Hezbollah

Government Formation: Berri Blocks Progress

The trilateral meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam concluded this Thursday afternoon after an hour and a half of discussions. According to MTV, Berri's insistence on appointing a fifth Shiite minister hindered the government formation process. Diplomatic sources ...

The Golden Pager and the Irony of Espionage in the Middle East

History is often written in treaties. Sometimes, it’s forged in war. And sometimes, apparently, it’s written in golden pagers. Yes, you read that correctly. In a moment that blended Middle Eastern geopolitics with the aesthetics of a 1990s tech museum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gifted US President Donald Trump a golden pager, ...

Lebanon: A State of Insecurity? Where Exactly?

The ostrich policy: look away and pretend that security is under control. For the past few weeks, in a scattered yet synchronized manner, acts of delinquency have been multiplying in certain neighborhoods of Beirut. Of course, there’s no proof that these incidents are coordinated. However, in Lebanon, there’s always a “but!” The profile ...

Iran's Khamenei names Hezbollah leader as Lebanon 'representative'

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has named Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem as his "representative" in Lebanon, Iranian media reported Wednesday. "The leader of the revolution, in a decree, introduced Sheikh Naim Qassem, secretary general of Hezbollah, as his representative in Lebanon," Tasnim news agency said. Tasnim carried a copy of ...

Lebanon Reconnects with the World: Airlines Resuming Flights

From the onset of the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, all international airlines suspended their flights to Lebanon. Among them, major carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines halted their routes to Beirut, citing security concerns for passengers and crew amid ongoing bombardments and the inability to guarantee ...

To What Extent Does Nawaf Salam Adopt a Common Criteria?

A quick assessment of the current situation shows that among the majority of MPs who nominated Nawaf Salam to form the new government, only a few remain satisfied with the prime minister-designate’s performance. So far, Salam has managed to infuriate most of those who were on his side, while satisfying his opponents, particularly Amal and ...

Mapping Forces in South Lebanon

South Lebanon remains a focal point of tension, with Israeli forces holding positions along the border, Hezbollah active across strategic areas, and the Lebanese Army bolstering its presence. With the ceasefire deadline extended till February 18, the region faces heightened uncertainty, underscoring the fragile security situation and the potential ...

New Hezbollah Network Dismantled in Germany

Hezbollah is reportedly operating secret bases across northern Germany, using them to expand its influence throughout Europe. This covert network is believed to serve as a platform for fundraising, weapons procurement and bolstering the group’s presence within the Lebanese community. These revelations were published by The National on February ...

Lebanon Files New Complaint Against Israel at the UN

Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has filed a new complaint against Israel with the United Nations Security Council, denouncing recent Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory and violations of the country's sovereignty. The complaint, submitted on Tuesday, highlights breaches of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement ...

Government Lineup Nears Completion Amid Political Tensions and External Pressure

After 22 days of intense negotiations, Judge Nawaf Salam’s efforts to form Lebanon’s new government, following his designation on January 13, are entering their final stages. Despite political challenges and conflicting demands from various factions, the announcement of the first government under General Joseph Aoun’s reformist mandate is ...

Australian Government Imposes Sanctions on Hezbollah's Chief

The Australian Government imposed sanctions on Monday targeting Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem. Naim Qassem is part of a group of entities sanctioned by Australia in its “the fight against terrorist financing and ongoing work to combat anti-Semitism and ensure the safety of Australians,” reads a statement published by the ...

Ahmad Hariri Paves Way for Saad Hariri’s Return on February 14

With just two weeks away from the 20th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, preparations are gaining momentum for the anticipated return of his son, ex-PM Saad Hariri, to Beirut. Ahmad Hariri, Secretary General of the Future Movement, has been actively laying the groundwork for his leader’s political ...