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
What Lebanon's Mikati Lacked To Succeed as Prime Minister Hadi Fathallah examines Najib Mikati's resignation as Lebanon's prime minister, where he failed in the job, and what he needs to succeed should he return. Lebanon
It's Time to Dust Off Arab Peace Initiative According to Nassif Hitti, the Arab Peace Initiative is the most comprehensive initiative in addressing the Arab-Israeli conflict. Lebanon
Tripoli: A Powder Keg of Fundamentalism The northern Lebanese city of Tripoli has been severely affected by the conflict in neighboring Syria, with heightened sectarian tensions threatening an outbreak of civil war, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
President Obama’s Visit: One Clear Outcome Israel is not an occupying power but a conquering one; this became clear when it was implied that previous negotiations were a “cover-up” to reach the current status quo, writes Clovis Maksoud. Lebanon
Lebanon Premier's Resignation Exposes Lebanon to Instability Lebanon's prime minister has resigned after two difficult years in office, opening the door to further instability in the country, writes Ali Hashem. Lebanon
Mikati’s Resignation Puts Lebanon At a Crossroads After two prior threats to quit, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati resigned, leaving Lebanon with its third power vacuum in 25 years, writes Jean Aziz Lebanon
Mikati Bites The Bullet, Resigns Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced his resignation, in a move many attribute to his government's inability to hold parliamentary elections on schedule, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Lebanon: Syria War Spreads to Arsal The Lebanese government is concerned over the northern Lebanese town of Arsal’s becoming a futher target of Syrian government attacks, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Lebanon Must Isolate Itself From Syria Crisis The competing Lebanese coalitions must consolidate their current policy of self-distancing from the crisis in Syria to avoid being dragged into the civil war and to prevent the war from exacerbating sectarian tensions and politics in Lebanon, writes Nassif Hitti. Lebanon
Beirutis on Edge Over Sectarian Tensions Following the assault of four Sunni sheikhs in a suburb of Beirut on March 17, the city’s residents express their concerns over what appears to be re-emerging sectarian tensions, reports Elie Hajj. Lebanon
UN to Probe Syria's Claim Of Rebel Chemical Attack A chlorine factory is at the core of the Syrian government's call for an investigation into chemical-weapons use near Aleppo, reports Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Iraq War Lessons, a Decade Later Iraq's embrace of democracy since the 2003 war has set the stage for sectarian politics and instability by heightening internal tensions and inviting outside interference in times of crisis, writes Nassif Hitti. Iraq