Waste Crisis & Policy: Lebanon’s environmental fee is back in the spotlight after the Cabinet approved a 1.5% charge on imported goods—later narrowed to 26 items—while rates rose for some categories like alcohol, tobacco, cars and watches, raising big questions about where the money will go and who will oversee waste management. Wildfires & Forest Loss: Southern Lebanon faces an alleged arson campaign tied to strikes, with Civil Defense reporting 30–40% of forested areas burned near the front line and damage to historic olive groves, plus claims of drones hitting firefighters. Strait of Hormuz Pressure: The UAE blamed Iran for drone attacks on ADNOC-linked vessels as traffic through Hormuz “grinds to a halt,” while Iran calls for environmental safeguards for the strait amid escalating maritime tensions. Local Environment & Land Use: A Jordan law change expanding “road” to include railways could allow uncompensated land expropriation up to a quarter of property—an issue that echoes wider regional debates on land rights and public projects. Community Resilience: A Lebanon-area development push highlights the need for future-ready planning, while separate coverage shows how access to basic services like childcare can shape local sustainability and livelihoods.