Thaer Ghandour is a senior reporter at al-Araby al-Jadeed, and a media consultant. He has worked with al-Jazeera as a producer and al-Akhbar newspaper in Lebanon as a journalist.
Analysis: There is optimism in Hamas that thawing relations could see the leader of the group's political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, soon visit Saudi Arabia.
The region is likely to see further fighting as rebel groups take on the IS group. Meanwhile just over the border Lebanese forces are being reinforced, and Tripoli is on alert for possible IS group assassination squads.
Israeli agent infiltrated Hizballah and stopped several attempts to avenge the assassination of a top commander, according to sources close to the group.
An Israeli attack on Hizballah in southwest Syria has led to fears of a new conflict. But with the Lebanese group already engaged in the Syrian civil war, what options - if any - does it have to reply?
Lebanon's Future Movement has ignored its strengths and assumed a position of weakness in recent talks with the Shia movement aimed at easing Lebanon's sectarian tensions.
Islamic State fighters and Lebanese soldiers are separated by only a few metres of no man's land around Arsal - but the army does not want to fire a first shot that could have catastrophic consequences.
Phone conversation obtained by al-Araby al-Jadeed shows hostage families blame members of government for the deaths and ongoing hostage status of soldiers captured by Nusra Front and the Islamic State group in Arsal.
Lebanon last week said it had arrested a woman named Saja al-Dulaimia, claiming her to be the wife of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Reports since have cast doubts on that claim. So who is Saja al-Dulaimia?
