Dario Sabaghi

Freelance journalist interested in international news and cannabis.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The New Arab •

A compound crisis in Beirut after US-imposed ban on Iran flights

Lebanon's new government is facing a combined domestic crisis with Hezbollah and a diplomatic crisis with Tehran after banning Iranian commercial flights following US and Israeli pressure.  The controversy erupted on February 13 when Lebanon blocked an Iranian Mahan Air flight from landing at Beirut's Rafic Hariri Airport, reportedly following a US warning that Israel might strike the airport if it did. The ban sparked outrage among Hezbollah supporters, leading to protests and roadblocks at t...
The New Arab •

Will Arab states push back against Trump's Gaza expulsion plans?

US President Donald Trump's repeated remarks about the US taking over Gaza for reconstruction and expelling Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan have shocked Arab states. The brazen proposal was made during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington last week when he said the US could take ownership of Gaza and redevelop it into the "Riviera of the Middle East", resettling Palestinians in regional states. Since Netanyahu’s visit, he has doubled down on his remarks, on Monday s...
CannIntelligence •

How Italy’s ban on driving with any THC in the body could affect the hemp industry | CannIntelligence

Cannabis users driving on Italian roads could find themselves in legal trouble when stopped by the authorities, even if they are not under the influence at the time. In an effort to prevent dangerous driving caused by drug use, Italy has introduced stricter measures on drug impairment, with potential implications for the hemp industry. The revised law, which went into effect last month, makes the mere presence of drugs in the body a crime, regardless of the driver’s physical state. Cannabis use...
The New Arab •

What the fall of Assad means for Iran's regional influence

A coalition of Syrian rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an unprecedented 12-day offensive that on 8 December put an end to Bashar Al-Assad’s 24-year rule in Syria. Launched on 27 November, the ‘Deterrence of Aggression’ operation rapidly seized significant portions of northern and southern Syria, facing little to no resistance from the Syrian army. Rebels took control of strategic highways, military assets, and key cities such as Aleppo, Hama, Daraa, and Homs, ultimately...
The New Arab •

Will Lebanon's army be able to uphold the ceasefire with Israel?

Since the early hours of 27 November, when the US-brokered ceasefire ended one of the fiercest wars between Israel and Hezbollah in decades, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) began to move troops to southern Lebanon. The ceasefire is the result of months-long indirect negotiations that ended a 13-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah linked to Israel's war in Gaza following Hamas's attack on 7 October 2023. In Lebanon, Israel killed nearly 4,000 people, injured almost 16,000, displaced ove...
The New Arab •

Will the ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu stop Israel's wars?

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza has deepened Israel’s global isolation. While criticised by Tel Aviv and its allies, including the United States, the ICC’s decision could pave the way for further investigations into war crimes and fuel diplomatic tensions that could shape the outcome of Israel’s wars in Gaza...
The New Arab •

What Trump's 'Israel first' cabinet means for the Middle East

US President-elect Donald J. Trump announced his cabinet nominees last week ahead of the 20 January inauguration following his November election victory. Across roles like secretary of state, Middle East envoy, secretary of defence, US ambassador to Israel, and United Nations ambassador, Trump signalled a resolutely pro-Israel position. Marco Rubio, nominated for secretary of state, has long been a staunch Israel supporter, even attacking Trump in 2016 as ‘anti-Israeli’ for his stance on peace...
dw.com •

War in Lebanon: Aid groups struggle to offer food, shelter – DW – 11/11/2024

Israel's bombing and ground invasion of Lebanon have displaced over a million people. Lebanese relief organizations are struggling to make ends meet and provide for the growing numbers of those in need.In a small kitchen in al-Fawar — a village near Sidon, about 40 kilometers (24 miles) south of Beirut, Lebanon — a dozen women of all ages are cooking rice and chicken in large, gas-fueled pots. Among them, and overseeing every detail to ensure everything runs smoothly, is 42-year-old Zainab Jumaa...
The New Arab •

What could lame duck Biden still do in the Middle East?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first world leaders to congratulate Donald J. Trump before he was officially declared the winner of the 2024 US presidential election. In a post on X, Netanyahu hailed Trump's "huge victory" as "history's greatest comeback," sharing a photo of himself, his wife Sara, and Trump at Mar-a-Lago in July. Netanyahu's congratulations to Trump were echoed by other members of his far-right coalition, including newly appointed Defence Minister Isra...
The New Arab •

Inside Israel's campaign to undermine the United Nations

Israel officially notified the United Nations on Monday of its decision to cut ties with the agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, after adopting two bills last week banning its operations. The new legislation will take effect in 90 days and the UN has warned of devastating consequences for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where it is the largest aid provider amid famine-threshold levels of malnutrition. Experts interviewed by The New Arab say that Israel’s ban on UNRWA is a political act...
The New Arab •

What military options does Hezbollah still have against Israel?

After Israel announced the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on 17 October, Hezbollah said it was entering a new phase in its fight against Israeli forces. How Hezbollah's new escalatory phase will unfold, however, remains to be seen, especially after facing heavy setbacks since Israel's war on Lebanon was launched. In mid-September, a series of Israeli attacks broke the tacit rules of engagement established since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began following Hamas' 7 Octo...
The New Arab •

The role of Lebanon's army as Israel wages war on Hezbollah

On 3 October, Israeli military forces struck a Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) post in Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, killing one soldier, as Israel pushed ahead with a ground invasion of the country. During the incident, and for the first time since hostilities began in October 2023, Lebanese soldiers returned fire at Israeli forces. That same day, another Lebanese soldier lost his life in separate Israeli strikes in the region. These Israeli attacks on Lebanon's army were not an isolated incide...
The New Arab •

After Nasrallah's killing, what will Israel do next in Lebanon?

Grief and anguish filled Beirut's southern suburbs of Dahiyeh after Hezbollah confirmed the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday. Screaming in sorrow, some collapsed to their knees as despair and rage swept over them, with spontaneous rallies erupting in Beirut and across the region renewing allegiance to the veteran leader. A day earlier, Israel announced it had killed Nasrallah using 85 US-produced ‘bunker-buster’ bombs designed to target underground facilities in an attack that...
dw.com •

Israel-Hezbollah conflict deepens Lebanon's economic crisis – DW – 09/27/2024

The escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is contributing to Lebanon's economic instability. People in the crisis-ridden country are struggling to survive.In his small currency exchange shop in Beirut, 86-year-old Farouk Khoury is watching the news on television, showing the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel spreading across Lebanon. No customers ring the bell to exchange money. "Today, I have money to exchange, tomorrow, I don't know. Maybe tomorrow we close," Kouri t...
CannIntelligence •

Italian amendment reintroduced that could leave CBD, hemp sector in ruins | CannIntelligence

The proposed and withdrawn amendment to ban CBD products in Italy has reappeared as part of a bill aimed at enhancing public safety and combating crime. The government amendment 13.06 to hemp law 242/2016 would require hemp cultivation in the country to clearly be intended for industrial purposes only. The proposed and withdrawn amendment to ban CBD products in Italy has reappeared as part of a bill aimed at enhancing public safety and combating crime. The government amendment 13.06 to hemp la...
The New Arab •

Biden's legacy of failure in the Middle East

In a letter published on X on 21 July, US President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to contend for the White House with former president Donald Trump in November's election. Biden's announcement shook up the presidential race and came after increasing pressure from within the Democratic Party, and among members, that he should step down after a poor performance in the 27 June debate against Trump in which his mental capability to serve was call...
The new Arab •

Is Israel gearing up for war with Hezbollah?

Rockets fired by Hezbollah at northern Israel last week caused days of wildfires that burned over 2,500 acres of land, raising fears of an all-out war amid fresh calls for a military escalation from Israeli officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that he is prepared to take "very strong action" to restore security along the border, while Israel’s northern army commander said the military is ready for war. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National S
The new Arab •

How Raisi's death will test the unity of Iran's hardliners

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, 63, died in a helicopter crash in the north-western province of East Azerbaijan province on 19 May, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six others. To demonstrate the Islamic Republic of Iran's ability to handle any crisis, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning and appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as interim president, with the country expected to hold early presidential elections on 28 June. How
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