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
Christians In the Levant Grow Fearful Over US Syria Strike Christians in Syria and Lebanon congregate to discuss the implications for their community should the United States follow through with its plans to carry out military strikes on Syria. Lebanon
Lebanon’s President Must Form Government to Prevent Collapse While the situation in Lebanon is increasingly affected by the crisis in neighboring Syria, President Michel Suleiman must form a government, even without the support of major parties, to end the country’s paralysis and save its economy. Lebanon
What Does Syria Crisis Hold for US, Iran? The challenges of the Syrian crisis, and how Iran and the United States deal with it, will have a strong impact in the region. Lebanon
War Clouds Gather Over Lebanon A US strike on Syria could double the already large number of refugees in Lebanon. Lebanon
Refugee Crisis in Lebanon Takes Extra Toll on Women The plight of women in Lebanese refugee camps is worsening as refugees continue to flee the war in Syria. Lebanon
Hezbollah's Empty Threats Against Israel Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Damascus and Tehran are all threatening to set Israel ablaze after any attack on Syria, but none of them has the interest or ability to follow through. Palestine
Is There a Plan For Day After Military Strike? As the world awaits a potential Western military strike on Syria, the results and repercussions of such a strike would largely depend on the plan or vision to be implemented the day after. Lebanon
Syria's Bus Drivers Brave War to Provide Transport Bus companies operating between Lebanese and Syrian cities continue despite the high dangers of war. Lebanon
Political Disputes Delay Lebanon’s Gas Projects In light of Lebanon’s governmental vacuum and developments in neighboring Syria, certain parties want to delay the bidding process for exploration rights to the country’s offshore gas fields. Lebanon
Factional Politics Limit Effectiveness of Lebanon Army The Lebanese Armed Forces are well trained and armed, but handicapped by Lebanese politics. Lebanon
Delay in Action Against Syria Could Help Geneva II Track Bad memories of the Iraq invasion should lead to negotiations to end the Syrian conflict. Iraq
