This is Beirut - Washington

Washington Expresses Concern Over Escalation in Southern Lebanon and Welcomes Government Initiative

This is Beirut, 10/08 21:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The United States has voiced deep concern over ongoing tensions along Lebanon’s southern border that endanger civilian safety and increase the risk of a wider conflict. In remarks to the press, US State Department regional spokesperson Michael Mitchell said, “We condemn Hezbollah’s escalation and call for restraint. These actions put ...

Iraq Denies any Role in Sanctioned Iran Oil Smuggling

This is Beirut, 08/08 12:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Iraqi authorities denied on Friday that the country had played any part in Iranian efforts to evade US sanctions on oil exports after Washington last month linked a local businessman to the practice. In early July, the US State Department sanctioned six entities and identified four vessels as having "knowingly engaged in a significant transaction ...

Issa Reaffirms Support for Lebanese Sovereignty

This is Beirut, 07/08 15:30 - Reading : less than a minute

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US Congressman Darrell Issa emphasized Thursday that decision-making in Lebanon “must remain in the hands of the Lebanese people,” following a meeting with President Joseph Aoun. Issa voiced confidence in the Lebanese government’s commitment to preserving peace and stability, and reaffirmed continued US support for the Lebanese Armed Forces ...

Higher US Tariffs Kick in for Dozens of Trading Partners

This is Beirut, 07/08 11:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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The United States began charging higher tariffs on dozens of trading partners Thursday, in a major escalation of President Donald Trump's drive to reshape global commerce in America's favor. Shortly before the new levies kicked in, the United States separately announced it would double tariffs on India to 50 percent and hit many semiconductor ...

United Airlines Flights Grounded in the US

This is Beirut, 07/08 09:25 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Thousands of US air passengers were facing delays Wednesday after United Airlines halted many departures in the wake of a systemwide problem. So-called "mainline flights" -- those moving between major hubs -- were grounded for over an hour before engineers were able to get things up and running again. "We are working with customers to get them ...

Republicans and Democrats Go to 'War' Over US Election Map

This is Beirut, 06/08 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump Washington Elections Gerrymandering Texas

Donald Trump is pulling hard on the levers of power to strengthen Republicans through redistricting in Texas and other states -- the latest offensive in escalating moves by both sides to shape the battlefield of US democracy for the midterm elections. The president's efforts have lit a fuse in multiple states, triggering a high-stakes tussle over ...

Bolsonaro Backers Rally to Praise Trump for Brazil Pressure

This is Beirut, 04/08 09:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Thousands of fervent supporters of Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro took to the streets Sunday, showing support for US President Donald Trump's pressure campaign against the trial of his right-wing ally. Bolsonaro is currently being tried in the capital Brasilia for plotting a coup after failing to win reelection in 2022 against leftist Luiz ...

Lebanese-American Appointed to Top Federal Judicial Post in Washington

This is Beirut, 03/08 10:40 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The US Senate confirmed the appointment of Lebanese-American Jeanine Ferris Pirro as the federal Attorney General, the highest judicial position. The nomination, put forward by President Donald Trump in May 2025, was approved by a 50-to-45 vote after a direct appeal from the White House to Republican senators to expedite the process. Born in 1951 ...

Barrack and Ortagus Coordinate on Lebanon

Bassam Abou Zeid, 02/08 21:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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All eyes are on the Lebanese Cabinet session scheduled for next Tuesday, which will address the issue of “disarming Hezbollah,” a phrase used by President Joseph Aoun in his speech on Thursday, Army Day’s eve. According to sources, Washington is awaiting the outcome of this session before determining its next steps toward Lebanon. US ...

Welcome Back!

Johnny Kortbawi, 02/08 20:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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As soon as press leaks emerged suggesting that the Lebanese file was being taken away from US envoy Tom Barrack and handed back to former envoy Morgan Ortagus, a certain optimism resurfaced among the Lebanese. This might be explained by the fact that Ortagus is seen as more than just a US envoy; she has indeed become some kind of celebrity in ...

Reuters: US Pressures Lebanon to Commit to Hezbollah Disarmament

This is Beirut, 29/07 22:50 - Reading : less than a minute

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The United States is ramping up pressure on Lebanon to issue a formal Cabinet decision mandating the disarmament of Hezbollah as a prerequisite for resuming negotiations aimed at halting Israeli military operations in Lebanon, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing informed sources. According to two Lebanese officials, two diplomats and a ...

U.S. Joins Israel in Withdrawing Negotiators from Gaza Talks

This is Beirut, 24/07 21:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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The United States joined Israel on Thursday in pulling its negotiators from Gaza ceasefire talks, with special envoy Steve Witkoff blaming Hamas for failing to reach a deal and saying Washington would "consider alternative options". France meanwhile announced it would formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in ...

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