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
Kerry Pursues 'Resumed Negotiations' Palestinian reconciliation must precede an Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Palestine
Australian Visit Highlights Syrian Refugee Problem in Lebanon Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr calls for an end to the fighting in Syria and support for Lebanon. Lebanon
Lebanese Politics Affected By Syrian Battle for Qusair The fall of the Syrian town of Qusair to regime forces will likely have consequences for Lebanon. Lebanon
Hezbollah Campaigns For Preemptive War in Syria To preempt dissent among its base, Hezbollah is conducting a propaganda campaign to convince supporters that the sacrifices they are making in the battle for Qusair are worth it. Lebanon
As Assad’s Forces Take Control Of Qusair, What Comes Next? Now that the Syrian regime’s forces control half of the city of Qusair near Lebanon’s northern border, the balance seems to once again be shifting in the Syrian conflict. Israel
Uncertainty Over Electoral Law Prolongs Lebanon Political Crisis The Lebanese parliament remains incapable of putting forth legislation amid prevailing uncertainty about the electoral law and the standing Taif Agreement, which influence the representation of different sects in the government. Lebanon
Palestinian Refugees From Syria Especially Vulnerable Palestinian refugees from Syria often fall outside of the international safety net, which is already strained because of the war. Jordan
Geneva II Is Just a Start for Syria What are the conditions for the success of the Geneva II conference? Lebanon
Lebanon: An Intolerable Delay Lebanon must settle the dipute over its electoral law and form a new government. Lebanon
Jabhat Al-Nusra Shows Its Cracks What appears to be divisions among the leadership of terrorist allies Jabhat al-Nusra and al-Qaeda in Iraq may signal greater difficulties in controlling radical jihadists in Syria. Iraq
Lebanese Elections Will Not Happen in September While the debate continues over the so-called Orthodox Gathering law, along with other governmental roadblocks, it is unclear when parliamentary elections will be held in Lebanon. Lebanon
Does Lebanon’s Political System Need an Update? As Lebanon’s governmental crisis moves forward, traditional alliances may be shifting as inefficiencies in the old confessional system come to the surface. Lebanon
