Lebanon
Political variables may delay Middle Eastern elections
Polls in the Middle East and North Africa rarely transfer power, but are still important tools of political contestation
Middle EastLebanese parties may block a planned 20% budget cut
In preparation for a donor conference in March, the premier is preaching extreme fiscal rectitude
LebanonChristian-Shia row could paralyse Lebanon’s government
The president and parliamentary speaker are arguing over whose signature is needed on decrees
LebanonLebanese ‘dissociation’ from Syria will stall
Beirut politicians have agreed to prioritise internal stability by withdrawing from regional conflicts
LebanonIsraeli anti-Hezbollah axis with Riyadh will weaken
Despite rising anti-Israeli rhetoric in Beirut, Lebanon is a less likely battleground than Syria
IsraelBeirut will struggle to avoid regional conflicts
The premier’s withdrawal of his resignation has ended the government crisis, but tensions remain
LebanonSaudi regional concessions may prove illusory
Hopes of a return to normality in Yemen and Lebanon are likely overblown
Saudi ArabiaIsraeli-Lebanese offshore gas race may raise tensions
Competition for offshore oil and gas production is raising territorial questions -- but the payoff is looking meagre
Israel
