Thaer Abbas

Thaer Abbas
Features Smoke rises following Israeli bombardment on the village of Jibchit in southern Lebanon on May 23, 2026. (AFP)

Have Hezbollah’s Drones Changed the Rules of Engagement with Israel?

The “support war” waged by Lebanon’s Hezbollah in backing Hamas in late 2023 shattered the doctrine of “deterrence” that the Iranian-backed group had embraced…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Features During his Senate confirmation hearing, Issa outlined the contours of his policy, setting out several themes that later became central to his performance

Lebanese-Born US Envoy Michel Issa Arrives with High Expectations

When the new US ambassador to Lebanon arrived in Beirut, he did not need a learning period or special State Department training before taking up his first…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Families leave Beirut’s southern suburbs after Netanyahu ordered strikes on the area in Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Lebanon Prioritizes Genuine Ceasefire, Ready to Consider a Security Agreement

For the second time, Lebanon’s negotiators are heading to Washington with one primary demand at the top of the agenda: a ceasefire with Israel. The second…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World A bulldozer clears debris from outside a damaged building after an overnight Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese city of Tyre (AFP)

Lebanon Seeks Real Ceasefire from Early Monday

Lebanon will test before dawn on Monday whether Israel will honor a ceasefire and halt attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, and whether Hezbollah will…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Women mourn over the coffin of a civil defense member killed in an Israeli strike in south Lebanon during his funeral on Wednesday (AP)

Lebanon Enters Talks Constrained by Adamant Israel, Hezbollah Positions

Lebanon heads into direct talks with Israel on Thursday, with little room to maneuver as positions harden on both sides. Officials in Beirut believe Israel…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World Leader of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea - AFP

Geagea: Negotiations Must Deliver Lasting Stability on Border, Not Temporary Calm

The leader of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, said Lebanon “is facing an extremely complex dilemma, to the extent that merely observing developments is no…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Interviews Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi - File Photo

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Only the State Decides on Talks with Israel

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said Lebanon “has started to gradually reclaim its natural right to determine its own fate independently of others’…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)
Arab World US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), alongside US State Department Counselor Michael Needham (2L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa (2R), speaks during a meeting with Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad (out of frame) and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter (out of frame) at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026. (AFP)

Lebanon Seeking to Leverage US Support in Negotiations with Israel

Efforts to extend the ceasefire in Lebanon are accelerating amid Israeli reports of a new round of talks at the ambassador level paving the way for direct…

Thaer Abbas (Beirut)