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
Syria denies meeting with Lebanon’s Hezbollah in Turkey: What to know Both Damascus and Ankara denied reports that Syrian officials met with Hezbollah representatives in Turkey, as relations between the two sides remain fraught with tensions mainly over the Lebanese group’s support for Assad’s forces against rebels during the Syrian civil war. Syria
Lebanon holds airport tours to dispel weapons report amid Israel-Hezbollah tension Lebanon has responded to a report that Hezbollah is moving weapons through its international airport with a tour for foreign diplomats and journalists. Lebanon
Salvo of rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel as Cyprus responds to Hezbollah Hezbollah fired a new round of rockets on Israel hours after its leader warned Cyprus against military coordination with Israel if war breaks out with Lebanon. Lebanon
In Lebanon, Hochstein calls for 'urgent' end to Israel-Hezbollah escalation US special envoy Amos Hochstein met with the army commander and other top officials in Beirut to discuss the cross-border escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, one day after his trip to Israel. Lebanon
Do Lebanon's US Embassy attack, border clashes signal rise in extremism? While armed groups are becoming more active in Lebanon in the wake of regional tensions resulting from the Gaza war, some believe the country is not prone to rise of extremism. Lebanon
Hezbollah-Israel clashes intensify as fears grow of all-out war in Lebanon The situation on the Israel-Lebanon border is worsening, all while US efforts to reach a cease-fire in Gaza have yet to lead to a deal. Lebanon
Pentagon hosts Lebanon’s army chief in bid to avert Israel-Hezbollah war The Biden administration wants the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy near the Israel-Lebanon border to help defuse a potentially explosive conflict with Hezbollah. But first, Lebanon's top general needs to be able to pay his soldiers their salaries. Lebanon
Hezbollah fires 160 rockets at Israel after senior commander killed Hezbollah launched more than 160 rockets at north Israel in response to the death of the most senior commander in the Lebanese group killed since the cross-border hostilities began in October. Lebanon
Culture Lebanon's resistance through culture: Return of Beirut’s Metropolis Cinema As Beirut continues to navigate its path toward recovery, Metropolis Cinema stands as a symbol of the enduring power of art and culture to resist, unite and inspire. Lebanon
Lebanon's military chief heads to US amid rising Israel-Hezbollah tension The visit coincides with escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah on the border and a foiled attack on the US Embassy in Lebanon. Lebanon
Attack on US Embassy in Lebanon, Syrian gunman wounded Investigations are ongoing into the shooting incident, which comes amid intensified cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. Lebanon
Israeli war cabinet calls Lebanon meeting as Hezbollah tension spikes Israel's war cabinet is set to convene to discuss the escalation of violence on the border with Lebanon. Israel
Poverty in Lebanon tripled to 44%, as high as 62% in rural areas: World Bank In a recent report, the World Bank revealed a three-fold increase in poverty rates in Lebanon, which is hard hit by an economic crisis and financial meltdown, with nine out of every 10 Syrians displaced in the country living under the poverty line. Lebanon