US seeks to train Lebanon army units to disarm Hezbollah: What to know Funding for such a program remains unclear, though the Pentagon has requested $36 million for fiscal year 2027 to support Lebanon’s army. Lebanon
Analysis Despite Trump pressure to limit Israel's Lebanon attacks, Aoun-Netanyahu meeting still unlikely As President Donald Trump pressures Israel to limit its strikes in Lebanon, Hezbollah is taking advantage of the situation. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
'Treason is war for external interests': Lebanon’s Aoun hits back at Hezbollah Lebanese President Joseph Aoun rejects Hezbollah’s criticism of talks with Israel, insisting negotiations are aimed at ending hostilities and saying “treason” is taking the country to war for external interests. Lebanon
Why US, Israel are freezing France out of Lebanon talks With talks between Israel and Lebanon being held in Washington, Paris still insists that it must be involved to balance possible American bias and to protect Beirut’s interests. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Creeping Settlements Undermine Peace Negotiations Israel's expanding settlements have not halted during the negotiations brought about by US Secretary of State John Kerry. Palestine
Turkey-Lebanon Detainee Swap Shows Lebanese State's Decline Although the Lebanese rejoiced at the deal that secured the release of nine Lebanese detainees in Syria, the details of the swap reveal the Lebanese state’s inefficiency in dealing with such matters. Lebanon
Lebanon Gains From Hostage Deal, Regional Trends Qatar and the Palestinian Authority, which are at odds with Hezbollah, seem to have played key roles in releasing Lebanese hostages close to Hezbollah. Lebanon
At 68, Has The UN Reached the Age of Wisdom? On the 68th anniversary of its founding, the UN is still the only body that can tackle today's complex international problems. Lebanon
Saudi Decision on Security Council Is About Syria Saudi Arabia’s decision to decline a Security Council seat expresses anger in some Sunni Muslim quarters about the Syria war. Saudi Arabia
Turkey Rescues Its Pilots in Swap Deal Turkey’s silent diplomacy yielded results on Oct.19, when it rescued the two Turkish Airlines pilots kidnapped in Beirut on Aug. 9. Lebanon
Can Saudi Withdrawal From Security Council Spark Dialogue? While unfortunate, the withdrawal of Saudi Arabia from the UN Security Council may focus attention on the lack of an Arab voice at the UN. Saudi Arabia
Hezbollah Deputy Received in Paris France hosts a Hezbollah deputy just three months after the party was added to the EU terrorist list. Lebanon
Is Saudi Arabia Holding Up The Geneva II Conference on Syria? While Turkey may be shifting its Syria policy in response to domestic and international pressure, Saudi Arabia appears to be digging in to oppose the trend toward a diplomatic solution. Saudi Arabia
Syria Crisis Sidelines Iraq While the world focuses on Syria, Iraq endures daily carnage and a security situation that is spiraling out of control. Iraq
Netanyahu Stuck On Repeat on Palestine Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu undercut Israeli-Palestinian negotiations with his recent address to the Knesset. Palestine
Islamist, Christian Differences On Display at Conference A conference held in Amman, Jordan, about Christians and the Arab Spring revealed the many differences between Islamists and Christians over minority rights. Lebanon
