Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, Friday Focus. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.

Last week, Berman reported that Israel is aiming to establish full diplomatic relations with Lebanon in talks that could open as early as next month. After the military-to-military meeting in the United Nations peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura, Israel and Lebanon agreed to open negotiations to delineate the border between the two countries, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

For today's Friday Focus, we go back in time to understand how Lebanon and Israel were formed in order to discuss the evolving relations between the two countries today.

We hear about the push-pull between the British and the French, who each shepherded their fledgling nations and indelibly marked the map of the Middle East.

Finally, we speed up to modern day and learn about how the recent maritime border agreements have worked out for the two nations -- and whether they could be some kind of blueprint for a permanent land border.

This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. 

IMAGE: UNIFIL peacekeeping troops patrol the southern Lebanese village of Ramia near the southern border on March 5, 2025. (Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP)

Welcome to The Times of Israel's newest podcast series, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/friday-focus/">Friday Focus</a>. Each Friday, join diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe.
Last week, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/senior-israeli-official-says-new-talks-with-lebanon-aimed-at-normalizing-ties/">Berman reported</a> that Israel is aiming to establish full diplomatic relations with Lebanon in talks that could open as early as next month. After the military-to-military meeting in the United Nations peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura, Israel and Lebanon agreed to open negotiations to delineate the border between the two countries, the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office said.
For today's Friday Focus, we go back in time to understand how Lebanon and Israel were formed in order to discuss the evolving relations between the two countries today.
We hear about the push-pull between the British and the French, who each shepherded their fledgling nations and indelibly marked the map of the Middle East.
Finally, we speed up to modern day and learn about how the recent maritime border agreements have worked out for the two nations -- and whether they could be some kind of blueprint for a permanent land border.
This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.&nbsp;
IMAGE: UNIFIL peacekeeping troops patrol the southern Lebanese village of Ramia near the southern border on March 5, 2025. (Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP)

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman explores what's behind the news that spins the globe

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman explores what's behind the news that spins the globe

Lazar Focus

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman explores what's behind the news that spins the globe.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman explores what's behind the news that spins the globe.