Cari Machet is a multimedia producer who has traveled extensively in the Middle East. Look at a slideshow of what she found on a recent trip to bazaars in Syria's capital city, including political merchandise that makes U.S. politicians look restrained.

Talk of war is widespread in the Middle Eastern press recently, with many speculating about a possible outbreak of hostilities not only between Israel and Hamas, but Israel and Syria, or Iran and a host of adversaries. Worldfocus producer Mohammad Al-Kassim offers a roundup from around the region.

Official election results show that Lebanon has voted to maintain its pro-western government majority, which beat out another coalition led by Hezbollah. Mohamad Bazzi of the Council on Foreign Relations discusses what the results mean for Hezbollah, for the stability of Lebanon and for American foreign policy in the region.

From U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Beirut to new accusations about an old assassination, Lebanon is heating up in advance of its June 7 national election, which could see the tides turn for Hezbollah.

Some call it a state within a state; a movement that is all too willing to fill any gaps it perceives left open by the government. Hezbollah, with its close ties to Iran, has become very influential in Lebanon -- and though the U.S. government considers them terrorists, they are heroes to their many followers.