Paula Astih

Paula Astih
Arab World Hezbollah supporters wave the flags of the group and Iran in Beirut’s southern suburbs during a ceremony held last month to coincide with the funeral of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (EPA)

Hezbollah Threat to Mobilize the Street: Venting Anger or a Pressure Tactic?

“You have the right to be angry. But we ask you to hold that anger inside and be ready to use it when the time comes to achieve your goals and demands.” With…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Cars and motorcycles pass billboards depicting Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and his late father, Ali Khamenei, bearing the slogan "Thank you to loyal Iran," along the highway leading to Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport on June 22, 2026. (Reuters)

Hezbollah Chief’s Call for Dialogue Met with Skepticism in Lebanon

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem’s call last week on Lebanese authorities to launch dialogue has left official circles questioning its…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa - File photo

Syrian Leadership-Hezbollah Dialogue Efforts Face Hurdles Over War Legacy, Regional Balances

Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem’s announcement in his latest appearance that the group was ready to hold a public meeting with the Syrian…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Features A view of Lebanese Middle East Airlines airplanes on the tarmac at Beirut-Rafik Hariri International Airport, amid flight cancellations and escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in Beirut, Lebanon, March 31, 2026. (Reuters)

Political, Security Significance of Resumption of Direct Flights between Lebanon, US

Lebanon hailed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he ordered all American airlines to resume direct flights to Lebanon. He made the announcement…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal during an earlier meeting. (Lebanese Presidency)

Hezbollah Cuts Ties with Lebanon's Presidency While Sparing the Army

In recent days, Hezbollah has sharply escalated its confrontation with the Lebanese authorities, particularly the presidency, ahead of President Joseph Aoun's…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Supporters of Hezbollah carry Iranian and Hezbollah flags during a memorial ceremony for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, 08 July 2026. (EPA)

Could Hezbollah Launch a New War in Support of Iran?

Amid deteriorating regional conditions and faltering US-Iranian understandings, Lebanese people fear that Hezbollah may once again launch a new round of war in…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Residents walk amid buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardment in the city of Tyre, Lebanon (dpa). 

Israel Pushes Beyond ‘Yellow Line’ in Lebanon to Target Hezbollah and Bolster Negotiating Leverage

Israel’s latest advance beyond the self-declared “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon has raised questions about whether the expansion is driven solely by…

Paula Astih
Arab World The Lebanese government in session chaired by President Joseph Aoun (Lebanese Presidency)

Between Bringing Down Governments and Losing Control: Hezbollah Faces a New Political Equation

Since becoming involved politics in 1992, Hezbollah gradually evolved from a parliamentary player with limited influence into a central force in Lebanon’s…

Paula Astih (Beirut)