The cease-fire in Gaza has brought a temporary halt to violence but not resolved underlying grievances between Palestinians and Israelis. Israeli security forces' actions in Jerusalem and the eviction of Palestinian families continue to fuel tensions. The recent violence has highlighted the discrimination faced by Israel's Arab citizens and the disillusionment of Palestinian youth with international institutions. The article underscores the persistent issues that could lead to future conflicts and the need for international pressure on Israel to comply with international laws and grant equality to Palestinians.

Middle Eastern media, including Iran's Press TV and Turkey's TRT, have been critical of the U.S. election process, drawing parallels to how Western media covers elections in the Middle East. The article highlights the portrayal of personal attacks, claims of electoral fraud by President Donald Trump, and the potential for unrest. It underscores the irony of countries often criticized by the U.S. now scrutinizing American democracy, suggesting a diminishing global perception of the U.S. as a beacon of democracy.

The article examines the potential impact of the U.S. presidential election on the Middle East, highlighting key areas such as the Iran nuclear deal, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia and Syria. It discusses the contrasting approaches of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, noting Trump's maximum pressure campaign on Iran and Biden's intention to revive the nuclear deal. The article also explores the implications for U.S. allies and adversaries in the region, including Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, and Kurdish forces in Syria.

Lebanon's economic collapse and political paralysis, exacerbated by the Beirut explosion, have led to a mass exodus of citizens seeking better lives abroad. Many, like Mohammed Hosni, risk perilous sea journeys to Europe, often with tragic outcomes. The crisis has left more than half the population in poverty, with food prices soaring and the middle class shrinking. The government's negligence and corruption have further eroded public trust, prompting even the educated to seek opportunities elsewhere. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy reforms to address Lebanon's deepening social and economic issues.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon convicted Hezbollah member Salim Ayyash for the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, but acquitted three others, leading to widespread dissatisfaction in Lebanon. The verdict, delivered after 15 years, failed to directly implicate Hezbollah's leadership or the Syrian government. The decision has intensified existing political and economic tensions, with various factions expressing disappointment and skepticism. The country remains divided, grappling with a severe economic crisis and the aftermath of a devastating explosion in Beirut.

Lebanon, having flattened its coronavirus curve, faces a severe economic crisis with rising inflation and widespread protests. Protesters, increasingly desperate, are targeting banks with violence due to unregulated capital controls and the devaluation of the Lebanese lira. The economic system, likened to a Ponzi scheme, has left many Lebanese unable to access their funds, exacerbating poverty and hunger. The government's failure to address these issues has led to more radical and violent protests, with the poorest regions experiencing the most unrest. The COVID-19 pandemic has further strained the economy, pushing more people below the poverty line.

Many Americans abroad feel safer staying in countries with fewer COVID-19 infections rather than returning to the United States, which has become one of the worst-hit countries by the pandemic. They cite overloaded health systems, high medical costs, and distrust in the U.S. government's response as reasons for staying abroad. The article highlights the contrasting responses to the pandemic in countries like Lebanon, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, where Americans feel more secure due to better health care systems and stricter preventive measures.

The article highlights the severe challenges faced by refugees in the Middle East amid the coronavirus pandemic, emphasizing the impossibility of practicing social distancing in overcrowded camps. It details the efforts of various humanitarian organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, to provide aid and prevent the spread of the virus. However, it underscores the scarcity of resources, inadequate health systems, and the stigma faced by refugees. The article also discusses the potential for the virus to spread rapidly in camps and the competition for global health resources, which may leave refugees deprioritized.

Carlos Ghosn, former Nissan CEO, held a press conference in Beirut to declare his innocence and accuse Nissan and the Japanese judiciary of conspiracy. Ghosn's escape from Japan to Lebanon has received mixed reactions, with some Lebanese seeing him as a potential savior for the country's economic woes, while others view him as another corrupt figure. Ghosn's legal troubles include charges of financial misconduct and a controversial visit to Israel. Despite an Interpol Red Notice, Lebanon has no plans to extradite him, and Ghosn has expressed confidence in the Lebanese judicial system.

The article discusses the story of Louis, a former U.S. Marine, who joined the Iraqi-Christian paramilitary force Dwekh Nawsha to fight against ISIS in Iraq after feeling dissatisfied with the U.S. military's withdrawal from active conflict zones. Louis, along with other Western volunteers, has turned to online platforms like Facebook to find militias to join and to crowdfund for weapons and equipment due to the lack of support and funding for these groups. The article highlights the challenges and frustrations faced by foreign fighters in the region, including the dangers of inexperienced volunteers and the restrictions placed on them by Kurdish authorities. It also touches on the broader issue of Westerners seeking to join the fight against ISIS and the varying motivations behind their decisions.

The Mosul dam, built by Saddam Hussein, is now a focal point in the conflict between Iraqi and Kurdish forces, the U.S., and ISIS, which seized the dam on August 7. Kurdish forces, with U.S. and Iraqi air support, have begun to retake parts of the dam. The dam's control allows ISIS to potentially cut off water supplies or destroy the dam, which would have catastrophic consequences. The dam, described as the most dangerous in the world by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is built on an unstable foundation and requires constant maintenance. The international community's help is sought as the dam's condition is precarious under ISIS control, and its failure could result in a massive loss of life.