Lebanon
Lessons From Land Day According to Clovis Maksoud, Land Day should remind leaders and the Arab Summit to stress Palestinians' human rights and unity. Palestine
Parliament Speaker Key to Lebanese Electoral Law Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri remains a critical player in Lebanese politics, including whether there will be passage of an electoral law, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Hezbollah Says External Pressures Forced the Mikati Resignation Sources close to Hezbollah consider the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati to be the result of pressure from outisde powers, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Arab League Summit Is About More Than Syria The Arab League summit dealt not only with the controversial issue of seating the Syrian opposition, but also with Arab citizenship and civil society, writes Clovis Maksoud. Lebanon
