Jane Arraf

Stories

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  Pope Leo visits a wounded Lebanon in his first trip to the Middle East

  Pope Leo XIV is on his first visit to Lebanon. He arrives at a pivotal time for the country, buffeted by conflict with Israel and a devastating economic crisis.

  Dec 01, 2025 at 4:15 am

• Here's why Pope Leo XIV's first visit to Lebanon matters

  Prospect of Pope Leo XIV's first visit to Lebanon sparks hope - and worry.

  Nov 29, 2025 at 4:43 am
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  Pope's visit to Lebanon sparks hope but also frustration

  As Pope Leo prepares to visit northern Lebanon, Christian border villages in the south feel abandoned and struggle to rebuild after the war with Israel.

  Nov 29, 2025 at 3:01 am

• Pope Leo's Lebanon visit sparks frustration as he'll skip the most battered region

  Pope Leo visits war-torn Lebanon but some in the country with the biggest percentage of Christians in the region are upset he's skipping the most battered part.

  Nov 28, 2025 at 1:06 pm

• Israel assassinates a Hezbollah commander

  Hezbollah is vowing a response after Israel killed its No. 2 commander in a Beirut neighborhood -- an assassination the group calls a "red line."

  Nov 24, 2025 at 2:10 pm

• Her phone alarm still rings in Lebanon, days after an Israeli strike killed her

  An Israeli air strike killed three children and their father weeks before they were due to emigrate to the U.S.

  Nov 15, 2025 at 2:05 pm

• Jordan prays for rain as drought hits olive harvest

  As world leaders meet in Brazil to discuss climate change, Jordanians pray for rain.

  Nov 14, 2025 at 1:04 pm

• Iraq votes for new parliament amid U.S. pressure to counter Iran's influence

  Iraqis are awaiting the preliminary results of Tuesday's election for a new parliament, as Washington watches closely and pressures Iraq's government to curb neighboring Iran's influence.

  Nov 12, 2025 at 1:43 am

• Syrian president to meet with President Trump Monday

  This time last year, Ahmed al-Sharaa [[ahk-mahd al-SHAH-raa]] had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. He is now Syria's president and will meet with President Trump at the White House Monday.

  Nov 10, 2025 at 1:40 am

• Dick Cheney's legacy in Iraq

  Dick Cheney is often described as the chief architect of the Iraq war. In Iraq, he's better remembered as a key figure behind the destruction of the country.

  Nov 04, 2025 at 1:02 pm