Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran threatens Europe Iran threatened Wednesday to strike US bases in Europe and elsewhere beyond the Middle East if attacks resume on the Islamic Republic as mediators work to de-escalate the war. By Gabrielle Debinski In New York City, reporting on the Middle East
France, US push rival UNIFIL plans ahead of Lebanon mandate expiry With the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon due to expire in six weeks, France and the United States are advancing sharply different proposals for the country's future after UNIFIL's departure. Israel
Lebanon detains Hezbollah members as PM pledges end to impunity Concerns about internal strife are growing amid tensions between Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah. Lebanon
Lebanon’s AI ambitions face classroom test AI and technology proficiencies are needed to boost the country's economic growth, but as the education system struggles, student reliance on chatbots for learning is growing. Lebanon
Beirutis on Edge Over Sectarian Tensions Following the assault of four Sunni sheikhs in a suburb of Beirut on March 17, the city’s residents express their concerns over what appears to be re-emerging sectarian tensions, reports Elie Hajj. Lebanon
UN to Probe Syria's Claim Of Rebel Chemical Attack A chlorine factory is at the core of the Syrian government's call for an investigation into chemical-weapons use near Aleppo, reports Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Iraq War Lessons, a Decade Later Iraq's embrace of democracy since the 2003 war has set the stage for sectarian politics and instability by heightening internal tensions and inviting outside interference in times of crisis, writes Nassif Hitti. Iraq
Hezbollah Again Postpones General Congress Hezbollah's decision to again delay its general congress may be linked in part to regional developments, including Bahrain and Syria, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Iraq: The Illegal War Clovis Maksoud writes that there is nothing to celebrate in remembering the 10th anniversary of the Iraq War, except the removal of Saddam Hussein from power. Lebanon
Beirut on the Brink With Lebanon's leading troika abroad for diplomatic sessions, sectarian rifts have begun to reappear, and fears are growing that Syria’s conflict could leak over the Lebanese border, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Hezbollah Death Stirs Sectarian Tensions in Lebanon Tensions between Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon are rising as a result of the conflict in Syria, reports an Al-Monitor correspondent in Lebanon. Lebanon
Syria Warns Lebanon On Border Infiltrations Syria's Foreign Ministry has warned Lebanon not to allow armed groups to cross from Lebanon into Syria to conduct operations against regime forces, with Syria threatening military action if it continues, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Lebanon Pays a Price For Syrian Economic Collapse The worrying economic situation in conflict-ridden Syria has sent tremors through Lebanon, a country that maintains strong economic ties with its eastern neighbor, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Syria, Two Years and Counting Nassif Hitti writes that time is working against Syria as the situation worsens by the day. Lebanon
Obama's Visit to Israel Offers Rare Opportunity for Palestine During the US president’s visit to Israel, writes Clovis Maksoud, it's crucial that discussions with the Palestinian Authority include representatives from Gaza, and that Israel be identified as an occupying power. Palestine
Aramaic Language Project in Israel Furthers Recognition of Maronites Shady Khalloul Risha talks to Jacky Hugi about his quest to revive the Aramaic language and recounts the struggle of the Maronites in Israel to be recognized as an ethnic minority. Israel
