In shift, Lebanon grants Iranian ambassador residency extension Mohammad Reza Sheibani’s visa was set to expire early Tuesday morning and he was first ordered to leave in March. Iran
In Lebanon, Italy proposes robust multinational force to replace UNIFIL: What to know Italy has produced alternative to replace the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon and preserve an international security presence there. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks Pakistan’s Munir arrives in Tehran; major UAE economic delegation to visit Beirut; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran threatens ‘devastating’ response as US ramps up sanctions Syrian Kurds announce integration with Damascus; US Treasury issues Hezbollah Iran-linked sanctions; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Israel defies Trump on Lebanon as Netanyahu, Katz prioritize elections By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Syrian Jihadist Groups Take Conflict To Lebanon Friday’s deadly clash in Arsal, Lebanon, signals a dangerous escalation in confrontations between the Lebanese Army and Sunni Jihadist groups connected to those fighting in Syria, writes Jean Aziz from Beirut. Lebanon
Economy Trumps Palestinian Issue In Israel Nassif Hitti writes that addressing the Palestinian question would help tackle the economic concerns that dominated Israel's elections. Israel
Divisions Increase Among Palestinian Factions in Syria Rifts in Fatah al-Intifada have emerged as support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime ebbs and flows throughout various Palestinian refugee groups in Syria and Lebanon, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Palestine
Jabhat al-Nusra Disrupts Syrian Opposition Mohammad Harfoush analyzes the growing influence of the Salafist jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra, and concludes that despite its military success, it has "contributed to the disarray of the revolution." Lebanon
Time to Stop the Bleeding in Syria Clovis Maksoud comments on the need for international support to end the conflict in Syria. Lebanon
Lebanon Seeks More Aid For Syrian Refugees Lebanon is looking to the international community for aid to cope with the influx of Syrian refugees, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Is Lebanon a Veiled Theocracy? Recent debate in Lebanon over the legalization of civil marriage has caused an uproar and raised questions about the true nature of the Lebanese Republic, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Lebanese Elections Linked To Syria, Regional Crisis Although regional crises threaten to postpone upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections, the international community is insistent upon elections taking place on time, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Lebanon
Salafist Leader Goes SkiingTo Broaden Support in Lebanon Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir recently journeyed to the Lebanese resort of Faraya to go skiing in a public-relations effort to depict himself as part of a new generation of Salafist leaders and to broaden his base of support, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Egypt Needs Dialogue Now Clovis Maksoud urges Egypt to begin a dialogue and end the political crisis. Egypt
Al-Qaeda Taking Root in Lebanon As refugees move between Syria and Lebanon, fears grow that al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamist groups could increase their influence in Lebanon, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Lebanon
