France to host Lebanon army conference as Hezbollah pushes back on disarmament The upcoming conference comes as the Lebanese army prepares to submit a plan for the second stage of its disarmament process, despite Hezbollah’s adamant refusal to give up its weapons. Lebanon
From Iraq to Yemen, how Iran proxies are responding to protests Iraqi militias and the Houthis are growing more vocal in their defense of Iran amid the protests sweeping the country, while Hezbollah and Palestinian groups are remaining relatively quiet. Iran
Lebanon revives offshore gas push with new approval for Total-led consortium Beirut has approved a new exploration permit allowing international energy companies to begin work on an offshore block bordering Israel’s maritime border. Lebanon
Lebanon says phase 1 of Hezbollah disarmament complete as Iran FM visits Beirut The announcement by the Lebanese army came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut for a two-day visit amid ongoing regional tensions. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Lebanon’s president slams Israeli strikes By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Hezbollah still dominant among Lebanon's Shiite, but ground is shifting By Karim Safieddine , Izzat Zahreddine
Photos of Beirut's abandoned buildings tell city's story Gregory Buchakjian photographed abandoned buildings in Beirut to document the political and economic crises that have shaped the city and the rest of Lebanon. He is currently presenting what he discovered in an exhibition, book, and film. Lebanon
UN Syria envoy's last Astana meeting ends with mixed results While the UN envoy to Syria lamented the 11th meeting of the Astana talks as a "failed possibility" to make progress, other participants felt differently about the results. Jordan
US sanctions unlikely to crack Iran’s support for Syria Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have perfected low-budget warfare; Putin draws his own red line with Israel and Iran; Erdogan’s zero-sum approach to Syrian Kurds. Israel
Iran’s shift of tactics endangers Israel Israel Defense Forces are confronted with a new reality in which Hezbollah receives weapons from Iran by air cargo landing in Beirut and not by truck convoys from Syria. Israel
Lebanese groups work to protect striped hyenas Misconceptions have led to fear of the striped hyena, the national animal of Lebanon, and the shy creature is often illegally hunted despite the key role it plays in the country's ecosystem. Lebanon
How Netanyahu outdid his rivals, again Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the expert in exploiting security threats for political means, which is what he did in his speech after the resignation of Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. Palestine
Syria's political prisoners share stories of abuse on Beirut stage A play by former political prisoners in Syria is showing audiences the devastating reality of abuse in Middle Eastern jails while offering a kind of therapy for those effected. Lebanon
Can startups help solve Middle East water crisis? Young entrepreneurs are coming up with new projects and systems in a bid to cater to the water needs of the populations in the Middle East, where water scarcity could become a problem in the coming decades. Near East
Portraits of Lebanon’s domestic workers confront social prejudices Lebanese artist Chaza Charafeddine explores the dreams and discrimination of domestic workers by making them dress up as their heroes. Lebanon
Lebanon's only carnivorous plant kept safe in private nature preserve Two decades ago, a restauranteur bought a chunk of unique land that he considered paradise — and now he's discovered just how special it is. Lebanon
Beirut vendor's growing business bears fruit The popular store Fadi Fruits, a family business in Beirut, has expanded rapidly over the years with a combination of local and exotic produce. Lebanon