LCCC ENGLISH DAILY NEWS BULLETIN
September 15/2019
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani

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Bible Quotations For today
If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?
Letter to the Romans 08/28-39:”We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News published on September 14-15/2019
Nadim Gemayel commemorating his late Martyr Father: We miss the renaissance project of Bashir Gemayel at a time of decadence
Aoun welcomes Kossaifi
Lebanese-American to Be Prosecuted for Working for Israel
Hariri: Digital transformation is the best way to fight corruption
Will the U.S explore opening communication channels with Hezbollah?
Report: U.S. Govt. Official Says Lebanon 'Must Confront Hizbullah’s Policies’
Bassil to Begin Tour to Europe, United States
Hariri Bound for France to Initiate CEDRE
Report: SA is Cutting Visa Fees for Lebanese
STL Registrar Ends Working visit to Lebanon
Ambassador of Denmark in Baalbek: We provide annual assistance to the Lebanese community hosting the displaced Syrians
LF Media Department says attempt to destroy the military institution, tarnish its image and question its credibility is not permissible
Jreissati from Ainab: Sorting from the source is a national duty, not an option

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on September 14-15/2019
Israeli Cabinet Convenes in a Jordan Valley Settlement
The big drone attack on Saudi oil facilities was launched by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis from… Iraq
Yemeni Rebel Drones Spark Fires at Two Saudi Aramco Oil Factories
Iranians Organize Exhibition at Congress Square for Victims of Mullahs’ Regime
Iran Inks Deal to Develop Gas Field in Tense Gulf
UAE Says 6 Troops Killed in 'Collision,' Without Elaborating
West Expects Syria Crisis Standstill Until 2021 Presidential Elections
Iraq: Prime Minister to Head to China to Sign MoUs
UN Chief Launches New Plan to ‘Counter Hate, Religious Violence’
EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Says Many ISIS Militants Back From Conflict Zones
Turkey Orders Arrest of Military Personnel Over Suspected Gulen Links
US TV Reveals Smuggling of ISIS Members to Europe

Titles For The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on September 14-15/2019
Nadim Gemayel commemorating his late Martyr Father: We miss the renaissance project of Bashir Gemayel at a time of decadence/NNA/September 14/2019
The big drone attack on Saudi oil facilities was launched by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis from… Iraq/DEBKAfile/September 14/2019
Iranian Tanker Fiasco Exposes Britain's Muddled Thinking/Con Coughlin/Gatestone Institute/September 14/2019
Wisdom That Transcends Time: Self Esteem and Public Service/Lawrence Kadish/Gatestone Institute/September 14/2019
Despite John Bolton exit, don't expect thaw in US-Iran relations/Raghida Dergham/The National/September 14/2019

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News published on September 14-15/2019
Nadim Gemayel commemorating his late Martyr Father: We miss the renaissance project of Bashir Gemayel at a time of decadence
NNA -Sat 14 Sep 2019
"Today, we mark the 37th commemoration of Bashir Gemayel's martyrdom, and we salute his path and approach every day...We salute his will, determination and solidity...We salute the project of the state he wanted to build which has not yet been realized, and we do not see the possibility of achieving it in the near future," said MP Nadim Gemayel addressing the crowd who gathered to pay tribute to the memory of Martyr Bashir Gemayel on Friday. In a wide popular event organized by the Lebanese Forces Party's Beirut branch in the courtyard of the "Sisters of Love for Lazarus Fathers School" in Achrafieh yesterday evening attended by several deputies, political officials and senior dignitaries, Gemayel said the morals of his Martyr Father "are greatly missed at a time during which we lack nobility and integrity in political life.""We greatly long for his pure patriotism in a time of loyalty to homelands that do not resemble us, and for the hope that he cultivated in us in times of despair, poverty and bankruptcy," he maintained. "But it is time to stop the bleeding of desperation," stressed Gemayel. "No matter how we many solutions we find to the problems facing Lebanon today, if we do not find a solution to the issue of illegal weapons and if we do not face the occupation undermining the state's decision, we cannot think for a moment that we are heading towards complete collapse," he cautioned. "The issue of illegitimate weapons today is the main problem in this country, for it is the one that creates the political corruption and the one that creates the imbalance in politics, institutions and security, imbalance wherever it exists...," Gemayel underlined. "It is high time to stand up and say no to weapons that we do not want and no to having states within the state, for we want to live freely without anyone imposing on us," he corroborated. "Our only option is to continue to strongly reject this status quo...and to work hard, with sacrifice and steadfastness, to alter this reality," vowed Gemayel. He concluded with a final word of tribute to the late Bashir Gemayel as "the President who brought the Lebanese together to establish a strong state," while calling on his supporters "to rise above all trivial matters that have nothing to do with the Lebanese cause, because Lebanon needs you!"

Aoun welcomes Kossaifi
NNA - Sat 14 Sep 2019
President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, welcomed Saturday morning at the Baabda Palace the President of Lebanon's Syndicate of Press Editors, Joseph Kossaifi. The pair discussed the work of the Syndicate and the conditions of journalists and media workers in light of the challenges facing this sector.

Lebanese-American to Be Prosecuted for Working for Israel
Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
A Lebanese-American man was referred Friday to prosecutors after confessing he had worked for Israel during its occupation of Lebanon for nearly two decades, a Lebanese security agency said, according to The Associated Press.
Amer Fakhoury was detained after returning to his native Lebanon from the United States earlier this month. He had worked as a senior warden at the Khiam Prison in southern Lebanon that was run by an Israeli-backed militia, known as the South Lebanon Army, until Israel ended an 18-year occupation of the area in 2000. Lebanon and Israel have been officially at war since Israel's creation in 1948. Human rights groups have said in the past that Khiam prison was a site of torture and detention without trial before it was abandoned in 2000. Israel denies the allegations. On Thursday, scores of people, including former Khiam prison detainees, held a sit-in in Beirut protesting against Fakhoury, referring to him as "the butcher of Khiam" and adding that he should be put on trial. "We reject facilitating the return of agents to the nation," former detainee Anwar Yaseen was quoted saying by state-run National News Agency.
The Lebanese General Security Directorate said Friday that Fakhoury used an Israeli passport before Israel's withdrawal to travel from Israel to the US. Hundreds of former Lebanese members of the militia had fled to Israel, fearing reprisals if they remained in Lebanon. Others stayed and faced trial, receiving lenient sentences. Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, an ally of the Hezbollah party, tweeted Friday that the Lebanese people "will not forgive" those who pained them. Khalil said there are attempts to clear the names of "60 agents for Israel" and "we should take this very seriously" and follow the case.
Also on Friday, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry summoned Ethiopia's charge d'affaires demanding information about Lebanese businessman Hassan Jaber, whom the ministry said was detained in Addis Ababa on Saturday. The ministry informed the Ethiopian diplomat that Beirut wants "clear answers" by Monday, otherwise Lebanon would take countermeasures. Some Lebanese media outlets have speculated that Israel or the United States might have been behind Jaber's arrest. In 2017, Lebanese businessman Kassim Tajeddine, was arrested in the Moroccan city of Casablanca while on his way from Guinea to Beirut. He later surfaced in the United States, where he was charged with laundering money for Hezbollah.

Hariri: Digital transformation is the best way to fight corruption
NNA -Sat 14 Sep 2019
In a press release by Prime Minister Saad Hariri's Press Office on Saturday, it indicated that PM Hariri deemed during an economy conference that digital transformation is the best way to fight corruption. "The President of the Council of Ministers Saad Hariri said that we have a golden opportunity today, pointing out that the implementation of the CEDRE Conference will start after his visit to Paris where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, and then Lebanon will be able to benefit from the loans granted to it," the statement indicated. PM Hariri added that "the government is taking all the necessary steps to show the world that Lebanon is on the right track, starting with the passing of the essential laws to fight corruption and reach the stage of digital transformation and e-government. “I am very optimistic about the future of the economy in Lebanon, because everything we do is founded on a scientific and not random basis. This will show that we are a stable country that does everything necessary for development and growth,” the Prime Minister asserted.
Hariri's remarks came this afternoon during an open dialogue with the participants in the “Digital Lebanon Conference" organized by the Ministry of Telecommunications, the Ministry of State for Administrative Reforms (OMSAR), the Ministry of State for Investment and Technology, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the World Bank Group, at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. He said: “Digital economy is one of the pillars of the Lebanese economy. The main concern of the Lebanese citizen when doing any formality is to finish it on time. We, for our part, seek that this be done electronically with all the required cyber security and the platforms that the state must provide. I believe that the most important natural wealth we have is the Lebanese citizen. We started this path, the platforms for the networks have been launched, and we can finish 30% during this year, 70% during next year, whereby we can finalize all fiber optics networks with all connections by 2021. At the same time, we had a meeting yesterday with the World Bank to define the strategy and timetable of all the steps that we will take for the digital economy.”
Hariri added: “Unfortunately, investments in the telecommunications sector started in 2017, and this investment requires time. Today there is a strong team working to turn Lebanon to a digital country. This team includes ministers and advisors and the most important is the cooperation between all departments to achieve this result”.Answering questions from the audience, Hariri said that the government is taking all the necessary steps to help start-ups, particularly in terms of laws and negotiations with the World Bank. He said: “Work is underway to develop an electronic tax law to protect the rights of all those working in the digital field, and efforts with the World Bank focus on the public sector to develop an integrated strategy. Previously, there was a great effort in this field, but it was scattered. Today everyone is working together to do whatever it takes to reach this strategy.”
In response to another question, Hariri said that his first goal is to reduce the number of the state employees after it has grown enormously in recent years. Thus, the government has decided in the 2019 budget to suspend employment for three years, and we must begin by changing the way the state is managed. The public sector cannot manage all the facilities it is managing today. The public sector has to supervise the management by the private sector of a number of facilities, and there is also the public-private partnership.
On the other hand, he stressed the need to have a consensus on all the reforms the government intends to undertake, both in terms of the general laws in Lebanon or the laws pertaining to each sector. All ministries without exception need to amend laws, and today we aim to turn Lebanon into a digital country.
He said: “I am confident that if we focus in the next few months on completing the 2020 budget and approving the reforms and the related decrees, then by the end of next year or the beginning of the year after, we would have started to improve our situation, and the international rating institutions will begin to see that we are serious about our reforms. Today we have a golden opportunity, and CEDRE will be launched after my visit to Paris and my meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Then we will be able to benefit from these loans. CEDRE is based on investing in the infrastructure, which will provide liquidity to the Lebanese economy and thus generate economic growth. The McKinsey study also focuses on sustainable growth and determines plans on a scientific base.”
He added: “Give me a year without any political problems, and the sky will be Lebanon’s limit, and then we will be able to solve all the country's economic problems. The duty of the state is to build platforms, and to change and reform laws, and then to let the private sector work. This is what we are doing today, nothing will stop us, and I strongly believe that the transition to a digital economy will move Lebanon from where it is today to a much better place.” Hariri said that digital transformation is the best way to fight corruption and carry out the necessary reforms. This is why the government is focusing on this sector that helps all domains in the country without any exception, which in turn facilitates and organizes the life of people.” Regarding the oil and gas sector and what it can bring to the Lebanese economy, Hariri said: “Lebanon’s real treasure is its youth. Our expectations should be logical. Yes, we have oil and gas, but we also need to realize that the first excavation will begin in the next few months, and there is a 20 percent chance that it will succeed. However, this sector will improve Lebanon's economic standing in the world and will contribute to the growth of other sectors."

Will the U.S explore opening communication channels with Hezbollah?
Ahmad Ayache/Annahar/September 14/2019
This, sources said, would resemble the U.S’ attempted peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, which were recently suspended by U.S President Donald Trump.
BEIRUT: The new Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker recently brought up an interesting issue during his visit to Lebanon last week. Sitting in on a meeting with prominent Shiite businesses men, Schenker seemingly conveyed his administration’s willingness to possibly explore opening communication channels with Hezbollah, sources told Annahar. This, sources said, would resemble the U.S’ attempted peace talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, which were recently suspended by U.S President Donald Trump.
For almost a year, the U.S and Taliban have been hashing out a peace plan in Qatar, before Trump labeled the plan as “dead” after a Taliban attack killed a U.S soldier a fortnight ago. These peace talks also mirror discussions being held with Houthi rebels in Yemen, which have been locked in severe fighting with Saudi backed forces.
Speaking on September 5, Schenker told reporters during a visit to Saudi Arabia that the U.S is “also having talks to the extent possible with the Houthis to try and find a mutually acceptable negotiated solution to the conflict.”Schenker, who replaced David Satterfield in June, also held talks with top Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri. The U.S has been a prominent negotiator between Lebanon and Israel, in a bid to resolve the maritime border dispute which will pave the way for oil and gas exploration. Despite the urgency to settle the matter, which could offer relief to Lebanon and its economic challenges, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah labeled Schenker as a “friend of Israel” while calling on Lebanon to negotiate from a “position of strength.”Asked whether he believed Hezbollah was pressuring the Lebanese government against reaching a deal, the U.S official refused to speculate yet called on Lebanese to ask questions as to why negotiations have been floundering. “You should speculate that. You are welcome to speculate that and I think it would be healthy for Lebanese to think about why their government is having difficulty even starting negotiations.”
Lebanon is the world’s third-most-indebted nation, a fact that Schenker highlighted in regards to the oil and gas dispute. The two countries, which have been officially at war since Israel’s creation in 1948, both claim some 860 square kilometers, about 330 square miles, off the Mediterranean Sea both
“Without de-escalating tensions on the southern border, it will be very difficult for international companies to operate in that area,” a Parliamentary source told Annahar.

Report: U.S. Govt. Official Says Lebanon 'Must Confront Hizbullah’s Policies’
Naharnet/September 14/2019
Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury for Terrorist Financing, Marshall Billingslea said the US sanctions against Iran and its militias will “continue,” and urged the Lebanese to confront Hizbullah's “policies,” the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Saturday. Billingslea warned the Lebanese that US sanctions on some Lebanese banks, institutions and individuals “associated” with Hizbullah may “include any faction regardless of its political, partisan or religious identity.” He called on the Lebanese to take the initiative and “confront Hizbullah’s policies because it could seriously jeopardize Lebanon’s political and economic stability.”Billingslea spoke at a seminar held at the Atlantic Council in Washington to “discuss the latest efforts to counter Iranian illicit financial networks and Hizbullah in the Levant, Gulf, and Latin America.”He said the US has offered “incentives and financial rewards” up to $10 million to all those who “cooperate” with them and “reveal” the networks and institutions used by Hizbullah and Iran to "circumvent" the sanctions. Billingslea said “the Treasury and State Departments have received valuable information, not only from abroad, but also from Lebanon, which has led to the imposition of a number of sanctions by the Treasury Department on some Hizbullah leaders and some of its members in the Lebanese government, as well as on banks, mainly Jammal Trust Bank.”"The Treasury has sent serious messages to Banque du Liban and Lebanese banking institutions in the private sector, warning them against allowing Hizbullah from using the Lebanese banking system to finance its military and political operations and activities, whether in Lebanon, the region or internationally," added Billingslea. “Iran provided Hizbullah with up to $ 700 million a year,” he said, and that “it had built its own network facilitating the purchase of arms and dual-use goods and counterfeiting currency,..” and others.

Bassil to Begin Tour to Europe, United States
Naharnet/September 14/2019
Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil is set to embark next week on a tour to several countries in Europe and the United States. The tour will reportedly extend until the end of September, reports said Saturday. In that regard, Bassil will meet with British Ambassador Chris Rampling on Monday to discuss the details of his visit to the United Kingdom. The Minister had also discussed with German Ambassador to Lebanon, George Berglin details of his visit to Germany scheduled on September 17 and 18. Bassil will travel from London to Washington to inaugurate the fourth Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference for North America. He will later travel to New York to meet the presidential delegation to the annual meetings of the UN General Assembly, where President Michel Aoun will deliver Lebanon’s speech on the 25th of September.

Hariri Bound for France to Initiate CEDRE
Naharnet/September 14/2019
Prime Minister Saad Hariri is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit scheduled next week to France, to “initiate” the implementation of CEDRE conference. Hariri will kickstart his meeting after a Cabinet meeting set on Tuesday. Speaking at the Digital Transformation Conference on Friday, Hariri said : “CEDRE will be launched after my visit to Paris and my meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron. Then we will be able to benefit from these loans.”“CEDRE is based on investing in the infrastructure, which will provide liquidity to the Lebanese economy and thus generate economic growth. The McKinsey study also focuses on sustainable growth and determines plans on a scientific base,” added the Premier. “I am confident that if we focus in the next few months on completing the 2020 draft budget and approving the reforms and related decrees, then by the end of next year or the beginning of the year after, we would be improving our situation, and the international rating institutions will begin to see that we are serious about our reforms,” he added. He added: “Give me a year without any political problems and the sky will be Lebanon’s limit. Then, we will be able to solve all the economic problems of Lebanon.”

Report: SA is Cutting Visa Fees for Lebanese
Naharnet/September 14/2019
Obtaining a Saudi visa is about to become cheaper for Lebanese nationals. The Lebanese Broadcasting Station TV said on Saturday that Saudi authorities aim to cut down the fees to obtain all kinds of visa entry for Lebanese. The fees will be reduced to $80 dollars, which is equivalent to SR 300.
According to the Saudi Embassy website, for non-U.S. passport holders the visa fee is one hundred and thirty-four U.S. dollars ($134.00) for multiple entries and fifty-four U.S. dollars ($54.00) for a single entry. The visa fee is one hundred and eight U.S. dollars ($108.00) for U.S. passport holders.

STL Registrar Ends Working visit to Lebanon
Naharnet/September 14/2019
The Registrar of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s (STL) Daryl Mundis met with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on a working visit to Beirut this week. He also met with the Minister of Justice, Judge Albert Serhan and the Acting Prosecutor General Judge Imad Kabalan. This mission is part of regular visits the Registrar undertakes to update the Lebanese officials on the work of the Tribunal.The Registrar is responsible for all aspects of the STL's administration including the budget, fundraising, human resources and providing security. His responsibilities also include court management, oversight of the Victims’ Participation Unit, witness protection and language services

Ambassador of Denmark in Baalbek: We provide annual assistance to the Lebanese community hosting the displaced Syrians
NNA - Sat 14 Sep 2019
Denmark's Ambassador to Lebanon Merritt Joel pointed Saturday to the annual assistance extended by her country to the Lebanese community hosting the displaced Syrians on its territory. "Denmark is one of the countries that have provided assistance in Lebanon and Jordan since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, whether in cooperation with the United Nations organizations or with Danish institutions, and I made field visits to many Lebanese areas," said Joel. "We are committed to helping displaced Syrians, while at the same time Denmark provides $39 million in aid to the Lebanese host community. Supporting Lebanese women's empowerment programs is a priority," she emphasized. Joel's words came during her tour in Baalbek this morning at the invitation of the First Secretary of the Union of Tourism Syndicates in Lebanon, Ehab Raad, and his wife, Nabila. Joel had the chance to visit the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, the Church of Saints Barbara and Takla, the Baalbek Archaeological Castle and the Great Umayyad Mosque, in addition to exploring the city's many attractions on foot. "I am very pleased to be here today in the beautiful city of Baalbek, and delighted at the interesting and important dialogue that I had with the people I encountered...The purpose of the visit is to build friendly relations between Denmark and the region of Baalbek, for there are possibilities for joint cooperation in several fields," said the Danish diplomat. Asked about the possibility of deeming the region of Baalbek as a "green zone" by the Embassy of Denmark, and thus allowing its citizens to visit it regularly, the Ambassador replied: "Certainly, the proof is that I will invite Danish guests to visit Baalbek."In turn, Union Head Raad welcomed the Danish Ambassador and said, "We salute the efforts of the Governor of Baalbek-Hermel Bashir Khodr, which resulted in the classification of many European embassies of Baalbek as a green zone, after making sure it is safe and receives tourists and visitors of all nationalities with love and warm hospitality."

LF Media Department says attempt to destroy the military institution, tarnish its image and question its credibility is not permissible
NNA - Sat 14 Sep 2019
The Lebanese Forces Media Department denounced in an issued statement on Saturday "the ongoing attempts to involve the Lebanese army in the issue of Amer Fakhouri's entry into Lebanon...at a time when everyone in the country knows well that such things occur through clear political interferences."
The statement stressed that "the Lebanese Army remains at the forefront of the state's steadfast institutions, which still symbolize the existence of the Lebanese state." "It is not acceptable nor tolerable that some politicians would try to destroy the military institution, tarnish its image and question its credibility, morality and national priority for narrow personal purposes, as they did with other institutions," the LF statement strongly affirmed.

Jreissati from Ainab: Sorting from the source is a national duty, not an option
NNA - Sat 14 Sep 2019
Environment Minister Fadi Jreissati highlighted Saturday the need to adopt "sorting from the source" as a means to solve the country's waste problem and safeguard the environment, deeming it "a national duty and not an option." During his visit this morning to the Municipality of Ainab which has already taken on "sorting from the source" as a daily practice, Jreissati encouraged other municipalities to follow suit. Jreissati had a lengthy discussion on the subject with Municipalities Union Head in Souq al-Gharb and al-Shahar region, Ghazi al-Chaar, alongside members of the Municipal Council, several environmental activists and 'Human Land" Association ladies. "First of all, I would like to thank 'UN HABITAT' and this is the beginning of cooperation between us, a cooperation aimed at serving four municipalities on the issue of barrels and sorting from the source," said Jreissati. "The UN chose these towns," he went on, adding, "Unfortunately, we cannot serve the entire Lebanese regions, so we selected some model villages to witness this distinction...And I want you to know that there is a huge responsibility pinned on these villages, for if the experiment fails in any chosen village, it would impact our whole course in this respect!" "There is a decree on sorting that was passed and approved two weeks ago, within the plan endorsed by the state, and this is very essential because for the first time there is a decree and a legal framework for this issue...The subject of sorting from the source has become a national duty and no longer an option," he asserted. "The Lebanese citizen must take note of this distinction and know why sorting from the source is so important. We must change our customs and traditions in order to get rid of the waste crisis in Lebanon," Jreissati underlined. He commended the presence of women in the encounter at the Municipality, saying: "This is a very positive and helpful factor in sorting waste from the source."Jreissati also applauded the Municipality of Ainab, the Human Land Association, and all contributors to "this distinguished initiative that made a difference.""If we do not change our bad habits and decide that there is a quantity we can recycle...and if we do not proceed to sort from the source, we would be forced to lose more money and areas of land," cautioned the Environment Minister.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on September 14-15/2019
Israeli Cabinet Convenes in a Jordan Valley Settlement
Tel Aviv- Nazir Majli/Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi and Shin Bet Chief Nadav Argaman banned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from pledging to immediately annex the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea, political sources in Tel Aviv revealed Friday evening. The Israeli PM decided to hold the regular cabinet session on Sunday in a settlement in the Jordan Valley. Sources said that Netanyahu took his decision in this regard after realizing his chances of winning the election were slim. The Israeli PM intended to announce this during a press conference last Tuesday, with his bureau reporting that he would be delivering a “dramatic” statement. However, the conference was delayed one hour and a half, to figure out later on that a screaming match occurred between Netanyahu and Israeli security leaders who warned him of the consequences of this step.
This pushed him to back off, and announce his intention to take a decision to annex the Jordan Valley in case he wins the elections and forms the government. Security officials referred to the fact that such an announcement implies irresponsibility since it would lead to huge risks – Shin Bet and the army shared the same stance. This step would have political and security implications leading to blocking ties with the Palestinian Authority, warned security officials – they presented possible unfavorable scenarios of the immediate annexation of Jordan Valley to Israel without a full US support. Officials tackled the critical situation of Jordan's King Abdullah II, considering that this step would jeopardize his ruling and lead to abolishing Israel-Jordan peace agreement. The Israeli PM said to two newspapers, he had “persuaded Trump to recognize Jerusalem as our capital, move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, recognize our sovereignty in the Golan, get out of the horrible Iran deal and now I’m doing the same thing vis a vis the Jordan Valley, but also all the settlements inside and outside the blocs. This is crucial.” Meanwhile, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom collectively condemned Netanyahu's Tuesday announcement that Israel would annex a third of the West Bank if he was re-elected. The five European powers issued a statement on Thursday saying the move to bring the Jordan Valley and the area north of the Dead Sea under Israeli sovereignty would be a "serious breach of international law."They were "deeply concerned," the statement said, adding that they would "continue to call on all parties to refrain from actions in contravention of international law which would imperil the viability of a two-state solution, based on the 1967 lines." They concluded by renewing their "commitment to Israel's security," condemning "recent attacks on Israel from Gaza".

The big drone attack on Saudi oil facilities was launched by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis from… Iraq
DEBKAfile/September 14/2019
DEBKAfile Exclusive: Early Saturday, Sept. 14, Yemeni Houthi rebels fired at least 10 drones against the Saudi Aramco’s biggest oil facility and second largest oil field from Iraq. Our sources report that they used pro-Iranian Shiite militia bases in southern Iraq, instead of across the Yemen border. Huge fires blazed at Abqaiq, the largest crude oil stabilization plant in the world in the Eastern Province, and the Kurais oilfield some 60km to the southwest. The state-owned Aramco reported the fires were brought under control. Oil industry sources said the strikes had reduced Saudi oil production by five million barrels a day – nearly half the kingdom’s output. This was not just the most extensive Iranian-backed attack on Gulf oil targets since the first round in May, it also opened up Iraq on Saudi Arabia’s northern border as a second active front for meting out punishment to US allies for Washington’s sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports. The operation, the biggest scale conducted by the Houthis against the oil kingdom, bore the signature of Iran’s supreme Middle East commander and strategist, Al Qods chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani. It may be seen as Tehran’s reply to French efforts to bring about a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Hassan Rouhani. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is clearly against this meeting. This was not the first time that Soleimani orchestrated an attack on Saudi Arabi from Iraqi territory. On May 15, two Iranian explosive drones fired from Iraq damaged two pumping stations along the Aramco East-West pipeline running to the Yanbu oil terminal. That Iran now possesses a logistic infrastructure in Iraq for launching multiple armed UAV strikes against many points in the Middle East is seen as a dangerous development in Washington and Jerusalem. Israeli military sources commented on Saturday night that Israel might find it has become another target from that source. They noted that although the Saudis have advanced air defense weapons, drones on the offensive are difficult to detect and intercept. How to react to this new menace was discussed Saturday night in conversations President Trump had with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman and prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Yemeni Rebel Drones Spark Fires at Two Saudi Aramco Oil Factories
Associated Press/Naharnet/September 14/2019
Drone attacks sparked fires at two Saudi Aramco oil facilities on Saturday, the interior ministry said, the latest such assault claimed by Yemeni rebels as the energy giant prepares for a much-anticipated stock listing. Huge palls of smoke rose into the sky after the pre-dawn attacks on Abqaiq and Khurais, two major Aramco facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia, which follow a spike in regional tensions with Iran. The attacks highlight how the increasingly advanced weaponry of the Iran-linked Huthi rebels -- from ballistic missiles to unmanned drones -- poses a serious threat to oil installations in Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter. "At 4:00 am (0100 GMT) the industrial security teams of Aramco started dealing with fires at two of its facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais as a result of... drones," the interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. "The two fires have been controlled." The statement added that an investigation had been launched after the attack in the kingdom's Eastern Province, but did not specify the source of the drones. It also did not say if there were any casualties or whether operations at the two facilities had been affected. The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear as reporters were not allowed near the plants where Saudi authorities appeared to have beefed up security. In recent months, the Huthi rebels have carried out a spate of cross-border missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi air bases and other facilities in what they say is retaliation for a long-running Saudi-led bombing campaign on rebel-held areas in Yemen. The rebels launched "a large-scale operation involving 10 drones that targeted refineries in Abqaiq and Khurais in eastern Saudi Arabia", the group's Al-Masirah television reported.Last month, an attack claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels sparked a fire at Aramco's  Shaybah natural gas liquefaction facility -- close to the Emirati border -- but no casualties were reported by the company. Rebel drones also targeted two oil pumping stations on Saudi Arabia's key east-west pipeline in May, shutting it down for several days.
Rebel threat
The growing attacks underscore how Saudi infrastructure, including oil installations, are increasingly vulnerable to rebel attacks four years after a Saudi-led coalition launched a military intervention in Yemen. The Abqaiq facility, 60 kilometres (37 miles) southwest of Aramco's Dhahran headquarters, is home to the company's largest oil processing plant. It has been targeted by militants in the past. In an attack claimed by Al-Qaeda in February 2006, suicide bombers with explosive-laden vehicles attempted to penetrate the processing plant, killing two security guards. The two bombers also died in the attack, which failed to breach the compound, authorities reported at the time. In 2014, a Saudi court sentenced a man to death for links to the 2006 attack. Two other Saudis were jailed for 33 and 27 years respectively, state media reported. Khurais, 250 kilometres from Dhahran, hosts a major Aramco oil field.
Tensions in the Gulf have soared since May, with US President Donald Trump calling off air strikes against Iran at the last minute in June after it downed a US drone. The United States and Saudi Arabia have also blamed Iran for multiple attacks on tankers in the Gulf. The latest attacks come as Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter, accelerates preparations for a much-anticipated initial public offering of Aramco. The mammoth IPO forms the cornerstone of a reform programme envisaged by the kingdom's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a son of King Salman, to wean the Saudi economy off its reliance on oil. Aramco is ready for a two-stage stock market debut including an international listing "very soon", its CEO Amin Nasser told reporters on Tuesday.

Iranians Organize Exhibition at Congress Square for Victims of Mullahs’ Regime
Washington - Atef Abdullatif/Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
Iranian activists and members of the Iranian community in Washington have organized an exhibition at the US Congress Square for victims of Mullah’s regime. The event was held on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the political prisoners’ massacre committed by the Iranian regime against thousands of political activists in 1988. The exhibition displayed hundreds of pictures for the victims of the massacre, as well as a number of statues depicting some political prisoners who were victims of the regime’s violations, and scenes of torture and suffering. Chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engel affirmed the Congress’s support to the Iranian people in their legitimate demands to stop human rights violations committed by the regime. He pointed out that criminals who supervised these executions in 1988 have been assigned at the highest government positions in the Iranian regime. The Democratic Representative, Steve Cohen of Tennessee, also delivered a speech at the exhibition, condemning the Iranian regime's violations against the Iranian citizens’ rights. Deputy Director of the Washington office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran Alireza Jafarzadeh, for his part, stressed that the exhibition, which displays real pictures for the victims of Khomeini regime’s massacre, sends a message to the world that the Iranian people will not forget their cause against the regime. The aim of this exhibition, Jafarzadeh noted, is to motivate present and future generations to always remember what the Mullahs' regime has done against the Iranian people. He also pointed out that these violations are not over, and the main supervisors of these executions still hold the highest positions in their country, especially in the judiciary sector. Jafarzadeh called on a number of representatives of international non-governmental organizations and the United Nations to investigate the Mullah’s regime massacre and the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the Iranian regime. During their participation in the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, the representatives urged the international community to achieve justice and deter the Iranian regime in order not to repeat such crimes.

Iran Inks Deal to Develop Gas Field in Tense Gulf
Agence France Presse/Naharnet/September 14/2019
Two Iranian companies signed a $440 million agreement Saturday to develop a gas field in the sensitive Gulf, with the oil ministry saying it showed arch-foe the United States could not stop the country with sanctions. Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said the deal reached between two government-owned firms, Pars Oil and Gas Company and PetroPars, to develop the Balal field would be the first of many. Tensions have soared in the Gulf since last year when the US began reimposing sanctions on Iran after unilaterally withdrawing from a 2015 deal that put curbs on its nuclear programme."Signing this contract is ... the beginning of a process," Zanganeh said, quoted by the oil ministry's Shana website. "This is a sign that we are still functioning with sanctions at their peak ... We are alive, we are active and working for Iran's oil industry," the Iranian minister said. The sanctions, he added, "have not been able to stop the progress of Iranian oil industry and its development.""We don't want to boast, but the United States cannot stop Iranian oil exports."The Balal gas field is located 90 kilometres south of Lavan island in the Gulf. The deal aims to reach a production rate of 500 million cubic feet of gas per day over a 34-month period.

UAE Says 6 Troops Killed in 'Collision,' Without Elaborating
Associated Press/Naharnet/September 14/2019
Six Emirati troops have been killed in a "collision," the United Arab Emirates said Friday, without elaborating or offering a location or time for the incident that comes after the federation of sheikhdoms began pulling out of a Saudi-led war in Yemen. Details about what happened remained vague, with the state-run WAM news agency citing the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces for the information. However, Yemeni officials speaking to The Associated Press said the troops were killed in a road crash in southern Yemen. Among the six troops killed was a captain, the WAM report said, identifying those killed by name. "The General Command of the Armed Forces extends its condolences and sympathy to the families of the martyrs," its statement said. "May Allah Almighty grant them peace and forgiveness and life in paradise."The statement gave no details of the crash, nor the vehicles involved. Yemeni security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that the Emirati troops died in a traffic crash in Yemen's southern Shabwa province. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to journalists. The UAE entered Yemen's war in March 2015 alongside Saudi Arabia to back Yemen's internationally recognized government, which the Houthis rebels had pushed out of the capital, Sanaa. The Emirates largely has handled ground operations in Yemen's south in the conflict, while the Saudis have bombed from the air and handles operations in northern Yemen.
The war has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine and killed more than 90,000 people since 2015, according to the U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, or ACLED, which tracks the conflict. The UAE has not published overall casualty figures in the war. However, it has acknowledged individual incidents, the worst of which came in the war's opening months when 45 Emirati troops were killed by a rebel missile attack. It marked the deadliest day for its military in the 47-year history of the federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula home to Dubai.
The UAE has not publicly acknowledged how many troops it withdrew from Yemen since June. Yemeni officials have suggested Emirati troop strength has dropped by as much as 75% out of around 10,000 troops. The Emirati withdrawal followed rising tensions between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran's collapsing nuclear deal with world powers, suggesting Abu Dhabi worried about having forces at home in case an armed conflict broke out. While Emirati troops often weren't directly involved in front-line combat, they organized local forces and handled intelligence operations in Yemen's south. Those forces included separatists seeking their own nation who have swept into areas to seize control from Yemen's internationally recognized government, leading to clashes between the supposed allies.

West Expects Syria Crisis Standstill Until 2021 Presidential Elections
Beirut - Nazeer Rida/Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
Western states don’t foresee a radical solution to the Syrian crisis before the country’s next presidential elections in 2021, a Western diplomat told Asharq Al-Awsat. The diplomat expected a standstill as long as Russia continues to back Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad, who would prolong his country’s crisis if he announces his intention to run for another term. “Discussions on the political situation haven’t made any substantial progress,” he said. The deadlock comes as the regime sets the stage for a new military operation in the northwestern province of Idlib, the last stronghold of Syrian opposition.
“I am not sure if Russia is exerting enough efforts to convince the regime into changing its approach. Making headway hinges on a change in the regime’s behavior, which hasn’t happened in the past years, thus prolonging the crisis,” the diplomat told Asharq Al-Awsat. “There hasn’t been much strategic change, which is a hint on the prolongation of the status-quo until the presidential elections in 2021.”The West backs a political solution to the country’s war to avoid bloodshed and prevent a fresh wave of refugees who would not be welcomed by Turkey, said the diplomat. Western countries have rejected proposals made by Ankara to move Syrian refugees from Turkish territories to Kurdish-run areas east of the Euphrates river. Instead, they support a system for the displaced people to voluntarily go back to their towns and villages similar to what Lebanon has done, said the diplomat. Voluntary returns fall in line with international law, he added. But he revealed that western states have limited data on Syrians who have returned to their homes from Lebanon. According to the diplomat, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who is expected to visit Moscow, should urge Russia to contribute more to the return of refugees by pressuring the Assad regime into greater involvement in the search for a political solution to the country’s crisis. Moscow can exert influence on Damascus to provide a safer environment for the refugees, he said. On fears that the return of all displaced Syrians would take years, the diplomat said the process is linked to “fundamental changes,” lamenting that the current conditions in Syria do not encourage an immediate return.

Iraq: Prime Minister to Head to China to Sign MoUs
Baghdad- Fadhel al-Nashmi/Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
Iraqi political and economic circles are optimistic about the upcoming four-day visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to Beijing on September 19. It is reported in some economic circles that the visit will lead to the signing of about 30 memorandums of understanding (MoU) between Baghdad and Beijing including construction, services, trade, and industry. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said last week that Asia and Australia Department organized a consultative meeting for a number of representatives of Iraqi ministries and institutions. During the meeting, the officials discussed the MoUs to be signed during the PM’s visit to China. PM’s advisor Abdul-Hussein al-Hunayen said that Abdul Mahdi will head to China on the 19th of September chairing a large delegation including ministers, advisers and businessmen. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Hunayen said that the program of the visit includes major projects in roads, transportation, services, education, and health among others.He noted that both sides have prepared for the visit through continuous meetings with major Chinese companies, and the completion of the funding model through the Iraqi-Chinese joint reconstruction fund. During the visit, the advisor expects the officials to sign a number of contracts and major agreements in the sectors of industry and agriculture, construction of schools, hospitals, housing, roads, trains, and bridges. Hunayen also noted that Iraq is considering signing a number of agreements with US companies, such as Exxon Mobil, Gi Group, and others. In addition, Iraq opened its doors to neighboring countries for investments, namely Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Gulf countries, and Jordan. Earlier in April, a large delegation of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) visited Baghdad to discuss Chinese investments in the reconstruction of the liberated areas. The delegation met with Iraqi officials and discussed coordinating Iraqi-Chinese cooperation in the fields of reconstruction, security and economy. China's Ambassador to Iraq Zhang Tao told al-Sabah semi-official newspaper that the Chinese side attaches great importance to developing relations with Iraq and looks forward to seizing the opportunity of this visit to make joint efforts with the Iraqi side to further consolidate and deepen bilateral relations.Zhang expressed his hope that Abdul Mahdi's visit will contribute to upgrading the level of mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. He also hoped it will enhance human and cultural communication between the two friendly countries in the framework of the strategic partnership.

UN Chief Launches New Plan to ‘Counter Hate, Religious Violence’
Geneva- Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
Amidst a global call by Secretary-General António Guterres to “reaffirm the sanctity” of religious sites and keep worshippers safe, the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Thursday launched a new plan of action to “counter hate and violence around the globe”.
“Religious sites are powerful symbols of our collective consciousness”, said the UN chief. “When people are attacked because of their religion or beliefs, all of society is diminished”. Mr. Guterres underscored that houses of worship must be “safe havens for reflection and peace, not sites of bloodshed and terror” and all people “must be allowed to observe and practice their faiths in peace”. In the aftermath of horrific attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand; the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh; three Catholic churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday; and an increasing number of hate-based attacks targeting religious sites worldwide, the UNAOC was asked by the UN chief, to develop Thursday’s Plan of Action. According to the Secretary-General, this is complemented by the Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which coordinates efforts across the UN system to address the root causes of incendiary language and respond effectively. “Taken together, both plans provide important and mutually reinforcing new tools to combat intolerance and promote peaceful coexistence”, the UN chief said. He pointed out that in situations of armed conflict, “buildings dedicated to religion are specifically protected by international humanitarian law” and intentional attacks against them are war crimes. “The best way to overcome the threat of violence based on unacceptable forms of manipulation of religion and belief is by uniting our voices for good, countering messages of hate with messages of peace, embracing diversity as a richness not a threat, investing in social cohesion, and protecting human rights”, underscored Mr. Guterres. He maintained that “together we can help prevent attacks against religious sites and do our part to secure the safety of the faithful to worship in peace”.Through this Plan of Action, the UN is “taking an important step to advance that critical goal and address what has emerged as one of the leading global challenges of our era”, he asserted. “In these troubled times, let us keep working together to uphold the values that bind us as a single human family”, concluded the Secretary-General.

EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Says Many ISIS Militants Back From Conflict Zones
Brussels- Abdullah Mustafa/Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
Many ISIS members have actually returned to Europe, said EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles De Kerchove. He added that some have been killed in fighting areas and others’ fate is unknown as they might have gone to Libya or Afghanistan.
In his statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, De Kerchove warned of ISIS activities elsewhere, following their defeat in Syria and Iraq, with the continued activity of their leaders there so far. The European official pointed to the terrorist group’s activities in other parts of the world. His remarks were made on the sidelines of launching the first European anti-terrorism judicial record under the supervision of the European Justice Agency (Eurojust). Responding to a question on the importance of this judicial record, De Kerchove said it aims at linking parts of the case together in order to have access to its details. Intelligence and security agencies exchange information and this is what we need to do for judicial information, he explained. Such record allows concerned parties to know about the ongoing trials and verdicts, which facilitates linking figures and organizations and finding the relationship between terrorism and organized crime, he further noted. Regarding the return of European foreign fighters from conflict zones, he said “there is no unified decision on the European fighters detained in Syria and Iraq.”“European countries want to pursue their cases, and we are working to collect information that allows their prosecution.”
“We are also considering the possibility of their return, but, so far, there is no final decision at the level of the European Union on dealing with the European ISIS militants,” he stressed. De Kerchove pointed out that this case also has a humanitarian dimension, which is represented in ISIS militants’ widows and children and the difficult circumstances in which they live within camps opened to receive them. Regarding the possibility of prosecuting European fighters, he said: “we can help, and we will have a role.”“We have shown willingness to cooperate, and we have already made several contacts,” the EU official said. “It is important that in case these people returned, we have a judicial record including all the information about them.”Concerning fears of ISIS re-emergence in another country after its defeat in the border area between Syria and Iraq, he said ISIS already still exists through its influence on people in different parts of the world. He gave as an example the attack targeting a church in Sri Lanka, which killed a great number of civilians. “ISIS leaders are still active in several areas in Syria and Iraq and are developing terrorist schemes. So, it is not easy for anyone to say that ISIS is over.”It is noteworthy that a number of European capitals, including Brussels, The Hague, London, Paris, and others, have been facing great controversy for some time now on the issue of the return of ISIS militants’ widows and children. This controversy began to intensify after US President Donald Trump had called on European countries to receive 800 foreign fighters holding European nationality and were detained in Kurdish-controlled camps in northeastern Syria.

Turkey Orders Arrest of Military Personnel Over Suspected Gulen Links
Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
Turkey has ordered the arrest of 223 serving military personnel across the country and in the breakaway state of Northern Cyprus over suspected links to a network Ankara accuses of organizing an attempted coup in 2016, state media said on Saturday. Authorities are seeking the suspects across 49 provinces in Turkey and in Northern Cyprus, state broadcaster TRT Haber said, Reuters reported. It said 100 of those facing arrest were from the army, while 41 from the air force and 32 from the navy. Ankara blames US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the failed putsch on July 15, 2016. However, he has denied any involvement. Since the coup attempt more than 77,000 people have been jailed pending trial and about 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others have been sacked or suspended from their jobs. According to Reuters, Turkey’s Western allies and rights groups have criticized the scale of the crackdown, saying President Tayyip Erdogan has used the abortive coup as a pretext to quash dissent.

US TV Reveals Smuggling of ISIS Members to Europe
Washington - Mohammad Ali Salih/Asharq Al-Awsat/Saturday, 14 September, 2019
A US TV channel has revealed that there are terrorist networks in European countries that smuggle ISIS members from the Middle East. One of the network’s centers is Athens, Greece, the channel said. Anchor and Managing Editor at CBS News Norah O’Donnellhas conducted a video investigation into her efforts to uncover terrorist smuggling networks to Europe. After visiting areas in Syria, Iraq and Turkey, she headed towards Greece, where she met in Athens a person called “Alrayes,” who comes from North Africa and runs a smuggling syndicate, moving people from Athens to western Europe for around $8,000 each. “Human smuggling is a big business in Athens and CBS News has found evidence that ISIS members are being moved through Greece to the rest of Europe,” O’Donnell said. In central Athens, an area around Omonia Square is notorious as a center of criminal activity where human smuggling gangs operate, she reported. She filmed with a hidden camera and claimed she was an ISIS wife, who wanted safe passage to her home country, Germany. “From Athens, you go to Italy, and you arrive there in Italy. I have people will help you with everything. It's very easy,” Alrayes told her.
He said his usual customers are migrants and refugees, adding that hundreds of thousands have come to Greece from the Middle East, many making the crossing by boat from Turkey, Cyprus or small islands scattered in the Adriatic Sea. “They're dreaming of a better life in western Europe, he noted.
He even bragged that he'd smuggled three brothers of notorious al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, O’Donnell said, stressing that this cannot be confirmed. The smugglers use stolen identity documents, she said, adding that she went undercover, posing as a smuggler, and found criminals with hundreds of them for sale in Athens, including US passports. “Alrayes and other smugglers try to match their customers with an ID photo they resemble. Then, smugglers use the stolen documents to fly people from Athens to Spain or Italy, where they claim security is lax. From there, they can travel anywhere in western Europe with no border checks. According to the TV channel, the Greek police are targeting human smugglers and have made arrests. Several members of the ISIS terror cell, who carried out attacks in France and Belgium, came through Greece.

The Latest LCCC English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on September 14-15/2019
Iranian Tanker Fiasco Exposes Britain's Muddled Thinking
Con Coughlin/Gatestone Institute/September 14/2019
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14877/iran-britain-shipping-seizure
The ensuing diplomatic stand-off between London and Tehran eventually resulted in Britain agreeing to release the Grace One, but only after the British authorities received written assurances from Iran that the oil would not be delivered to Syria.
Now it appears that Iran has deliberately misled the British government about its intentions after satellite photographs revealed the ship, which has now been renamed the Adrian Darya 1, is in Syria, where its $130 million oil cargo has been handed over to the Assad regime.
"Anyone who said the Adrian Darya-1 wasn't headed to #Syria is in denial. Tehran thinks it's more important to fund the murderous Assad regime than provide for its own people. We can talk, but #Iran's not getting any sanctions relief until it stops lying and spreading terror!" — Ambassador John Bolton, then US National Security Advisor, September 7, 2019.
When Iran seized the British-registered tanker Stena Impero on July 19 as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, it caused deep embarrassment for the government of then British Prime Minister Theresa May, which had failed to put adequate measures in place to protect British shipping from any act of Iranian retaliation. Pictured: The Stena Impero and one of the Iranian gunboats that seized it. (Image source: Fars News/CC BY 4.0 [cropped])
The sorry saga of the Iranian oil tanker that was originally seized by Britain before making its way to Syria to unload its cargo in breach of EU sanctions highlights the confusion that lies at the heart of the British government's policy towards Tehran.
The Iranian-registered tanker, which at the time sailed under the name Grace One, was seized by British Royal Marines in early July off the coast of Gibraltar on suspicion that it was delivering its cargo of 2.1 million barrels of oil to Syria, a clear violation of EU sanctions that are in place against the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Iran responded two weeks later by seizing the British-registered tanker Stena Impero as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, thereby causing deep embarrassment for the government of then British Prime Minister Theresa May, which had failed to put adequate measures in place to protect British shipping from any act of Iranian retaliation.
The ensuing diplomatic stand-off between London and Tehran eventually resulted in Britain agreeing to release the Grace One, but only after the British authorities received written assurances from Iran that the oil would not be delivered to Syria.
Now it appears that Iran has deliberately misled the British government about its intentions after satellite photographs revealed the ship, which has now been renamed the Adrian Darya 1, is in Syria, where its $130 million oil cargo has been handed over to the Assad regime.
The ship's arrival in Syria has certainly caused deep embarrassment in London, where this week the Foreign Office issued a statement saying that Iran's actions represented an "unacceptable violation of international norms" and added that it would raise the issue at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab warned that, "We want Iran to come in from the cold, but the only way to do that is to keep its word and comply with the rules-based international system."
Iran, meanwhile, has refused to confirm that the oil was delivered to Syria, with a spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry saying only that the ship had delivered its cargo after docking "on the Mediterranean coast".
Iran's duplicity is nevertheless deeply humiliating for Britain, which has sought to maintain relations with Iran and continue to support the controversial nuclear deal with Tehran despite the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the agreement last year and impose fresh sanctions on Iran.
Washington was particularly keen that the Iranian tanker should not be allowed to deliver its cargo to Syria and, following the British government's decision to let it leave Gibraltar, threatened to impose sanctions against any European country that provided assistance to the tanker.
The news that the vessel had arrived in Syria provoked a strong reaction from then National Security Advisor John Bolton who, in one of his last acts before leaving the Trump administration earlier this week, directly criticised Britain's handling of the issue in a tweet:
"Anyone who said the Adrian Darya-1 wasn't headed to #Syria is in denial. Tehran thinks it's more important to fund the murderous Assad regime than provide for its own people. We can talk, but #Iran's not getting any sanctions relief until it stops lying and spreading terror!"
The affair certainly highlights the underlying tensions between Washington and London over the Iran issue, with Britain still refusing to support Washington's more robust approach despite being on the receiving end of numerous acts of provocation on behalf of Tehran.
Apart from the seizure in the Strait of Hormuz of the British-registered tanker -- which is still being held in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas despite the release of the Iranian vessel -- Iran has detained a number of British nationals on a trumped-up charge of spying.
British officials have also spent the past three years attempting to secure the release from Tehran of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian woman who is being held, apparently for a time chained to a bed in a psychiatric ward in Evin prison, after being convicted of spying, charges which she denies.
Now the Iranians have seized Jolie King, a British-Australian blogger, and her boyfriend after they were found camping close to an Iranian military base. The Iranians have informed Miss King that they will free her as part of a prisoner swap for an Iranian mother currently being held in the U.S., prompting British campaigners to accuse Tehran of pursuing "state-sponsored kidnap".
Despite these constant acts of provocation by Iran, however, the British government mystifyingly remains committed to upholding the 2015 nuclear deal, insisting that it is the best means of maintaining a dialogue with Tehran.
*Con Coughlin is the Telegraph's Defence and Foreign Affairs Editor and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute.
© 2019 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

Wisdom That Transcends Time: Self Esteem and Public Service
Lawrence Kadish/Gatestone Institute/September 14/2019
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/14879/self-esteem-public-service
"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." — Socrates, "On Personal Service," 469-399 BCE.
"With no attempt there can be no failure; with no failure no humiliation. So our self-feeling in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do." — William James, "The Strangest Lightness."
Those in public service have a daily opportunity either to welcome that challenge of advancing our nation or to retreat into mediocrity.... [I[t becomes evident that securing self-esteem is the true benefit from such a career and one that every public servant should aspire to.
"You will learn that those with ideas and enthusiasm to work hard and improve services may be ostracized by the status quo elements.... Set goals, dream big, and ask 'why not.' Maintain an exemplary standard of ethics. Begin with the end in your sights. And, above all, maintain your sense of humor!" — Larry J. Gordon, Gordon Visiting Professor, UNM School of Public Administration, 1994 Commencement Address.
When it came to the role of teachers in our society, Socrates knew exactly what their role was. He observed, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." Pictured: The Statue of Socrates, by Leonidas Drosis (d. 1880), at the Academy of Athens.
That most precious of resources, time, gives us the means to think, ponder, reflect and acquire that most coveted of treasures: wisdom. The thought-provoking writings of three eminent scholars -- Socrates, William James and Larry J. Gordon -- bridge the centuries to provide us with the means better to understand ourselves and our era. Take the time to read their essays.
When it came to the role of teachers in our society, Socrates knew exactly what their role was. He observed, "Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." He reminded all of us that the educator's real goal is to excite a student with the love of learning -- perhaps one of the most crucial responsibilities in any society. More than any paycheck, pension or summer recess, creating a legacy that ensures a new generation will welcome that "flame" of wisdom elevates our teachers far beyond measure, a fact too often lost amidst the debate over benefits and course curriculum.
One can make that argument for all those who are in public service, whose responsibilities are meant to advance our nation, protect our future and better the lives of our fellow citizens. These careers offer a benefit that is far beyond measure -- self-esteem -- and the knowledge that they have the means to "kindle a flame" that shines a bright and lasting light on democracy.
William James
Eminent 19th Century American Psychologist and Philosopher; Author of "Principals of Psychology" and "Pursuit of Happiness", William James offers insightful writings on the subject of unpretentious success, our pursuit of a higher purpose and the self-esteem and personal happiness that come about as a result of those achievements. His commentary will continue to address the mysteries of our mind for generations to come.
As published in the 1962 Edition of "The Practical Cogitator"
How To Compose Your Life
The Strangest Lightness
William James
I am often confronted by the necessity of standing by one of my empirical selves and relinquishing the rest. Not that I would not, if I could, be both handsome and fat and well-dressed, and a great athlete, and make a million a year, be a wit, a bon vivant, and a lady-killer, as well as a philosopher, a philanthropist, statesman, warrior, African explorer, as well as a "tone poet" and saint. But the thing is simply impossible. The millionaire's work would run counter to the saint's; the bon vivant and the philanthropist would trip each other up; the philosopher and the lady-killer could not well keep house in the same tenement of clay. Such different character may conceivably at the outset of life be alike possible to a man. But to make any one of the actual, the rest must more or less be suppressed. So the seeker of his truest, strongest, deepest self must review the list carefully, and pick out the one on which to stake his salvation. All other selves thereupon become unreal, but the fortunes of this self are real. Its failures are real failures, its triumphs real triumphs, carrying shame and gladness with them. This is as strong an example as there is of that selective industry of the mind on which I insisted some pages back. Our thought, incessantly deciding among many things of a kind, which ones for it shall be realities, here chooses one many possible selves or characters, and forthwith reckons it no shame to fail in any of those not adopted expressly as its own.
I, who for the time have staked my all on being a psychologist, am mortified if others know much more psychology than I. But I am contended to wallow in the grossest ignorance of Greek. My deficiencies there give me no sense of personal humiliation at all. Had I "pretentions" to be a linguist, it would have been just the reverse. So we have the paradox of a man shamed to death because he is only the second pugilist or the second oarsman in the world. That he is able to beat the whole population of the globe minus one is nothing; he has "pitted" himself to beat that one; and as long as he doesn't do that nothing else counts. He is to his own regard as if he were not, indeed he is not.
Yonder puny fellow, however, whom everyone can beat, suffers no chagrin about it, for he has long ago abandoned the attempt to "carry that line," as the merchants say, of self at all. With no attempt there can be no failure; with no failure no humiliation. So our self-feeling in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do. It is determined by the ratio of our actualities to our supposed potentialities; a fraction of which our pretentions are the denominator and the numerator our success: thus,
Self-esteem = Success
Such a fraction may be increased as well by diminishing the denominator as by increasing the numerator. To give up pretentions is as blessed a relief as to get them gratified; and where disappointment is incessant and the struggle unending, this is what men will always do. The history of evangelical theology, with its conviction of sin, its self-despair, and its abandonment of salvation by works is the deepest of possible examples, but we meet others in every walk of life. There is the strangest lightness about the heart when one's nothingness in a particular line is once accepted in good faith.
Professor Larry J. Gordon's 1994 presentation to graduating students
The commencement address offered by Professor Larry Gordon remains a powerful and cogent reminder of how those in public service have a daily opportunity either to welcome that challenge of advancing our nation or to retreat into mediocrity. Upon reviewing his remarks it becomes evident that securing self-esteem is the true benefit from such a career and one that every public servant should aspire to.
PUBLIC SERVICE: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
1994 Commencement Address
UNM School of Public Administration Larry J. Gordon
Visiting Professor
Published in Public Administration Times, 1994
Congratulations to you graduates, and your families and friends for their support during the years you have spent in pursuit of public administration knowledge and skills while earning your graduate degrees and enhancing your professional opportunities in public service.
Many of you know that the novel Ben Hur was written by Lew Wallace. You may not know this novel was written while Lew Wallace was a United States Territorial Governor for New Mexico from 1878 to 1881. Some allege that Lew Wallace wasn't much of a Governor, but was a hell'uva writer. Relevant to today's events, it was Governor Lew Wallace who wrote:
"Every calculation based on experience elsewhere fails in New Mexico."
And I believe it was Mexican Territorial Governor Manuel Armijo who, about 1846, opined:
"Poor little New Mexico, so far from Heaven, so close to Texas."
You will continue to learn that the statements or practices of both of these Governors still have relevance to the field of public service practice in New Mexico. If you don't already know it, you will also learn that the legislative process in New Mexico is firmly rooted in the traditional pork system which was practiced and perfected by Governor Manuel Armijo almost 150 years ago!
I encourage each of you to choose, or continue, a career in the public sector. The work is reimbursed inadequately, is varied, can be challenging, and is frequently useful to society. There can be remarkable opportunities to make your marks and do something constructive and noteworthy. Or, depending on your own abilities, positions, and ambitions (or lack thereof), you may find disillusionment in public service. However, disillusionment may also be experienced in the private sector. You will find that both the public and private sectors present many elements of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
You are now super-saturated with knowledge of public administration theory and principles, ready to fill key, responsible, administrative positions in public sector organizations. But your educations have only begun, as there are many things you will learn as you engage in public service practice and attain increasing leadership responsibilities.
You will learn of incompetence, greed, administrative and organizational stupidity and inflexibility, as well as turf protection not in the public's best interest. But these ills are also found in the private sector.
You will learn that public policy and budgets are seldom the result of any rational public administration model, but are more commonly the results of raw political power, frequently exercised to help insure the continued re-election of some incumbent elected official who knows that he or she will reap electoral rewards from constituents.
You will learn that the public sector, like the private sector, has too many who protect the status quo, and don't wish to rock the boat or make any waves.
You will learn that those with ideas and enthusiasm to work hard and improve services may be ostracized by the status quo elements.
You will learn that many employees in any organization passively ignore the dictates of top management, knowing that they will still be feeding at the public trough when top management is changed by the broom of another new governor or mayor.
You will learn that many of your fellow employees demonstrate better recall of the phone numbers of their personal attorneys than their knowledge and understanding of their public service responsibilities, and that they know more about their perceived "rights" than their professional obligations.
You will learn that many in the public sector want to be considered professionals and reimbursed accordingly, but behave more like hourly employees when it comes to work performance and insuring that the job gets done regardless of the additional time and effort required.
You will learn that many individuals are promoted to positions beyond their levels of competence in accordance with the Peter Principle.
You will learn that many public servants feel that government owes them employment regardless of their abilities or lack thereof. Experience suggests they may be correct in this belief, as they always manage to feed at the public trough in some position no matter who is in power.
You will learn that every organization is subsidizing numerous incompetent employees who should have been dismissed, but remain in some position because management has not taken appropriate dismissal action, or has found it impossible to remove the incompetents for any of a number of reasons.
You will learn that in the public sector as is in the private sector there is a significant paucity of vision and leadership, as many in the work force are more interested in job security and longevity than the difficult and controversial measures essential to improve public services.
As you rise to positions of leadership and offer testimony to legislative and other policy bodies, you will learn that many legislators use state employees as political targets at which to direct their political differences with any incumbent governor. The same pattern prevails for relationships between department heads, councilors and mayors at the local level.
You will learn that expensive programs and requirements are frequently developed before the perceived problem to be solved is properly assessed, and that many groups appear to have solutions already designed just waiting for the rumor of a problem.
You will learn that a large percentage of public employees seem to believe that working hours begin as they leave their homes, rather than when they arrive at the work place ready to begin.
You will learn that many officials believe that any problem can be solved by throwing money at it.
You will learn that some expensive programs simply exacerbate the problem that is supposed to be solved.
You will learn that program evaluation is a rarity, and is threatening to many involved in administering programs that should evaluated and possibly changed or abolished.
You will learn that a program in motion tends to remain in motion in a straight line unless impeded by an equal and opposite force and that such equal and opposite forces are seldom generated.
You will learn that the fiscal beneficiaries of some services are beginning to outnumber those who pay the taxes to support such activities.
You will learn that the knowledge and skills of many personnel are sadly antiquated, that all personnel need periodic re-treading to keep current, and that government simply cannot afford not to invest in continuing in-service training.
You will learn that many personnel have become "root bound" in their positions and should be periodically "re-potted" to revitalize their potentials.
You will learn that many editors and reporters believe they can sell more papers by constantly criticizing public agencies and officials. They seldom praise anyone in the public sector for all the things that are working well. They frequently make one wonder why he or she chose a public service career, and the media contribute substantially to the public's opinion of public employees.
In technical and scientific matters, you will learn that there is frequently a gulf of difference between public hysteria and scientific opinion. But in a democracy, it is public opinion that determines public priorities.
You will learn that, in general, public agencies and personnel do a poor job of informing the public, and communicating risk and relative risk.
You will learn that there is little or no relationship between the work to be done and the size of the staff to which it may be assigned, and that the number of personnel and the quality of work to be accomplished are not related.
You will learn that public employees are perceived to be public property, and they must be chary in their public actions and pronouncements.
You will learn that effective practice in the public sector has different complexities and requires different knowledge, skills and abilities than practice in the private sector. Anyone who alleges that government can be managed like a business is displaying ignorance.
The foregoing are only examples and are based on education I have received in a long career of public service. Further, these few examples are only the tip of the iceberg. But in one way or another, most of these ills are found in any large organization.
I was privileged to practice in the field of public service for 38 years. Despite the foregoing examples, I would serve again given the youth and opportunity. I am proud of my accomplishments, but I also learned from my many failures and mistakes. I have no hesitancy encouraging careers in public service. Opportunities for success and recognition abound for every bad or ugly practice or shortcoming such as those I have mentioned.
As you engage in the cause of public service, I wish to note one observation, and three principles for your edification. The observation is that:
Virtually all of the principals and most of the practices of administration are well known to children by the time they enter junior high school, learned as they participated in games and were programmed to respond to bells and whistles before concepts and ideas. Almost any concept of administration that is reduced to plain English elicits the response, "Oh yeah, I knew that." Everyone knows these things because they have already been administered.
The three principles I wish to communicate delineate the characteristics of a good administrator. They are:
1. The good administrator is lovable. Staff will customarily do their tasks for money, but they only knock themselves out for love.
2. The good administrator is ruthless. A commonplace observation is that the administrator must be prepared to sell his grandmother into slavery if this will further the mission of the organization. Because people who are both lovable and ruthless are relatively rare, good administrators are not common.
3. The good administrator is independently wealthy. The administrator who is unduly concerned over a mortgage or educating his or her children is usually in no position to hang tough when his supervisor's stupidity becomes intolerable. In business and industry, the stock option helps. In government, the protection afforded by a personnel system may be preferable to no system. In academia, tenure may be preferable to no system.
I encourage you to bury the notion that managers in the public sector are inferior. We should recognize that government will respond to good administrative practices. We should recognize that being a competent professional manager does not depend on mastering a particular technical system, but is based on applying the work of management in the areas of planning, organizing, leading and controlling.
I encourage you to seek out the most competent, initiate professional relationships, seek mentors, and be constantly inquisitive. As you earn positions of influence and leadership, devote time and effort to mentoring others. Propose improvements, involve others in the community, and develop linkages with other public and private sector interests. Ignore gossip, as it is titillating in the short run, demoralizing in the long run, and takes away from positive endeavors. Set goals, dream big, and ask "why not." Maintain an exemplary standard of ethics. Begin with the end in your sights. And, above all, maintain your sense of humor!
I encourage each of you to adopt a personal career mission of enhancing the good, and reducing the bad and the ugly wherever you apply your professional talents. Remember that every problem provides an opportunity for improvement in the public service. And remember that choices between the status quo and progress are yours.
The future of public service is bright for those who have the necessary enthusiasm, vision, knowledge, skills, and who demonstrate leadership. Leadership on the road to improved public service is not an easy route. Leadership requires time, leadership requires commitment, and leadership requires energy. There are many potholes in the course of providing effective, priority services. The journey requires vision and steadfastness of purpose, as it is beset by difficult pressures, tempting comfortable detours, political surprises, and frequently offers no short term gratification or pay-off. There are no rest stops along the way.
The faculty of the School of Public Administration wishes each of you a constructive, ethical, and productive journey as you provide leadership in the realm of public service.
As we consider these commentaries we are reminded that we are fortunate to be in a nation that welcomes diversity of thought: an American heritage that honors our founding fathers' legacy of freedom and the patriots who continue to protect and strengthen our country. They are heroes all, and we are morally obligated to sustain their gift of a free and vibrant democracy.
Lawrence Kadish is a real estate developer, entrepreneur, and founder and president of the Museum of American Armor in Old Bethpage, Long Island, New York.
© 2019 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

Despite John Bolton exit, don't expect thaw in US-Iran relations
Raghida Dergham/The National/September 14/2019
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/78522/%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%ba%d8%af%d8%a9-%d8%af%d8%b1%d8%ba%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a8%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%ad%d9%82%d8%a7%d9%82-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%aa%d8%ae%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d9%88%d9%81/
dent Donald Trump is not likely to be dragged into a war, but robust policy towards Tehran is expected to continue.
With US national security adviser John Bolton having recently departed the White House, the question being asked is whether president Donald Trump will decide to soften the hardline approach taken by his administration in dealing with an uncertain world or if he will stay the course.
It is hard to determine whether Mr Bolton resigned or was dismissed. Either way, the vacuum left by his exit might give the mercurial president a free hand to intervene in matters regarding foreign policy that could have profound consequences. Regardless of their differences or Mr Bolton's quirks, he did manage to protect his boss from making mistakes while guaranteeing consistency in US foreign policy. But with him gone, will there be shifts in American behaviour towards Iran, Afghanistan, Venezuela and North Korea?
The two men had been divided on how to deal with the world at large. Mr Trump places great emphasis on the art of deal-making for he views himself as a good negotiator but his brand of deal-making applies more to the business world than it does to foreign affairs. Brokering deals requires flexibility and Mr Bolton proved an obstacle in this regard because he valued consistency and toughness even more.
That said, one country towards which Mr Trump is unlikely to change his robust policy is Iran.
Thus far, he has avoided military strikes against the regime, despite concerns Tehran has been accumulating ballistic missiles, which prompted Mr Trump to shred the 2015 nuclear deal struck by his predecessor. While maintaining effective sanctions against the Iranian regime, as well as against militia groups it sponsors in the Middle East – including Hezbollah in Lebanon – Mr Trump has now signalled an openness to talk to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the hope of reaching a more comprehensive deal than the one Barack Obama secured.
How will Bolton's departure affect US foreign policy?
Given that he is up for re-election next year, Mr Trump will be determined not to be dragged into a war with the Iranians. But securing a grand bargain with the regime will be a daunting challenge for his administration.
In response to the recent US pull-out, the Iranian regime has threatened to withdraw from the 2015 deal altogether and resume its nuclear activities. This is seen as a way to push the European parties to the deal to come up with ways to circumvent US sanctions while at the same time applying pressure on Mr Trump to soften his stance. This tactic has worked to the extent that the US president has expressed a willingness to talk.
France, meanwhile, offered Iran access to $15 billion in credit to stave off economic collapse, if Tehran returns to the terms of the deal and negotiates over security issues, including its regional policies. However, according to a source in Washington, the US has made it clear to French President Emmanuel Macron that his plan is unacceptable. The US reportedly told Mr Macron that it does not need him “to build a bridge” between Washington and Tehran, just for the sake of having a sit-down with the Iranian leadership.
There have been suggestions that a US-Iran meeting is possible on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting later this month in New York. The US sees this as an opportunity for dialogue but will not lift sanctions just to entertain the notion of having talks. That puts the US at odds with the position expressed by Mr Rouhani, who has insisted on the lifting of sanctions as a prelude to any talks. The question therefore is how this gap can be bridged, particularly with the French initiative dead in the water.
Meanwhile next week, even as the name of Mr Bolton's successor is expected to be announced, meetings are being scheduled to review US policy on Iran, following which new sanctions could be unveiled.
Sources have said even if a meeting were to be held between Mr Trump and Mr Rouhani, it would not be a significant nor substantial one, given that the US president will present a list of demands that Tehran is unlikely to accept. The broad outlines of these demands are already known: to renegotiate the parameters of the nuclear deal, halt the development and testing of ballistic missiles, and end support for groups Washington designates as terror organisations, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, in addition to Iran-backed paramilitaries such as the PMF in Iraq.
These militia groups have recently restated their loyalty to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as to the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In a speech this week marking the Shia Muslim celebration of Ashura, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said his party would accept being killed 1,000 times by the “Americans and Zionists” rather than abandon Mr Khamenei, whom he called the heir of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. Mr Nasrallah said his “axis of resistance” was prepared to take part in any war on behalf of Iran.
That Mr Nasrallah declared loyalty to Iran rather than his native Lebanon was telling, even more so at a time when David Schenker, the US assistant secretary for near eastern affairs, was making his first visit to Beirut. It was met with a robust response, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reportedly calling for a “gloves-off approach” against Hezbollah and its backers. Mr Schenker himself told Lebanese officials: “The window of opportunity is still open but it has started to close. All those concerned must know we are very serious."
This could mean more sanctions. What is troubling, however, is whether it would translate to more than that.
Mr Schenker's Lebanon visit was purportedly to highlight the danger of Hezbollah's actions across the region, said to include manufacturing precision rockets in Lebanon. Lebanese leaders have been warned that unless they take action to rein in the group, their country could experience an outbreak of war. Confrontation remains a possibility.