NEW COMMENTARY | Helping UNIFIL Restore Stability in Southern Lebanon Israel and the U.S. dispute the UN force’s utility, but it continues to play a key role in stabilising the precarious situation in Lebanon’s south, writes David Wood. crisisgroup.org/middle-east-no…

#SPOTLIGHT: Without reforms & full ceasefire implementation, #Lebanon could stay “mired in crisis” for years, warns David Wood of Crisis Group as young people despair of building a future at home arab.news/waus7

NEW REPORT | Supporting Effective Policing by Lebanon’s Embattled Security Agencies The country’s economic meltdown has sparked fears of crime waves or civil unrest. Informal arrangements have helped stave off these scenarios but reform is needed. crisisgroup.org/middle-east-no…

NEW STATEMENT | The World’s Shame in Gaza Israel’s Gaza campaign has entered an even more nightmarish phase. The world must press Israel harder to stop the war, lest its offensive destroy Palestinian life in the strip beyond hope of recovery. crisisgroup.org/middle-east-no…

In April, we explained that Lebanon would need to reconcile three competing visions for disarming Hezbollah. But the clash of views remains unresolved as the U.S. ramps up diplomatic pressure, and Israel maintains its military attacks on Lebanon. youtube.com/watch?v=fQIG9t…

Top The New Arab piece by Dario Sabaghi on #Israel’s alarming strategy of targeting construction equipment in south #Lebanon. Displaced residents aren’t likely to accept this unfair situation forever. So Israel playing with fire … again.

A brief reflection for Crisis Group on #Lebanon army’s order to confront another #Israel ground raid like last Thursday’s. The situation clearly spells danger for Lebanon. It could also put the U.S. in a tricky spot, given its support for both countries’ militaries.

With this The National podcast, I discussed (the lack of) reconstruction in #Lebanon. Many displaced could see onerous donor conditions (as well as #Israel's attacks) as punishing them for matters beyond their control. thenationalnews.com/podcasts/beyon…

Saudi Arabia is signalling a tentative thaw with Lebanon, but deeper engagement hinges on curbing Hezbollah's influence, a drug crackdown, and economic reforms. My latest for The New Arab with comments from David Wood and Dr Andreas Krieg. newarab.com/analysis/testi…

Pope Leo's decision to visit #Lebanon is a courageous one. Yet it is the U.S., not the pope, that can push #Israel to end its attacks on Lebanese territory. My thoughts for Al Jazeera English: