Paul Astih

Paul Astih
Arab World Hezbollah supporter weeps during a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the death of party leader Hassan Nasrallah . Nasrallah was killed in a massive Israeli air strike on September 27, 2024. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa

Who Are Hezbollah's Remaining Allies in Lebanon?

The second anniversary of the assassinations of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine exposed a grim reality facing…

Paul Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A woman carries a picture of the late Hezbollah leader Nasrallah as supporters of Hezbollah protest outside the Lebanese Government Palace in Beirut, Lebanon, 18 August 2026, rallying against direct Lebanese-Israeli talks.  EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Leadership Crisis in Hezbollah After Nasrallah's Assassination

Two years after the assassination of former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, the group has not fully overcome the absence of the man who led it…

Paul Astih
Arab World A Lebanese soldier sits on an armored personnel carrier at the entrance of Burj Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Beirut, Lebanon, 21 August 2025.   EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Iran Links Hamas, its Allies’ Weapons in Lebanon to Hezbollah’s Arms

As efforts to address Hezbollah’s weapons continue to stall, along with the domestic dialogue over the issue, discussion of Palestinian weapons inside the…

Paul Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A protester shouts slogans while holding a portrait of the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a protest against the backdrop of Lebanon-Israel talks and the normalization of relations, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

The 'Ali al-Taher' Battle: A Test of Hezbollah’s Capabilities

The battle for the “Ali al-Taher” heights is placing Hezbollah before a difficult test that goes beyond its ability to defend the hill and prevent its fall. It…

Paul Astih (Beirut)
Arab World  A UNIFIL patrol in Mansouri, southern Lebanon (AFP)

Israeli Army Measures in South Lebanon Restrict UNIFIL Movement

Restrictions are tightening on the movement of UNIFIL peacekeepers still deployed in southern Lebanon, as their mandate is set to end at the close of this year…

Paul Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A poster depicting the portrait of Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun that reads "The decision-maker, the protector of Lebanon, Lebanon first...The State always. We are with you" hangs at the entrance of a tunnel on a street in Beirut (Photo by Joseph EID / AFP)

Lebanese Divisions over Approach to US Pressure for Aoun–Netanyahu Meeting

Lebanese political forces are split between those supporting direct negotiations with Israel to end the ongoing war in the south and those opposing them,…

Paul Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A child wearing a military uniform at the funeral of a Hezbollah fighter in Beirut’s southern suburbs during the truce with Israel (Reuters)

Hezbollah Threatens to Derail Israel Talks, Invokes 1983 Scenario

Hezbollah has stepped up its campaign against Lebanon’s authorities, objecting to their decision to pursue direct negotiations with Israel and insisting the…

Paul Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Hezbollah members take an oath in front of a monument to Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Beirut in 2022 (AP file photo)

Hezbollah Raises Civil War Threat Over Disarmament Plan

Hezbollah escalated its response to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam over plans to press ahead with restricting weapons to the…

Paul Astih (Beirut)