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
Is Israel Considering Participation By Russia in UNDOF? If true, it raises many questions about the shifting regional balance of forces. Lebanon
Life in Homs a Mixture Of Fear, Danger A first-hand account from Homs reveals a city divided and under siege by the Syrian war. Lebanon
Richard Falk Will Not Be Another Richard Goldstone UN human rights investigator Richard Falk suggests that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has joined pro-Israel UN Watch in defamatory remarks against him. Palestine
Lebanon Seeks to Make The Most of Hydrocarbons Lebanon seeks to avoid a false euphoria and make the most of a potential oil and gas windfall. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Taif Agreement Needs Revision The Taif Agreement is still the key to Lebanon’s political compact, although it should be reviewed and amended. Lebanon
Beirut’s Historic Hamra Street No Longer Cultural Epicenter Once an epicenter for Arab and Lebanese intellectuals, Beirut’s famous Hamra Street has in recent decades been transformed by consumption-oriented establishments. Lebanon
Whether Qusair Will Tip The Balance Remains to Be Seen The defeat of Syrian opposition forces in Qusair may be a turning point toward a deepening of the conflict or a catalyst for a peace conference. Lebanon
Which Way Is Turkey Going? Are we witnessing a clash between Islamism and Kemalism in Turkey? Lebanon
US Needs Iran, Turkey For Diplomatic Surge in Syria The latest UN report on Syria calls for a “diplomatic surge” to end the war, which has reached “new levels of brutality.” Israel
UN Must Address Syrian Humanitarian Tragedy While the UN issued the biggest financial appeal in its history, a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in Syria and for Syrian refugees abroad. Lebanon
For Hezbollah, What is VictoryIn Syria? Hezbollah grapples with the long-term objectives and consequences of its intervention in Syria. Lebanon
