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
Hezbollah, Part 1: Origins and Challenges Mohammad Harfoush looks at Hezbollah, one of Lebanon’s most polarizing organizations, in part one of a survey of the factors that led to the movement's formation and its present status in Lebanese society and politics. Lebanon
Obama Visit to Israel an Opportunity US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Israel is an opportunity for a new start in US policy in the region, writes Clovis Maksoud. Palestine
Fear of Extremism Grows in Maghreb Nassif Hitti comments on regional concerns about the rise of extremism following developments in Mali. Lebanon
Hezbollah Faces PressureAfter Bulgaria Indictment Ali Hashem examines responses in Lebanon and abroad to Bulgaria's accusations against Hezbollah for the Burgas bombing. Lebanon
Hezbollah: Israeli Strike On Syria Was Also a Strike at Iran Tensions in Lebanon and the region are high amid fears that the Syrian crisis will spread, writes Nasser Chararah. Israel
Morsi and Ahmadinejad Can Relate at OIC Summit Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi will compare notes at the summit of Organization of Islamic Countries in Cairo. Lebanon
Each Side of Syrian Conflict Claims Israeli Strike in Its Favor Following the Israeli aerial attacks on Syria, each side of the Syrian crisis questions the intentions behind the seemingly spontaneous offensive by their southern neighbor, writes Jean Aziz. Israel
Lebanon’s Sunnis Feel Threatened Following Arsal Ambush Following the conflict in the town of Arsal, the doubt and distrust between Sunni and Shiite political groups in Lebanon have spread to the military, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Lebanese Army Considers the Brink Ali Hashem presents a Lebanese Army officer's insights into the prospect of growing domestic instability and the Syrian conflict's spillover into Lebanon. Lebanon
UN Panel Condemns Israeli Settlements Clovis Maksoud argues that Israel must be recognized as an occupying power in the West Bank and Gaza as a prelude to meaningful negotiations. Palestine
Syrian Jihadist Groups Take Conflict To Lebanon Friday’s deadly clash in Arsal, Lebanon, signals a dangerous escalation in confrontations between the Lebanese Army and Sunni Jihadist groups connected to those fighting in Syria, writes Jean Aziz from Beirut. Lebanon
Economy Trumps Palestinian Issue In Israel Nassif Hitti writes that addressing the Palestinian question would help tackle the economic concerns that dominated Israel's elections. Israel
