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
Qusair Victory Could Prove Fateful for Hezbollah's Future The events that unfolded in the three-week battle for Qusair will prove fateful for the future role of Hezbollah in the Syrian, as well as regional, conflict. Lebanon
FSA Commander Speaks From Qusair Just Before Its Fall Just hours before the Syrian army retook control of the town of Qusair, Al-Monitor spoke with an opposition commander about the ongoing battle and Hezbollah’s role in the fighting. Lebanon
After Qusair, Is Hezbollah Finished in Syria? Will Hezbollah continue its military involvement in Syria? Lebanon
Pro-Hezbollah Sunni Sheikhs Face Assassination Attempts in Lebanon As tensions stemming from the Syrian crisis continue to mount in Lebanon, two pro-Hezbollah Sunni sheikhs become the target of assassination attempts. Lebanon
Lebanese Parliamentary Extension A Setback for Democracy Lebanese parliamentarians fail to consider the consequences of extending their terms of office. Lebanon
The Mideast in Venice Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist. United Arab Emirates
Tunisia's Ruling Ennahda Confronts an Islamist Rival Exploring the conflict within the Islamist constituency in Tunisia between Ennahda and the Salafists — and why it was inevitable. Lebanon
John Kerry Derails Focus On Syria’s Humanitarian Crisis US Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent statement aligning Syrian rebel interests with Israel’s strategic concerns is a serious flaw. Lebanon
Syrian External Opposition Says No Deal With Assad Syria's external opposition rules out talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while internal opposition forces consider negotiations. Lebanon
Foreign Fighters Key To Decisive Battle of Qusair If there were ever a doubt, the war in Syria is now a war on Syria. Lebanon
