Lebanon

The Iranian Regime's Deadly Entanglements

The Middle Eastern landscape is becoming more complicated, with its issues bordering intractability. The heightening tensions are far from being incidental; they are part of the Iranian sabotaging politics. Iranians have always been duplicitous when negotiating their nuclear deals. Hezbollah’s obstructionism is hobbling normalization in ...

President Aoun in Baghdad: Strengthening Lebanese-Iraqi Ties

President Joseph Aoun began an official visit to Iraq on Sunday, at the invitation of Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, as part of efforts to strengthen strategic relations between the two countries. During a summit held at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad, both leaders reaffirmed the historical and fraternal ties uniting Lebanon and Iraq. The ...

When Cigarettes Fueled the Economy…

For decades, cigarettes were a real nicotine cash cow for governments. A thriving industry, lucrative taxes, countless jobs and mass consumption that, despite health warnings, was an integral part of the global economic and social landscape. But that was before public health got seriously involved. On May 31st, we take a collective breath: it’s ...

Iranian Foreign Minister to Visit Beirut on Monday

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in Lebanon on Monday, June 2, 2025, for an official visit, according to a statement released by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will begin his meetings in Beirut on Monday morning with a meeting with Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji. The visit takes place at a delicate ...

‘Let’s Take Off the Mask, Let’s Protect Our Health’ on World No Tobacco Day

Indeed, 54% of adults over 18 are regular smokers. The situation among adolescents is equally concerning, as Lebanon ranks highest in the region for the number of young people – both girls and boys – who have tried cigarettes or hookah. Many begin smoking between the ages of 14 and 18, a crucial period during which they form their identities ...

Heavenly Connection: Starlink Offers a Lifeline to Lebanon’s Wi-Fi Woes

Could Lebanon finally be on the cusp of fast, stable, uninterrupted internet? For once, fingers are crossed—not to reboot the router, but in genuine anticipation. After years of trudging through a digital experience as slow and congested as traffic on the Dora highway, Lebanon may be looking skyward for solutions. Starlink, which provides ...

The Political Challenge of Disarming Palestinian Camps in Lebanon

The disarmament of Palestinian camps in Lebanon is set to begin in mid-June 2025 under a plan jointly developed by the Lebanese government and the Palestinian Authority. This initiative was a key focus of President Mahmoud Abbas’s recent visit to Beirut and was the main topic of a security meeting convened by President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda ...

“Peace will Lead to Normalization”: Salam's Statement Fuel Controversy

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized on Friday that any normalization of relations with Israel must be preceded by a just and comprehensive peace, following public backlash over comments he made in a CNN interview. During the interview, Salam was asked whether normalization could proceed without a clear path to Palestinian statehood. He ...

Presidential Palace Hosts High-Level Security Meeting on Palestinian Camp Disarmament

A high-level security meeting was convened at the Presidential Palace on Friday to discuss the initial steps for implementing the withdrawal of weapons from Palestinian refugee camps across Lebanon – a move agreed upon during Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s recent visit to Beirut. The meeting, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, focused ...

President Aoun Urges New Judicial Council Members to Uphold Integrity

President Joseph Aoun issued a strong call for judicial independence and integrity on Friday. “Judges must be full partners in the fight against corruption and in upholding justice and the rule of law,” he stated. His remarks came during a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, where three new members of Lebanon’s Higher Judicial ...