This is Beirut - Washington

US Gas: Washington Secures Its Place in Europe’s Energy Market

Christiane Tager, 10/10 21:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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For more than two years, Europe has sought to reduce its reliance on Russian gas, an effort accelerated by the war in Ukraine and rising geopolitical tensions. According to RFI, European firms, long hesitant to commit to long-term deals, are now turning to US liquefied natural gas (LNG) to secure reliable supplies. This shift represents a ...

María Corina Machado Wins the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Moncef Ait-Kaci, 10/10 19:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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At 58, María Corina Machado became the first Venezuelan woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The announcement from Oslo recognizes her steadfast and nonviolent fight for democracy in a country where opposing the government carries great risk. Born in Caracas in 1967, she is an industrial engineer and a graduate of the Andrés Bello Catholic ...

China Bolsters Export Controls on Rare-Earth Industry

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

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China announced further controls Thursday on the export of rare-earth technologies and items, adding to existing regulations on the critical industry. Rare earths have represented a major sticking point in recent trade negotiations between China and the United States, with Washington accusing Beijing of slow-walking export license ...

Iran: The Fall of the Mullahs?

Elie Ziadé, 08/10 18:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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This is the central theme of this 20-minute visual investigation produced by Ici Beyrouth and This Is Beirut. The film combines archival footage, expert analysis and excerpts from speeches to explore the rise, power and fragility of a regime built on faith, weapons and fear. Three Voices to Understand Iran The documentary features three ...

Trump Administration Brands US Cities War Zones

This is Beirut, 06/10 09:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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The Trump administration branded Chicago a "war zone" Sunday as a justification for deploying soldiers against the will of local Democratic officials, while a judge blocked the White House from sending troops to another Democrat-run city. An escalating political crisis across the country pits President Donald Trump's anti-crime and ...

Lebanon's Half Measures Lead to Growing US Skepticism

Amal Chmouny, 01/10 09:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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As Lebanese leaders continue to implement half measures that fail to address pressing issues decisively, voices in Washington are increasingly questioning the US's support for Beirut. The context is troubling. From across the Atlantic, it is clear that Lebanese officials have yet to confront their fear of a "weak and defeated" Hezbollah, while the ...

US Faces Annual Budget Deadline as Another Government Shutdown Looms

Mario Chartouni, 29/09 17:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Every year, as September draws to a close, Washington is confronted with a critical deadline: passing the federal budget for the next fiscal year. When the White House and Congress fail to reach an agreement, the dreaded “government shutdown” can occur. Now a familiar term in American politics, a shutdown refers to the partial closure of ...

Another Record High: Gold Shines Brighter Than Ever

This is Beirut, 29/09 14:00 - Reading : less than a minute

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Gold continues to break records. The price per ounce (31.1 g) rose 1.3% on Monday, reaching $3,809, its highest level ever. The precious metal has surged 45% since the start of the year and nearly 130% over three years, outperforming most other investments. Several factors drive this gold rush: geopolitical uncertainties, from Russia’s invasion ...

Trade War Redraws the Map: China Shifts Course

Christiane Tager, 26/09 11:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Since Donald Trump took office, Sino-American trade has sometimes resembled a high-stakes ping-pong match. Containers once destined for US ports now appear to have lost their way. In August 2025, exports to the United States fell 12% in a single month, representing around $5 billion worth of goods no longer crossing the Pacific, at least not ...

Boulos: Hezbollah Disarmament a 'Red Line' for Washington

This is Beirut, 25/09 20:10 - Reading : less than a minute

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US President Donald Trump’s advisor on African affairs, Massaad Boulos, underscored that the disarmament of Hezbollah and the exclusive control of arms by the Lebanese state constitute a “red line” for Washington. In an interview with Al Jazeera on Thursday, Boulos reiterated US support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), highlighting ...

Pentagon: Hegseth Calls Unusual Meeting of Senior Military Leaders

This is Beirut, 25/09 18:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered hundreds of US Army generals and admirals to gather next week at a Marine Corps base in Virginia, without giving an official reason, the Washington Post reported Thursday. This unusual summons has caused confusion and concern, especially following the Trump administration’s numerous dismissals of ...

Syria FM Heading to US, a First in 25 Years

This is Beirut, 18/09 11:15 - Reading : less than a minute

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Syria's foreign minister is heading to Washington on Thursday, a foreign ministry source rold AFP, in the first such visit in more than 25 years. "Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani will travel to Washington to discuss the lifting of the remaining sanctions," the source said, requesting anonymity as they were not allowed to brief the ...

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