US brokers deal for limited Israeli withdrawal in south Lebanon The deal establishes a US-facilitated military coordination group to oversee the creation of two initial pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Explainer Gulf states push incentives for investors, expats after war dents image Several Gulf states are working to recover their images as global havens of stability in the wake of the Iran war. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran insists on right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz Supreme Court backs Trump move to end Syrians’ deportation protections; Lebanon cancels national high school exams; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As US talks stall, Hezbollah chief defiant, says Israel to leave Lebanon ’humiliated' The speech comes as the Lebanese-Israeli talks appeared to reach a deadlock this week amid Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanese territory as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Saudi FM in Syria after landmark visit to Lebanon Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visits to Lebanon and Syria underscore Saudi Arabia’s renewed diplomatic push in the region amid shifting power dynamics. Lebanon
Analysis With clock ticking in Lebanon and Gaza, are Israel’s ceasefire deals near collapse? As implementation deadlines approach this Saturday and Sunday, Israel doubts Hamas' ability to meet its obligations and says some Hezbollah infrastructure remains in place. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Al Arabiya journalist questioned in Lebanon for interviewing Israeli official The case of Layal al-Ekhtiar, who interviewed Israel's Arabic-language military spokesman last year as the Gaza war raged, has divided Lebanese political opinion. Lebanon
UN chief optimistic for Lebanon's recovery, questions Syria's future Antonio Guterres cautioned that there is no guarantee the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will hold or lead to a final peace agreement, but he expressed encouragement over Lebanon's election of a president on Jan. 9, following two years of political impasse. Syria
Saudi FM set to travel to Lebanon, will press Beirut for 'real reform' Prince Faisal said he would meet Lebanon's new leadership to gauge potential for Saudi investment and noted that Trump's reelection lessened the prospect of war in the region Saudi Arabia
Lebanon army, Syrian traffickers clash as anti-smuggling efforts ramp up Authorities in Lebanon and Syria have stepped up their fight against the Captagon trade following the fall of the Assad regime, which heavily relied on the industry as one of its major sources of income. Lebanon
France’s Macron in Lebanon as Beirut port blast probe resumes New developments following the election of Western-backed Joseph Aoun as president perhaps offer hope for generating political momentum and restoring the international community's confidence in Lebanon. Lebanon
Analysis Eyeing reconstruction, port investment, UAE resets Lebanon ties A weakened Hezbollah and a new government in Beirut give room for the Emirates to play a big role, politically and economically, in Lebanon. By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
Al-Waleed bin Talal announces Four Seasons to reopen in Beirut, Lebanon The planned reopening of the hotel, which was damaged in the 2020 port explosion, follows Saudi-backed Gen. Joseph Aoun's becoming president of Lebanon. Lebanon
Top US general in Mideast meets Lebanon's Aoun in bid to shore up ceasefire with Israel CENTCOM commander Gen. Erik Kurilla's final diplomatic tour of the region under President Joe Biden came as the outgoing president defended his foreign policy legacy in a speech from Foggy Bottom. Lebanon
Kuwait sentences 13 to prison over Hezbollah financing: What we know Kuwait has had tense relations with Hezbollah in the past and the ruling comes as Saudi Arabia is reportedly pushing for the Iran-backed group to be disarmed. Kuwait
Nawaf Salam secures enough votes to be Lebanon's next prime minister The ICJ president is not a Hezbollah favorite, but has secured the backing of more than 70 parliamentarians to be Lebanon's next prime minister. Lebanon