Paula Astih

Paula Astih
Arab World A billboard on the road to Beirut International Airport promoting tourism in Lebanon (AP). 

Iran-Israel War Disrupts Lebanon’s Tourism Season

The outbreak of war between Iran and Israel has upended weeks of preparation aimed at delivering Lebanon’s most promising tourism season in years. Amid the…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A poster in the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut shows a Hamas fighter… (AFP) 

Will Regional Tensions Stall Palestinian Arms Handover in Lebanon?

The escalation of the Israeli-Iranian conflict has disrupted Lebanon’s internal agenda, pausing progress on several sensitive files, including the handover of…

Paula Astih
Arab World The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro (UNIFIL)

UNIFIL Chief Says Israeli Occupation Threatens Lebanon Peace Track

The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, is currently focused on the growing harassment of his forces in the…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World The Supreme Defense Council, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, issued a recommendation to the government to warn Hamas against using Lebanese territory for any actions that undermine national security (Lebanese Presidency)

Hamas Comes Under Pressure in Lebanon

Relations between Hamas and the Lebanese state have entered a critical phase not seen since the country’s civil war era. In a rare and direct move, Lebanon’s…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Aid and Reconstruction Tied to State Control over Arms

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Youssef Rajji, said that the Lebanese government has been explicitly informed that there would be no international aid or…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Features Men stand at the scene of an Israeli strike on a building in Beirut's southern suburbs on April 1, 2025. (AFP)

Israel’s Messages Behind Strikes on Beirut’s Southern Suburb

Israel’s latest airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburb, known as Dahiyeh, have moved beyond mere retaliation for rocket fire, signaling a shift in the rules of…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Hezbollah supporters are seen at a mass funeral for 100 people killed in Aitaroun in southern Lebanon during the latest war with Israel. (AP)

Hezbollah Acknowledges ‘Shortcomings, Breaches’ in Operations, Security

For the first time in more than three months since its truce with Israel took effect, a Hezbollah official acknowledged on Tuesday “shortcomings and security…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Getty photo from the parliamentary elections in 2022

Lebanese Interior Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Holding Municipal Elections on Time

Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar has stressed commitment to holding the municipal elections on time, saying administrative preparations are underway…

Paula Astih (Beirut)