A reckoning beyond rhetoric – Middle East Monitor

The Lebanese Cabinet, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, has authorized the army to develop a plan to consolidate weapons under state control by year-end, primarily targeting non-state groups like Hezbollah, as announced by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The Cabinet also agreed to continue discussions on a US arms control proposal at a government meeting set for August 7. Want More Context? 🔎

More than 90 people died when a migrant boat sank off Yemen's coast, primarily carrying Ethiopian migrants, with the confirmed death toll reaching 96 after bodies were recovered. Despite ongoing civil war, Yemen remains a significant transit point for irregular migration, with many migrants attempting to reach Gulf states for better opportunities. Want More Context? 🔎

Lebanon's cabinet has tasked the army with creating a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, following significant US pressure and a ceasefire aimed at ending recent hostilities. The decision has faced opposition from Hezbollah officials and comes amid ongoing Israeli attacks, with the group asserting it will not disarm without guarantees for its security and the reconstruction of war-affected areas. Want More Context? 🔎

Syria has established a transitional justice commission aimed at holding officials from Bashar al-Assad's regime accountable for human rights violations, emphasizing the need to institutionalize protections of human rights and restore the rule of law, according to commission head Abdul Latif. The initiative seeks to address past abuses and promote justice in the war-torn nation. Want More Context? 🔎

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders for peace talks at the White House on Friday, potentially announcing a framework for a peace agreement. The two nations have been in conflict since the late 1980s over Nagorno-Karabakh, with recent tensions escalating after Azerbaijan retook control of the region in 2023, leading to a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians. Want More Context? 🔎

During his visit to Pakistan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian aimed to enhance political and economic relations as part of a strategy to mitigate the impact of sanctions and the recent conflict with Israel. This engagement underscores Iran's efforts to strengthen regional alliances amidst challenging circumstances. Want More Context? 🔎