Lebanon

World

Lebanon's Hermel Compound: A Refuge or a Relic? Post-Assad Anxieties Linger in Border Shelter

A housing complex in northern Lebanon sheltering hundreds of Syrian Shiite refugees has become a focal point for regional tensions, facing unproven allegations of harboring loyalists to the fallen Assad regime. The controversy underscores the fragile sectarian landscape and deep-seated suspicions shaping Syria's aftermath.

World

Lebanon Accuses Israel of 'Environmental Crime' After Chemical Spraying in Border Towns

President Joseph Aoun condemns Israeli aerial spraying of an unknown substance over southern Lebanon as a violation of sovereignty and a health hazard, prompting UN investigations and renewed diplomatic tensions.

World

A New Chapter: Lebanon and Syria Forge Post-Assad Cooperation Amid Prisoner Transfer Deal

Lebanon's Deputy PM declares a 'radically different' relationship with Syria, marked by non-interference and a landmark prisoner transfer agreement, as both nations navigate complex histories and regional tensions.

World

Lebanon, Syria Strike Prisoner Transfer Deal in Bid to Mend Fractured Ties

In a significant diplomatic move, Lebanon's Cabinet has approved an agreement to repatriate hundreds of Syrian prisoners, addressing a major point of contention as the two nations navigate a new political reality following the 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad.

World

New Camp in Lebanon's Hermel Provides Refuge for Shiite Muslims Displaced from Syria

Thousands of Shiite Muslims who fled Syria following the 2024 fall of the Assad government have settled into a newly opened housing compound in northeastern Lebanon, funded by Shiite institutions and Hezbollah, offering a permanent solution after years of temporary shelter.

World

U.S. Lawmakers Sound Alarm Over Faltering Momentum to Counter Hezbollah in Post-Ceasefire Lebanon

A congressional hearing reveals deep concerns that Washington is failing to seize a pivotal, yet fleeting, moment to weaken Iran-backed Hezbollah and bolster Lebanese sovereignty following the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah truce.

World

Restraint or Retreat? Hezbollah's Calculated Silence Amid Escalating Israeli Strikes on Lebanon

Despite over 11,000 Israeli violations of a 2024 ceasefire and a mounting civilian toll, Hezbollah has launched only one retaliatory strike in 14 months. Analysts point to the group's severe military degradation and political isolation as key factors behind its unprecedented restraint, suggesting a major response is likely only if Iran faces an existential threat.

Business

Cracker Barrel Faces Backlash Over Policy Requiring Traveling Employees to Dine at Its Own Restaurants

Cracker Barrel confirmed a corporate travel guideline, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, stating that employees on business trips are expected to eat at the chain's restaurants 'whenever practical,' sparking criticism and debate over corporate cost-cutting measures.

World

Israel's Waning Leverage: As U.S. Weighs Iran Move, Questions Mount Over Influence in Washington

Amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, Israeli analysts and officials are confronting a sobering reality: the nation's capacity to steer American policy, particularly regarding a potential strike on Iran, appears significantly diminished, raising concerns over being sidelined in a pivotal regional decision.

Business

Cracker Barrel Clarifies Travel Dining Policy Amid Online Uproar

The Southern-style restaurant chain pushes back on reports of a 'new mandate' requiring traveling employees to dine exclusively at its locations, calling the policy longstanding and misunderstood.

World

From Battlefield to Boardroom: Israel's Military Tech Startups Thrive Amid Prolonged Conflict

As Israel's conflicts stretch into a third year, a wave of defense technology startups—founded and staffed by reservists with direct combat experience—is attracting record investment and global demand, despite mounting international scrutiny over Gaza.

Business

Cracker Barrel Mandates On-Brand Dining for Traveling Employees in Cost-Cutting Move

The Southern-themed restaurant chain has quietly implemented a new travel policy requiring staff to eat primarily at company locations during business trips, while tightening reimbursement rules for alcohol and discretionary expenses.

World

Khamenei Warns U.S. Strike Would Ignite "Regional War" as Gulf Tensions Simmer

Iran's Supreme Leader issues his most direct threat yet amid heightened U.S. military presence and stalled diplomacy, while internal crackdown death toll estimates soar.

World

Trump's 'Madman' Diplomacy Tests Iran's Limits as Middle East Braces for Escalation

President Trump's revival of Nixon-era 'madman theory' tactics—mixing calibrated military strikes with extreme threats—aims to force Iranian concessions without full-scale war. But as Tehran perceives an existential threat, analysts warn the high-stakes gamble risks a catastrophic miscalculation.

World

U.S. Navy Destroyer Arrives at Israel's Eilat Port Amid Heightened Regional Tensions

A U.S. Navy destroyer has docked at Israel's southern port of Eilat, a move reported by Israeli media as U.S.-Iranian tensions simmer. While officials describe the deployment as routine, it coincides with a significant American military buildup in the region.