Consulting & Industry Leadership: Sia promoted Cesar Moukarzel to partner in its Middle East business, where he leads strategy, innovation, sustainability and large-scale transformation work for governments and private firms, including telecom and manufacturing clients. Energy & Shipping Risk: Israel launched its fifth offshore natural gas tender to expand Mediterranean reserves, while Iran-US tensions keep disrupting Strait of Hormuz shipping, with reports of attacks on vessels and uncertainty over commercial passage. Lebanon Security Implementation: IDF officials doubt Lebanon’s army can effectively carry out the framework mission to map, remove and destroy Hezbollah infrastructure, with engineering destruction pace reportedly increasing. Syria Reconstruction & Business Links: France’s Macron made a historic visit to Damascus, signaling support for a sovereign, plural Syria and bringing business leaders (including TotalEnergies and CMA CGM) to discuss reconstruction. Regional Diplomacy: Iran’s foreign minister said US talks won’t restart if threats continue, tying any negotiation resumption to an end to military operations including in Lebanon. Lebanon-Adjacent Trade/Policy: Israel’s ambassador said the Israel-Lebanon framework deal supersedes the US-Iran MOU clause affecting Lebanon, setting up a new round of Beirut-Jerusalem talks.