After Damascus talks, Moscow pressures Syria

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s Dec. 10-11 visit to Damascus and increased contact with Turkey signal a shift in Russian-Syrian relations as Moscow looks for a political solution.

Lebanon

Loopholes, gaps riddle Taif Agreement

The agreement that ended the Lebanese civil war still hasn't been implemented and remains as controversial as when it was penned.

Lebanon

Israeli attack intensifies Syrian anger, despair

Syrians on social media mock “right to respond”; US says Syrian rebels will not overthrow Assad; Syrian patriarch pleads for peace; Russia steps up diplomacy; Jumblatt sees no future for Assad; Turkey’s shadow government; Qatar and Turkey draw congressional ire over support for Hamas.

Qatar

Russian DFM talks Syrian issue with Hezbollah

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with a wide range of Lebanese leaders during a visit to Beirut and told everyone what they wanted to hear.

Lebanon

Russia steps up its Middle East policy

Russia has recently increased its diplomatic efforts in the Middle East on a variety of fronts, ranging from Arab-Israeli peace to trade with Lebanon and military cooperation with Sudan.

Iraq

Israel-Hezbollah deterrence game continues

The reported airstrike against a convoy on its way from Lebanon to Syria has not yet sparked a strong reaction by Hezbollah against Israel, probably because its patron Iran is still negotiating a nuclear deal.

Israel

Israeli strikes on Syria hit Iranian weapons destined for Hezbollah

Syrian military sources tell Al-Monitor that Israeli warplanes struck storage depots with Iranian weapons that were to be sent to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel

Israeli fly-over coincides with attack on Lebanese army

A day after the Lebanese army was ambushed in Baalbek on Dec. 2, Israeli aircraft violated Lebanese airspace in the same area, raising questions about a possible cooperation between Israel and Syrians on the border with Lebanon.

Israel

Lebanon's bittersweet expertise in prosthetics helps amputees

As a result of past conflicts in Lebanon, organizations and government ministries have created a prosthetics sector that continues to advance and using its knowledge to assist not only Lebanese, but also Syrian refugee victims of war and those with congenital disabilities.

Lebanon

Lebanese army makes strides in Tripoli

With its success in Tripoli, the Lebanese army is proving itself as the only military institution in the state able to confront terrorism.

Lebanon

Long-awaited Bekaa Valley security plan implemented

The Lebanese army has implemented a security plan in the predominantly Shiite areas in the northern Bekaa Valley, amid increasing kidnappings, thefts and killings.

Lebanon

Hezbollah arrives in Iraq

As the battle against the Islamic State evolves, experienced members of Hezbollah arrive in Iraq to provide guidance and training.

Iraq