Hezbollah’s Firm Grip on Lebanon Fuels Region’s Sectarian Strife

Saudi Arabia is alarmed at the rapid expansion of Iran and its proxies. That alarm reached a new peak when the Kingdom accused Hezbollah of launching a ballistic missile from Yemen towards its international airport in Riyadh. Hezbollah’s presence in Yemen is assisting Iran as it attempts to gain hegemony over the region.

The Hezbollah-Fath al-Sham Ceasefire: A New Regional Equilibrium?

According to a recent Lebanese press report, a ceasefire agreement has been signed between Hezbollah and the insurgent group Fath al-Sham. This pivotal agreement may serve as an opportunity for both sides to widen the ceasefire into a full agreement that will end the Syrian civil war, which would enable Hezbollah to redirect its efforts towards Israel. Israel must address these developments and implement a new strategy to meet the new era.

The Threat of the “Salafi Crescent”

Attempts by al-Qaeda and other radical Sunni Islamist groups to challenge the Shia Crescent (Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon) must be viewed as a serious security threat.

Elections in Lebanon: A Hizballah Takeover?

Hizballah is on a determined path to control Lebanon. The June 2009 parliamentary elections could be a watershed, leading to a result that the West will deeply regret – an Iranian-like regime.

The Threat of Al-Qaeda and Its Allies in Lebanon

Clashes between the Lebanese army and the al Qaeda-affiliated Fatah al Islam organization in north Lebanon, and similar attacks against UNIFIL forces in south Lebanon, reflect the challenges of radical jihadi Sunni Islam on the stability of the country and the region. The Lebanese government's ability to face these challenges appears limited, with the degree of its success largely dependent on international support and the consent of local power brokers such as Hizballah and the Palestinians.