Lebanon

Voices from the Arab press: Pope Leo and the Shi'ites

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai receives a chalice from Pope Leo XIV (R) at a Holy Mass during the pope’s first apostolic journey, in Beirut, on December 2.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji attends a press conference during his Syrian couterpart Asaad Al-Shibani's first official visit since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, at the foreign ministry in Beirut, Lebanon, October 10, 2025.

Lebanese FM claims Israel intends to carry out military operation

 IDF soldiers seen operating in northern Israel, near the Lebanese border, September 18, 2024

Hezbollah terrorists increasingly approach northern border, soldiers critique IDF response

A sign on the border between Israel and Lebanon reads 'Stop! border ahead,' in northern Israel, November 16, 2025

In first, IDF calls off attack on Hezbollah after Lebanese army springs into action


Israel’s media has not learned the lessons of the October 7 massacre - opinion

Israel’s media continues to repeat IDF claims without scrutiny, and after the October 7 massacre, that failure is dangerous.

Then-IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari speaks to the media in Tel Aviv on October 16, 2023. Reporters rely entirely on the IDF spokesperson for access to officers, stories, embeds, and frontline visits, the writer says.

Iran's Araghchi to visit Beirut after Lebanese foreign minister declines trip to Tehran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Beirut for talks following a formal invitation from Lebanon’s FM, after the latter declined to visit Tehran due to "current conditions."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, September 9, 2025.

Majority of Israelis oppose granting Netanyahu pardon, believe gov't is 'fairly corrupt' - poll

Survey results also demonstrated that the vast majority of Israelis expect military conflict in the near future, with Hezbollah being the most likely, followed by Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced the government’s decision to establish its own committee to investigate Israel’s failures surrounding Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre.

How Middle East countries cover Human Rights Day - explainer

What are the issues concerning Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran vis-a-vis Human Rights Day?

An illustration commemorating Human Rights Day.

Bulgarian court rejects Lebanon's extradition request for Russian over Beirut blast

According to the Bulgarian court, insufficient security guarantees were provided, and Lebanon did not provide sufficient evidence to ensure that the death penalty would not be imposed on the suspect.

Igor Grechushkin, a Russian businessman based in Cyprus, is escorted by police before the start of his trial on the possible extradition to Lebanon, in Sofia, Bulgaria, December 10, 2025.

Lebanese foreign minister rejects Tehran visit, proposes talks in a neutral country

Raji cited "current conditions" for the decision not to go to Iran, without elaborating, and stressed that the move did not mean rejection of dialog with Iran.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji attends a press conference during his Syrian couterpart Asaad Al-Shibani's first official visit since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, at the foreign ministry in Beirut, Lebanon, October 10, 2025.

New border clashes expose Israel’s confused Syria policy as region heats up - analysis

A year after the Assad regime fell, it would not look good for Israel to be displacing Syrians who have only recently been able to have a life free from conflict.

 IDF soldiers stand guard over Israeli-Druze at the border fence, July 16, 2025.

Ronen Bar warns: Without a full probe, Israel is ‘condemning itself to the next October 7’

In his own address on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the need for an unaffiliated committee of inquiry to investigate the failings of October 7. 

Former Shin Bet head at Tel Aviv University's Cyber Week conference, December 9, 2025.

IDF hits Hezbollah training sites in southern Lebanon overnight

“The IDF recently attacked, under the leadership of the Northern Command and through the Air Force, infrastructures of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in several areas in southern Lebanon.”

Hezbollah supporters hold images of late former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and current leader Naim Qassem at a ceremony held by Hezbollah to commemorate the first anniversary of Hassan Nasrallah's killing by Israel, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, September 27, 2025.

Nakoura talks show Israel's seriousness about security, Lebanon committed to sovereignty - analysis

The Lebanese state is edging towards reclaiming a sliver of sovereignty, while Israel is unwilling to look the other way as the clock runs out.

A war between Israel and Lebanon (illustrative)

European Union eyeing Lebanon presence in boost for efforts to disarm Hezbollah, document shows

EU efforts could “focus on advice, training and capacity-building,” a document said, adding that it would not take over UNIFIL's tasks in the Levant.

Lebanese army members stand on a military vehicle during a Lebanese army media tour, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, November 28, 2025