Lebanon

Israel Released Fifth Lebanese Detainee

The Lebanese army said it received on Thursday a soldier taken by Israel last weekend, after Israel handed over four other detainees earlier this week. "The army, through the International Committee of the Red Cross received (on Thursday) the soldier who was kidnapped by the Israeli enemy" on Sunday, the army said on X, adding that he had been ...

Riyadi Snatches Victory, La Sagesse Bounces Back

After their participation in the Wasl championship, the giants of Lebanese basketball returned to the local league with two contrasting victories: a hard-fought win for Riyadi (86-84 against Hoops) and a dominant success for La Sagesse (98-76 against Champville). La Sagesse Regains Momentum After a lackluster performance in Wasl, La Sagesse, ...

Kulluna Irada: A Law-Breaking Association – Should Its License Be Revoked?

Kulluna Irada is an organization that claims to uphold the law, pursue corrupt individuals, and fight corruption in the name of good governance and reform. However, in practice, the activities of Kulluna Irada violate both the law and the objectives for which the organization was granted official recognition by the Ministry of Interior and ...

It Feels Like the South... but Now, It's the North!

Suddenly, all eyes and fears turned to Tripoli and Akkar. At least 7,000 Syrian refugees, mostly Alawites, have crossed the border to escape the violent clashes unfolding along Syria’s coastline. These confrontations, marked by extreme brutality and condemned by numerous human rights organizations, have sent shockwaves through the international ...

Official Start of Negotiations with IMF, Jaber Confirms: No Write-Off of Deposits

Lebanese authorities announced the resumption of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reach a final agreement that would grant the country loans while advancing its reform agenda. Talks between the Lebanese government and the IMF began on Wednesday, aiming for a staff-level agreement as a step toward broader negotiations to ...

Who Would Lead Lebanon’s Security Institutions

Rodolphe Haykal, Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army Brigadier General Rodolphe Haykal might be confirmed as the next Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). A highly experienced officer, Haykal currently serves as the Army’s Director of Operations. Originally from Aaqtanit in the Saida district, Haykal rose through the army ...

A New Era of Peace? The Middle East at a Crossroads

For decades, the Middle East has been synonymous with conflict, instability, and geopolitical power struggles. From Lebanon to Iraq, Syria to Palestine, and beyond, the region has suffered the consequences of prolonged wars, economic turmoil, and external interventions. But today, a new chapter may be unfolding—one driven by decisive shifts in ...

Middle East Peace Efforts Gain Momentum Under Trump Administration

WASHINGTON—U.S. efforts to broker lasting peace in the Middle East appear to be gaining traction, with senior officials expressing optimism about the potential for historic agreements in the region. “We are looking forward to peace, and we are aiming for peace, and by the grace of God, this will be achieved, hopefully soon,” ...

Hezbollah’s Comeback Plan and How to Counter It

If the glass at your house got shattered during Hezbollah’s war with Israel, the Iran-backed militia would pay you $1,200 to fix it, a hefty sum by Lebanese standards. Reports, perhaps exaggerated, suggest that Hezbollah sits on a $10 billion budget allocated for reconstructing its partisans’ residential and commercial units. Spending at this ...

Before Implementing Taif’s Mere Formalities...

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is determined to implement the Taif Agreement. His commitment to this accord is not new as Taif marked a clear transition between war and peace in Lebanon and provided various political factions with guarantees in governance. Salam has consistently expressed his support for Taif—not just after being appointed Prime ...

Football: Lebanon Sharpens Its Weapons and Pedro Budib Enters the Fortress

Determined to secure its ticket for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon begins the third round of qualifications with the aim of dominating Group B, which also includes Yemen, Bhutan and Brunei Darussalam. The campaign starts with a trip to Brunei on March 25, followed by a friendly match on March 20 against East Timor, whose style of play ...