Syria foils Hezbollah-linked plot to attack Homs refinery: What to know Syrian authorities have intensified a crackdown against Hezbollah’s alleged plans to launch attacks inside Syrian territory as well as smuggling attempts. Syria
UAE’s Al Habtoor Group to sell all assets in Lebanon: What to know The company suspended operations in Lebanon back in January, citing massive losses exceeding $1.7 billion due to the country's financial crisis, capital controls and security concerns. Lebanon
Lebanon uncovers new tunnel amid tensions with Hezbollah: What to know A tunnel was discovered near Beirut as tensions between Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah have been running high over the seizure of weapons shipments destined for the Iran-backed group. Lebanon
Analysis 'The problem and the solution': Netanyahu-Sharaa call exposes Israel's Syria dilemma The Israeli leader revealed that he spoke with the Syrian president last year, but stalled talks and Israel's fortification of a security zone on Syrian land underscore his mistrust of Sharaa. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Meet the women in Lebanon’s government All eyes are on the four women appointed to Cabinet positions in Lebanon's new government, a record high in the country plagued by economic and other longstanding issues. Lebanon
As sanctions loom, Syria looks to retrieve funds from abroad Damascus wants the country's banks to develop incentives to bring Syrian funds back, especially those deposited in Lebanese banks. Lebanon
Lebanese youth open zero-waste market Active during the 2015 trash crisis, Lebanon’s younger generation are pushing for environmentally friendly products, seen in the opening of Recycle Lebanon’s EcoSouk. Lebanon
Revolution at 40: Have Iranian regional policies come full circle? Forty years after the Islamic Revolution, the shah’s view of Iran and its role in the region is paradoxically echoed in the foreign policy debate by those with a more revolutionary perspective. Legacy: Gulf
Competition brings green to Beirut The “I Green Beirut” competition brought together designers, urban planners and artists to present ideas for transforming three areas around the city into new green spaces. Lebanon
Palestinian students stripped of US scholarships Palestinian students studying abroad on US-sponsored scholarships have found themselves in limbo after the Palestinian Authority declined further US assistance following enactment of the US Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act. Palestine
GCC states boxed in by US sanctions on Syria The United States creates dilemmas for GCC in Syria; Qatar steps up with $500 million Lebanon investment; Netanyahu seeks Arab photo-op in Poland. Legacy: Gulf
Why is Fatah getting cozy with Hezbollah? A senior Fatah official recently met with Hezbollah officials in Beirut to discuss security and other developments in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Palestine
Decoding Nasrallah’s messages on Lebanon and Syria In his latest interview, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah seemed to adopt a more measured tone toward Israel when compared with his previous speeches. Israel
Forgotten artisans of Beirut seek revival Beirut’s Armenian district, previously a vibrant center of craftsmanship and culture in the country, is going through a decline due to a lack of government planning, with only a few artisans escaping the downturn. Lebanon
Qatar challenges Saudi influence in Lebanon There has been a vacuum created by a decline of Saudi influence in Lebanon that Qatar now seeks to fill. Saudi Arabia
Drivers and barriers to Iran-US compromise in Syria The best option for Iran in post-war Syria would be to bargain over a regional compromise aimed at establishing limited policy cooperation with all influential actors; however, to realize such a scenario it is necessary for the barriers to a compromise to be removed. Lebanon