War in the Middle East

Adjusting to New Realities
Adjusting to New Realities

One of the harder things in foreign affairs, as in life, is dealing with new realities. Successful statecraft entails identifying new realities and equipping policies to protect and advance national interests in that light. An inability to adjust strategies in the face of new realities is an indicator of impending failure. The tragedy experienced ...

Greece to Join Coalition to Protect Red Sea Shipping
Greece to Join Coalition to Protect Red Sea Shipping

Greece will join a US-led coalition to safeguard the Red Sea's shipping route from Houthis, as announced by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias on Thursday. A Greek navy frigate, acting on orders from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will be part of the task force, according to the minister. Given Greece's status as a leading shipping nation, ...

Hopes Rise for Israel-Hamas Truce Deal
Hopes Rise for Israel-Hamas Truce Deal

Expectations grew over Israel and Hamas' move towards a new ceasefire and an agreement for the release of hostages in the Gaza conflict on Wednesday. These developments followed discussions in Europe and a visit to Egypt by the leader of the Palestinian militant group. Hopes rose that Israel and Hamas may be inching toward another truce and ...

US Looks to Iraq for Support against Iran Proxies
US Looks to Iraq for Support against Iran Proxies

A senior US official stated in Baghdad on Wednesday, that the United States aims to actively collaborate with Iraq to tackle the increase in attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria. The United States wants to actively engage with Iraq to address a surge in attacks on American troops in Iraq and Syria, a top US official said Wednesday in ...

War Diary: Day 75
War Diary: Day 75

This is Beirut brings you a daily recap of the situation in Gaza. Here are the main highlights for December 20, 2023.

Editorial - South Lebanon: 'War and Peace'
Editorial - South Lebanon: 'War and Peace'

A necessary, indeed indispensable, but not sufficient condition ... This is how one could characterize the retention of General Joseph Aoun in his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Army. In the context of stabilizing southern Lebanon and strictly adhering to Resolution 1701, the decision was crucial, as the army needs to be led by a commander ...

South Lebanon Still Under Tension
South Lebanon Still Under Tension

Southern Lebanon remains under tension. Israeli reconnaissance planes flew over the Shebaa farms, Hasbaya, Upper Galilee and the border area late on Wednesday morning, while the outskirts of Maroun al-Ras, Yaroun and Mohaybib (Marjayoun) were targeted by bombardments. Earlier, Israeli drones flew over the villages of Majdel Zoun and Chamaa. At ...

Hamas Leader in Egypt for Talks on Gaza Truce
Hamas Leader in Egypt for Talks on Gaza Truce

The leader of Hamas arrived in Egypt on Wednesday as hopes grew that Israel and the Palestinian militant group might be inching toward another truce and hostage release deal in the Gaza war. The Qatar-based Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh, arrived in Cairo for discussions on “aggression in the Gaza Strip and other matters,” the group said in a ...

US-French Agreement Plan: A Feasible Solution?
US-French Agreement Plan: A Feasible Solution?

  Does the American-French "plan" to address the situation in southern Lebanon include the implementation of Resolution 1701 along with its overall components? And is it aimed at facilitating a regional settlement? According to a Western diplomat, the debate over a post-Gaza phase is already underway. This is especially relevant as the ...

UNSC Gaza Ceasefire Vote Postponed Again
UNSC Gaza Ceasefire Vote Postponed Again

A UN Security Council vote on a resolution calling for a pause to the Israel-Hamas war was postponed again Tuesday, diplomatic sources said, as member states wrangled over wording while aid efforts in the Gaza Strip neared collapse. Three diplomatic sources said the vote on the text, the latest version of which seen by AFP calls for the ...

Gaza Hospital Out of Service after Israeli Army Raid
Gaza Hospital Out of Service after Israeli Army Raid

The Israeli army's incursion on Tuesday, led to the cessation of operations at one of the few remaining hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip, according to the facility's director. One of the last remaining hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip stopped operating on Tuesday after being stormed by the Israeli army, its director said. Fadel Naim told ...