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Why Lebanon’s Shia Opposition Sees Opportunity in the 2026 Elections
Claudia Groeling 19/01 15:41 - Reading : 11 minute(s)
Hezbollah Amal Lebanon Elections Parliament Opposition
Lebanon’s upcoming parliamentary elections are shaping up as a test of Hezbollah’s political standing at a moment of vulnerability, after the group suffered a major military blow in the 2024 war with Israel and faces mounting pressure from the Lebanese government’s pledge to disarm it nationwide. Since the 1992 parliamentary elections, the ...
Will Hezbollah Turn to Political Assassinations Again?
Iftah Burman 10/02 13:00 - Reading : 10 minute(s)
Hezbollah Lebanon Amal Hassan Nasrallah UN Security Council
As Hezbollah faces mounting pressure, the risk is growing that the group could once again turn to assassinations to preserve its fragile military, political, and financial positions. In December 2025, fresh revelations about the activities of Hezbollah’s assassination squad, Unit 121, brought the group’s use of political violence back ...
Can a New Round of U.S.–Iran Talks Avert Escalation?
Natasha Metni Torbey 03/02 12:45 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Donald Trump Israel Tehran Iran United States Washington
Amid elevated military tensions, the U.S. and Iran are now cautiously opening diplomatic channels, indicating an interest in averting a major conflict with potentially uncontrollable consequences for the region. In recent days, a series of mixed signals—from hawkish statements and regional warnings to indirect exchanges via ...
U.S. Rep. LaHood to This Is Beirut: “No Progress, No Support,” Lebanon Must Act Now
Amal Chmouny 10/02 18:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Lebanon Lebanese Army Amal Donald Trump Hezbollah
When Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal arrived in the U.S. capital during the first week of February, he entered a fundamentally transformed strategic landscape. The meetings that unfolded—from tense political exchanges to a dramatic walkout by Sen. Lindsey Graham—crystallized a stark reality: Lebanon’s decades-long balancing act ...
The Shia Duo Under Strain: How Iran’s Crisis Is Realigning Amal and Hezbollah
Amal Chmouny 02/02 14:00 - Reading : 8 minute(s)
Amal Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah Lebanon Joseph Aoun
When Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met with Joseph Aoun on January 23, at the height of Hezbollah’s rhetorical campaign against the president, the gesture spoke volumes. As Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem rejected disarmament and warned of civil war, Berri moved to restore communication channels, differentiating his Amal ...
U.S. Strike in Venezuela a Blow to Hezbollah’s Revival Efforts
Ian Talley 13/01 15:30 - Reading : 218 minute(s)
Hezbollah Lebanon Democrats Donald Trump Europe
The United States dealt Iran and its proxy Hezbollah a strategic blow over the weekend by seizing key ally, Venezuela’s strongman Nicolás Maduro. While the dominant narrative of the complex military strike has focused on its framing as a counternarcotics operation and aggressive energy politics, coverage has largely missed a critical strategic ...
2026 NDS: America First Ushers in a New Era of Selective Engagement in the Middle East
Amal Chmouny 24/01 19:40 - Reading : 7 minute(s)
United States Middle East Iran
The newly released 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) marks a dramatic pivot in American foreign policy, embracing what officials call “pragmatic realism” while fundamentally redefining U.S. engagement in the Middle East. Under an “America First” framework, the strategy moves away from large-scale military interventions in favor of ...
After Maduro: The Challenge of Dismantling Hezbollah in Venezuela
Claudia Groeling 26/01 09:35 - Reading : 9 minute(s)
Hezbollah Lebanon Donald Trump Tehran US Secretary of State
After U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on January 3, Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed that Washington would uproot Hezbollah and Iranian influence in the South American country. “We are not going to have a country like Venezuela in our own hemisphere, in the sphere of control and the crossroads for ...
U.S. Official Tells TIB that Iran Talks Still Possible After Geneva, but Major Gaps Remain
This is Beirut 17/02 21:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
United States Iran Nuclear Talks Geneva
In a statement to This is Beirut, a U.S. senior official stated that there is still a diplomatic path with Iran after Tuesday’s dialogue in Geneva, but many key points on the nuclear issue remain unresolved. The official stated that “today’s Geneva talks showed that a diplomatic path still exists, but it will move forward only ...
Lebanon’s President Moves to Unveil Defense Strategy as Weapons Debate Reaches Critical Stage
This is Beirut 17/02 15:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Hezbollah Lebanon PresidentAoun LAF
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is preparing to present a long-anticipated national defense strategy next month, a move that could reshape the country’s approach to sovereignty, military authority, and the future of weapons outside state control. According to information obtained by Al-Modon, the plan is now in its final drafting phase after ...
For a Better Druze Future, Jumblatt Needs New Ideas
Hussain Abdul-Hussain 17/02 10:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Lebanon Banks Hezbollah Israel Kuwait
Walid Jumblatt, Lebanon’s most seasoned and cunning political operator, has navigated every twist of the country’s turmoil since taking the reins of the Druze community in 1977. Convinced that his father Kamal’s assassination stemmed from political overreach, Jumblatt has pursued relentlessly cautious and conservative policies, always ...
Amid U.S. Military Build-Up, What Comes Next for Iran and the Region?
Shelby Weiss 21/01 15:50 - Reading : 8 minute(s)
Donald Trump USA Lebanon Gulf Hezbollah
Washington is signaling it may take action against Iran amid its increasingly deadly crackdown on nationwide protests that began on December 28. This is Beirut spoke with analysts about the dramatic events unfolding in Iran and their ripple effects on the region, after reports show a significant U.S. military buildup is underway in the Middle ...
Graham Warns U.S. Strike Decision ‘Weeks Away’ as Iran-U.S. Talks Open in Geneva
This is Beirut 17/02 10:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Iran USA Trump Israel NuclearTalks Geneva Netanyahu
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned Monday that Washington is only “weeks, not months” away from deciding on potential military action against Iran, just hours before the United States and Tehran opened a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva. Speaking during a visit to Israel, Graham said the U.S. is pursuing ...
What the LAF Chief’s Visit to the U.S. Revealed
Hussain Abdul-Hussain 09/02 14:35 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Lebanese Army Hezbollah Israel Rodolphe Haykal Washington Lebanon US
Lindsey Graham portrayed his meeting with Rodolphe Haykal, which collapsed within minutes, as a complete debacle. The U.S. senator asked the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) chief if Hezbollah was a terrorist organization. Haykal’s reply—“not in the Lebanese context”—prompted Graham to walk out in fury, insisting that any group responsible ...
Lebanon and Syria Seek Rapprochement Amid Lingering Distrust
Samar el Kadi 22/01 16:00 - Reading : 10 minute(s)
Lebanon Lebanese Army Damascus European Union Hezbollah
Since the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024, Lebanon and Syria have been in the process of rebuilding trust and repairing relations. The challenging endeavor, supported by Saudi Arabia with Washington’s backing, follows decades of recriminations and Lebanon’s former subjugation under Syria’s Baathist rule. Syria did not ...
Iran-Lebanon Trade Surges as Hezbollah Adapts Smuggling Networks Under Pressure
This is Beirut 13/02 19:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Lebanon Hezbollah Damascus Israel Tehran
Despite mounting pressure on Hezbollah’s smuggling networks and Iran’s deepening financial crisis, trade flows between Tehran and Beirut surged in 2025, suggesting the two are adapting illicit channels to sustain Hezbollah’s parallel economy. Hezbollah's position has weakened since 2024 and Iran's financial crisis has ...
Iran FM in Geneva for Second Round of U.S. Talks
This is Beirut 16/02 11:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Iran USA USIranTalks NuclearTalks Israel
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Rafael Grossi, head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, in Geneva on Monday, ahead of a second round of indirect nuclear talks there with the United States on Tuesday. Araghchi said he would also meet with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, whose country is mediating the talks and ...
Trump Says US Talks With Iran 'Very Good', More Negotiations Expected
This is Beirut 07/02 10:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
US President Donald Trump said that Washington had "very good talks" on Iran after the two sides held an indirect dialogue in Oman, pledging another round of negotiations next week. Iran, for its part, said it expected to hold more negotiations with the United States, hailing a "positive atmosphere" during a day of talks in the Gulf ...
The CMA CGM Foundation Establishes an Emergency Fund in Support of the City of Tripoli
This is Beirut 13/02 13:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
The CMA CGM Foundation has decided to mobilize a $1 million emergency fund to provide immediate support in response to the disaster affecting the city of Tripoli. A meeting took place between the President of the CMA CGM Foundation, Tanya Saadé Zeenny, and the Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Sayed, aiming to establishing this emergency fund. ...
Trump Hosts Netanyahu at White House, Says U.S. to Continue Iran Nuclear Talks
This is Beirut 11/02 16:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Donald Trump Benjamin Netanyahu Palestine White House Banks
U.S. President Donald Trump said, following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, that he did not reach any agreement with Netanyahu, but insisted on negotiations and told him that negotiating with Iran is currently the preferred option. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with ...
SDF Commander Says Integration With Syrian State Has Begun
This is Beirut 11:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Syria SDF Kurds Hasakah MazloumAbdi
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, said Tuesday that the integration of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration and its security forces into Syria’s state institutions has formally begun, while cautioning that the process “may take some time” due to political and operational obstacles. Speaking ...
Iran Rejects Military Pressure as Nuclear Talks Resume Under Shadow of U.S. Naval Buildup
This is Beirut 12/02 15:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Gulf Israel Tehran United States Trump NuclearTalks
Jalal Dehqani Firouzabadi, secretary of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, said Thursday there is “no military solution” to Iran’s nuclear file, arguing that recent history has already proven the limits of force. Speaking to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Firouzabadi said the current talks differ fundamentally ...
Lebanon’s Disarmament Gamble: Fragile Gains and Uncertain Path Forward
Amal Chmouny 15/01 13:30 - Reading : 9 minute(s)
Lebanon Donald Trump Lebanese Army Benjamin Netanyahu Hezbollah
Lebanon is preparing to confiscate Hezbollah’s weapons north of the Litani River, a step that will test whether the state has the capacity to follow through on the government’s stated commitment to disarm the group. On January 8, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced that it had completed the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani. ...
From Armed Deterrence to Durable Peace: Rethinking Shiite Security in Lebanon
Marwan El Amine 30/01 09:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Lebanon Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Army Shia
Despite failing to instill ideological allegiance to Iran's Wilayat al-Faqih among Lebanon's Shia, Hezbollah has succeeded in forging a sense of collective belonging to Iran’s political project. The party achieved this more consequential outcome by recasting its weapons as a political doctrine and overarching identity, portrayed as superior to ...
Wafiq Safa’s Exit: Internal Shake-Up or Political Pivot for Hezbollah?
Marwan El Amine 13/02 11:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Hezbollah Lebanon Hassan Nasrallah Israel Tehran
Hezbollah has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of its military, security, and political apparatuses to consolidate its ranks after Israel’s military campaign caused severe disruptions, including the assassination of its former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and numerous top commanders. Officers from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ...
Most Families of Foreign Fighters Left IS-Linked Camp in Syria: Sources
This is Beirut 12/02 14:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Most foreign families have left northeast Syria's Al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of Islamic State group fighters, since the departure of Kurdish forces who previously guarded it, humanitarian sources told AFP on Thursday. The defence ministry meanwhile announced that the army had taken control of the Al-Tanf base after the withdrawal ...
Lebanon Cabinet Weighs Army Plan to Limit Weapons North of Litani
This is Beirut 16/02 17:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Lebanon Disarmament Hezbollah Litani
The Lebanese Cabinet met on Monday at the Baabda Palace to deliberate an army plan to restrict weapons north of the Litani River, according to Nidaa al-Watan, directly addressing Hezbollah’s stockpile. General Rodolphe Haykal, head of the Lebanese Armed Forces, stated that this phase of Hezbollah disarmament will last roughly four to ...
Lebanese Neutrality: The Strategic Interest Shared by Beirut and Jerusalem
Hussain Abdul-Hussain 28/01 09:05 - Reading : 7 minute(s)
Lebanese Army Lebanon Bahrain Hezbollah Israel
Lebanon's neutrality in regional conflicts is the single most important strategic choice it can make today, serving its core national interests and those of Israel in equal measure. If the Lebanese understand this, their country will be well on its way not only to recovery but to an economic boom. More than a year after the November 2024 ...
The Council of the South: Hezbollah and Amal’s Tool for Clientelism
Marwan El Amine 06/02 12:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
The Council of the South was intended to be one of the Lebanese state’s key mechanisms for addressing the damage from wars with Israel, but it effectively became a partisan tool serving the Amal Movement and Hezbollah. It was established in 1970 primarily to help residents of southern Lebanon repair their homes and rebuild what had been ...
Iranian Diplomats Allegedly Smuggled Millions in Cash to Hezbollah via Beirut
This is Beirut 11/02 15:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Iran Hezbollah Lebanon USA Syria
Iranian diplomats used diplomatic passports to ferry large sums of U.S. dollars to Lebanon in recent months, allegedly channeling cash directly to Hezbollah as the group struggles to recover from heavy military and financial losses, according to an investigation published by Iran International. The outlet reported that at least six senior Iranian ...