This is Beirut

Why Qatar and Turkey Are Seen as 'Next in Line' for Conflict with Israel

Salam El Zaatari, 11:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

The Israeli airstrike on September 9, 2025, against Hamas leaders in Doha shocked the Middle East, not only for its audacity but also for its symbolism: Israel was willing to strike inside the territory of a US ally, Qatar, long considered a safe haven for Hamas’ political leadership. The strike has since fueled speculation that Qatar, and by ...

Turkey Prosecutors Seize 3 TV Stations as Part of Fraud Probe

This is Beirut, 10:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Turkey TV Fraud

Turkish prosecutors on Thursday seized control of a 121-company conglomerate, which includes three major television stations, and ordered the arrest of 10 of its executives on fraud charges, media reports said. The arrest order targeted management at Can Holding, which is known for its energy and education assets and which last year acquired ...

MP Alameh: Up to 400,000 Syrian Refugees Would Return Home Soon

This is Beirut, 10/09 15:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Turkey United Nations Jordan lebanon Syria General Security Refugees

Lebanon may see up to 400,000 Syrian refugees return home in the near future, MP Fadi Alameh said on Wednesday, noting that between 200,000 and 250,000 have already gone back. Speaking after chairing a session of the Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Committee, Alameh said the meeting focused on the refugee return file and was attended by Deputy ...

European Body Seeks Release of Jailed Turkish Activist

This is Beirut, 05/09 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Europe Turkey Europe

A Council of Europe body on Friday voiced hope a youth delegate detained in Turkey for criticizing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government would be released immediately. Enes Hocaogullari, 23, was detained last month as he arrived at Ankara airport. He had been targeted by Turkish authorities after a March speech at the Congress of ...

Thousands Protest after Courts Deal New Blow to Turkey Opposition

This is Beirut, 03/09 23:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Turkey CHP AKP

Thousands rallied in protest late Wednesday after a court ousted the main opposition CHP's Istanbul leadership on allegations of graft, further ratcheting up the legal pressure on the party. The Republican People's Party (CHP), which won a huge victory over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP in the 2024 local elections and is rising in the ...

Galatasaray Sign Gundogan from Man City on Free Transfer

This is Beirut, 03/09 13:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Turkey Football Manchester City Gundogan Galatasaray

German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on Tuesday signed for Galatasaray from Manchester City on a free transfer, both teams announced. The 34-year-old has agreed to a deal until the end of the 2026-27 season with the Turkish champions. "Manchester City will always hold a special place in my heart," said Gundogan, who played 358 games in two spells at ...

Turkey Court Ousts Leadership of Opposition's Istanbul Branch

This is Beirut, 02/09 22:15 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Turkey CHP AKP

Turkey's main opposition CHP party on Tuesday vowed to fight after a court dismissed the leadership of its Istanbul branch over alleged irregularities in its leadership congress, the latest legal blow to hit the group. The Republican People's Party (CHP) won a huge victory over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP party in the 2024 local ...

Turkey Bars Israeli Ships, Flights from Its Territory

This is Beirut, 29/08 17:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Israel Turkey flights Airspace

Turkey's top diplomat said Friday that Ankara had closed its ports and airspace to Israeli ships and planes, with a diplomatic source telling AFP the ban applied to "official" flights. "We have closed our ports to Israeli ships. We do not allow Turkish ships to go to Israeli ports.... We do not allow container ships carrying weapons and ...

Putin, Erdogan to Discuss Ukraine on Sidelines of China Summit

This is Beirut, 29/08 17:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Turkey Ukraine Vladimir Putin Russia Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the Ukraine conflict with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the sidelines of a regional summit in China on Monday, the Kremlin said. "Turkey plays an important role in the Ukraine resolution process," Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters, including AFP, on ...

Turkey says Russia Scales Back Ukraine Territorial Demands

This is Beirut, 29/08 12:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Turkey Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Donald Trump Russia

Russia is demanding Ukraine cede all of its eastern Donbas region, but would be willing to freeze the conflict in the south of the country along current front lines, Turkey's top diplomat has said. Russia occupies around one-fifth of Ukraine's territory, and has claimed to have annexed five of the country's regions -- Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson ...

Hezbollah: The Voice of Its Master

Marc Saikali, 28/08 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Gulf Middle East Tehran Turkey Lebanon Iran

Hezbollah and its weapons, a never-ending tale. Same story, on repeat. Giving up the arsenal? Never. Without it, there is no arbitrary power, no rent to collect. And like any loyal client, Hezbollah clings to its dealer: Iran. Each time an Iranian leader takes the stage or embarks on a “diplomatic” tour, the pattern is predictable. Days ...

Lebanon, a Transit Hub for Iraqi Oil

Liliane Mokbel, 18/08 11:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Gulf Turkey lebanon iraq syria

Will Iraqi oil once again flow through Tripoli, capital of North Lebanon? The project is back on the table, but its outcome remains uncertain. Baghdad is signaling determination. Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani confirmed that the option is under serious study. To show goodwill, he also mentioned the possible rehabilitation of Kirkuk-Baniyas ...

Turkey