The Media Line

Hezbollah warns Lebanese gov't against pushing disarmament, threatens 'chaos, civil war'

Hezbollah insists that the deal only applies to the southernmost region of Lebanon that borders Israel and has refused to relinquish its arsenal elsewhere.

 A CROWD in Tehran watches an address, on the screen by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in November. Hezbollah is virtually a state within a state, sucking the lifeblood out of Lebanon at the instigation of Iran, says the writer.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attend a press conference at NSW Police headquarters, following a deadly shooting incident during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025.

Australia's royal commission exposes antisemitism crisis across western nations - opinion

An Israeli soldier displays combat equipment seized by the Israeli military during the recent war in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria at the Tzrifin military base near Rishon LeZion, December 30, 2025.

Tzrifin base exhibition reveals Hamas and Hezbollah arms, showing structure behind attacks

Entrance to the Ashrafieh neighborhood in Aleppo.

After failed truces in Syria, will the newest ceasefire in Aleppo last? - analysis


Lebanon moves forward with disarmament plan, despite ongoing Israeli strikes

Lebanese President Aoun insists on continuing disarmament efforts, despite Israeli airstrikes. The Lebanese army has gained control south of the Litani River, but challenges remain.

 Lebanese President Joseph Aoun attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, March 28, 2025.

US, Pakistan deepen military ties with ‘Inspired Gambit 2026’ exercise

Senior military officials from both sides attended the opening ceremony, according to Pakistan’s military media wing. 

Pakistan Air Force's JF-17 Thunder jets fly past during the sea phase of Pakistan Navy's Multinational Exercise AMAN-23, in the North Arabian Sea near Karachi, Pakistan, February 13, 2023.

Pakistan sentences journalists, YouTubers in absentia, but enforcement remains uncertain

Legal experts say extradition hurdles and due-process concerns make enforcing the verdict against journalists living in the US and Europe highly unlikely.

Pakistan Sentences Journalists and YouTubers in Absentia, but Enforcement Remains Uncertain

Violent Aleppo clashes risk spilling over into rest of Syria if not contained - analysis

Dozens of civilians were forced to temporarily leave their homes amid shelling and gunfire, amid partial outages of electricity and water, and disruptions to some basic services.

A member of the Syrian army walks with a weapon in the street as civilians flee following renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Aleppo, Syria, January 7, 2026

Venezuela’s Jewish community cautiously resumes daily life after US operation to arrest Maduro

Truzman pointed to the community’s relations with its surroundings, living in harmony with other religious groups and maintains routine coordination with state authorities on security matters.

A woman gathers with others in front of the Venezuelan consulate to show solidarity with the Venezuelan Jewish community after a recent attack on a Caracas synagogue on February 13, 2009.

Post-October 7, coalition more concerned with controlling the systems than addressing recovery

More than two years after October 7, the governing coalition continues to advance sweeping institutional reforms, while legislation addressing recovery, reserve burdens, and accountability lags.

A PLENUM session at the Knesset.

Iran's Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to address Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast's Mar-a-Lago event

Veksler said Pahlavi’s presence “creates hope that there will be regime change. … Wouldn’t it be something of a relief, not just for us, but for the Iranian people?”

Okotch Mondoh, Robert Weinger, Sarah Boulos, Rory Kaye, and Stephanie Bahn Poteet, with a red, white and blue shofar, at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, January 14, 2025.

Global power struggle: Why Maduro's fall is a 'red line' warning for China, Iran

Pressure applied in Latin America, the Middle East, and East Asia reflects a coordinated effort to influence rivals without full-scale escalation.

A burning US flag is pictured during a protest against the US intervention in Venezuela, in Buenos Aires on January 5, 2026.

Foreign workers replace Palestinian labor in Israel, face hurdles

Restructuring of work permits and recruitment policies is reshaping construction, agriculture, and services while raising concerns about long-term economic and social effects.

 Palestinian workers wait to enter Ma'aleh Adumim, February 23, 2023; illustrative.

Mar-a-Lago through Arab eyes: Power, Turkey, Iran, and the cost of Trump’s diplomacy - analysis

Arab outlets offered sharply divided readings of the Trump-Netanyahu meeting, reflecting regional fault lines over Gaza, Iran, Turkey’s role, and US-led power politics.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media next to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival for meetings at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, December 29, 2025.

Iranian government announces financial relief program as protests continue

Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said each Iranian will receive 1 million tomans ($7) per month for four months via direct deposit credit for basic necessities.

Iranians walks past shops in Vali-Asr Square in the Iranian capital Tehran, on the last day of the year on December 31, 2025. Iran's prosecutor general said on December 31, 2025,