The Anticipated Resumption of the War in Gaza

Israel’s warning to unleash hell fire on Gaza if Hamas fails to release Israeli hostages is no longer a threat. At least 413 people were killed and more than 600 injured in a spate of intense airstrikes on Monday evening, shattering a fragile truce that took effect on January 19. The escalation is set to continue with the Israeli government ...

The Druze: Riding the Tide in a Turbulent Middle East

The Druze question has reemerged at the forefront of the current regional scene, following the regime change in Syria and Israel’s incursion into Syrian territory through the demilitarized zone in the occupied Golan Heights. All this is compounded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning that Israel would intervene in Syria to ...

Displaced Syrians Reluctant to Go Home Despite Assad’s Ouster

In his inaugural speech, President Joseph Aoun vowed to seek a quick solution for the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon by ensuring their return home following the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Describing the Syrian refugees’ protracted presence as having existential implications for Lebanon, Aoun pledged in his address before ...

Joy and Apprehension Among Syria’s Druze Community

Like everywhere else in Syria, the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s totalitarian regime was acclaimed with joy and celebrations in the predominantly Druze southern province of Sweida. While they have historically been close to the regime, the esoteric minority Druze community, making up some 3 to 4% of Syria’s ...

An Imminent Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah Is Unlikely

With much apprehension mixed with shy hope, the Lebanese are closely following the visit of US envoy Amos Hochstein who will be relaying Lebanon’s response to Israel regarding a ceasefire proposal. Lebanon announced that Hezbollah has agreed to the US proposal, though it made certain comments, stressing that UN Resolution 1701 should be the ...