hezbollah

Iran TV Shows Missile Base After Paramilitary March Against ‘Threats'

Iranian state TV on Friday showed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps touring an underground missile base used in an attack against Israel, hours after fighters marched through Tehran. The footage of the missile base at an undisclosed location "in the mountains" and the parade by paramilitary Basij volunteers come after the ...

Southern Lebanon: Tensions Persist as Ceasefire Deadline Approaches

Following the election of Lebanon's new president, all eyes are now on the southern region, with only 16 days remaining until the expiration of the ceasefire agreement, which was enacted on November 27. Developments on the Ground Following airstrikes targeting southern Lebanese towns, the village of Aita al-Shaab was struck by artillery fire ...

End-of-Year Celebrations Under the Shadow of War

Lebanon is traditionally renowned for its vibrant year-end celebrations and ski resorts. However, its tourism sector was severely impacted by the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Foreign tourists were entirely dissuaded from visiting the Land of Cedars, and many Lebanese expatriates canceled their trip. The ceasefire between Hezbollah and ...

Lebanese Pound Demand Surges as BDL Boosts Reserves by $120 Million

The surge in demand for the Lebanese pound continues, prompting the Central Bank (BDL) to bolster its reserves by $120 million within a mere two-day span. With General Joseph Aoun's election as President of the Republic, the demand for the pound has surged, reaching even higher levels for the second consecutive day. In response, BDL injected the ...

Joseph Aoun: 'My Mandate Will Be Founded on Respect for the Constitution'

It is rare for the election of a president in Lebanon to be met with such profound relief. The relief felt by many Lebanese on Thursday reflects a deep awareness that Joseph Aoun’s election to the highest office marks the beginning of the end for a harmful and destructive way of governance. His leadership rekindles hope for rebuilding the ...

The Election of Joseph Aoun as President Applauded at Home

Reactions are pouring in following the election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Republic on Thursday. Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, expressed his congratulations to Aoun on behalf of “the Lebanese nation and the Lebanese people,” underlining the critical circumstances that Lebanon is witnessing, particularly in the ...

Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun is the 14th President of Lebanon

Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun was elected on Thursday as the 14th president of Lebanon in a second round of the voting, ending more than two years of vacuum in the top post. Aoun obtained 99 votes of the 128-member unicameral parliament, against 9 blank votes, two votes for Chibli Mallat and 18 invalid ballots. The second round of the voting ...

Who is Lebanon's Long-Awaited 14th President Joseph Aoun?

When considering the implementation of a ceasefire—fragile at best—a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel, the second-largest non-nuclear explosion in history, an unprecedented economic collapse, an unparalleled political paralysis, an attack by ISIS on Lebanese soil, all compounded by Lebanon's deeply rooted sectarian tensions, one ...

Army Commander Fails First Round of Presidential Vote

Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun failed to get elected as Lebanon’s new president in the first round of parliament voting on Thursday. Aoun received 71 votes, short of the 86 ballots that he needs to be elected in the first round. The ballots included 37 blank votes, two for Chebli Mallat and 18 invalid votes. The blank and invalid votes have ...

The Twelve Labors of… Parliament

Since the end of former President Michel Aoun's term in October 2022, Lebanon has been facing a period of presidential vacancy, accompanied by overlapping economic and security crises, the most recent being the war between Hezbollah and Israel. From political divisions to diplomatic visits, the Lebanese political scene has become mired in ...

A Herculean Task for the New President

The moment of truth is upon us—the time for decisive choices and a critical turning point for the country. Regardless of the outcome of the January 9 election, the election of Lebanon's 14th president presents a historic opportunity to claim the country’s rightful place in the emerging regional order. The new president will immediately face ...

Shifting Alliances: The Evolution of US Foreign Policy in Lebanon and the Road Ahead

The United States’ involvement in Lebanese politics has intensified, particularly in efforts to counteract Hezbollah's influence. Recent events suggest that the US is attempting to influence Lebanon's presidential election, backing candidates like General Joseph Aoun to potentially weaken Hezbollah's grip. This involvement underscores the US’s ...