Lebanon's Hezbollah has been significantly degraded militarily by Israel, but the Iran-backed group will likely try to rebuild its stockpiles and forces and pose a longterm threat to the U.S. and its regional allies,

Israel issued a warning at Lebanon that it will not long distinguish between Beirut and Hezbollah should the cease-fire between Jerusalem and the terrorist group collapse following an exchange of strikes.

As tit-for-tat strikes strain a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah less than a week since it went into effect, Israel’s defense minister on Tuesday threatened to directly target the Lebanese state should the agreement fall apart.

By bne Gulf bureau Hundreds of Iran-backed Iraqi fighters have crossed into Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad's forces following recent rebel advances, according to multiple security sources in Baghdad,

Assad, as China also gave its backing to the regime. At least 300 fighters crossed from Iraq as Tehran said it would provide full support to the beleaguered dictator after rebel groups seized the city of Aleppo and charged south toward Hama and Damascus.