Beirut

Trump’s Iran diplomacy could empower Hezbollah, weaken deterrence - opinion

Trump’s emerging Iran strategy risks empowering the very actors most interested in sabotaging peace and dividing allies.

US President Donald Trump, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, holds a press conference during the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026.
 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Jerusalem, March 19, 2026.

Air Force head should not have revealed details of canceled mission, Netanyahu tells Zamir - report

Journalist Maria Maalouf.

After 15-year sentence for Israeli interview, Lebanese journalist says courts protect Hezbollah

Yair Lapid speaks to the press May 11, 2026.

Netanyahu fails to hold security assessment with Lapid, contrary to law


Pope Leo in Beirut: Palestinian state 'only' solution to Israeli conflict

"We all know that at this time Israel still does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only solution," Leo, the first US pope, told journalists on a flight from Turkey to Lebanon.

Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and his wife Nehmat Nehmeh upon arrival at Rafic Hariri International Airport, during his first apostolic journey, in Beirut, Lebanon, November 30, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV lands in Beirut during first Middle East visit

Pope Leo XIV begins a three-day visit to Lebanon, meeting leaders, touring five cities, and honoring victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

Pope Leo XIV disembarks the papal plane upon arrival at Rafic Hariri International Airport, during his first apostolic journey, in Beirut, Lebanon, November 30, 2025.

Maronite Patriarch: Hezbollah needs to 'free itself from Iran, disarm,' denounces Israeli strikes

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi urged Hezbollah to break from Iran and give its weapons to the Lebanese Army, calling diplomacy the only path to avoid another war.

Pope Leo XIV greets Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, and head of the Maronite Church, cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi during an audience at the Apostolic Palace on October 18, 2025; illustrative.

US asks Lebanon to return undetonated GBU-39 bomb, fearing it could reach Russia, China - report

The GBU-39 is a glide bomb manufactured by Boeing. Once launched, it deploys wings and can glide up to 110 km, despite lacking its own engine.

 National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS)

UN claims 'increasing' Israeli attacks on Lebanese civilians, 127 killed since ceasefire

The UN human rights office said that at least 127 civilians had been killed in Lebanon in strikes by the Israeli military since the ceasefire's implementation.

A coffin is carried by the crowd, as Hezbollah members and supporters of the Iran-backed Shiite militia conduct a funeral for their assassinated military chief, the largest open-air Hezbollah event in months, to avoid targeting by Israel, on November 24, 2025 in Beirut, Lebanon.

At Hezbollah leader’s funeral, locals see terror group as their only hope - feature

Some Lebanese question disarmament, but Israel views Hezbollah's weapons as a direct security threat.

People attend the funeral of Hezbollah's top military official, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, and of other people who were killed by an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, despite a U.S.-brokered truce a year ago, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon November 24, 2025.

Weakened Hezbollah hesitates on retaliation while Israel warns of escalation - analysis

Another layer of complexity comes from the split within Lebanon’s leadership over how to respond.

People gather to attend the funeral of Hezbollah's top military official, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, and of other people who were killed by an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, despite a US-brokered truce a year ago, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon November 24, 2025.

Lebanese MP slams Hezbollah for Beirut strike, says 'time is up, now we need actions'

"At the very moment when the country needs protection and stability, Hezbollah continues to drag Lebanon to the brink of confrontation," said Lebanese MP Fouad Makhzoumi.

Members of the Lebanese army secure the area near the site of an Israeli strike, after Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck a terrorist from Hezbollah, in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon November 23, 2025.

Following Israel's strike on its top military commander, the ball is in Hezbollah's court - opinion

Following Tabatabai's assassination, it seems that Hezbollah will choose to enter into several limited "days of fighting," the author argues.

People gather as they look at the debris following an Israeli military strike targeting a residential building in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood, of Beirut's southern suburbs on November 23, 2025.

'IDF failed its primary mission on Oct. 7': Zamir addresses decision to punish military failures

Zamir further affirmed the IDF's readiness and ability to strike across "all arenas," noting the military's Sunday strike, which killed Hezbollah military commander Ali Tabatabai.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Eyal Zamir during situation assessment in Rafah, Gaza Strip, November 16, 2025.