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
After Aleppo victory, what's next for Hezbollah? With recent military victories in the Syrian war, Hezbollah has consolidated its political power and influence in Lebanon as well as in the greater region. Lebanon
Is Turkey’s shift on Assad beginning of the end of Syria’s war? Turkish deputy prime minister says "we just have to work with what we have"; no sectarian divide in Aleppo; the Syrian Kurdish fault line. Lebanon
How a landfill poses danger to Beirut flights Although the Costa Brava landfill, which is in close proximity to Lebanon’s only airport in Beirut, was closed, seagulls attracted to the waste pose a major threat to planes, while the government has yet to find a final solution to the two-year trash crisis. Lebanon
New Lebanese president makes Gulf priority With a visit to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 10, new Lebanese President Michel Aoun has signaled that warmer relations with the Gulf is at the top of his priority list. Legacy: Gulf
Lebanon's new women's affairs minister fails to charm Lebanese women's rights organizations are unimpressed with the creation of the new Ministry of Women’s Affairs, saying women need more representation across the board, not the attention of a single body, particularly one run by a male appointee. Lebanon
Why Lebanon could be spared from recent terrorism bloodshed Lebanon has been spared from the terrorism violence that has struck other neighboring countries of Syria over the past few weeks. Lebanon
Two sides of Syria: Damascus and Aleppo While Aleppo lies in ruins, life in wartime Damascus remains vibrant, but not untouched. Lebanon
Jordanians question timing, messages of top military brass The Dec. 30 BBC interview with Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised eyebrows in Amman and prompted local commentators to speculate about the purpose and meaning of Freihat’s statements. Iraq
In Lebanon, even private schools caught in education crisis The influx of displaced Syrians into Lebanon has worsened the already struggling education system in the country, with demand for private schools soaring as public schools are overcrowded and teachers exhausted. Lebanon
In Lebanon's Tripoli, culture defeats youth radicalization The northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, known for its violent neighborhood clashes and terrorist attacks, is home to several civil and cultural initiatives that work with youth to eliminate radical thought. Lebanon
What challenges await Lebanon’s new government? The newly approved Lebanese government faces many difficult issues, including adoption of an electoral law ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections in May, as the political blocs are divided over the matter. Lebanon
Hezbollah, Israel both mum on recent escalation Despite an escalation in Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Syria, an all-out confrontation between them seems unlikely for the near future. Israel
