Good news and bad news from Lebanon as Nawaf Salam elected premier
Israel-bashing president of the International Court of Justice hardly seems the one to bring peace with neighbor
Beirut
What does Donald Trump’s “Hell to Pay” look like?
President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that if the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, including seven American citizens, are not released before his inauguration on January 20, there will be “hell to...
Op-eds
With No Power or Constitutional Authority, Lebanon’s New President Won’t Disarm Hezbollah
After two years of deadlock, the proverbial white smoke has emerged from Lebanon’s parliament in Beirut’s Nejmeh Square. Former Lebanese Armed Forces commander Joseph Aoun has been elected...
Op-eds
Lebanon’s Aoun could move toward peace – if Hezbollah lets him
The Iran-backed militia is bowed but not broken – and it could still find a way to hijack Saudi funds for its own rehabilitation
Op-eds
Lebanon’s Mahan Air theater was meant to cover ceasefire deal non-performance
A false narrative has emerged claiming Lebanese authorities searched an Iranian plane last week at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport over suspicion the aircraft was smuggling...
Op-eds
Israel SitRep: January 6, 2025
Today’s Issue: | IDF Troops Withdraw From Parts of Southern Lebanon | Three Killed, Eight Wounded in West Bank Terrorist Attack | Israeli Finance Ministry Offers Incentives to Northern Residents to Return...
Israel at War Situation Report
Lebanon is not serious about disarming Hezbollah
Topping the list of reasons for lack of Lebanese interest, all presidential hopefuls need Hezbollah votes
Op-eds
‘We’ll Strike Without Hesitation’: Israel Warns Syria Factions Over Arms Smuggling
Latest Developments Message Relayed: Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, said on December 22 that Jerusalem had relayed a deterrent...
Flash Briefs
Naim Qassem on Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon and about-face on Syria
On Saturday, Hezbollah’s recently minted Secretary-General Naim Qassem offered his group’s first comment on the downfall of the regime of Bashar al Assad in Syria. The Assad regime was one of Hezbollah’s...
Op-eds
Tehran eyes influence in Syria with plans to reopen Damascus embassy
The Iranian decision shows that it wants to jockey for a role in Syria again.
Op-eds
Don’t bet on the Lebanese Army to restrain Hezbollah
The Assad regime has fallen. Meanwhile, the dreaded Third Lebanon War, during which Israel gave Hezbollah an unprecedented drubbing, is either over or in a ceasefire-induced lull. But the Iranian-backed...
Op-eds
Naim Qassem on Hezbollah’s post-ceasefire posture
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered two speeches—one on November 29 and another on December 5— after the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect on November 27. Most...
Op-eds
IDF Eliminates Hezbollah Official Overseeing Weapons Transfer From Syria to Lebanon
Israel Eliminates Senior Hezbollah Member: An Israeli airstrike in Damascus killed Salman Nemar Jamaa, a senior Hezbollah figure responsible for liaising with the Syrian army, on...
Flash Briefs
‘We Will Go Deeper’: Israel Warns Lebanon of Consequences Should Ceasefire With Hezbollah Collapse
Ceasefire in Jeopardy: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would “act with strength and go deeper” if the ceasefire agreed with Hezbollah on November 26 collapses....
Flash Briefs
Gulf countries talk like Iran, act like Israel
The GCC rhetoric on Israel masks its true aims to decouple Syria's Assad and the Islamic Republic and declaw Hezbollah in Lebanon
Op-eds
Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah holds over first 5 days
The ceasefire signed by Israel and Lebanon, which saw fighting cease with Hezbollah, began on Wednesday, November 27. It seems to have held for the first five days, during which there continued to be tensions...
Op-eds
The economic silver lining of disarming Hezbollah
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire gives Lebanon the chance to rethink and overhaul its entire government and economic models
Op-eds
Ceasefire Holds on Day One in Lebanon as Evacuees — and Hezbollah — Head South
Lebanese Evacuees Attempt Return: Jubilant Lebanese civilians clogged roads in a bid to reach their homes in southern Lebanon on November 27 — the first day of a U.S.- and...
Flash Briefs
Israel SitRep: November 27, 2024
Today’s Issue: | IDF Detains Four Who Approached Troops in Southern Lebanon, Warns Lebanese Against Moving Southward | IAF Strikes Numerous Targets Overnight Throughout Lebanon and Between Lebanon and...
Israel at War Situation Report
If we want peace, Unrwa and Unifil must both be completely reformed
The UN needs to focus on preventing Hamas and Hezbollah rule. Only then can civilians live in peace in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon.