Nawaf Salam

On the Brink of Nuclear Capability, Iran Challenges Red Lines

Under growing international scrutiny, Iran is enriching uranium at levels unseen since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal. While Washington publicly hardens its rhetoric, more flexible proposals are reportedly being floated behind closed doors. Amid firm statements, covert negotiations and ongoing inspections, Iran’s nuclear program has ...

NATO Wrestles Over How to Handle Ukraine at Trump Summit

How to have Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky at NATO's Hague summit and avoid a bust-up with US President Donald Trump? What to say on Kyiv's desire to join their alliance? With NATO appearing on track to seal a deal on ramping up defense spending, another thorny issue now threatens to overshadow the gathering in three weeks: what to do about ...

Israel Army Says Intercepts Houthi Missile

The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Tuesday, with a series of explosions heard over Jerusalem. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted," the military said. Yemen's Houthis have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at ...

President Aoun Stresses Sovereign Ties with Iran Based on Mutual Respect

During a meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday, President Joseph Aoun stressed that Lebanon seeks to strengthen formal state-to-state relations with Iran based on mutual respect and non-interference in domestic affairs – marking a departure from decades of Tehran’s exclusive backing of Hezbollah. Aoun also ...

Aoun Urges Israeli Withdrawal Before French Parliamentary Delegation

President Joseph Aoun said on Tuesday that the deployment of the Lebanese Army in South Lebanon remains hindered by the continued Israeli occupation of five strategic border hills, the detention of Lebanese prisoners and ongoing Israeli attacks. During a meeting at Baabda Palace with a delegation from the French Parliament, attended by French ...

Austrian Daily Under Fire After Clint Eastwood Slams 'Phony' Interview

An Austrian newspaper came under fire Tuesday after Hollywood star Clint Eastwood said an alleged interview with him published by the paper to mark his 95th birthday was "entirely phony". The row was sparked by a purported interview with the Oscar-winning actor and director carried by the German-language Kurier newspaper Friday. In the ...

Three Paths for Lebanon: Hostility, Armistice or Peace

Lebanon today stands at a crossroads in its relationship with Israel, facing three distinct options: to maintain a state of war and hostility, to return to the 1949 armistice agreement, or to pursue peace and normalization. The Path of Hostility If Lebanon chooses to remain in a state of active hostility, the cost will be borne heavily by its ...

Integration of 3,500 Uyghur Jihadists into Syrian Army Raises Questions

A major strategic shift is underway in Ahmad al-Chareh’s Syria. In a controversial move, the United States has approved the integration of approximately 3,500 former foreign jihadist fighters – mostly Uyghurs – into the 84th Division of the Syrian Army. While the decision is reportedly conditional on full transparency during the integration ...

Rescuers say Israeli Fire Kills at Least 27 near Gaza Aid Point

Rescuers said the Israeli military killed at least 27 people on Tuesday in southern Gaza near a US-backed aid centre, with the army reporting it had fired on "suspects who advanced toward the troops". The shooting was similar to one Sunday morning in which rescuers said scores of people were killed and wounded at the same location, with ...

Azerbaijan's Quiet Diplomacy Between Turkey and Israel

With growing influence after its recapture of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenian separatists in 2023, Azerbaijan is using its close ties with Israel and Turkey to defuse tensions between the regional foes in Syria. Azerbaijan's top foreign policy adviser Hikmet Hajiyev confirmed Baku has hosted more than three rounds of talks between Turkey and ...

Suspect Faces US Hate Charges after Fire Attack on Jewish Protest

The man suspected of a Molotov cocktail attack on Jewish protesters in Colorado is facing federal hate crime charges, officials said Monday, as President Donald Trump's administration vowed to pursue "terrorists" living in the US on visas. Mohammed Sabry Soliman is alleged to have thrown fire bombs and sprayed burning gasoline at a group of ...