Fighters have been sent to the porous Syria-Lebanon border area from both sides in recent weeks, with far more at stake than smuggling rackets.

While historic, talks are incomplete and structurally fragile. The central paradox is this: the Lebanese government is at the table. Hezbollah is not.

Given concerns about Hezbollah backlash, Beirut will likely want to proceed incrementally toward its stated goal of establishing a state monopoly on weapons

Washington is reordering its priorities as part of a broader strategic shift across the Middle East, and eyes a possible alliance with Damascus as a next step

While all the effects of this conflict may take time to fully realise, short and medium-term signs expose the limits of US power and see America's rivals benefiting

Iran's deep ties with key countries are enough to set off US anxiety and influence strategic calculations, but not enough to constitute a decisive second front in times of war

The change in tone and presentation of policy isn't a fundamental redirection, but rather the consolidation of a system under pressure

Beirut now must demonstrate its commitment toward ultimately disarming Hezbollah—not for Israel's sake, but for Lebanon's

The Iraq war was viewed as disastrous in retrospect, while the Iran war was unpopular from the get-go. Al Majalla highlights the similarities and differences between the two.

Tehran can likely contemplate a deal, but it is far less clear that it can yet imagine lasting peace