This is Beirut

Hezbollah Operative Claims Widespread Israeli Penetration, Questions Leadership

This is Beirut, 26/12 13:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanon Hassan Nasrallah Israel USA

A Hezbollah military operative told Israel’s N12 channel on Thursday that Israel has infiltrated the militant group so extensively that “70% of Hezbollah members work with Israel.” The anonymous military operative highlighted a significant intelligence gap in Hezbollah, noting the persistent uncertainty over how Israel has ...

Syria Kurds Chief Says 'All Efforts' Being Made to Salvage Deal with Damascus

This is Beirut, 26/12 10:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Damascus Turkey USA SDF Syria

Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi said Thursday that "all efforts" were being made to prevent the collapse of talks on an agreement with Damascus to integrate his forces into the central government. The remarks came days after Aleppo saw deadly clashes between the two sides before their respective leaders ordered a ceasefire. In March, Abdi ...

Syria Says Killed Senior IS Leader

This is Beirut, 25/12 10:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Damascus USA Washington

Syrian authorities on Thursday said they killed a senior leader in the Islamic State group in coordination with the US-led coalition, hours after the arrest near Damascus of another leader. Syrian security and intelligence forces, working in coordination with the international coalition, conducted what the interior ministry described as a ...

Christmas in South Lebanon: Villages Orphaned of Their Youth

Katia Kahil, 21/12 11:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon South Lebanon USA Displacement

In the villages of South Lebanon, Christmas flickers like a fragile flame. Despite the ever-present fear and palpable tension, church bells toll and evening gatherings are held. In Alma al-Shaab, Yaroun, Deir Mimas, Khiam, and Marjayoun, garlands and nativity scenes timidly pierce the deserted streets. Once alive with laughter and reunion, these ...

Syria Welcomes Lifting of US Sanctions

This is Beirut, 19/12 21:56 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump US Congress Syria sanctions Caesar Act

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday welcomed the permanent lifting by the United States of the so-called Caesar sanctions, paving the way for the return of investments to the war-ravaged nation. The US Congress on Wednesday permanently ended the sanctions imposed on Syria under Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December last year. The ...

Scathing Message by “Shiite Depositor” Targets Yassine Jaber

This is Beirut, 18/12 14:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon International Monetary Fund USA Yassine Jaber Nabih Berri

The page “Lebanon Pulse” published on its X account a message purportedly from a “Shiite depositor”, addressed to Finance Minister Yassine Jaber. In the message, the author accuses the minister of having, in the past, incited members of the Shiite community in front of the US ambassador and called for their bombardment and removal of ...

US Congress Ends Syria Sanctions

This is Beirut, 18/12 08:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

US Congress USA Donald Trump Damascus Democrats

The US Congress on Wednesday permanently ended sanctions imposed on Syria under ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, paving the way for the return of investment to the war-ravaged nation. President Donald Trump had already twice suspended the implementation of sanctions in response to pleas from Saudi Arabia and Turkey, allies of the new government ...

Director Rob Reiner and Wife Found Dead at Los Angeles Residence

This is Beirut, 15/12 09:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Los Angeles USA Rob Reiner

American director Rob Reiner and his wife were found dead at their Southern California mansion, US media reported on Sunday, as the Los Angeles mayor said she was "heartbroken" by their loss. Two people were found dead at the home of "When Harry Met Sally" and "Princess Bride" director Reiner, local broadcaster NBCLA and other media outlets ...

Trump: Nations Ready to Act on Hezbollah

This is Beirut, 12/12 17:20 - Reading : less than a minute

Donald Trump Lebanon Hezbollah USA

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that “some countries want to intervene and deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon” during informal remarks at the White House. “You are not obliged to do it. You might have to do it later, but we have countries ready to step in and fully manage this issue,” he added. According to U.S. sources cited by ...

French Indie Title 'Clair Obscur' Dominates Game Awards

This is Beirut, 12/12 09:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Los Angeles USA Clair Obscur Game Awards

French indie title "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" dominated the annual Game Awards in Los Angeles, winning a record of nine categories, including best video game of the year. "What a weird timeline for us," Guillaume Broche of video game studio Sandfall Interactive quipped, thanking his team as he accepted the top award. "And also I want to ...

US House Votes to Repeal Caesar Act Sanctions on Syria

This is Beirut, 11/12 08:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

USA US House of Representatives US Treasury Damascus Caesar Act

The US House of Representatives has voted to repeal the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, a landmark sanctions regime imposed in 2019 on officials of former president Bashar al-Assad’s government for war crimes and human rights abuses. The repeal measure was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, ...

Israel’s Power Vacuum Dilemma

Seth J. Frantzman , 10/12 17:10 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Israel Benjamin Netanyahu USA Lebanon Syria Gaza

On December 2 Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israel Defense Forces soldiers wounded in recent fighting in southern Syria. Their injuries followed a November 26 IDF raid on the village of Beit Jinn in southern Syria, an operation that left several Syrians dead and wounded a number of Israeli soldiers. Netanyahu had a ...

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