As a fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon approaches its 17 May deadline, uncertainty is mounting over what comes next. Agreed in mid-April and extended to allow negotiations, the truce has been repeatedly violated, with continued Israeli strikes and Hezbollah attacks raising fears of renewed war. In this episode of The Brief In, we unpack the competing pressures shaping Lebanon’s next move: US and regional demands for Hezbollah’s disarmament, Israeli insistence on security guarantees, and deep internal divisions in Beirut that have stalled a unified negotiating position. With over a million displaced and parts of southern Lebanon devastated, the stakes are existential. Can diplomacy hold, or is escalation inevitable? And what would the collapse of the ceasefire mean for Lebanon’s sovereignty, economy, and regional position in an already widening Middle East conflict?

Journalists from Middle East focused newsroom The New Arab unpack the questions surrounding the US-Iran ceasefire. Is Lebanon still included after Israel's deadly assault on 'Black Wednesday'? What will the sides discuss in Islamabad on Friday? Did Donald Trump get his ego trip and secure a win against Iran? With guest appearance from Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, to tell us where the U.S. stands strategically as the war is halted for at least the next two weeks.

On this special episode, The New Arab Head of News Paul McLoughlin welcomes Syrian filmmaker-journalist Waad Al-Kateab, co-creator of the acclaimed documentary For Sama (98% on Rotten Tomatoes, Oscar and BAFTA nominated), and Syrian political scientist Azzam Al Kassir.

They reflect on their personal journeys, their work and what the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s fall means today. Their conversation weaves together frontline journalism and deep research to explore Syria’s past, its trauma and glimpses of hope.

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