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
UN Security Council Should Seek End to Israeli Occupation Nassif Hitti argues that a third Palestinian intifada is imminent, and says the UN Security Council should make a serious commitment to ending the Israeli occupation. Palestine
Lebanese Unions End Strikes As Economic Crisis Continues Although Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has succeeded in ending a weeklong wave of public sector strikes that paralyzed much of Lebanon, the country’s economy still faces many challenges, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Hagel, Syria, the P5+1 and Iran The Senate confirmed Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense as the United States announced $60 million in non-lethal aid to the Syrian Opposition Council; Israel, Iraq and Lebanon continue to be concerned about the regionalization of the war in Syria; and Iran puts Syria in play after the P5+1 meetings. Iraq
Lebanese Politician Criticizes Failures in Government Services Speaking to Elie Hajj, a prominent Lebanese politician argues that the country’s political class is incapable of resolving problems and fails to address the citizens' most basic needs. Lebanon
Hezbollah-Israel Psychological War Continues in Nasrallah Speech Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah’s television appearance on Feb. 27 was a carefully crafted psychological warfare operation, writes Nasser Chararah. Israel
Syria Remains Prisoner Of International Indecision The outcome of the meeting between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Syrian opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib demonstrates the regional and international constraints hampering resolution of the Syrian crisis, writes Clovis Maksoud. Lebanon
Beirut on Edge After Nasrallah Speech The speech by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on Feb. 26 holds many similarities to his speech on May 6, 2008, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Lebanese Political Crisis Related to Rise in Crime The increase in security concerns around the war in Syria has led to a sharp rise in crime in Lebanon, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Hezbollah Probes Detente With Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Hezbollah leaders look to improve relations Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, or at least refrain from criticism, while emphasizing their shared interests, writes Nasser Chararah. Egypt
Qatar Offers 'GCC+1' to Include Iran At a recent forum in Kuwait, high-ranking Qatari officials proposed the formation of a new organization comprising the GCC and Iran, writes Nassif Hitti. Qatar
Nasrallah Sends Message on Syria Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah disproved rumors he is sick and delivered a message to Lebanon’s leaders on Syria and the electoral law issue, writes Ali Hashem. Lebanon
Lebanon Prepares for Gulf Tourists Amid Unstable Security Despite the unstable security situation prevailing in Lebanon, many Kuwaiti tourists plan to spend an official holiday in the country, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon