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Lebanon

Lebanon

December 17, 2025

Beirut 11:25 am

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meets with US special envoy Tom Barrack, Jerusalem, Dec. 15 2

Analysis

Trump's Syria envoy Barrack tests Israel's patience as Netanyahu pushes back

The struggle between the Israeli prime minister and the envoy is an acknowledgment by Israeli leaders that "what will happen is what Trump wants to happen."

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Youssef Rajji meets with Maj. Gen. Diodato Abagnara, UNIFIL head of mission and force commander, at the UN peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, Oct. 24, 2025.

Lebanon FM lashes out at Iran amid ambassador impasse: What to know

Lebanese officials have grown more frustrated at Tehran over its perceived meddling in Lebanon’s internal affairs by making repeated comments about its ally, Hezbollah, and the importance of its weapons, at a time the country is working to extend control over all arms.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji visits the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, on October 24, 2025, touring border villages and the Blue Line aboard a UNIFIL helicopter as part of efforts to assess the security situation along the frontier. (Photo by Courtney Bonneau / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by COURTNEY BONNEAU/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's FM snubs Iran, turns down invitation to visit Tehran: What to know

Youssef Rajji declined an invitation from his Iranian counterpart to visit Tehran, saying, "The appropriate conditions for such a visit were not present.”

TOPSHOT - Syrian and Lebanese people in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli celebrate on December 9, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Fathi AL-MASRI / AFP) (Photo by FATHI AL-MASRI/AFP via Getty Images)

Clashes and protests in Lebanon over Syria's anniversary: What we know

As celebrations erupted in Lebanon to commemorate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah supporters held counter-rallies.

Latest News

Analysis

Lebanon-Israel direct talks pause operation against Hezbollah — but for how long?

An Israeli military tank patrols along the border fence separating northern Israel from southern Lebanon on November 24, 2025. Hezbollah held the funeral on November 24 for its top military chief and other members of the militant group a day after Israel killed them in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Lebanon, Israel to hold second round of direct talks: What we know

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun delivers a speech during a meeting of Pope Leo XIV with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut, on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP via Getty Images)

Who is Simon Karam, head of Lebanon’s delegation to talks with Israel?

Simon Karam

US pressure prompted Israel-Lebanon talks to avert war with Hezbollah

US deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza, at UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 18, 2025.

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Joyce Karam

Senior News Editor

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Hanna Davis

In Beirut, reporting on politics, migration, human rights

Rodayna Raydan

In Boqaata, reporting on culture

Lebanese protesters denounce violence the LGBTQI community and others in downtown Beirut, July 31, 2022.

Culture

Hard-line Christian group attacks queer-friendly bar in Lebanon

The LGBTQ community in Lebanon has faced increasing violence in recent weeks amid a rising wave of hate speech against them.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

4 Arab Israelis arrested for Hezbollah ties, smuggling Iranian explosives

The Shin Bet announced today that four Arab Israelis suspected of involvement with Hezbollah's smuggling activities were arrested last month.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon rolls out waste management project

For years, Lebanon's trash has been burned in open dumps, with dangerous environmental and health effects.

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Energy exploration begins in Lebanon’s offshore field

Gas exploration plans in Lebanon’s Mediterranean waters have progressed since the country reached a maritime border deal with Israel last year.

A bullet-ridden mural at the Ain el-Helweh camp, in Lebanon's southern coastal city of Sidon, following the latest flare-up between Fatah and Islamist forces in the camp for Palestinian refugees,on August 4, 2023.

UNRWA suspends services in Lebanese camp following deadly violence

The UN agency said it had halted assistance in the Ain al-Hilweh camp after reports of armed fighters in some of its schools following clashes.

A Green Without Borders outpost that Israel says Hezbollah is using.

US sanctions Lebanese environmental group for Hezbollah ties

The US imposed sanctions on Green Without Borders and its leader, Zuhair Subhi Nahla, for providing cover for Hezbollah's activities in southern Lebanon.

Beirut airport

Offshore gas rig sets up in cash-strapped Lebanon

The arrival of the machinery marks a significant development for Lebanon, which hope gas exploration will revive its ailing economy.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

Lebanon’s Hezbollah makes show of force with tanks, armored vehicles as Israel tensions mount

Hezbollah is facing growing resentment inside Lebanon with several parties accusing the group of dragging the country into an unwanted war with Israel.

A vehicle displays the flags of Iran and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah as it moves in a funerary procession for a fallen fighter in Beirut's predominantly-Shiite Muslim southern suburb, on August 10, 2023 after he was killed the previous day amidst clashes between Hezbollah and residents of the Christian town of Kahale in Mount Lebanon. The Lebanese army said on August 10 that it had seized munitions from a Hezbollah truck that overturned near Beirut, leading to deadly clashes between Christian res

Breaking | Last Updated: August 10, 2023, 10:35 am

Lebanon: Shots fired at defense minister's car amid rising instability

The incident followed deadly clashes after a Hezbollah vehicle carrying ammunition overturned in a Christian village.

Riad Salameh

Breaking | Last Updated: August 10, 2023, 12:00 pm

Riad Salameh, Lebanon's ex-central bank chief, hit with US sanctions

In addition to Riad Salameh, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on his family members and assistant.

Canadian actor Ryan Gosling and Australian actress Margot Robbie.

Culture

Lebanon minister calls for banning of 'Barbie' movie

The Hezbollah-backed politician accused the film of promoting homosexuality, among other things, amid rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the region. "Barbie" is scheduled to be released in the Gulf this week.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel vows to 'return Lebanon to Stone Age' if Hezbollah starts war

In a video message, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant voiced Israeli concerns over the tent erected by Hezbollah near the border with Lebanon and other provocations by the group.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs