US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know Funding for such a program remains unclear, though the Pentagon has requested $36 million for fiscal year 2027 to support Lebanon’s army. Lebanon
Analysis Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects Hezbollah’s criticism of talks with Israel, insisting negotiations are aimed at ending hostilities and saying “treason” is taking the country to war for external interests. Lebanon
Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks With talks between Israel and Lebanon being held in Washington, Paris still insists that it must be involved to balance possible American bias and to protect Beirut’s interests. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
BDS guidelines ensnare award-winning Palestinian actor A screening of the film “The Insult,” for which a Palestinian won a coveted acting award, was canceled in Ramallah because the film's director had worked in Israel on his previous movie. Palestine
Lebanon's civil war scars re-emerge with assassination case verdict The sentencing of two men accused of assassinating former Lebanese President-elect Bashir Gemayel in 1982 has become politicized as questions are raised about its timing. Lebanon
Raqqa mothers recount horrors of life under IS as city liberated The thousands of Syrians who fled Raqqa when it fell under the Islamic State’s control have gained an inch of hope to return to their homes after the city was recently liberated. Lebanon
Lebanese women entrepreneurs push for success The Lebanese League for Women in Business is launching projects encouraging women to open their own businesses. Lebanon
Are Netanyahu, Liberman pushing Israel to war? Instead of Israel’s traditional discrete approach on retaliating fire from the north, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman are multiplying their provocative declarations. Israel
Lebanon looks to recreate Palestinian society in refugee camp A decade after the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp was destroyed, UNRWA is rebuilding it based on original layouts to better achieve the sense of community that existed in pre-1948 Palestine. Palestine
Lebanon launches suicide hotline to raise awareness about mental health In light of social stigma and limited health care, a Lebanese NGO is launching a suicide hotline to help people suffering from mental illnesses overcome their problems. Lebanon
Mud, rocks on menu in Beirut for Sharjah cultural event One of the major contemporary art experiences in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates' Sharjah festival, held events in Beirut, Istanbul, Ramallah and Dakar. Lebanon
Will new regulations help Palestinian-Syrians in Lebanon? New regulations could put an end to legal challenges faced by Palestinian-Syrian refugees who have, in some cases, gone to extreme lengths just to get hold of even the most fundamental legal documents. Lebanon
Ottoman fez gets face-lift in Beirut Two Lebanese designers are collaborating to reinvent the traditional tarboosh and give it a 21st-century look. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia’s call for international coalition against Hezbollah faces obstacles A Saudi politician called for the establishment of an international coalition to confront Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a suggestion that did not garner much support, namely in Europe. Saudi Arabia
Israel should practice what it preaches to the Palestinians Instead of risking a three-front war with its current policy of settlement expansion, Israel would do better if its leaders followed through on previous peace initiatives and the commitments it has made in negotiations with the Palestinians. Palestine
