This is Beirut - United States

Diplomacy, Political Brinkmanship and the Murderous Dystopias

Charles Chartouni, 06/10 09:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Hezbollah Hamas Iran Israel Lebanon United States Donald Trump

The peace plan submitted by President Trump is a major breakthrough after two years of open-ended cycles of violence in Gaza. Welcomed by Europeans, the Palestinian authority, Arab states, Russia, and China, it can definitely serve as a platform for a negotiated end of war. It could be a major diplomatic feat to end the unspeakable humanitarian ...

Trump Envoys Head to Egypt as Hamas Agrees to Free Gaza Hostages

This is Beirut, 04/10 19:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Jared Kushner Steve Witkoff United States Egypt Hamas Donald Trump

Two envoys of US President Donald Trump headed to Egypt on Saturday to discuss the release of hostages in Gaza, after Hamas agreed to his ceasefire proposal, while Israeli forces launched deadly strikes across the territory. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff were expected to finalize details on the release of hostages and ...

Israeli Army Still Operating in Gaza Despite Calls for Ceasefire

This is Beirut, 04/10 14:24 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Gaza Hamas United States Israel Egypt

Israel said Saturday its troops were still operating in Gaza and warned residents not to return, despite calls from the families of Israeli hostages and US President Donald Trump for an immediate halt to the fighting. Trump issued the appeal to the key US ally after Palestinian militant group Hamas said it was ready to release all hostages and ...

Hamas Says Ready for Peace Talks, Trump Urges Israel to Halt Bombing

This is Beirut, 04/10 00:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Gaza United States Israel

Hamas said on Friday it was ready to start immediate talks on freeing the Israeli hostages it holds and the end of the Gaza war, welcoming US President Donald Trump's call for Israel to stop bombing the Palestinian territory. Trump's peace proposal, backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for a halt to hostilities in ...

US Treasury Department Mulls Minting $1 Coin with Trump's Image

This is Beirut, 03/10 22:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

US Treasury Donald Trump United States Independence Money

The US Treasury Department is considering making a one-dollar coin that features President Donald Trump in order to commemorate the country's 250th independence anniversary, officials said Friday. In a social media post retweeted by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Treasurer Brandon Beach shared early drafts of the coin. Beach posted "first ...

Are Things Looking Brighter for the Middle East?

David Hale , 03/10 18:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Syria Gaza Hamas Israel United States

A year after Israel defanged Hezbollah, and in the wake of the annual opening of the UN General Assembly and several developments related to the Middle East, it may be a good time to take stock. In my 38-year career of diplomacy in the Middle East, anytime someone expressed optimism, I would suggest a head examination might be in order. However, ...

FIFA Unveils Trionda, the Official Ball of the 2026 World Cup

This is Beirut, 03/10 14:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

New York United States Football

FIFA has unveiled the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup, combining high-tech refinements and design details celebrating the three co-host countries -- the United States, Mexico and Canada. The ball, called Trionda, was again designed by German manufacturer Adidas, provider of the official World Cup balls since the 1970 tournament. "I am ...

Munich Airport Closure 'Wake-up Call' Over Drone Danger

This is Beirut, 03/10 13:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Europe United States Drones Munich Germany

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Friday that the temporary closure of Munich airport after drone sightings was a "wake-up call" about the threat from drones, which have caused a string of similar aviation disruptions across Europe. Airports in Denmark, Norway and Poland have recently suspended flights due to unidentified ...

Washington Allocates $230 Million for Lebanese Army and ISF Ahead of Shutdown

This is Beirut, 03/10 11:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Internal Security Forces Lebanese Army United States Lebanon Hezbollah

Just hours before a government shutdown, the United States confirmed a new security aid package for Lebanon. The Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces (ISF) will receive $230 million in funding, a strong political signal of support for state institutions. According to Reuters, the US administration approved the funding on September 30, ...

Trump Piles Pain on Democrats Over Us Government Shutdown

This is Beirut, 03/10 05:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States Donald Trump Shutdown Politics

Donald Trump signaled Thursday that he plans to follow through on his threat for mass layoffs of US federal workers as he ratcheted pressure on Democrats to back moves to end the government shutdown. The Republican president announced he would meet budget chief Russell Vought "to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which ...

US Fighter Jets Flew Close to Venezuela's Shores: Defense Minister

This is Beirut, 02/10 21:45 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump United States Venezuela

Venezuela said Thursday that it had detected five US fighter jets flying close to its shores, adding to tensions with Washington, which has ordered a major naval build-up in the region. In a TV address, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said that Venezuela's air defenses and the tracking systems of the country's biggest airport "detected more ...

Trump Offers Security Guarantees to Qatar After Israel Strikes

This is Beirut, 01/10 23:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United States Qatar Hamas Gaza Israel

US President Donald Trump has signed an order vowing to defend key ally Qatar against attacks, the White House said Wednesday, in an extraordinary move following Israeli strikes on the Gulf state last month. The Israeli strike angered Washington and spurred Trump to push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into accepting a Gaza peace deal ...

United States