Lebanon is working on plans to disarm Hezbollah by year-end, an unprecedented step that forms part of a November ceasefire between the militant group and Israel following months of hostilities. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/06/world/politics/lebanon-disarm-hezbollah-year-end/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #politics #middleeast #israel #iran #lebanon #hezbollah

Regime change in Iran is far harder than many assume. But if the Islamic Republic were to fall, the country already possesses the needed institutional scaffolding for democracy. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/07/28/world/iran-is-prepared-for-democracy/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #iran #elections #democracy

Iran has embarked on a massive deportation drive of the country’s 3 million-plus population of Afghan refugees, some of whom authorities say aided Israel’s airstrikes on the country last month. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/28/world/politics/iran-afghans-israel-spying/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #politics #iran #afghanistan #israel #espionage #middleeast #taliban