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
Qatar Offers 'GCC+1' to Include Iran At a recent forum in Kuwait, high-ranking Qatari officials proposed the formation of a new organization comprising the GCC and Iran, writes Nassif Hitti. Qatar
Nasrallah Sends Message on Syria Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah disproved rumors he is sick and delivered a message to Lebanon’s leaders on Syria and the electoral law issue, writes Ali Hashem. Lebanon
Lebanon Prepares for Gulf Tourists Amid Unstable Security Despite the unstable security situation prevailing in Lebanon, many Kuwaiti tourists plan to spend an official holiday in the country, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Lebanon at Crossroads Between Tradition and Progress Downtown Beirut recently witnessed two opposing events: a gathering of Salafists calling for a return to religious values, and a civil marriage aimed at achieving social progress, both of which illustrate Lebanon at a crossroad, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Lebanese Electoral Law Redresses Christian Rights The proposed electoral law should allow Christian parties to have a greater say in Lebanese politics, writes Scarlett Haddad. Saudi Arabia
UAE Deports 125 Lebanese Citizens The UAE recently deported some 125 Lebanese citizens, as Lebanese Shiites also face harassment in Libya, reports an Al-Monitor Lebanon Pulse contributor. United Arab Emirates
Offshore Gas Key to UK Interest In Lebanon In a bid to increase its political sway in the country, as well as take advantage of offshore gas reserves in Lebanese waters, the UK has sent its foreign secretary to meet with Lebanon’s prime minister, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Freedom of Expression Takes Another Hit in Lebanon Jean Aziz argues that freedom of expression in Lebanon is regularly restricted by the authorities for a variety of baffling reasons, despite this right being enshrined in the Lebanese constitution. Lebanon
No Conditions on Syrian Dialogue Al-Monitor’s coverage and analysis of the demonstrations in the West Bank, the role of Hezbollah in Syria, and the urgency of starting negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition without conditions. Palestine
The Israel-Hezbollah Shadow War Israel and Hezbollah prefer a shadow war of terror and assassination rather than disturbing the uneasy truce on the Israel-Lebanon border, writes Ali Hashem. Israel
Obama Should Make Clear US Position on Golan The announcement that Genie Energy, a US company, has been granted a license for oil exploration in the Golan requires the US to make clear its position that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory under Israeli occupation, writes Clovis Maksoud. Israel
March 14 Coalition Threatened By Draft Lebanese Electoral Law Some groups, including the March 14 Coalition, mistrust that the Orthodox Electoral Law will improve the political scene, reports Elie Hajj. Lebanon
