Paula Astih
Arab World  A vehicle dressed like a double decker bus drives near revelers during the Beirut Street Festival in downtown Beirut on June 22, 2024. (AFP)

Expats Flock to Lebanon Despite Fears of War with Israel

Expatriates flocked to Lebanon despite the international warnings against traveling to the country due to the rising tensions with Israel. June alone…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Features US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein meets with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati [not pictured] in Beirut, Lebanon November 7, 2023. REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

What Role is the US Playing to Prevent Conflict in Lebanon from Escalating?

The United States is working hard to prevent the conflict in Lebanon from escalating. To achieve this, the Biden administration has sent special envoy Amos…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Features People inspect the destruction outside a charred building hit by an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese town of Wadi Jilo, east of Tyre, on June 6, 2024. (AFP)

What Are the Challenges Faced by Hezbollah after 8 Months of Fighting Israel?

Hezbollah is facing mounting challenges in its eight-month long conflict with Israel in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, which unilaterally launched the fight in…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World  A picture taken from a position by the northern Israeli border with Lebanon shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanese territory on May 10, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border tensions. (AFP)

Border War Depletes Hezbollah, Worries Israel

Hezbollah deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem acknowledged that the party had to make changes to its military approach in its war with Israel in…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at the interior ministry in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP)

Lebanese Interior Ministry, General Security Take Steps to Resolve Syrian Refugee Crisis

Lebanese officials can no longer afford to lightly deal with the Syrian refugee file, especially amid rising popular and political pressure to deal with the…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World US Envoy Amos Hochstein meets with parliament Speaker Nabih Berri during a visit to Beirut. (AFP)

Intense International Pressure to Spare Lebanon from Expanded War

Fears of an expanded war between Hezbollah and Israel have mounted following the regional escalation and the Israeli army’s announcement of its readiness to…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese caretaker Interior Minister Basam Mawlawi (NNA)

Kidnappings, Murder Gangs Surge in Lebanon, Syria

Lebanese authorities investigating the killing of Pascal Sleiman, a coordinator for the Lebanese Forces Party in Jbeil, have arrested Syrian nationals…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Features Mourners are seen at the funeral of Ali Ahmed Hussein, commander of Hezbollah’s “Radwan” forces, in Beirut. (AP)

Lebanese Mull Different Scenarios for Iran’s Response to Syria Consulate Attack, Fear Expanded War

Fear mounted in Lebanon over Tehran’s expected response to Israel’s targeting of the Iranian consulate headquarters in Damascus, and the possible Israeli…

Paula Astih (Beirut)