Watch Metallica play Master Of Puppets to just 500 people at ultra-intimate show last month The heavy metal giants held one of their smallest-ever shows in Long Island on August 28 Metal Hammer · Sep 11, 2025
What happened in Syria — and why? Did Israel drive the downfall of Bashar Assad, in the third act of a dramatic play for regional supremacy? Salon · Dec 22, 2024
The inmates released from Assad’s notorious prisons in Syria: ‘I haven’t seen the sun until today’ The prisons have garnered an infamous reputation for their harsh conditions The Independent UK · Dec 9, 2024
Toddler among prisoners freed from Syria's notorious 'human slaughterhouse' jail Striking images show a young child being held inside an underground cell as prisoners were released Evening Standard · Dec 9, 2024
Syrian rebels free prisoners from Assad's notorious dungeons who celebrate in Damascus streets Tens of thousands of people held in Syria's notorious prisons have been freed in the 10 days since the insurgents began their lightning advance across the country that ended with the toppling of President Bashar Assad The Independent UK · Dec 9, 2024
Hezbollah Under Pressure After War With Israel With its longtime leaders dead, its military capabilities vastly diminished, and its fighters forced to retreat from southern Lebanon, Hezbollah emerges from its war with Israel facing unprecedented challenges. International Business Times · Nov 28, 2024
What is the Hezbollah-linked financial institution Israel is targeting in Lebanon? The Israeli military has carried out a wave of airstrikes targeting branches of a financial institution affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, saying the quasi-banking system is being used to fund the militant group’s military wing The Independent UK · Oct 21, 2024
Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon hit branches of Hezbollah-linked bank Strikes targeted Al-Qard Al-Hassan buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, south Lebanon and the Bekaa valley The Guardian - UK · Oct 21, 2024
This terrifying tit-for-tat between Israel, Iran and its proxies will only bring more death and disaster Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon, Iran’s ballistic attack – there will be no end to this turmoil until a diplomatic settlement is reached, says Middle East expert Lina Khatib The Guardian - UK · Oct 2, 2024
Bloodied, humiliated and knocked off guard by deadly pager warfare – what will Hezbollah do next? With thousands injured in a coordinated attack, the Lebanese group is seriously hobbled but under unprecedented pressure to strike back, says Middle East expert Lina Khatib The Guardian - UK · Sep 18, 2024
Many fear Israel and Hezbollah are heading for all-out war – but here’s why that’s far from inevitable Despite escalations, a full-blown conflict would be bad for both. But all this brinkmanship is diverting attention from Palestine, says Lina Khatib of Chatham House The Guardian - UK · Aug 26, 2024
What is Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese group hit in ‘double tap’ pager attacks? Israel has declared a ‘new phase of war’ on its border with Lebanon The Independent UK · Jun 24, 2024
Ebrahim Raisi was no moderate, but his death may mean Iran becomes even more hardline Who will be the next supreme leader isn’t clear. But the regime is unlikely to extend its hand to anyone but ultra-loyalists, says Lina Khatib of Chatham House The Guardian - UK · May 21, 2024
Iran seems like it’s in escalation mode – but all-out war with Israel is the last thing it wants The country is on the defensive. While Israel has ironclad support from its allies, Tehran is vulnerable and isolated, says Lina Khatib of Soas University of London The Guardian - UK · Apr 22, 2024
The Guardian - UK · Nov 6, 2023 Monday briefing: How Hezbollah is fuelling fears of a new front in the Israel-Hamas war In today’s newsletter: The Lebanese militant group has engaged in skirmishes with Israel following the invasion of Gaza – could it grow into full-blown war?
The Guardian - UK · Oct 25, 2023 Despite their rhetoric, neither Iran nor Hezbollah want an escalation of war in the Middle East. Here’s why A Lebanese front is unlikely: it wouldn’t be in Iran’s interests, as it would probably spark US intervention, says Lina Khatib, director of the Soas Middle East Institute
Al Jazeera · May 21, 2023 How important is Captagon in al-Assad’s return to the Arab fold? The billions of dollars Syria’s al-Assad is believed to be making from Captagon have given him a financial lifeline.
The Independent UK · Feb 10, 2023 Quake brings chance for Syria's Assad to ease isolation Experts say Syria’s embattled President Bashar Assad may try to use this week’s deadly earthquake as an opportunity to ease his country’s international isolation