Financial watchdog says Lebanon faces ‘grey listing’ for money laundering

This comes just days after Interpol issued a red notice against Lebanese Central Bank chief Riad Salameh, who is accused of embezzling millions in public funds

Lebanese army receives first financial aid package from Qatar

Qatar delivered the first batch of $60 million pledged in monetary assistance to the LAF, intended to be paid as bonuses regardless of rank

Iran’s carrot-and-stick strategy toward the Taliban

Iran’s stance on the Taliban involves strategically aligning its West Asian and Eurasian policies, employing key leverage, and positioning itself as a key regional player in shaping Afghanistan's future, without undermining its own water and security concerns. 

Foreign interference in Arab world must come to an end: Arab leaders

The historic Arab League summit saw Syria official's return after years of isolation and an unexpected speech from the Ukrainian president chastising Arab leaders for their neutrality

Arabs must pressure west to allow refugee repatriation: Hezbollah

Western countries have been accused of obstructing the repatriation of millions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon to exert political and economic pressure on Beirut

Lebanon to resume ‘voluntary’ repatriation of Syrian refugees

This comes a few weeks after the Lebanese army’s forced deportations of refugees, which were revealed by The Cradle to have been carried out illegally

Deporting Syrians: A ploy to propel Lebanon’s US-backed army chief into power?

Did Lebanon's US-backed army commander exploit the Syrian refugee crisis and incite clashes with them to catapult himself into the highly-contested Lebanese presidency? The US silence on Joseph Aoun's illegal deportations last week is deafening.

What prompted the urgent, secretive summit in Abu Dhabi?

Key Arab heads of state convened this week for an emergency meeting that excluded the Saudis and Kuwaitis. The likely hot topics under discussion were Egypt's economic collapse and Israel's aggressive escalations.

No-strings aid from Saudi Arabia is changing, finance minister says

The Saudi finance minister didn’t specify what conditions his government might attach to financial assistance in the future

By the numbers: The de-dollarization of global trade

Data suggests that US dollar reserves in central banks are dwindling, as is the influence of the US on the world economy. This presents a unique opportunity for regional currencies and alternative payment systems to enter the vacuum.

Pakistan’s delicate balancing act between China and the US

Islamabad’s tilt towards Beijing comes as traditional partner, the US looks to grow ties with rival India.

Lebanese president boycotts budget and delays new exchange rate

A dollar currently fetches around 38,000 Lira on the black market

UN to finalize plans for US-funded salary support for Lebanese army

The United States is the largest aid donor to Lebanon, having provided $125 million in the fiscal year 2022 to the WFP and NGOs

Will Lebanon’s Arab tribes fill Saudi Arabia’s ‘Hariri void’ in upcoming elections?

The Arab Tribe Federation of Lebanon has grown into a powerful political force that may be poised to replace the Future Movement as Saudi Arabia’s main Sunni political ally

Saudi Arabia to run out of interceptor missiles for Patriot defense system

The US is less inclined to foot the bill for Riyadh as the kingdom finds itself in 'an urgent situation'

Mikati: criticism of Saudi Arabia ‘not in Lebanon’s best interest’

Mikati's main policy objectives upon his ascension to the position of prime minister included restoring Gulf–Lebanese ties

Turkish President arrives in Doha for two-day summit

Qatar says they are interested in investing heavily in Turkey, even as the Turkish lira continues to drop in value

Taliban envoys warn EU, US of refugee problem if sanctions are not lifted

The threat comes after Western countries have expressed their anxieties over another post-Syria refugee influx

Four years into economic meltdown, Lebanon pledges to ‘police corruption’

The crisis, caused by rampant corruption in the financial sector, plunged over 80 percent of Lebanon's population below the poverty line and slashed nearly 100 percent of the currency's value

Gulf injects cash in Turkiye ahead of elections

Erdogan gave few details of the cash injection aimed at shoring up the Turkish currency and markets

Over 4.5 million people killed in post 9/11 wars: Report

A blank-check legislation signed into law in 2001 has allowed the Pentagon to launch more than 40 military interventions in at least 22 countries without congressional approval

Imran Khan’s arrest and Pakistan’s struggle for stability

The brief arrest of the former PM has again unleashed political turmoil in Pakistan, amid speculation that powerful military opponents may have orchestrated the unrest for their own interests.

US temporarily extends parole for displaced Afghans, uncertainty remains

Afghans evacuated to the US following the chaotic withdrawal of US forces in 2021 remain in limbo to see if their legal status will be renewed

Syria condemns ‘harmful’ EU sanctions

EU sanctions are part of a ‘maximum pressure’ campaign to block post-war reconstruction and have caused a humanitarian crisis for Syrian civilians

US blockade on Afghanistan pushing nation into abyss: UN

Poverty spiked substantially in Afghanistan after the US froze the country's foreign reserves and blocked it from receiving international aid

US imposes sanctions on UAE, Turkish-based entities

The US Treasury also accused the 120 sanctioned entities of violating their export controls

From hostility to normalization: The ebbs and flows of Sudan-Israel relations

Sudan's relations with Israel have vacillated between periods of hostility and outreach. Today, Khartoum's leaders view these ties as a means to gain international legitimacy, while Tel Aviv aims to eliminate Khartoum as a haven for pro-Iran and Palestinian resistance factions.

Russia asks Iraq to reopen air corridor to Syria

Iran's use of Iraqi air space early in the Syria conflict proved crucial in defending the country from Al-Qaeda militants

Private equity firms target arms companies as weapons sales boom

The ongoing war in Ukraine has created another boom in the defense industry, as the market created by the so-called War on Terror dries up

US-Saudi differences push Lebanon to the brink

Uncertainty is growing in Lebanon as the US reportedly issued a warning to its local allies about siding with Saudi Arabia behind Washington's back