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: Argentina issues arrest warrant for 4 Hezbollah operatives in AMIA bombing The four suspects are linked to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and injured hundreds. Lebanon
Why is Libya’s Hannibal Gadhafi on hunger strike in Lebanon? Hannibal Gadhafi’s health began to deteriorate after he began a hunger strike to protest his detention without trial in 2015. Meanwhile, an Amnesty International report warns of poor conditions in Lebanese prisons. Lebanon
Meet Lebanon's Jihad Azour, Christian opposition candidate for president After months of deadlock, Lebanon’s main Christian parties and opposition converged on the name of Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia office and a former finance minister, as their preferential candidate for the presidency. Lebanon
In Lebanon, women break barriers by tinkering fishing nets to secure income Lebanese women whose husbands are fishermen are joining them at sea and making and repairing fishing nets to secure an income for their families. Lebanon
Lebanon's Hezbollah denies links to suspects in killing of UN Irish peacekeeper Hezbollah officials have denied court findings that five people formally accused of killing an Irish soldier of the UNIFIL last year were members of Hezbollah. Lebanon
Mysterious Lebanon blast kills Palestinian fighters, Israel denies involvement Israel denied it was behind the mysterious blast that killed five members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Command in Lebanon's Bekka Valley region. Israel
Who is the Saudi citizen kidnapped in Lebanon, rescued in army operation? The kidnapping and swift rescue come at a time Lebanon is working to mend ties with Saudi Arabia. Lebanon
Double trouble: Lebanon’s Salameh gets second arrest warrant from Germany Riad Salameh is under increased scrutiny in Europe on suspicions of money laundering at a time Lebanon is grappling with a deteriorating financial and economic crisis. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Hezbollah stages war games, unveils drone weapon against Israel The exercises elicited condemnation from local parties in Lebanon. Lebanon
How much trouble is Lebanon's Riad Salameh in after Interpol's red notice? Days earlier, the French judiciary issued an international arrest warrant for Riad Salameh after he failed to show up at a hearing in Paris over his alleged involvement in an embezzlement case. Lebanon
France seeks arrest of Lebanon's Riad Salameh after no-show for corruption probe Riad Salameh, 72 years old, is currently being probed by Lebanese authorities and European countries including Switzerland over alleged money laundering. Lebanon