Lebanon uncovers new tunnel amid tensions with Hezbollah: What to know A tunnel was discovered near Beirut as tensions between Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah have been running high over the seizure of weapons shipments destined for the Iran-backed group. Lebanon
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Qatar PM in Beirut as Lebanon seeks economic relief: What to know Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani’s visit to Beirut coincides with the Lebanese authorities’ ongoing efforts to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the country. Lebanon
Explainer Syria arrests Mihrac Ural, ex-Assad militia head also wanted by Turkey The Turkey-born militia chief and a longtime ally of the Assad-regime, was sought by Ankara over the deadly Reyhanli bombings and by Damascus over his alleged role in massacres on the Mediterranean coast. Turkey
Arabs Should Test Obama On Israeli-Palestinian Peace Arabs should soon test whether the second Obama administration is serious about Israeli-Palestinian peace, writes Clovis Maksoud. Palestine
Obama Should Review US Middle East Policy Clovis Maksoud writes about the state of US-Israel relations and the hope that the second Obama administration will pursue a viable peace process. Israel
Lebanese Minister Survives Convoy Attack Lebanese Minister of Youth and Sports Faisal Karami survived an attack on his convoy by Salafist protesters on Jan. 18 in the northern city of Tripoli, reports Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Syrian Crisis Threatens To Draw in Lebanon Lebanon is especially worried that the Syrian crisis could spread, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Syria and the Lebanon Model Nassif Hitti asks whether the "Lebanon model," which breeds fragile and sectarian democracies, is suited for Syria. Lebanon
Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Try to Keep Hope Nasser Chararah reports on a young Syrian couple in Beirut who have fled from the conflict in Syria and, despite the tough conditions, maintain optimism that they will one day return. Lebanon
Lebanon's Electoral Law And the Regional Crisis The recent move by the Lebanese March 14 coalition’s Christian parties to support the so-called Orthodox Gathering’s election law surprised their allies, yet the alliance insists that it is still united, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Palestinian Militants From Syria Establish Lebanon Base In a move that could destabilize Lebanon, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine has set up two bases in Lebanon, one just a few miles away from Beirut, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Palestinians Must Unite Before Israeli Elections Clovis Maksoud writes that the likely victory by right-wing parties in the coming Israeli elections sets a deadline for Palestinian reconciliation. Palestine
Mali Conflict Threatens Security in Maghreb Region France becomes involved militarily in Mali as Islamist militants spread their influence, shedding a brighter light on potential regional implications of escalating conflict in the country, writes Ambassador Nassif Hitti. Lebanon
Lebanese Electoral Law Shakes Political Coalitions Political alliances are shifting and rifts widening as legislators again take up a new electoral law, reports Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Lebanon Faces Increased Pressures From Syrian Refugees Mohammad Harfoush reports on how Lebanon is trying to deal with the strain of increasing numbers of Syrian refugees. Lebanon