Latest news with #Lebanon
Wall Street Journal
33 minutes ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
With Israeli Intel, Lebanon Is Dismantling Hezbollah in the South
BEIRUT—Lebanon's army has largely disarmed Hezbollah in its southern strongholds—in part with the help of Israeli intelligence—as the country's new government moves to enforce a cease-fire that halted an intense wave of fighting with Israel last year. U.S. and Israeli officials say they have been pleasantly surprised by the progress, which has been critical in maintaining the fragile truce struck in November. The question now is whether the Lebanese state can complete the task in the south and extend its efforts to the rest of the country.
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Amb. Hale: Maximize Pressure While Iran is Weakest
David Hale, former US Ambassador to Lebanon and Jordan, discusses progress made in nuclear talks between the US and Iran. Hale says he's "skeptical" a deal can be reached because the US rushed into the negotiations, giving Iran "a breathe of fresh air" to delay the process. He speaks with Kailey Leinz and Joe Mathieu on the late edition of Bloomberg's "Balance of Power." (Source: Bloomberg)
The National
2 hours ago
- General
- The National
Israel attacks Yemen; broadcaster Morgan speaks out on Gaza
Israel launched strikes on Yemen on Wednesday, a day after Houthi rebels fired missiles towards it. Pro-government militias have killed six people in an attack on a tribal farming community in Syria. British broadcaster Piers Morgan has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow international journalists into Gaza, and Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says normalisation with Israel is conditional on Palestinian statehood. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent, Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Jordan Correspondent, and Foreign Editor Mohamad Ali Harisi.
LBCI
6 hours ago
- General
- LBCI
Alleged talks with Syria, warnings on Lebanon: Israel walks a strategic 'tightrope'
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Between near-daily bombings and incursions, the Israeli army's threats to expand its presence deeper into Lebanon, and the relative calm in Syria's interior, it appears Israel, through its security agencies and political consultations, is trying to ensure calm on the Syrian front. Israel considers itself closer to peace with Syria, despite some officials' concerns that certain steps could jeopardize the army's achievements and freedom of operation there. This warning came after the disclosure of direct talks between Syrian and Israeli security and military officials. Some say the talks took place at the border, while others claim they occurred inside Israel. A report further revealed that efforts are focused on accelerating an understanding between the two sides. At the same time the talks were revealed, a military report discussed the Israeli army's deployment in Syria, noting it controls nine military sites from the summit of Mount Hermon through the Hama region to the border triangle with Jordan. However, the report also pointed to the continued presence of weapons caches, specifically in villages known to be affiliated with ISIS. This issue was discussed by Israelis with Syrian figures due to concerns about the impact on the army's safety and border security. The report also warned about the situation regarding Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah's "calm state," noting that if the group decides to retaliate against Tel Aviv, it will not be limited to the five hills it occupies inside Lebanon but will extend into Israel proper. The report said this requires decisive action on this front as well.
LBCI
6 hours ago
- Business
- LBCI
Starlink in Beirut: Tech infrastructure emerges as pillar of Lebanon's recovery efforts
Report by Wissam Nasrallah, English adaptation by Mariella Succar A delegation from the American company Starlink is scheduled to visit Beirut on Thursday, where it will meet with Lebanon's three top leaders—the president, the prime minister, and the speaker of parliament—as well as several ministers to discuss the potential activation of its satellite internet service in the country. While most media outlets have headlined the visit as a technological opportunity, the high-level nature of the meetings raises a question: Why would an internet service provider be meeting with the country's top political leaders rather than with technical experts from the relevant ministries? It is becoming increasingly clear that Starlink—the satellite-based internet service offered by Elon Musk's SpaceX—has taken on a political dimension in Lebanon that precedes its technical implications. Lebanon's efforts to reconnect with its Arab and international surroundings have come through diplomacy, security, and now, through openness to technology and investment. This is not the first time Starlink's potential entry into Lebanon has been discussed. The topic was seriously considered before the Israeli war, as a contingency in the event of internet outages. At the time, ministers affiliated with Hezbollah raised security concerns. Now that the war has ended and its consequences are known, the question is: What obstacles remain to activating Starlink—especially when Lebanon clearly needs the service? Starlink operates through a constellation of thousands of low-orbit satellites that provide direct data transmission from space to the user, without the need for cables or ground infrastructure. A small dish installed on a rooftop, vehicle, or building connects to the satellite and provides high-speed internet—even in the most remote or disaster-stricken areas. In a country grappling with fragile infrastructure, Starlink appears to be the much-needed backup plan for companies, banks, hospitals, and media outlets that cannot afford internet disruptions. At the core, investors measure a country's readiness by its stability and essential services like electricity, internet and security.
