Lebanon

Submitted by Elijah Magnier, Middle East based chief international war correspondent for Al Rai Media

This morning one of Israel's largest international news broadcasters broke an explosive yet not entirely surprising story that Israel would take the unprecedented step of sharing intelligence with Saudi Arabia as both countries continue to ramp up efforts to curb what they perceive as Iranian expansion in the region. 

Left: Israeli PM Netanyahu, Right: Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Israel's i24NEWS cited statements by the head of the Israeli army given to a prominent Saudia Arabian newspaper on Thursday:

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri just concluded his first interview since what appears to be his forced resignation after landing in Saudi Arabia a week ago which began what many describe as a house arrest. "I was at my home [in Saudi] and not The Ritz," he explained during what regional outlets are describing as a very carefully controlled and choreographed interview.

It’s easy to get lost in all things Middle East, especially concerning the chaotic events that unfolded over the weekend in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

Three days after the most stunning purge in recent Saudi history - which was really a countercoup, that led to the arrest of dozen of Saudi Arabian royals, ministers and businessmen to further the control of the Kingdom - Saudi Arabia called Yemen’s missile launch on Riyadh an ‘act of war’ by Iran, and also played victim by saying Lebanon has declared war against the Kingdom.

On Friday, the "western press" started to set the stage for war between Lebanon (and Iran) and Saudi Arabia (and Israel).