From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list? The State Department claimed that citizens from the affected countries are more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate. Algeria
France to host Lebanon army conference as Hezbollah pushes back on disarmament The upcoming conference comes as the Lebanese army prepares to submit a plan for the second stage of its disarmament process, despite Hezbollah’s adamant refusal to give up its weapons. Lebanon
From Iraq to Yemen, how Iran proxies are responding to protests Iraqi militias and the Houthis are growing more vocal in their defense of Iran amid the protests sweeping the country, while Hezbollah and Palestinian groups are remaining relatively quiet. Iran
Lebanon revives offshore gas push with new approval for Total-led consortium Beirut has approved a new exploration permit allowing international energy companies to begin work on an offshore block bordering Israel’s maritime border. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanon’s president slams Israeli strikes By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Lebanon's Druze fear IS, Hezbollah The Druze in Lebanon are preparing to defend themselves against a possible attack by the Islamic State, in light of their shaky trust in Hezbollah. Lebanon
Slow progress in Saudi-Iranian ties Although Saudi and Iranian officials have cemented talks in recent months, this is not significant enough to alter ties between the two foes. Legacy: Gulf
Dane in Lebanon arrested for being alleged IS fighter Araby Ibrahim, a Lebanese man holding a Danish passport, was arrested in Lebanon on suspicion of fighting alongside the Islamic State in Syria. Lebanon
Will European ambassadors return to Syria? According to one Syrian official, European ambassadors might be returning to resume their functions in Syria, as the West has started to realize that the Syrian army is the only one able to fight terrorism. Lebanon
Islamic State sets sights on sea in Lebanon The Islamic State has hopes of connecting with the sea, but to achieve this it must go through Lebanon, which will be a tough fight. Lebanon
Concerns rise in Lebanon as another soldier defects A handful of soldiers have defected from the Lebanese army to join Jabhat al-Nusra, which has caused concern among the Lebanese that it might become a trend. Lebanon
Iranian-Turkish relations strained over Syrian agendas Turkey's desired outcome in Syria would result in massively scaling back Iran's influence in the region, with Tehran losing its ally in Damascus, Hezbollah confined to Lebanon and Iraq threatened. Iraq
UN envoy meets with Hezbollah to discuss Syria Staffan de Mistura is the first UN special representative to the Syrian conflict to meet with Hezbollah officials to get the organization's assessment of the Syrian crisis. Lebanon
Is Hezbollah preparing large assault on Israel? If Iran succeeds in securing an agreement that enables it to preserve nuclear capabilities, it might decide to attack Israel through Hezbollah on the Lebanese and Syrian borders. Israel
Lebanese army struggles for financing Without a proper budget and new weapons procurement, the Lebanese army faces an uphill struggle in combating terrorism and securing the country. Why then have recent international donations not materialized? Lebanon
Beirut's archaeological heritage threatened by construction The new construction sites in Beirut are built without taking into consideration the archaeological heritage of the capital. Lebanon
Assad dismisses security chief of powerful 'Branch 40' The dismissal of Col. Hafez Makhlouf, head of Syria's internal security, may be a sign of reformist policies or even a change of leadership within the regime. Lebanon
