Paula Astih

Paula Astih
Features  Smoke billows across the horizon along the hills in the Naqoura area of southern Lebanon following Israeli bombardment from a position along the border in northern Israel on December 24, 2023. (AFP)

Lebanon in 2023: Vacuum and Fears of Destructive War with Israel

The developments in Lebanon in 2023 consolidated the “caretaker state” amid the ongoing vacuum in the presidency. The country’s top post has been vacant…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Features Smoke rises on the Lebanese side of the border between Israel and Lebanon after an Israeli airstrike, as seen from northern Israel, November 18, 2023. (Reuters)

What Role Does the Lebanese Army Play on the Border with Israel?

The Lebanese army has been playing a limited role in the southern border regions ever since Hezbollah decided to support fighters in Gaza by opening Israel’s…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Mourners are seen at the funeral procession of a Hezbollah fighter who was killed in clashes with Israel. (dpa)

Hezbollah Deploys Attack Drones, ‘Burkan’ Missiles in Fight with Israel

Hezbollah has deployed new weapons and tactics in its latest round of fighting with Israel in spite of its limited involvement in the war in Gaza, confining…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Features A billboard in Beirut reads: “So that the past doesn’t repeat itself, Lebanon does not want war.” (X platform)

Massive Media Campaign Expresses Opposition to Another War in Lebanon

The toned-down speeches of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah did not reassure the Lebanese people that the Gaza war would not spread to their…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World People hold Palestinian flags during a rally to express solidarity with Palestinians, in Kfar Kila village near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, October 8, 2023. (Reuters)

Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon on Alert in Wake of Gaza Escalation

Head of Hamas’ National Relations Abroad Ali Baraka denied on Monday claims that the Al-Aqsa Storm operation against Israel was planned by officials that…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Speaker Nabih Berri, during his speech in which he called for dialogue (AFP)

Lebanese Opposition Not Keen to Back Berri's Initiative

Lebanon’s main opposition parties, led by the Lebanese Forces (LF) and the Kataeb, have criticized a proposal by Speaker Nabih Berri to hold a seven-day…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World A member of the "Fatah" movement in Ain al-Hilweh camp during the clashes last July (AP)

Lebanon: Palestinian Investigations into Ain al-Hilweh Clashes Conclude

A committee that was formed at the beginning of August to investigate the recent armed incidents in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp has completed its work and…

Paula Astih (Beirut)
Arab World Lebanese army soldiers stand guard in front of a building of the Sweden embassy as protests erupt outside mosques against the Quran desecration, in Beirut, Lebanon, 21 July 2023. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon: Gov’t Resorts to ‘Diplomacy’ after Demands to Expel Swedish Ambassador

Lebanon’s government is seeking to avoid an escalation with Sweden over demands in Beirut to expel the Swedish ambassador and summon the Lebanese ambassador…

Paula Astih (Beirut)