This is Beirut

US Cuts Overseas Development Program Budgets by More than 90%

This is Beirut, 27/02 09:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

The United States has dramatically cut the budgets of overseas development and aid programs, with multi-year contracts pared down by 92 percent, or $54 billion, the State Department said Wednesday. On his first day in office, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid for 90 days. The pause aimed ...

America’s New Doctrine

Salam El Zaatari, 27/02 09:05 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

USA NATO Donald Trump China

There’s an old rule in business: if you keep doing favors for people, they’ll come to expect it, and stop doing the work themselves. That, in a nutshell, is what America’s foreign policy shift under President Donald Trump looks like. For decades, US allies in Europe and the Middle East have operated under a comfortable assumption: when ...

Yalta 2.0: The New Masters of the World

Marc Saikali, 27/02 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Volodymyr Zelensky Donald Trump USA Uktaine EU Russia

Since Donald Trump’s rise to power, everything has accelerated. Geopolitical time has sped up. The Middle East, Ukraine... all fronts are moving rapidly. As if by magic, Donald Trump managed to make the Slavic enemies utter the words “ceasefire” to halt the senseless slaughter after three years of unprecedented violence, reminiscent of the ...

Trump Rules Out Security Guarantees for Ukraine and Rejects NATO Membership

This is Beirut, 26/02 22:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Emmanuel Macron USA

President Donald Trump on Wednesday ruled out offering US security guarantees or NATO membership for Ukraine as his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky prepared to visit to seal a deal on handing over natural resources. Trump, who has upended US policy by reaching out to Russia and seeking a quick end to the three-year war, said that European allies ...

Syria: 12 SDF Members Killed in Airstrikes Attributed to Turkey

This is Beirut, 26/02 20:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Damascus Turkey USA

Kurdish-led forces that control large areas of northern and northeastern Syria said 12 people were killed Wednesday in air strikes it blamed on Turkey. "Turkish occupation warplanes and UCAVs (drones) targeted a military position belonging to our forces" as well as civilian homes and a vehicle in the Al-Shaddadi area, the Syrian Democratic Forces ...

The Role of the US, EU and Arab Countries in Syria’s Economic Future

Liliane Mokbel, 26/02 15:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

European Union USA Europe Gulf Saudi Arabia

The Partial Lifting of European Sanctions Is Insufficient The partial lifting of European sanctions on Syria is a positive step that could help accelerate economic recovery. However, this measure remains inadequate given the urgent need for support. While some Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, notably Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are willing ...

The Super Bowl: Commercials with a Side of Sports

Jad Ramadan, 26/02 10:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

USA Super Bowl

In light of the Philadelphia Eagles’ win in Super Bowl 2025, it is worth pausing to admire the stars and highlights of American sports culture. From Taylor Swift to flashy half-time shows, today’s American football is filled with spectacle. However, on this much-anticipated night, the Super Bowl isn’t even the main eye-catcher. According to ...

Iran denounces new US sanctions as 'sign of hostility'

This is Beirut, 26/02 09:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump Tehran Washington

Iran on Wednesday condemned a new round of US sanctions as a "clear sign of hostility" after Washington blacklisted more than 30 people and vessels linked to its oil trade. Washington announced the measures on Monday, targeting the head of the national oil company and others accused of brokering oil sales. It was the second wave of sanctions in ...

Macron and Trump Rekindle Le Bromance with a Touch of Tension

This is Beirut, 25/02 09:20 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Emmanuel Macron Europe Ukraine USA

They hugged, they gripped hands, they touched knees and they backslapped. But they did not agree on everything. French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump rekindled the most touchy-feely bromance in world politics as they met on Monday for talks on Ukraine. The pair have a long history of public displays of affection dating ...

Palestinians Have Some Soul-Searching To Do

Pierre Nahas , 24/02 11:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Palestine Israel USA Gaza

United States President Donald Trump’s proposal to depopulate the Gaza Strip and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” has sparked widespread debate. Whether his plan is feasible remains to be seen. Regardless, Palestinians need a new modus operandi if they are to survive. They must recognize that leaders in the Middle East now ...

German Vote Winner Merz Faces Tough Talks to Build Govt

This is Beirut, 24/02 09:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Ukraine USA

Germany's conservative election winner Friedrich Merz vowed to get to work Monday on the arduous task of building a new coalition government, warning "the world isn't waiting for us". Merz has warned against more paralysis in Berlin at a time US President Donald Trump is driving head-spinning change, the German economy is in ...

Senator Ronny Jackson Calls for a Security Monopoly by the Lebanese Army

This is Beirut, 22/02 19:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Joseph Aoun Lebanon Hezbollah

A delegation from the US Congress, led by Senator Ronny Jackson, met on Saturday with the President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, in the presence of the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson. At the end of the meeting, Jackson expressed the United States’ desire to see a new phase of peace and stability in ...