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
Divisions Increase Among Palestinian Factions in Syria Rifts in Fatah al-Intifada have emerged as support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime ebbs and flows throughout various Palestinian refugee groups in Syria and Lebanon, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Palestine
Jabhat al-Nusra Disrupts Syrian Opposition Mohammad Harfoush analyzes the growing influence of the Salafist jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra, and concludes that despite its military success, it has "contributed to the disarray of the revolution." Lebanon
Time to Stop the Bleeding in Syria Clovis Maksoud comments on the need for international support to end the conflict in Syria. Lebanon
Lebanon Seeks More Aid For Syrian Refugees Lebanon is looking to the international community for aid to cope with the influx of Syrian refugees, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Is Lebanon a Veiled Theocracy? Recent debate in Lebanon over the legalization of civil marriage has caused an uproar and raised questions about the true nature of the Lebanese Republic, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Lebanese Elections Linked To Syria, Regional Crisis Although regional crises threaten to postpone upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections, the international community is insistent upon elections taking place on time, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Lebanon
Salafist Leader Goes SkiingTo Broaden Support in Lebanon Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir recently journeyed to the Lebanese resort of Faraya to go skiing in a public-relations effort to depict himself as part of a new generation of Salafist leaders and to broaden his base of support, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Egypt Needs Dialogue Now Clovis Maksoud urges Egypt to begin a dialogue and end the political crisis. Egypt
Al-Qaeda Taking Root in Lebanon As refugees move between Syria and Lebanon, fears grow that al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamist groups could increase their influence in Lebanon, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Lebanon
The Arab Awakening at Two:Facebook to Faith Book Nassif Hitti focuses on the ascendance of Islamist movements on the second anniversary of the overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt
Hope for a Secular Lebanon Clovis Maksoud comments on the civil union of Kholoud Sukkariya and Nidal Darwish as giving hope for a more secular Lebanon. Lebanon