US brokers deal for limited Israeli withdrawal in south Lebanon The deal establishes a US-facilitated military coordination group to oversee the creation of two initial pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Explainer Gulf states push incentives for investors, expats after war dents image Several Gulf states are working to recover their images as global havens of stability in the wake of the Iran war. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran insists on right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz Supreme Court backs Trump move to end Syrians’ deportation protections; Lebanon cancels national high school exams; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As US talks stall, Hezbollah chief defiant, says Israel to leave Lebanon ’humiliated' The speech comes as the Lebanese-Israeli talks appeared to reach a deadlock this week amid Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanese territory as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Aleppo's Christians in Syrian crossfire Christians in Aleppo fear an uncertain fate; Iran’s decisive role in the appointment of Haider al-Abadi as Iraqi prime minister-designate; battle for Arsal may not be over yet; Netanyahu is Israel’s "weakest prime minister" ever; lobbying profiles of Gulf countries to be released. Iraq
Arsal battle brings Syrian refugee issue to the fore in Lebanon Since the Arsal battle, Lebanon has been taking a new look at its Syrian refugee crisis, which it has been struggling with for years. Lebanon
Lebanon a safe haven but Middle Eastern Christians still at risk The arrival of Iraqi Christians in Lebanon is significant, as the country has historically been considered a safe haven for Christians in the Levant, and requires considerable diplomatic support from religious and political authorities in the region. Iraq
Arsal: The battle that begins a long war The Arsal agreement reached between the Lebanese military and government parties and the militants indicates that the two parties are betting on different factors. Lebanon
Is Lebanon next target of Islamic State? Lebanon battles extremist armed groups; Egypt’s political isolation in Gaza; Iran’s shift on Hamas; family of Al-Monitor columnist killed by Israeli airstrike; lobbying series continues. Palestine
Gaza war brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer The war on Gaza offers an opportunity to renegotiate the strategic relationship between Hamas and Hezbollah, whose relationship has been severed over the past three years, providing major obstacles can be overcome. Qatar
How will the Lebanese military deal with Arsal? The battle in Arsal posed a major challenge to the Lebanese army while the people there waited for a military settlement. Lebanon
Arsal clashes a threat to Lebanon's future The outcome of the clashes in Arsal between the Lebanese army and fundamentalists supporting the Syrian opposition may hold the key to how Lebanon can resolve its political crises. Lebanon
Officials mum on Lebanese soldier's defection to Jabhat al-Nusra Government officials have refrained from directly commenting on news that a soldier has defected from the Lebanese army to join Jabhat al-Nusra. Lebanon
Will patriarch's plan lead to new Lebanese president? Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai has proposed an initiative to allow a president to be elected with only an absolute majority of the vote. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Christians react to crisis in Mosul The Lebanese Foreign Ministry has taken up the cause of the uprooted Christians of Iraq, calling on international organizations to intervene. Iraq
Foreign investments slip as Lebanon remains in crisis In addition to stability and electing a president, a series of reforms is necessary to stop the regression of Lebanon’s economy. Lebanon
