hezbollah

Hezbollah’s Obstinate Defiance: A State Within a State

Hezbollah issued an unprecedented “open-letter” on Thursday, addressed to President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam as well as to the Lebanese people. It presents itself as a solemn political message in defense of Lebanon’s sovereignty and unity. Yet behind its polished language about “national ...

South Lebanon: Hezbollah and Christian Villages in Quiet Coexistence

In some regions of southern Lebanon, particularly in Jezzine, Marjayoun, and Rmeish, predominantly Christian areas directly border localities where Hezbollah holds significant influence. These areas, where municipal networks, social structures, and political actors intertwine, reflect a deeply rooted sociopolitical reality shaped by geography, ...

A Peacemaker Visits a Land of Perpetual War

Pope Leo XIV’s expected visit to Lebanon later this month comes at a moment of peril for the country. Lebanon’s most recent war, launched by Hezbollah on October 8, 2023, has barely ended, with Israel threatening to renew the conflict at any moment should Hezbollah not disarm. The Lebanese government has pledged to assert state power and ...

Financial Times Revives Debate Over Hezbollah’s Funding in Lebanon

On Sunday, the Lebanese market reacted strongly to a Financial Times (FT) investigation suggesting that Hezbollah has been using digital wallets and money transfer companies to raise funds and support its purported “charitable” networks. The companies under scrutiny — providers of digital wallets and money transfer services — quickly ...

Saydet al-Jabal Urges Lebanon to Negotiate with Israel and Reclaim Control of Weapons

The Saydet al-Jabal Gathering called for direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, urging President Joseph Aoun to personally lead talks to address outstanding issues, including Israel’s withdrawal from five disputed points and the return of prisoners. The group said such a step could move Lebanon from war toward peace and allow it to ...

Israeli Drone Strikes Kill Two Hezbollah Members in Southern Lebanon

Israeli drone strikes killed two Hezbollah members on Monday, in southern Lebanon. Mohammad Ali Hadid, a Hezbollah official, was reportedly targeted in an Israeli strike in the Nabatiyeh district of southern Lebanon. Media sources reported that Hadid, who had allegedly survived an assassination attempt the previous day, was traveling in a car ...

Hezbollah Activity Rises as Israel Watches and Tehran Calls for Vigilance

Israeli intelligence services have reported unusual activity by Hezbollah in several parts of Lebanon, while Tehran is urging vigilance and the defense of Lebanese sovereignty, highlighting the fragile balance in a region already on edge. According to the Israeli daily Maariv, the Israeli army has observed intensified movements by Hezbollah ...

Iran Banking on Iraq Vote to Retain Regional Influence

Iraq will hold parliamentary elections on November 11, with analysts saying Iran will be watching closely as it hopes to retain influence over its neighbor after losing regional leverage during the Gaza war. The past two years have seen Iran-backed groups including Palestinian militants Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen suffer ...

‘Innovation’ in Destruction: The Forgery of University Degrees

During one of his many mass rallies held in a French province, the leader of La France insoumise, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, told his supporters that it was important to constantly maintain a climate of aggression and escalating verbal tension in political discourse, combined with efforts to stir up persistent instability on the ground. His stated goal ...

Time Is Running Out for Lebanon to Avoid the Price of Hollow Politics

While Washington’s latest diplomatic efforts sought to convey a sense of urgency to Lebanon and forestall Israel from launching a new war, the country’s leaders have shown themselves to be ineffective and unwilling to break from the past. Just listening to President Joseph Aoun’s hollow pronouncements is enough to lose hope that Lebanon will ...

Israel Warns of Intensifying Attacks Against Hezbollah in South Lebanon

Israel warned Sunday that its military would step up its attacks against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a day after the Lebanese health ministry reported four people killed in an Israeli air strike. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group, Israel maintains troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and has kept up regular ...

Israel and Hezbollah Reject Egypt’s Initiative

Lebanon remains caught in Israel’s escalation zone as disagreements persist with both Israel and the United States, and Hezbollah still resists disarmament. Official Lebanese sources say Israel’s main demand centers on direct negotiations with Lebanon, even suggesting a possible meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister ...