English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For January 24/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the
lccc Site
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/aaaanewsfor2025/english.January24.25.htm
News Bulletin Achieves
Since 2006
Click Here to enter the LCCC Arabic/English news bulletins Achieves since 2006
Click On
The Below Link To Join Eliasbejjaninews whatsapp group
https://chat.whatsapp.com/FPF0N7lE5S484LNaSm0MjW
اضغط
على الرابط في
أعلى للإنضمام
لكروب
Eliasbejjaninews whatsapp group
Elias Bejjani/Click
on the below link to subscribe to my youtube channel
الياس
بجاني/اضغط
على الرابط في
أسفل للإشتراك في
موقعي ع اليوتيوب
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOOSioLh1GE3C1hp63Camw
Bible Quotations For today
The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of
the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest
Matthew 09/36-38: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for
them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are
few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his
harvest"
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on January 23-24/2025
Videos/Faisal bin Farhan from Baabda: A Strong and Unwavering
Support for Joseph Aoun
PM-designate Nawaf Salam confirms to Saudi FM his determination to implement
reforms in Lebanon
President Aoun to Saudi FM: Strengthening bilateral ties and revitalizing Saudi
presence in Lebanon
Saudi FM meets Speaker Nabih Berri, PM-designate Nawaf Salam in Beirut
Lebanon: Aoun Says Govt Formation Must Not Be Delayed by Sectarian Demands
Hezbollah Urges Lebanese State to Push for Israel’s Pullout
Israel Sees More to Do on Lebanon Ceasefire
5 Treated after Stabbing in South London, 1 Man Arrested
Beware of Squandering this Opportunity and Failing to Live Up the Aspirations of
the Lebanese!/Hanna Saleh/Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Aoun urges UNHCR chief to organize the return of Syrian refugees/NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab
News/January 23, 2025
Syrians and Lebanese Slaying Their Three Golden Calves/Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al
Awsat/January 23/2025
Critical decision ahead: Israel seeks US approval to extend South Lebanon
withdrawal
Slow and steady progress: Political negotiations drag on as Lebanon seeks new
government
Lebanon’s inflation rate drops to 45% in 2024, marking a return to double-digit
figures
Geagea Expresses Cautious Optimism About Lebanon's Future
Oil exploration file: TotalEnergies' return to Lebanon dependent on security and
reform efforts
Excuse me, Mr. Speaker Berri... The finance portfolio was not "decided" in Taif
for the Shiites/Jean Feghali/Nidaa Al-Watan/January 24, 2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on January 23-24/2025
Trump designates Yemen's Houthis as a 'foreign terrorist
organization'
Donald J. Trump Re-designates the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
Israeli Foreign Minister Welcomes Trump’s Decision to Designate Houthis as
Terrorist Organization
Middle East leaders at Davos: Sustainable peace must be homegrown, not imposed
‘Killed, maimed, frozen to death’: UN Security Council meets to discuss plight
of Gaza’s kids
Gaza ceasefire ‘wouldn’t have happened without us,’ Trump tells WEF
Gaza Ceasefire Traps Netanyahu between Trump and Far-right Allies
Bereaved Gazans Dig Out Bodies from City Ruins, Give Them Graves
Iraq’s FM: Israeli-Russian Hostage Tsurkov is Alive
US Top Diplomat Rubio Discusses Iran, Gaza Hostages with Israeli PM
Continued denial of Palestinian statehood is threat to global security, says
Arab league chief
Saudi Crown Prince, Rubio Discuss Ways to Enhance Cooperation
Saudi Crown Prince, Trump Discuss Expanding Partnership Between the 2 Countries
Commercial Plane from Türkiye Lands in Damascus for 1st Time in 13 Years
Oil Prices Held Down by Trump Tariff Uncertainty
Trump Announces Private-sector $500 Billion Investment in AI Infrastructure
5 Treated after Stabbing in South London, 1 Man Arrested
A federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s executive order ending birthright
citizenship
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources on January 23-24/2025
For Peace in the Middle East, Trump Must Move the US Al-Udeid Air Base
from Qatar to the United Arab Emirates/Robert Williams/Gatestone
Institute./January 23, 2025
Middle East and Islam Specialist...Your Time Has Come, Worshippers of the
Cross’/Raymond Ibrahim/Coptic Solidarity/January 23/2025
Realism and the Surreal in Gaza’s Tragedy/Bakir Oweida/Asharq Al Awsat/January
23/2025
GCC’s role in shaping an ethical AI framework/Paul Almeida/Arab News/January 23,
2025
Rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure a critical priority/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab
News/January 23, 2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on January 23-24/2025
Videos/Faisal bin Farhan from Baabda: A Strong and Unwavering
Support for Joseph Aoun
Lyne Sammouri & Rayan Chami/This is
Beirut/January 23/2025
https://youtu.be/ObMeTrKQol8
In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al
Saud concluded his visit to Baabda, where he met with newly elected President
Joseph Aoun. This visit marks a historic moment, as it is the first time in 15
years that a high-ranking Saudi diplomat has visited Beirut.
During the visit, Minister bin Farhan reiterated Saudi Arabia’s unwavering
support for President Aoun and emphasized the importance of strengthening ties
between the two nations. The discussions focused on enhancing political,
economic, and security cooperation, signaling a renewed commitment to Lebanon's
stability and future. This visit underscores ongoing efforts to rebuild
Lebanon’s relations with key Arab states, particularly as the country faces
significant political and economic challenges. Throughout his visit, Minister
bin Farhan is also meeting with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri, and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
What the Visit Represents
Prince Faisal's visit to Beirut is viewed as a friendly overture, signaling that
Saudi Arabia is keen to build stronger ties with Lebanon. Riyadh’s re-engagement
may also encourage other Arab nations to play a more active role in Lebanon’s
recovery. Observers see the visit as a potential turning point in relations,
reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a key player in regional geopolitics. While
immediate results are not expected, the visit itself represents a significant
step toward rebuilding trust and cooperation between the two nations.
Prince Faisal: A Seasoned Diplomat
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who has served as Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister
since 2019, is a key figure in shaping the kingdom’s evolving foreign policy.
His tenure is seen as pragmatic, focusing on economic diversification and
modernization in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Born in 1974, Prince
Faisal studied management and international politics, laying the foundation for
his distinguished career. Before becoming foreign minister, he served as Saudi
Arabia’s ambassador to Germany and held key advisory positions within the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His extensive experience in navigating complex
international relations has made him a trusted figure in managing sensitive
diplomatic engagements.
What Lebanon Hopes to Gain
For Lebanon, this visit brings a glimmer of hope amid its ongoing crises. The
country’s dire economic situation, compounded by political stagnation and the
aftermath of recent conflicts, has left its citizens in urgent need of
international support. Saudi Arabia’s involvement could unlock opportunities for
aid, investment, and collaboration on key reforms. While the symbolic importance
of the visit is significant, Lebanon’s path to recovery will depend on concrete
financial assistance and political backing to address the many challenges it
faces.
PM-designate Nawaf Salam confirms to Saudi FM his
determination to implement reforms in Lebanon
LBCI/January 23, 2025
Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam met with Saudi Foreign Minister
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Thursday evening at his residence in Kraytem. Saudi
envoy Yazid bin Farhan and Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari attended
the meeting. During the meeting, Prince Faisal congratulated Salam on his
appointment and reaffirmed the Kingdom's support for Lebanon. He urged Lebanese
leaders to prioritize national interest over narrow political considerations and
to advance the necessary reforms. Salam welcomed the Saudi minister,
highlighting the significance of the visit, which comes 15 years after the last
visit of a Saudi foreign minister to Lebanon. He emphasized Lebanon's
exceptional opportunity and his commitment to capitalize on it in full
cooperation with President Joseph Aoun. The PM-designate reiterated his
determination to implement essential political, judicial, administrative, and
financial reforms. He also expressed his commitment to restoring Lebanon's
natural place within the Arab world and reviving its role alongside its Arab
brethren.
President Aoun to Saudi FM: Strengthening bilateral ties
and revitalizing Saudi presence in Lebanon
LBCI/January 23, 2025
President Joseph Aoun expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations between
Lebanon and Saudi Arabia during a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince
Faisal bin Farhan at Baabda Palace. He emphasized the importance of expanding
cooperation across all sectors and welcomed the return of Saudi citizens to
Lebanon. Aoun also extended his gratitude to the Kingdom for its continued
support in helping Lebanon, particularly ending the presidential vacuum.
The Lebanese president reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the principles
outlined in his inauguration speech, stating that it reflected the will of the
Lebanese people and their priorities. He highlighted the key focus areas for the
upcoming phase, including reconstruction, economic recovery, and support for the
Lebanese army and security institutions.
Saudi FM meets Speaker Nabih Berri, PM-designate Nawaf
Salam in Beirut
LBCI/January 23, 2025
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, met with Parliament
Speaker Nabih Berri at the second presidency headquarters in Ain el-Tineh, then
visited Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at his Kraytem residence. He left
the two meetings without providing any statement.
Lebanon: Aoun Says Govt Formation Must Not Be Delayed by
Sectarian Demands
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun said on Thursday that the
formation of the government must not be delayed because of sectarian and
political complexities, urging the parliamentary blocs to ease the formation
process.
“We have just begun restoring the trust between the people and the state. We
wish to form a new government that meets the aspirations of the people as
quickly as possible”, said Aoun on Wednesday. He added that extending bridges of
trust with the Arab and Western worlds is attainable only if sincere intentions
for the good of public interest are there. Aoun emphasized that the swift
formation of a new government gives a positive signal to the whole world, while
obstructions and delaying the process because of narrow political and sectarian
demands does the opposite. Lawmakers from the Change Bloc, who had a major role
in unifying the ranks of the opposition and garner support for naming Judge
Nawaf Salam for the premiership, reject demands for sectarian and partisan
quotas to ease the formation process. They say that the mechanism to form a
government should strictly adhere to competency.Recent reports emerged lately
that lawmakers of the Change Bloc want to have two or three ministerial seats in
the new lineup, but the MPs themselves denied that. “We don’t want a ministerial
share, plus we reject the notion of quotas. We only take the share we want when
we rebuild a country that we aspire for, and when competent and ethical
ministers are appointed”, MP Paula Yacoubian of the Change Bloc told Asharq al-Awsat.
MP Firas Hamdan, also of the Change Bloc, reiterated what Yacoubian said. He
told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Change lawmakers do not want ministerial
portfolios or any share in the coming government. He said the bloc refuses the
formation of a government based on sectarian and political quotas, akin to old
formation practices. “These have proven to be failed practices”, he said. In
order to swiftly form a government and garner confidence for Salam’s government,
Hamdan said that the political blocs must bear responsibility in front of the
people and the international community and ease the formation. Director of the
Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs, Dr. Sami Nader, said in remarks to
Asharq Al-Awsat that lawmakers of the Change Bloc had a major role in bringing
Salam to his post.
“But the question is: will the new regime be one that will bring change, or will
it replicate the former rule? If the next scenario is the case, then we can
treat the Change Bloc as we treat any other party or political group that gets
appeased with ministerial representation. This would be regretful because it
would only mean that we went back to the system of quotas”, he stated.
Hezbollah Urges Lebanese State to Push for Israel’s Pullout
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Hezbollah said on Thursday that Israel has to completely withdraw from Lebanon
as the 60-day period in a ceasefire deal comes to an end, adding that the
Lebanese state should push for guarantee for the withdrawal. The Iran-backed
group also said in a statement that it was following developments and any breach
to the agreement would not be accepted. Israel and Hezbollah agreed in November
to an American- and French-mediated ceasefire, bringing an end to more than a
year of fighting. Under the deal, Israeli forces were to withdraw from Lebanon
and Hezbollah forces were to withdraw from south of the Litani river over the
60-day period ending next Monday morning. Hezbollah said in its statement that
it was the Lebanese state’s responsibility to act and press the countries
sponsoring the ceasefire agreement should Israel delay its military pullout from
south Lebanon. Caretaker National Defense Minister Maurice Sleem on Thursday met
with acting Army Commander Major General Hassan Audi at his office in Yarzeh to
discuss the situation in southern Lebanon and the implementation stages of the
ceasefire arrangements. Sleem reaffirmed Lebanon's firm position on the
necessity of the Israeli troop withdrawal from the South in line with the
ceasefire deadline of January 26. Speaker Nabih Berri also discussed the matter
with head of the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee, US General Jasper Jeffers, in
Ain al-Tineh.Discussions reportedly focused on developments on the Israeli
withdrawal from remaining occupied territories in southern Lebanon, as well as
Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement and UN Resolution 1701.
Israel Sees More to Do on Lebanon Ceasefire
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Israel said on Thursday the terms of a ceasefire with Hezbollah were not being
implemented fast enough and there was more work to do, while the Iran-backed
group urged pressure to ensure Israeli troops leave south Lebanon by Monday as
set out in the deal. The deal stipulates that Israeli troops withdraw from south
Lebanon, Hezbollah remove fighters and weapons from the area and Lebanese troops
deploy there - all within a 60-day timeframe which will conclude on Monday at 4
a.m (0200 GMT). The deal, brokered by the United States and France, ended more
than a year of hostilities triggered by the Gaza war. The fighting peaked with a
major Israeli offensive that displaced more than 1.2 million people in Lebanon
and left Hezbollah severely weakened. "There have been positive movements where
the Lebanese army and UNIFIL have taken the place of Hezbollah forces, as
stipulated in the agreement," Israeli government spokesmen David Mencer told
reporters, referring to UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. "We've also made clear that
these movements have not been fast enough, and there is much more work to do,"
he said, affirming that Israel wanted the agreement to continue. Mencer did not
directly respond to questions about whether Israel had requested an extension of
the deal or say whether Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon after Monday's
deadline. Hezbollah said in a statement that there had been leaks talking about
Israel postponing its withdrawal beyond the 60-day period, and that any breach
of the agreement would be unacceptable. The statement said that possibility
required everyone, especially Lebanese political powers, to pile pressure on the
states which sponsored the deal to ensure "the implementation of the full
(Israeli) withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the last inch of
Lebanese territory and the return of the people to their villages quickly.” Any
delay beyond the 60 days would mark a blatant violation of the deal with which
the Lebanese state would have to deal "through all means and methods guaranteed
by international charters" to recover Lebanese land "from the occupation's
clutches," Hezbollah said.
5 Treated after Stabbing in South London, 1 Man Arrested
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Five people have been treated following a stabbing Thursday morning in south
London, according to London’s Ambulance Service. London’s Metropolitan Police
said that a man was arrested following the stabbing in Croydon, which British
media reports said happened near an Asda supermarket. Authorities didn’t provide
a motive for the stabbing, and it wasn’t immediately clear if the man who was
arrested was among the five injured, The AP reported. The ambulance service said
that one person was taken to a major trauma center in London and four other
people were hospitalized. “We sent a number of resources to the scene, including
ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response
officer, members of our Tactical Response Unit and London’s Air Ambulance,” the
service said. London's Metropolitan Police said that “officers attended
alongside the London Ambulance Service to treat five injured people who were
taken to hospital," adding that "their injuries are thought to be
non-life-threatening.”The violence came on the same day that a teenager faced
sentencing for fatally stabbing three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed summer
dance class in the northwestern English town of Southport.
Beware of Squandering this Opportunity and Failing to Live Up the Aspirations of
the Lebanese!
Hanna Saleh/Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
It feels like fate: Lebanon has taken politics back after an absence that had
gone on for decades in the aftermath of the coup against the Taif Agreement and
the constitution. The Syrian earthquake, which was preceded by the earthquake of
Lebanon’s defeat that left Hezbollah with losses that it will never make up for,
has ended Iranian interference in Lebanon. Sectarian forces have inevitably lost
the capacity to impose their dictates as a result. Their positions on the war
had ranged between the full endorsement of Speaker Nabih Berri, who covered for
the war that devastated the country, and the indifference shown by others, who
behaved as though the catastrophe had occurred in another country!
The people of Lebanon were overjoyed as parliament was compelled to elect Joseph
Aoun as president and designate Nawaf Salam as prime minister. There are many
conflicting narratives about this shift. However, the performance of the
parliamentary deputies who represent change, which complemented the pressure
created by the popular "October" mood that swept the country, certainly played a
decisive role. This juncture affirmed the disparity that has emerged between the
size of the sectarian forces’ parliamentary blocs and their current popularity,
which has left them rattled.
A rupture with the era of violating citizens’ rights and humiliating them is now
possible as a result. Indeed, the election of the new president and designation
of the new prime minister inspires hope for a transition to a new era: one
without "protections" that break "immunities" and the end of the era of "evading
punishment."
The president’s inaugural address and the prime minister’s speech following his
designation, have created an opportunity for radical reform in Lebanon, so long
as they do not submit to sectarian parliamentary blocs’ demands that their sects
maintain exclusive ownership over particular sects. It is now evident that this
parliament does not actually represent the will of the people.
Moreover, the slogan of "extending hands," the emphasis on dialogue and
inclusion, and the desire for reconciliation should compel the "sectarian duo of
obstruction" to move on. They must accept that a new phase has begun following
the election and designation, rather than executing the new prime minister and
president to yield to their demands to revamp the old order and overlook
corruption, and their attempt to undermine the implementation of the ceasefire
and the enforcement of UN Resolution 1701.
Equally crucial, the deputies who seek change must keep up their good work.
Their effective moves should also be complemented by pressure from the bottom
up, building on what we had seen during the "October" movement and the public’s
hope in the emergence of a government capable of implementing long-overdue
reforms.
This requires opening the doors of state institutions to marginalized elites and
advancing the role of qualified individuals. They can help shape this political
phase and ensure that the promises made by Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam are kept
after the two men who are not part of the sectarian-quota-based and
spoil-sharing regime rose to the top of Lebanon’s political pyramid.
The two men share the same discourse, the president’s inaugural speech and the
prime minister’s first speech following his designation both stress the need to
go back to respecting the constitution. Doing so entails rejecting hubristic
conventions, foremost among them the "blocking third," and insisting on the need
to rotate ministerial portfolios.
In this regard, the need to take the finance ministry out of the hands of the
party (Nabih Berri) that has long held it. Allowing Berri to maintain his
control over this ministry would send a negative message to the international
community and most Lebanese citizens. The message would be that "Ali Baba's
cave," which has been monopolized by this faction since 2014, remains
inaccessible. There are rumors that a certain individual will be appointed to
this position. If that happens, this move would be seen as rewarding the party
responsible for dragging the country into a war that left immense destruction,
displaced a quarter of its population, led to the occupation of our territory,
and was the spearhead of the corrupt regime responsible for the country’s
political collapse, the systematic impoverishment of the nation, and the plunder
of people's life savings.
Once again, if the need to rotate ministerial portfolios is ignored, resistance
to change would be reinforced. It would mean the "sectarian duo" maintaining its
monopoly over this key ministry, which is essential and would play a key role in
any genuine and profound reforms, starting with the financial and banking
sectors. Moreover, it would make receiving much-needed aid for reconstruction
and recovery far-fetched.
This ministry has been weaponized and used as a "veto" to prevent the emergence
of a state. The so-called "third signature," which had been claimed as a "right"
and imposed by force of arms, has no legal or constitutional basis. Furthermore,
keeping the ministry in the duo’s hands would risk undermining the inaugural and
designation speeches, ignoring how the "third signature" has obstructed truth
and justice following the Beirut port blast, and has enabled the plunder of the
treasury and public land.
This plunder was partially reflected by no-bid contracts involving
Hezbollah-linked front companies that helped the party finance its parallel
state- contracts that were seen to have constituted the key reason for the US
sanctions on former Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil. Despite these sanctions,
he continues to exercise de facto control over the ministry to this day!
Another Lebanon is still possible. There is immense hope that this journey will
not falter or be delayed. Caution is essential, and vigilance, in the face of
the flood of calls for "compromise" and "reconciliation," is necessary. These
demands should not become a pretext for squandering the country's first
opportunity to enter an era of economic and financial reform, undertake
political reforms, and place Lebanon on the path to recovery.
At this highly critical juncture, it is imperative for the president of the
republic and the prime minister-designate not to miss this opportunity that
citizens across all regions of Lebanon have pinned their hopes on. They want to
see the rebirth of a strong and just state- one that is founded on equality and
fairness, protects diversity and freedoms, and where everyone is under the rule
of law.
If this Lebanon is to come about, they refuse to revamp the old order, reinstate
corrupt figures, and protect criminals. Otherwise the hopes of the Lebanese
people will be shattered.
Aoun urges UNHCR chief to organize the return of Syrian
refugees
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/January 23, 2025
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on the UNHCR’s commissioner,
Filippo Grandi, to “start organizing return convoys for the displaced Syrians in
Lebanon.”Aoun said Lebanon “can no longer support the burden resulting from
their presence at different levels.”He called on the international community to
provide material and humanitarian support to achieve the return of displaced
Syrians. Some countries have already started their support, he added. Grandi
visited Aoun at the Presidential Palace to congratulate him on his election.
During the meeting, the president affirmed that Lebanon “wants the return of
Syrian refugees to their country as soon as possible, especially since the
reasons for their displacement no longer exist.” Aoun, who also met with Prime
Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, tackled the infiltration of several Syrians into
Lebanon following the developments in the neighboring country. He emphasized
“the importance of working to stop infiltration on both sides of the
Lebanese-Syrian border.”Citing UNHCR estimations, Grandi said that more than
200,000 displaced Syrians had returned to their country from Lebanon, Syria,
Jordan, and other countries since the fall of the former Syrian regime on Dec.
8. Many others also wish to return home, he added. He added that a survey
conducted by the UNHCR showed that the number of those wishing to return had
increased from about 1 percent to 30 percent in a matter of weeks. Grandi
affirmed that the UNHCR was “supporting those who returned and that we have
already started doing so.”He said the UNHCR’s relationship with the new
authorities across Syria was constructive, and they had started prioritizing the
issue. Grandi said UNHCR wanted to work with Lebanon to build a practical way to
support the return of Syrians. To achieve this, the president can play a vital
role with the international community, he added. After the meeting Grandi
explained that his visits to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Turkiye aim to “discuss
the issue of Syrian refugees, particularly in light of recent political changes
in Syria. “We believe that these changes may allow refugees to return to their
home country and leave their host nations, including Lebanon, which has hosted
them with great generosity and patience for nearly 14 years.”He added: “During
the most recent war in Lebanon, between September and October, over 450,000
Syrian refugees returned to Syria. “We believe that, with the return of this
significant number of Syrian refugees, sustained support is crucial to ensure
their permanent return. “Therefore, we began implementing a program designed to
support returnees from different countries by offering material assistance and
other means of support. “Material support is essential, as well as efforts to
restore life in the areas where refugees are resettling,” he said.“Otherwise,
they will leave again, most probably to their host countries. “It is important
to note that the new Syrian authorities have welcomed the Syrian refugees back,
which is a positive sign,” Grandi said.
“However, the new authorities must stay on course — respecting minorities,
preserving the rights of all citizens, and lifting Syria to new horizons that
rebuild trust among Syrians, including returning refugees,” he added. Grandi
held talks as Lebanese military authorities prepared for the withdrawal of
Israeli forces following their incursion into southern Lebanon since Oct. 1. The
60-day stage of the ceasefire deal is set to expire at dawn on Sunday. In a
meeting with acting Lebanese Army Commander Maj.-Gen. Hassan Odeh, caretaker
Defense Minister Maurice Slim underlined Lebanon’s “firm commitment to the
withdrawal of the Israeli forces within the agreed deadline in the ceasefire
agreement.”Slim’s office stated that the discussion focused on the deployment of
the Lebanese Army in all the areas from which the Israeli forces would withdraw.
Slim said the army was ready to be deployed in throughout the region. The
Lebanese Army entered the border town of Kafr Shuba in the eastern sector.
Units had been stationed on the outskirts of the town, facing Al-Sammaqa, an
Israeli military site. Other units have been deployed in Hanin, where Civil
Defense teams recovered the bodies of several Hezbollah fighters. Also on
Thursday, the Israeli military destroyed rest facilities on the banks of the
Wazzani River, and eight houses in the town of Taybeh were deliberately burned.
Video footage was taken by dozens of residents returning to their villages after
the Lebanese Army deployed there, showing the extent of the destruction of
property and facilities, especially in the town of Khiyam. The Israeli military
claimed that “forces of the 810th Brigade, operating under the command of the
210th Division, found and seized a large number of weapons in the Shebaa Farms,
including anti-tank launchers, rocket launchers, machine guns, binoculars, and
rockets aimed at Israeli territory.”In a statement, the Israeli military said
that “the forces of the 7th Brigade, operating under the command of the 91st
Division, are continuing their activities in southern Lebanon to protect
Israel's security.” It claimed that “they are operating under the understandings
reached between Israel and Lebanon while maintaining compliance with the
conditions of the ceasefire agreement.”Israel’s outgoing ambassador to the US,
Michael Herzog, claimed that talks were being held with the administration of
President Donald Trump to extend the withdrawal date from Lebanon scheduled for
next Sunday. The Trump administration is pressuring Israel to withdraw from
Lebanon in accordance with the scheduled date on Sunday, the Israeli Army Radio
reported.
Syrians and Lebanese Slaying Their Three Golden Calves
Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
If the peoples of Syria and Lebanon are to press forward and build on their
recent achievements- a big "if"- they must slay the three golden calves that are
largely responsible for their suffering. While it is true that they cannot rid
themselves of these golden calves overnight, it is equally true that waging this
cultural confrontation is a necessary condition for stable and enduring success.
By slaying these calves, both societies would be endeavouring to break with the
era that Nasserism and Baathism introduced and brought to the Levant- an era
that grabbed these two societies by the throat and stifled prospects that had,
following their independence, seemed real and attainable. The first golden calf
is the military coup that took hold of Syria and whose repercussions hurt
Lebanon. Before being the replacement of one social class with another, and
without entailing a transition from politics that fails to liberate Palestine to
politics that does, the coup is the execution of a way of life that had a place
for freedom- a life in which shortcomings and mistakes could be publicly
debated, and by extension corrected, and, perhaps, resolved. The turn toward the
Soviet camp further tightened putschists' grip on Syrian society. By supporting
the Baathist regime with arms, military training, military doctrine, and
intelligence expertise, as well as shielding it through Security Council vetoes,
Moscow equipped this regime it called "patriotic" and "progressive" with sharper
fangs to tear into the flesh of Syrian people.
Applying the lessons of that experience urges extreme caution toward rhetoric
that condemns the politicians and parties of the old regime as corrupt, accuses
the media of distracting the public, blames colonialism for our flaws and
shortcomings, and seeks to monopolize the economy and free enterprise. This
caution does not stem from a belief that the previous regime’s politicians were
not corrupt, nor that the media does not sow confusion, that colonialism was a
virtue, or that everything the wealthy do is productive and beneficial. Rather,
it stems from the fact that the actual objectives (whose success the putschists
diligently sought to achieve) of these denouncements is to eliminate the media,
and spread corruption far worse than that of the previous regime’s politicians
without allowing for any scrutiny or accountably, to empower the state in its
subjugation of the people by seizing wealth and resources, and to impose
internal colonialism that is a thousand times worse than foreign colonialism.
Learning from that experience also calls for firmly applying the principle of
separating the military from politics and reinforcing the public's awareness to
military interference in the political sphere, which entails not falling for
slogans like the liberation of Palestine, the establishment of a just and pure
society, or any of the other pretexts that have long been used to justify
military coups. The second golden calf is the civil war that tore Lebanon to
shreds and became a pivotal weapon the Assads used to strengthen their grip over
Syrians. While no one openly and explicitly praises the civil war, it seeps into
the national body politic whenever an absolute right that disregards the views
of fellow citizens is insisted upon, a culture (be it that of a minority or
majority) is abased, or slanderous accusations of treason are levelled at those
who hold disagree with the self-appointed stalwarts of absolute truth. Civil war
does not produce the "beautiful collapse" or "glorious ruin" that some poets saw
in it; rather, it leaves profound destruction in souls that is difficult to
heal, brings death, shatters the economy, and degrades health and education.
The third golden calf is “the resistance” whose implicit regime governed the
Lebanese and then occupied parts of Syria and took part in the slaughter of its
people. The power and magic of the resistance stem from the fact that it stands
at the intersection of modern consciousness, which legitimizes it as an exercise
of the right to fight occupation, and the pre-modern consciousness, which
couples it with bravery, manhood, dignity, and similar values, albeit through a
primitive interpretation of these notions. Because of its association with these
concepts, wars of resistance are justified regardless of whether they are
supported by a favourable balance of power or popular consensus. Everyone is
expected to welcome its wars with an optimistic smile, even if they result in
the collapse of society, the economy, and the foundations of life itself. This
resistance, as we and as other peoples have experienced it, in truth, is nothing
more than a blend of sectarian militias, masked civil wars, and a smuggling and
drug trafficking economy. Like military coups and civil wars, it is founded on a
claim to an absolute right that warrants establishing, either overtly or
implicitly, a virtuous dictatorship; or else, let there be limitless chaos. It
also similarly operates under the assumption that rights can only be attained
through violence, as violence is the sole means for resolving conflicts. In a
bit of twisting of the biblical narrative, we might say that Moses’s return from
Mount Sinai may be unlikely, or it may not happen very soon, but the Syrians and
Lebanese confronting their three golden calves would certainly hasten that
return, or something equivalent to it.
Critical decision ahead: Israel seeks US approval to extend
South Lebanon withdrawal
LBCI/January 23, 2025
With just three days remaining until its scheduled withdrawal from Lebanon,
Israel is making significant efforts to persuade the administration of U.S.
President Donald Trump to approve an extension of the timeline despite the
completion of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. So far, these efforts
have been unsuccessful. Several Israeli officials have acknowledged
complications, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempted to send a
message to Trump through Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. In the
message, Netanyahu requested permission to maintain Israeli forces in five
strategic locations in the southeastern sector of Lebanon while committing to a
complete withdrawal from the central and western sectors within the remaining
three days. mIsrael's mini-security cabinet, which is set to convene on
Thursday, is expected to make a decisive ruling on whether to proceed with a
complete withdrawal or to maintain a presence in specific areas. The
cabinet will review a military report detailing the army's achievements over the
60-day agreement period, which includes the destruction of Hezbollah's
infrastructure. However, the head of Israel's Northern Command, Ori Gordin, has
emphasized the challenges faced and highlighted the need for additional time to
ensure what he described as the "complete cleansing" of the area. Meanwhile,
Israeli security officials have cautioned against delaying the withdrawal
decision, warning that prolonging the process could undermine the military gains
achieved. They argue that the political leadership would be making a mistake if
it were to yield to the pressures of Minister Bezalel Smotrich's hardline
stance. Adding to the complexities, mayors of northern Israeli towns have
threatened to return to their communities if the military withdraws from Lebanon
without adequate security assurances, further complicating Israel's
decision-making process.
Slow and steady progress: Political negotiations drag on as
Lebanon seeks new government
LBCI/January 23, 2025
As President Joseph Aoun continues his consultations, no significant progress
has been made on the government formation front at Baabda Palace. His
communication lines remain open with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, who
is expected to visit the presidential palace within the next 24 hours.
Sources close to Salam told LBCI that work on forming the government is
progressing slowly but steadily, with positive developments noted, though more
time is required to finalize the process. They emphasized that the formation
cannot be rushed and that patience is necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
However, LBCI sources revealed that the negotiations remain complex, with
several sticking points, primarily the Finance Ministry. The Lebanese Forces,
Change MPs, and several independent lawmakers oppose the ministry's retention by
the Amal-Hezbollah duo, while the latter insists on keeping it under their
control. In this context, it has been reported that a delegation of eight Change
MPs met with Salam on Tuesday for an hour and a half, stressing the need to
prevent any sect from monopolizing specific ministries, including the Finance
Ministry. The ongoing political deadlock reflects broader regional and
international expectations. Observers suggest Lebanon must form a government
that aligns with the required reforms and breaks away from past power-sharing
practices, excluding partisan figures from key positions. Failure to do so could
prolong the country's economic crisis and deepen its international isolation.
Lebanon’s inflation rate drops to 45% in 2024, marking a return to double-digit
figures
MIGUEL HADCHITY/Arab News/January 23, 2025
RIYADH: Lebanon’s economic landscape showed signs of stabilization in 2024, with
inflation rates returning to double-digit levels after three years of
hyperinflation that had exceeded 200 percent. The annual inflation rate stood at
45.24 percent last year, a substantial drop from the staggering 221.3 percent
recorded in 2023, according to data from the Central Administration of
Statistics. Lebanon has endured prolonged economic instability, with the
Lebanese lira losing 90 percent of its value since the crisis began in 2019. The
drop in inflation aligns with the International Monetary Fund’s October
forecast, which projected inflation in the Middle East and North Africa region
to ease to 3.3 percent in 2024.Last year represented a period of relative calm
in terms of price volatility. Monthly inflation indices revealed a deceleration
in price growth. The index for December reached 30,936.02, compared to 30,147.41
in November, showing a modest increase compared to the unpredictable
fluctuations of prior years. The slowdown in inflation is largely due to the
stabilization of the Lebanese lira, driven by Banque du Liban’s monetary
policies since 2023. By the spring of last year, the exchange rate had settled
at around 89,500 Lebanese liras per dollar, following a sharp rise from 40,000
to 140,000 earlier in 2023. This stability helped bring annual inflation below
100 percent in April, reaching 18.1 percent by December, though the same month’s
inflation rose slightly from November’s 15.38 percent. Monthly inflation also
increased by 2.38 percent in December, marking the third consecutive monthly
rise, following 2.02 percent in October and 2.30 percent in November. Key
contributors to inflation in December included miscellaneous goods and services,
which rose 39.69 percent annually, education fees at 31.27 percent, and health
care at 22.93 percent. Only communications and furniture saw price declines at
2.99 percent and 1.99 percent, respectively. Lebanon’s state-owned telecom firm,
Ogero, said it is working to restore and expand its connectivity. The firm’s
Chairman and Director General Imad Kreidieh announced in a live broadcast on
Jan. 21 that the company’s expansion plans will resume, supported by funding
from multiple donors. North Lebanon recorded the highest monthly increase in
December at 3.79 percent, followed by Beirut and Nabatieh at 3.59 percent, and
South Lebanon at 2.97 percent. The drop in inflation offers some relief to the
Lebanese people, but with the election of former army commander Joseph Aoun as
president on Jan. 9 and the appointment of the Chief Judge of the International
Court of Justice, Nawaf Salam, as prime minister on Jan. 13, the need for
comprehensive reform remains urgent. The political breakthrough has also sparked
a rally in Lebanon’s government bonds, which have nearly tripled in value since
September. The election of Aoun, following 12 failed attempts to choose a
president, has raised hopes that Lebanon might finally address its economic
challenges. Most of the country’s international bonds, in default since 2020,
rallied further after Aoun’s election, rising by nearly 0.9 cents on the dollar
to around 16 cents — a modest recovery that underscores investor optimism
despite Lebanon’s ongoing struggles.
Geagea Expresses Cautious Optimism About Lebanon's
Future
This is Beirut/January 23/2025
In an interview on MTV’s Sar al-Wa’et (It’s About Time) on Thursday, Samir
Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF), shared cautious optimism about
Lebanon’s future, particularly following the election of President Joseph Aoun
and the nomination of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Geagea stressed that while
Lebanon is not yet at its ideal state, “we are on the right path, and hope for
the future is growing.”Geagea placed a strong emphasis on the formation of the
new government, describing it as a pivotal moment for the country. “This phase
marks a turning point for Lebanon,” he said, underlining the significance of
building a properly functioning state and ensuring that the new government
adheres to Lebanon’s constitutional processes. He revealed that the LF had
already submitted a list of potential ministerial candidates, leaving the final
selection up to Prime Minister Salam. “We are not interfering in the selection
process; the decision is in the hands of the prime minister,” Geagea stated,
emphasizing that the process must remain free from external interference,
particularly that of the Shiite political parties. Addressing the sensitive
issue of the Ministry of Finance, Geagea clarified, “We are not opposed to
assigning the Ministry of Finance to a representative of the Shiite community,
but the Shiite community is not limited to just one political bloc.” He
criticized the long-standing political figures who have traditionally dominated
the Ministry, calling for a finance minister with no ties to Lebanon’s previous
corrupt system, irrespective of political affiliation. “The finance minister
should be someone who has no links to the previous regime,” Geagea said,
reaffirming the need for reform in this vital sector. Geagea also addressed
Hezbollah’s influence on the country’s politics, accusing the group of hindering
Lebanon’s recovery. “Hezbollah’s media influence and its street presence with
black shirts are part of what is obstructing Lebanon’s progress,” he asserted.
He made it clear that the new government must not reference the “Army, People,
Resistance” triad – a slogan associated with the “resistance” axis – in its
ministerial statement. Instead, Geagea insisted that the government’s work
should align with the principles outlined in President Aoun’s inaugural speech.
Looking ahead, Geagea expressed confidence that the new government, once formed,
would mark a significant improvement. “We believe this government will be better
than its predecessors,” he affirmed, reiterating the importance of respecting
Lebanon’s Constitution and ensuring that the procedures for government formation
follow the guidelines set in Article 65.
Oil exploration file: TotalEnergies' return to
Lebanon dependent on security and reform efforts
LBCI/January 23/2025
In a significant diplomatic move, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al
Saud
President Joseph Aoun has urged his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to push
for the resumption of TotalEnergies' oil exploration activities in Lebanon's
Block 9. However, analysts suggest that the company's return or other global
firms' involvement in Lebanon's licensing round is contingent on political
stability and the implementation of crucial reforms within state institutions.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the presence of Hezbollah's
military infrastructure remains a major obstacle to advancing exploration and
drilling operations. Given the persistent threat of conflict, investors are
reportedly reluctant to engage in such projects. The maritime border agreement
with Israel was initially expected to create stability in Lebanon's southern
waters. Nonetheless, Hezbollah's actions, including its failed attempts to
target the Karish gas field during the recent war, have reinforced concerns over
security risks. The full implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701 and the
disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River are seen as key factors in
reviving Lebanon's oil and gas sector. International stakeholders closely
monitoring Lebanon's energy sector emphasize the importance of comprehensive
reforms, particularly in combating corruption. Given Lebanon's track
record with successive governments and parliaments, foreign investors remain
wary. These stakeholders have communicated to Lebanese officials that the oil
and gas sector must remain free from quotas and financial gains for select
groups. They have stressed that the management of oil revenues through the
proposed sovereign wealth fund must be conducted with complete transparency.
Moreover, concerns extend to Lebanon's national oil company, which will be
established later on, with international actors insisting that it should not
become a vehicle for political or personal enrichment. They further underline
the necessity of reforming the public sector and judiciary to prevent potential
obstacles, protect Lebanon's rights in any disputes, and ensure a credible and
investment-friendly environment.
Excuse me, Mr. Speaker Berri... The finance portfolio
was not "decided" in Taif for the Shiites
Jean Feghali/Nidaa Al-Watan/January 24, 2025
This is the last rabbit of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who wants to record
that he "obtained" the finance ministry portfolio for the Shiite sect, and is
trying to give it retroactive effect as if it was "decided" in the Taif
Conference. What Speaker Berri said is not accurate, if not true, that the
matter was discussed in Taif, this does not mean that it was "decided". Many
matters were discussed in Taif and were not decided upon, so should they be
taken into account in Speaker Berri's manner: "Believe it"? No, Mr. Speaker, the
two living members of the Taif Conference who were deputies are MP Boutros Harb,
who is one of the members of the “Porter Committee” that was entrusted with
discussing the Taif Conference paper item by item, and MP Edmond Rizk. Both deny
the fact that it was “decided.” If that were the case, why was it not included
in the text of the Taif Agreement that was approved after three weeks of arduous
discussions? Furthermore, why was it not included in the articles of the
constitution in the “government formation” item? If the “money bag rabbit” was
real, how did Speaker Berri accept that the money bag, in successive
governments, go to Sunni Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was personally and
presently at the heart of the Taif deliberations and was aware of their minutes?
How could he receive the money bag, if what Speaker Berri said is true? Then how
did Speaker Berri accept that the finance portfolio go to George Corm, the
Maronite, and Elias Saba, the Orthodox, then to Damianos Kattar and Jihad Azour,
the Maronites, and Mohammad Chatah, Raya al-Hassan, and Mohammad al-Safadi, the
Sunnis? That eight finance ministers come, who are not from the Shiite sect, and
are from a wide range of sects, including the Maronite, the Orthodox, and the
Sunni, this means that Speaker Berri’s narrative that the finance portfolio was
“decided” in Taif and given to the Shiites, is nothing more than one of Speaker
Berri’s “rabbit methods.” Mr. Speaker, instead of implementing what was not
“decided” in Taif, why don’t you legislate and legislate what was “decided” in
Taif, and became the core of the Lebanese constitution, as the articles of the
constitution are more important than rabbits.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on January 23-24/2025
Trump designates Yemen's Houthis as a 'foreign terrorist
organization'
Phil Stewart/WASHINGTON, Jan 22
(Reuters)
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday re-designated Yemen's Houthi movement,
known formally as Ansar Allah, as a "foreign terrorist organization", the White
House said.The move will impose harsher economic penalties than the Biden
administration had applied to the Iran-aligned group in response to its attacks
on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against U.S. warships defending the
critical maritime chokepoint.
Donald J. Trump Re-designates the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
By U.S. Mission to Yemen
January 23, 2025
REVERSING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S REMOVAL OF THE HOUTHIS FROM THE FOREIGN
TERRORIST ORGANIZATION LIST: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an
Executive Order Re-Designating Ansar Allah (also known as the Houthis) as a
Foreign Terrorist Organization.
The Executive Order sets in motion a process by which Ansar Allah, also known as
the Houthis, will be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
President Trump designated the Iranian-backed Houthis as a foreign terrorist
organization (FTO) in January 2021.
Within one month of taking office, the Biden administration reversed the Houthis’
designation.
As a result of the Biden administration’s weak policy, the Houthis have fired at
U.S. Navy warships dozens of times, launched numerous attacks on civilian
infrastructure in partner nations, and attacked commercial vessels transiting
Bab al-Mandeb more than 100 times.
The Executive Order directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with others,
to recommend the re-designation of the Houthis within 30 days.
Under President Trump, it is now the policy of the United States to cooperate
with its regional partners to eliminate the Houthis’ capabilities and
operations, deprive them of resources, and thereby end their attacks on U.S.
personnel and civilians, U.S. partners, and maritime shipping in the Red Sea.
Following the Houthis’ re-designation as an FTO, the Executive Order also
directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) and the Secretary of State to jointly review United Nations
partners, nongovernmental organizations, and contractors operating in Yemen.
Following this review, the President will direct USAID to end its relationship
with entities that have made payments to the Houthis, or which have opposed
international efforts to counter the Houthis while turning a blind eye towards
the Houthis’ terrorism and abuses.
Israeli Foreign Minister
Welcomes Trump’s Decision to Designate Houthis as Terrorist Organization
Tel Aviv/Middle East/January 23, 2025
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed today (Thursday) that his
country welcomes US President Donald Trump’s decision to designate the Houthis
in Yemen as a terrorist organization. Sa’ar added that the Houthis are “proxies
of Iran and disrupt freedom of navigation and threaten global trade and regional
stability.” The Israeli minister continued that this step is important in the
“war on terror and combating elements that cause instability in the region.”
Yesterday, Trump issued an executive order to designate the Houthi group as a
foreign terrorist organization, and the White House said that the group’s
activities “threaten the security of American civilians and military personnel
in the Middle East... and global stability in maritime trade.” Over the past
year, the Houthi group has bombed targets in Israel with missiles and drones,
and also says it is targeting ships belonging to Israel or heading to Israeli
ports in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the
United States, Britain and Israel to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen.
Middle East leaders at Davos: Sustainable
peace must be homegrown, not imposed
RUA'A ALAMERI/Arab News/January 23,
2025
DUBAI: Sustainable peace solutions demand leadership from within the region,
emphasized leaders during a high-profile panel discussion titled ‘How to Lower
the Temperature in the Middle East’ at the World Economic Forum in Davos on
Thursday. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi made a strong appeal for
empowering Middle Eastern nations to take the lead in resolving their own
crises. “In the region, we are ready to do the heavy lifting to resolve
our crises. We need our partners, but we also need them to understand that we
know our region well. We know what it takes to achieve peace, and we need the
space to offer our solutions. Most importantly, we need to be listened to—not
talked at—as we address these challenges,” Al-Safadi said. The panel explored
the complex and interconnected challenges in the Middle East, including the
ongoing war in Gaza, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, political transitions in
Syria, and rising tensions in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa. The panelists
emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, diplomacy, and addressing
root causes of instability.
West Bank Tensions
Al-Safadi also warned of the dangers of neglecting the situation in the West
Bank, describing it as “extremely dangerous.” He highlighted that while Gaza is
seeing a degree of calm after intense fighting, escalating tensions in the West
Bank could reignite violence. “If that happens, we’ll find ourselves trapped in
the same cycle all over again,” he said. Israel’s military operation in the West
Bank’s Jenin entered its third day on Thursday, coming shortly after a ceasefire
agreement was reached in Gaza. The raid has forced hundreds of residents to flee
the refugee camp, with Israeli forces applying tactics previously used in Gaza.
At least 10 Palestinians have been killed during the “Iron Wall” campaign, which
Defense Minister Israel Katz described as a shift in Israel’s military strategy
in the West Bank. Varsen Aghabekian, the Palestinian National Authority’s
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, called for a durable peace process that
prioritizes Palestinian rights. “We hope this ceasefire becomes a
permanent one. The US has proven it can play a key role, as we’ve seen in the
past week, but durable peace must go beyond past frameworks and address the
realities on the ground. The status quo in the Middle East cannot continue,” she
said.
Syria: Sanctions and Stability
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani echoed the call for regional
collaboration, emphasizing the need for international support. “We bring hope to
all Syrians by working to restore stability and security. What we seek from our
international partners is support for Syria’s political process and a new path
for the country’s future,” he stated. Al-Shaibani also called for lifting
sanctions on Syria, describing them as a significant barrier to the country’s
development and stability.
Northern Syria and Regional Security Risks
Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein highlighted the risks posed by any renewed
fighting in northern Syria, warning that it could lead to a surge of refugees
into Iraq and pose security threats to both nations. “Fighting in that area
threatens the prisons holding thousands of Daesh and Al-Qaeda terrorists.
Imagine if they are freed—what would that mean for Syrian and Iraqi security?”
Hussein said. Hussein also addressed the ongoing tensions between Iran and
the United States, noting that Iraq is directly affected by this strained
relationship. “We hope both sides choose different approaches,” he said, adding
that while Iran has signaled a willingness to negotiate, the US has not yet
shown readiness.
‘Killed, maimed, frozen to
death’: UN Security Council meets to discuss plight of Gaza’s kids
Ephrem Kossaify/Arab News/January
24, 2025
NEW YORK CITY: The UN’s humanitarian chief on Thursday called for urgent action
to protect children in Gaza and ensure their well-being amid the fragile
ceasefire and ongoing humanitarian crisis in the territory. Speaking during a
meeting of the Security Council to discuss “the plight of children in the Gaza
Strip,” Tom Fletcher emphasized the scale of suffering among Palestinian
youngsters there as he urged the international community to ensure the ceasefire
agreement between Israel and Hamas holds, and to scale up deliveries of
humanitarian aid. Fletcher said the ceasefire deal, brokered by Egypt, Qatar and
the US, has brought a temporary reprieve for civilians, and is allowing Israeli
hostages and detained Palestinians to be reunited with their families. The truce
has also enabled a surge in the amount of life-saving humanitarian assistance
entering Gaza, providing a glimmer of hope for the millions of residents
suffering as a result of the conflict. “We can save more lives if all parties
continue to honor the deal,” Fletcher said, thanking the mediators for their
tireless efforts to facilitate the agreement and address the operational
challenges in its implementation. The 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas
in Gaza have taken a profound toll on the children in the territory, the
suffering of whom reached catastrophic proportions during that time, he added.
Fletcher painted a harrowing picture of the devastating effects of the conflict
on the children of Gaza. Thousands lost their lives, an estimated 17,000 have
been left without their families, and many more were injured or are suffering
from malnutrition and psychological trauma. He gave examples of the cruel
conditions under which young people have been forced to lived, cited instances
of unborn children perishing with their mothers, and detailed the desperate
plight of more than 150,000 pregnant women and new mothers who are in urgent
need of healthcare. “The children of Gaza have been killed, starved, maimed,
orphaned and separated from their families,” Fletcher said as he condemned the
violence and deprivation. “A generation has been traumatized.” Aside from the
physical harm, children have endured deep psychological scars, with UNICEF
estimating that 1 million youngsters are in need of mental health support for
anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
“Many have faced sexual violence,” Fletcher said. “Girls, who have endured the
additional indignity of no access to menstrual care, have been left exposed and
vulnerable.”The war has had devastating effects on education as well, with
schools destroyed and many children denied access to learning, he added.
But despite the overwhelming challenges, the international humanitarian
community has made significant strides in the days since the ceasefire came into
effect on Sunday, Fletcher said. He highlighted the increased flow of aid into
Gaza, including food, medical supplies and fuel, which has enabled critical
services to resume or continue operating. With the UN Relief and Works Agency at
the forefront of the efforts, humanitarian agencies have scaled up their
operations, delivering emergency shelter to protect people from the winter
weather, food and life-saving medical care. “We are getting supplies to
designated emergency shelters and distribution centers across the Gaza Strip,”
Fletcher said. “We are delivering food parcels, distributing fuel to ensure that
healthcare and water systems can function, and reopening bakeries to help meet
basic nutritional needs.” While these efforts are vital, Fletcher stressed that
they will only be able continue with sustained funding and unimpeded access. He
appealed to UN member states to help replenish humanitarian stockpiles and
called for greater involvement of the private sector to meet the needs of the 2
million residents of Gaza.Fletcher stressed the urgent need for donations to
help meet the $4.07 billion target of the UN’s 2025 Flash Appeal, to help
address the needs of 3 million people in Gaza and the West Bank. Almost 90
percent of the total is needed for the humanitarian response in Gaza alone. But
while much of the international attention has focused on the Strip, Fletcher
also warned the Security Council about the deteriorating situation in the West
Bank, where violence and displacement have reached unprecedented levels since
October 2023.He described attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages,
and ongoing military operations, particularly in Jenin, that have displaced
thousands and caused significant damage to infrastructure. “The situation in the
West Bank must not be ignored,” Fletcher said. “We need to ensure that
humanitarian aid and protection reach those in need, and that international law
is respected.” He once again urged council members to ensure the ceasefire
holds, and that the flow of aid continues to those in need, in both Gaza and the
West Bank. He called for the protection of Palestinian civilians, the release of
all hostages and detainees, and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers.“The
children of Gaza are not collateral damage,” Fletcher said. “They are as
deserving as children everywhere of security, education and hope. We must be
there for them now, when they need us most.”
Gaza ceasefire ‘wouldn’t have
happened without us,’ Trump tells WEF
Arab News/January 23, 2025
DAVOS: In a virtual address at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, US
President Donald Trump highlighted his administration’s pivotal role in
brokering the ceasefire in Gaza and securing the release of hostages. “Before
even taking office, my team negotiated a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East,
which wouldn’t have happened without us,” Trump said in his first major speech
on the world stage since returning to the White House. “Earlier this week, the
hostages began to return to their families. They are returning, and it’s a
beautiful sight, and they’ll be coming in more and more.” The ceasefire
agreement between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, came
into effect on Jan. 19, ending 15-months of fighting which has left more than
47,500 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The deal was
structured in multiple phases, the first involving a six-week ceasefire, during
which Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023
attack. In exchange, Israel committed to releasing 90 Palestinian prisoners to
the West Bank and allowing hundreds of aid trucks carrying food and fuel into
the Gaza Strip through border crossings in Israel and Egypt.
The negotiation process was marked by significant diplomatic efforts, with both
the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration playing
instrumental roles. Brett McGurk, a Middle East negotiator for the Biden
administration, collaborated closely with Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy
to the Middle East. This bipartisan cooperation was driven by a mutual desire to
resolve the conflict prior to the presidential inauguration.
Trump had issued stern warnings, stating that failure to release the hostages,
including seven American citizens, before his inauguration would result in
severe consequences. The US president, who began his second term on Monday, also
used his WEF speech to welcome Saudi Arabia’s $600 billion investment, and said
that he hoped there would be room for it to grow to $1 trillion and lower oil
prices. “I’ll be asking the Crown Prince (Mohammed bin Salman), who’s a
fantastic guy, to round it up to around $1 trillion. I think they’ll do that,”
Trump said.
He did, however, add: “I’m also going to ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down
the cost of oil.” Four days into his presidency, Trump said he wants to lower
global oil prices, interest rates and taxes, and warned they will face tariffs
if they make their products abroad. “I’ll demand that interest rates drop
immediately. And likewise, they should be dropping all over the world,” he said.
Some of his harshest criticism was reserved for traditional US allies Canada and
the EU who he threatened again with new tariffs, while berating their import
policies blaming them for the US’s trade goods deficit with these partners.“One
thing we’re going to be demanding is we’re going to be demanding respect from
other nations. Canada. We have a tremendous deficit with Canada. We’re not going
to have that anywhere,” he said. Trump promised to reduce inflation with a mix
of tariffs, deregulation and tax cuts along with his crackdown on illegal
immigration and commitment to making the US a hub of artificial intelligence,
cryptocurrencies and fossil fuels. He also criticized levels of taxation in the
EU. “The US has the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth, and
we’re going to use it,” Trump said. “Not only will this reduce the cost of
virtually all goods and services, it will make the US a manufacturing
superpower.”Declaring the US had entered the “golden age of America,” Trump
highlighted the sweeping reforms of his administration, which he said were
correcting the “disasters” left by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump criticized
Biden’s economic policies, saying: “His $8 trillion in wasteful deficit
spending, energy restrictions, regulations, and hidden taxes resulted in the
worst inflation crisis in modern history.”
Gaza Ceasefire Traps Netanyahu between Trump and Far-right Allies
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Even before it was signed, the Gaza ceasefire forced Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu into a tight spot - between a new US president promising
peace and far-right allies who want war to resume. That tension is only likely
to increase. The stakes for Netanyahu are high -- keeping his coalition
government on the one hand and on the other, satisfying US President Donald
Trump who wants to use the ceasefire momentum to expand Israel's diplomatic ties
in the Middle East. One of Netanyahu's nationalist allies has already quit over
the Gaza ceasefire, and another is threatening to follow unless war on Hamas is
resumed at an even greater force than that which devastated much of Gaza for 15
months. The clock is ticking. The first stage of the ceasefire is meant to last
six weeks. By day 16 -- Feb. 4 -- Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas are due
to start negotiating the second phase of the ceasefire, whose stated aim is to
end the war. Former police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's Jewish Power party quit
the government on Sunday and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that he will
stay in government only if war resumes after the first phase until the total
defeat of Hamas, whose Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. "We must
go back in a completely different style. We need to conquer Gaza, instate a
military rule there, even if temporarily, to start encouraging (Palestinian)
emigration, to start taking territory from our enemies and to win," Smotrich
said in an interview with Channel 14 on Sunday.
Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, however, said on Wednesday he was
focused on ensuring the deal moves from the first to second phase, which is
expected to include a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
"Netanyahu is pressed between the far-right and Donald Trump," said political
analyst Amotz Asa-El, with the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem.
"Netanyahu's coalition now is fragile and the likelihood that it will fall apart
sometime in the course of 2025 is high." Netanyahu's office did not immediately
respond to a request for comment. Witkoff told Fox News on Wednesday that he
will be on the ground overseeing the ceasefire, a signal that he will keep up
the pressure he applied during the deal's negotiations. According to six US,
Israeli, Egyptian and other Mideast officials who spoke to Reuters in the run-up
to the ceasefire announcement on Jan. 15, Witkoff played a crucial role in
getting the deal over the line. The ceasefire's first phase includes the release
of hostages, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and aid flow into Gaza. The
second phase, if it happens, would include the release of remaining hostages and
the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. A third phase is expected to start
Gaza's reconstruction, overseen by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations. One of
the most difficult issues involved in negotiating the next phases is post-war
Gaza's governance. Israel won't accept Hamas staying in power. Hamas so far has
not given ground. Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday,
that Hamas will never govern Gaza and if it reneges on the deal, Washington will
support Israel "in doing what it has to do." On Saturday, after his government
signed off on the ceasefire, Netanyahu said Israel had US backing to resume
fighting if the second stage talks prove futile, leaving himself some political
leeway with Smotrich, for now. "If we need to go back to the fighting, we will
do so in new ways and with great force," Netanyahu said in a video statement.
Bereaved Gazans Dig Out Bodies from City Ruins, Give Them Graves
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Guns may have fallen silent in Gaza, but for Mahmoud Abu Dalfa, the agony is not
over. He is desperately searching for the bodies of his wife and five children
trapped under the rubble of his house since the early months of the war. Abu
Dalfa's wife and children were among 35 of his extended family who were killed
when an Israeli airstrike hit the building in Gaza City's Shejaia suburb in
December 2023, he said. As bombs continued to fall, only three bodies were
retrieved. "My children are still under the rubble. I am trying to get them
out... The civil defense came, they tried, but the destruction makes it
difficult. We don't have the equipment here to extract martyrs. We need
excavators and a lot of technical tools," Abu Dalfa told Reuters. "My wife was
killed along with all my five children - three daughters and two sons. I had
triplets," he said. Burials are usually carried out within a few hours of death
in Muslim and Arab communities, and failure to retrieve bodies and ensure
dignified burials is agonizing for bereaved families. "I hope I can bring them
out and make them a grave. That's all I want from this entire world. I don’t
want them to build me a house or give me anything else. All I want is a grave
for them - to get them out and make them a grave," said Abu Dalfa. The
Palestinian Civil Emergency Service and medical staff have recovered around 200
bodies since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect on Sunday,
halting a 15-month conflict that has killed more than 47,000 Gazans. The war in
Gaza was triggered when Palestinian Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel on
Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 as hostages, according
to Israeli tallies. At least 94 of those hostages remain in Gaza. Mahmoud Basal,
the head of the service, said extraction operations have been challenged by the
lack of earth-moving and heavy machinery, adding that Israel had destroyed
several of their vehicles and killed at least 100 of their staff. Basal
estimates the bodies of around 10,000 Palestinians killed in the war are yet to
be found and buried. A UN damage assessment released this month showed that
clearing over 50 million tons of rubble left in the aftermath of Israel's
bombardment could take 21 years and cost up to $1.2 billion.
OPENING AID CROSSINGS
As hundreds of truckloads of aid flowed into Gaza since Sunday, officials from
the Palestinian Authority, rivals to Hamas, held meetings with European
officials to arrange to assume responsibilities at two vital crossing points
with Egypt and Israel.
A Palestinian official familiar with the matter said Egypt sent bulldozers and
some engineering vehicles to carry out repairs to the road on the Gaza side of
the border that had been damaged by Israel's ground offensive. Like Abu Dalfa,
thousands of Gaza's 2.3 million residents are searching for the bodies of
relatives either missing under the rubble or buried in mass graves during
Israeli ground raids. Rabah Abulias, a 68-year-old father who lost his son
Ashraf in an Israeli attack, wants to give his son a proper grave. "I know where
Ashraf is buried, but his body is with dozens of others, there is no grave for
him, there is no tomb stone that carries his name," he said via a chat app from
Gaza City. "I want to make him a grave, where I can visit him, talk to him and
tell him I am sorry I wasn't there for him."
Iraq’s FM: Israeli-Russian
Hostage Tsurkov is Alive
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who is being held hostage by an
Iraqi militia, is alive and the Iraqi prime minister is working on her release,
Iraqi foreign minister Fouad Hussein told Axios reporter Barak Ravid on
Thursday.
Tsurkov, a 38-year-old student at Princeton University, disappeared in Baghdad
in March 2023 while doing research for her doctorate. She had entered the
country on her Russian passport. The only sign she was alive has been a video
broadcast in November 2023 on an Iraqi television station and circulated on
pro-Iranian social media purporting to show her.
US Top Diplomat Rubio
Discusses Iran, Gaza Hostages with Israeli PM
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu on Wednesday to reiterate Washington's support for its ally, and the
two also discussed Iran and Israeli hostages in Gaza, the State Department said.
The call was Rubio's first with Israel since the administration of Republican
President Donald Trump took office on Monday. Trump and his predecessor,
Democratic former President Joe Biden, have both been supporters of Israel
during its wars in Gaza and Lebanon, Reuters said. Rubio underscored that
"maintaining the United States' steadfast support for Israel is a top priority
for Trump," the State Department said in a statement. Rubio told Netanyahu that
Washington will continue to work "tirelessly" to help free the remaining
hostages in Gaza, the State Department added. The latest bloodshed in the
decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when
Palestinian Hamas group attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250
hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent military assault on
Gaza has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, the Gaza health ministry says,
while also leading to accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies.
The assault displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza and caused a hunger
crisis. A ceasefire went into effect on Sunday and has led to the release of
some Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Rights
groups have criticized the mounting humanitarian crisis from Israel's military
assault. Washington has maintained its support, saying it is helping its ally in
its defense against Iran-backed militant groups including Hamas in Gaza,
Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi group in Yemen. "The Secretary also conveyed
(to Netanyahu) that he looks forward to addressing the threats posed by Iran and
pursuing opportunities for peace," the State Department said.
Continued denial of
Palestinian statehood is threat to global security, says Arab league chief
Ephrem Kossaify/Arab News/January 23, 2025
NEW YORK CITY: The secretary-general of the Arab League on Thursday warned that
the Arab region is in a critical phase that is underscored by a growing global
power rivalry that has complicated the ability of the UN Security Council to
effectively address Arab concerns.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit was speaking during a meeting of the council in New York
chaired by the Algerian foreign minister, Ahmed Attaf, whose country holds the
rotating presidency of the council this month. Algeria convened the meeting to
underscore what it described as the urgent need to strengthen the mechanisms for
conflict resolution, peace-building and humanitarian assistance in the Arab
world. Several major Arab crises are at the forefront of international diplomacy
concerns presently, with particular emphasis on the war between Israel and
Hamas, and ongoing instability in Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen. Some
of the crises have been on the Security Council agenda for years.
“Our concerns are one and the same,” said Aboul Gheit as he underscored the
importance of building on the historical cooperation between the UN and the Arab
League, particularly in light of the “strategic global competition” he said was
shaping the current geopolitical landscape.
He expressed concern that these global tensions have had a negative effect on
the Security Council’s engagement on Arab issues, most notably the decades-long
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Aboul Gheit strongly reiterated the League’s
position on Palestine, framing the struggle for an independent Palestinian state
as not only a regional issue but one that poses a significant threat to
international peace and security. He welcomed recent efforts to establish a
ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after more than a year of violence, which he
called “genocide,” against the Gaza Strip. However, he stressed that a ceasefire
agreement is merely a temporary measure, and a permanent resolution can only be
achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on
pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“The continued denial of Palestinian rights is a direct threat to the stability
of the region and, by extension, the world,” Aboul Gheit told council members as
he highlighted the urgent need for the international community to support a
two-state solution, in line with several Security Council resolutions.
“We have witnessed during the recent months a war that did not stop at the
borders of Gaza or Palestine but has spilled over, and its flames have reached
the region,” he said. He called for a greater role for the Security Council in
the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, the
founding of which was spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, the EU and Norway last
September with the aim of expediting the establishment of a Palestinian state.
In Sudan, meanwhile, the brutal conflict between rival military factions, the
Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has claimed an estimated
150,000 lives and displaced millions since April 2023. Aboul Gheit called for a
return to peace talks there. He warned that the situation in the country has
reached catastrophic levels, and urged the Security Council to take stronger
action in support of Sudanese sovereignty and unity. Turning to Syria, he
expressed the Arab League’s support for the aspirations of the Syrian people to
rebuild after more than a decade of devastating civil war. Acknowledging the
complex political dynamics in the country, he called for a transition led by the
Syrian people themselves, free from foreign intervention. He also reiterated the
opposition of the League to the continuing Israeli occupation of the Golan
Heights, describing it as “illegal and unjustified.” He warned against “the
Israeli expansionist greed” in Syria, and the exploitation of this delicate
moment. He emphasized the need to remain committed to the 1974 Disengagement
Agreement as the basis of the truce between Syria and Israel. Aboul Gheit also
touched on the situations in Lebanon, Libya and Somalia, each of which he said
face distinct challenges and will require coordinated international support to
achieve stability and progress. He congratulated Lebanon on the recent election
of President Joseph Aoun and praised the formation of a broad consensus
government. “We look forward to a new beginning in Lebanon, one of stability,
reconstruction and revival of the economy,” he said. Aboul Gheit reiterated the
League’s support for a political process in Libya free from foreign
interference, and acknowledged the continuing instability in Somalia, where he
said the League was working to promote national unity.
A particularly pressing issue for the Arab League is the future of the UN Relief
and Works Agency, which provides vital humanitarian assistance to Palestinian
refugees. An Israeli ban on the organization is due to take effect next week.
Aboul Gheit expressed alarm at what he described as Israeli plans to undermine
the agency, stressing that its work is crucial for stability in the region. “The
role of UNRWA is irreplaceable,” he said, warning that any attempt to dismantle
it would have grave consequences for regional peace. “UNRWA is not only carrying
out a humanitarian role but it is a pillar of stability in the Arab region.
“Eliminating its role is a direct threat to this stability, and we look forward
to a decisive role from the Security Council in defending this specialized
agency, which is performing an irreplaceable and critical role.”
Saudi Crown Prince, Rubio
Discuss Ways to Enhance Cooperation
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is also the
Kingdom’s Prime Minister, has received a phone call from US Secretary of State
Marco Rubio. During the call, they discussed the relations between the Kingdom
and the United States, explored areas of cooperation and ways to enhance them,
and addressed the latest regional and international developments along with
various issues of mutual interest.
Saudi Crown Prince, Trump Discuss Expanding Partnership
Between the 2 Countries
Riyadh: Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump discussed
ways for more cooperation between Riyadh and Washington and expanding their
partnership. During a phone conversation on Wednesday evening, the Crown Prince
conveyed the congratulations of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman
bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his own congratulations to the President on the
occasion of his inauguration, and wished the friendly American people more
progress and prosperity under Trump’s leadership. The two leaders discussed ways
for cooperation between the Kingdom and the US to promote peace, security and
stability in the Middle East, in addition to enhancing bilateral cooperation to
combat terrorism. The leaders also discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties in
various areas, and the Crown Prince noted the US administration’s ability to
create unprecedented economic prosperity and opportunity through anticipated
reforms in the United States, and that the Kingdom seeks to participate in these
opportunities for partnership and investment. The Crown Prince affirmed Saudi
Arabia's intention to broaden its investments and trade with the US over the
next four years, in the amount of $600 billion, and potentially beyond that. The
President expressed his appreciation and thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques and the Crown Prince for their congratulations, and affirmed his
keenness to work with the Kingdom on all that falls in the interest of both
countries.
Commercial Plane from Türkiye Lands in Damascus for 1st
Time in 13 Years
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
A commercial plane from Türkiye landed in Damascus for the first time in 13
years on Thursday, Syrian state media said. The Turkish Airlines plane flew from
Istanbul to the Syrian capital, SANA reported, two weeks after the first
international commercial flight landed, from Qatar, since former Syrian
President Bashar Assad’s fall. Ankara backed opposition groups in northwestern
Syria that fought against Assad and his allies during the
uprising-turned-conflict and never restored ties, even when most Mideast
countries did in 2023. Now Türkiye, a key ally of the new authorities under
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has expressed its intention to invest in Syria’s economy
and help its ailing electricity and energy sectors.
Oil Prices Held Down by Trump Tariff Uncertainty
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Oil prices were little changed on Thursday, maintaining almost all of the
previous session's losses on uncertainty over how US President Donald Trump's
proposed tariffs and energy policies would affect global economic growth and
energy demand. Brent crude futures were up 18 cents at $79.18 a barrel by 1315
GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) rose 14 cents to $75.58. "Oil
markets have given back some recent gains due to mixed drivers," said Priyanka
Sachdeva, senior market analyst at brokerage Phillip Nova. "Key factors include
expectations of increased US production under President Trump's pro-drilling
policies and easing geopolitical stress in Gaza, lifting fears of further
escalation in supply disruption from key producing regions." The broader
economic implications of US tariffs could further dampen global oil demand
growth, she added, Reuters reported. Trump has said he would add new tariffs to
his sanctions threat against Russia if the country does not make a deal to end
its war in Ukraine. He also vowed to hit the European Union with tariffs and
impose 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico. On China, Trump said his
administration was discussing a 10% punitive duty because fentanyl is being sent
from there to the United States. On Monday he declared a national energy
emergency intended to provide him with the authority to reduce environmental
restrictions on energy infrastructure and projects and ease permitting for new
transmission and pipeline infrastructure. There will be "more potential downward
choppy movement in the oil market in the near term due to the Trump
administration's lack of clarity on trade tariffs policy and impending higher
oil supplies from the US", OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong said in an
email. On the US oil inventory front, crude stocks rose by 958,000 barrels in
the week ended Jan. 17, according to sources citing American Petroleum Institute
figures on Wednesday. Gasoline inventories rose by 3.23 million barrels and
distillate stocks climbed by 1.88 million barrels, they said.
Trump Announces Private-sector $500 Billion Investment in
AI Infrastructure
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a private sector investment of up
to $500 billion to fund infrastructure for artificial intelligence, aiming to
outpace rival nations in the business-critical technology. Trump said that
ChatGPT's creator OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle are planning a joint venture
called Stargate, which he said will build data centers and create more than
100,000 jobs in the United States, Reuters reported. These companies, along with
other equity backers of Stargate, have committed $100 billion for immediate
deployment, with the remaining investment expected to occur over the next four
years.SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle Chairman
Larry Ellison joined Trump at the White House for the launch. The first of the
project's data centers are already under construction in Texas, Ellison said at
the press conference. Twenty will be built, half a million square feet each, he
said. The project could power AI that analyzes electronic health records and
helps doctors care for their patients, Ellison said. The executives gave Trump
credit for the news. "We wouldn't have decided to do this," Son told Trump,
"unless you won." "For AGI to get built here," said Altman, referring to more
powerful technology called artificial general intelligence, "we wouldn't be able
to do this without you, Mr. President."It was not immediately clear whether the
announcement was an update to a previously reported venture.In March 2024, The
Information, a technology news website, reported OpenAI and Microsoft were
working on plans for a $100 billion data center project that would include an
artificial intelligence supercomputer also called "Stargate" set to launch in
2028.
POWER-HUNGRY DATA CENTERS
The announcement on Trump's second day in office follows the rolling back of
former President Joe Biden's executive order on AI, that was intended to reduce
the risks that AI poses to consumers, workers and national security. AI requires
enormous computing power, pushing demand for specialized data centers that
enable tech companies to link thousands of chips together in clusters. "They
have to produce a lot of electricity, and we'll make it possible for them to get
that production done very easily at their own plants if they want," Trump said.
As US power consumption rises from AI data centers and the electrification of
buildings and transportation, about half of the country is at increased risk of
power supply shortfalls in the next decade, the North American Electric
Reliability Corporation said in December. As a candidate in 2016, Trump promised
to push a $1 trillion infrastructure bill through Congress but did not. He
talked about the topic often during his first term as president from 2017 to
2021, but never delivered on a large investment, and "Infrastructure Week"
became a punchline. Oracle shares were up 7% on initial report of the project
earlier in the day. Nvidia, Arm Holdings and Dell shares also rose. Investment
in AI has surged since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, as companies across
sectors have sought to integrate artificial intelligence into their products and
services.
5 Treated after Stabbing in South London, 1 Man Arrested
Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Five people have been treated following a stabbing Thursday morning in south
London, according to London’s Ambulance Service. London’s Metropolitan Police
said that a man was arrested following the stabbing in Croydon, which British
media reports said happened near an Asda supermarket. Authorities didn’t provide
a motive for the stabbing, and it wasn’t immediately clear if the man who was
arrested was among the five injured, The AP reported. The ambulance service said
that one person was taken to a major trauma center in London and four other
people were hospitalized. “We sent a number of resources to the scene, including
ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response
officer, members of our Tactical Response Unit and London’s Air Ambulance,” the
service said.London's Metropolitan Police said that “officers attended alongside
the London Ambulance Service to treat five injured people who were taken to
hospital," adding that "their injuries are thought to be non-life-threatening.”
The violence came on the same day that a teenager faced sentencing for fatally
stabbing three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed summer dance class in the
northwestern English town of Southport.
A federal judge temporarily
blocks Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship
AP/January 23, 2025
SEATTLE: A federal judge in Seattle on Thursday temporarily blocked President
Donald Trump’s executive order ending the constitutional guarantee of birthright
citizenship, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional” during the first hearing in
a multi-state effort challenging the order. US District Judge John Coughenour
repeatedly interrupted a Justice Department lawyer during arguments to ask how
he could consider the order constitutional. When the attorney, Brett Shumate,
said he’d like a chance to explain it in a full briefing, Coughenour told him
the hearing was his chance. The temporary restraining order sought by Arizona,
Illinois, Oregon and Washington was the first to get a hearing before a judge
and applies nationally. The case is one of five lawsuits being brought by 22
states and a number of immigrants rights groups across the country. The suits
include personal testimonies from attorneys general who are US citizens by
birthright, and names pregnant women who are afraid their children won’t become
US citizens. Coughenour, a Ronald Reagan appointee, began the hearing by
grilling the administration’s attorneys, saying the order “boggles the
mind.”“This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” Coughenour told Shumate.
Coughenour said he’s been on the bench for more than four decades, and he
couldn’t remember seeing another case where the action challenged was so clearly
unconstitutional. Shumate said he respectfully disagreed and asked the judge for
an opportunity to have a full briefing on the merits of the case, rather than
have a 14-day restraining order issued blocking its implementation. Trump’s
executive order, which he signed on Inauguration Day, is slated to take effect
on Feb. 19. It could impact hundreds of thousands of people born in the country,
according to one of the lawsuits. In 2022, there were about 255,000 births of
citizen children to mothers living in the country illegally and about 153,000
births to two such parents, according to the four-state suit filed in Seattle.
The Trump administration argued in papers filed Wednesday that the states don’t
have grounds to bring a suit against the order and that no damage has yet been
done, so temporary relief isn’t called for. The administration’s attorneys also
clarified that the executive order only applies to people born after Feb. 19,
when it’s set to take effect. The US is among about 30 countries where
birthright citizenship — the principle of jus soli or “right of the soil” — is
applied. Most are in the Americas, and Canada and Mexico are among them. The
lawsuits argue that the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees
citizenship for people born and naturalized in the US, and states have been
interpreting the amendment that way for a century.
Ratified in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War, the amendment says: “All
persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they
reside.” Trump’s order asserts that the children of noncitizens are not subject
to the jurisdiction of the United States, and orders federal agencies to not
recognize citizenship for children who don’t have at least one parent who is a
citizen . A key case involving birthright citizenship unfolded in 1898. The
Supreme Court held that Wong Kim Ark, who was born in San Francisco to Chinese
immigrants, was a US citizen because he was born in the country. After a trip
abroad, he faced being denied reentry by the federal government on the grounds
that he wasn’t a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some advocates of
immigration restrictions have argued that case clearly applied to children born
to parents who were both legal immigrants. They say it’s less clear whether it
applies to children born to parents living in the country illegally. Trump’s
order prompted attorneys general to share their personal connections to
birthright citizenship. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, for instance,
a US citizen by birthright and the nation’s first Chinese American elected
attorney general, said the lawsuit was personal for him. “There is no legitimate
legal debate on this question. But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not
prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my
own,” Tong said this week. One of the lawsuits aimed at blocking the executive
order includes the case of a pregnant woman, identified as “Carmen,” who is not
a citizen but has lived in the United States for more than 15 years and has a
pending visa application that could lead to permanent residency status.
“Stripping children of the ‘priceless treasure’ of citizenship is a grave
injury,” the suit says. “It denies them the full membership in US society to
which they are entitled.”
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on January 23-24/2025
For Peace in the Middle East, Trump Must Move the
US Al-Udeid Air Base from Qatar to the United Arab Emirates
Robert Williams/Gatestone Institute./January 23, 2025
"This is Qatar's classic game: support the Islamist terrorists and then present
itself as a mediator, liaison, and even peacemaker – the arsonist playing
firefighter. As in Afghanistan, as in Egypt in 2010, and as in every Muslim
country. In every Muslim country where there is a battle between the Islamists
and the secularists, Qatar supports the Islamists, as in Gaza supporting Hamas
for years, building its military might and enabling October 7." — Colonel Yigal
Carmon (ret), MEMRI, January 21, 2025. [Syria's de facto leader Ahmed Hussein
al-Sharaa], who claims to have broken completely with Al Qaeda, apparently did
so only because of strategic disagreements, not because he suddenly abandoned
its plan to create an Islamic state in Syria. Hurrying to the next scandal, the
Biden administration practically threw itself at Sharaa's feet. It rushed to
meet with the terrorist leader, then immediately removed the $10 million bounty
for his arrest, without even waiting to see what he would do. The US cannot
continue to reward terrorism. President Donald J. Trump would do well to declare
as a Foreign Terrorist Organization the Muslim Brotherhood, which is the font of
all Sunni Islamist terrorism and is effectively promoted worldwide by Qatar's
television bullhorn, Al-Jazeera. Trump would also be well-advised to move
American forces completely out of Qatar's enormous Al-Udeid Air Base,
headquarters of the US Central Command, transfer them to the United Arab
Emirates, and effectively cut ties with Qatar, a country "pretending to be an
ally.""Biden failed miserably. Trump should not recycle Biden's approach, and
should recognize that Qatar and Erdogan are enemies despite their incredible
skill in presenting themselves as friends, and as firefighters when they are
actually arsonists. Trump would achieve the release of all the hostages if he
were only to hint that it is conceivable that the CENTCOM base could be
relocated out of Qatar. In fact, he owes this to the Saudis and the Emiratis,
who are his true allies. If Trump clings to Qatar and Erdogan against these
allies, he should not then wonder why his true allies, the Saudis and the
Emiratis, are drifting towards America's adversaries, China and Russia" — Yigal
Carmon, MEMRI, January 9, 2025.
The US cannot continue to reward terrorism. President Donald J. Trump would be
well-advised to move American forces completely out of Qatar's enormous Al-Udeid
Air Base, headquarters of the US Central Command, transfer them to the United
Arab Emirates, and effectively cut ties with Qatar.
Qatar, the world's foremost terrorist state, which seems never to have met an
Islamist terrorist entity it did not support -- from Hamas and the Muslim
Brotherhood to Al Qaeda and ISIS -- has gained yet another win. It is Syria, the
latest country seized in a hostile Islamist takeover by the formerly Al Qaeda
affiliated organization Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Ahmed al-Sharaa,
formerly known by his "nom de guerre," Abu-Mohammed al-Jolani. Throughout
Sharaa's decades-long career as a terrorist -- from being a close associate of
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, to founding Al Qaeda's
branch in Syria, the Jabhat al-Nusra (Nusra Front), which he led from 2012-2017,
to forming HTS as a conglomerate of various jihadist groups -- Qatar has been a
constant factor. The Qataris have financially supported Al Qaeda wherever it
went -- Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria -– so the final victory of Sharaa, is an even
greater victory for Qatar, proving that its "investment" paid off. Qatar's State
Security Chief Khalfan Al-Kaabi visited Damascus on December 12, 2024, just days
after President Bashar al-Assad fled the country on December 8, following HTS's
final offensive. In no time, the Qataris reopened their embassy in Syria.
According to Yigal Carmon of MEMRI:
"Qatar is a big winner in the Syrian revolution, having supported the
U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and its
leader Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani (formerly ISIS and Al-Qaeda and now Muslim
Brotherhood) who has a $10 million bounty on his head. This is Qatar's classic
game: support the Islamist terrorists and then present itself as a mediator,
liaison, and even peacemaker – the arsonist playing firefighter. As in
Afghanistan, as in Egypt in 2010, and as in every Muslim country. "In every
Muslim country where there is a battle between the Islamists and the
secularists, Qatar supports the Islamists, as in Gaza supporting Hamas for
years, building its military might and enabling October 7." Sharaa, who claims
to have broken completely with Al Qaeda, apparently did so only because of
strategic disagreements, not because he suddenly abandoned its plan to create an
Islamic state in Syria. His current group, Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham, came about
when, in 2017, his Jabhat al-Nusra merged with other Syrian jihadist groups. The
US State Department in 2018 added HTS to Jabhat al-Nusra's existing 2012
designation as a foreign terrorist organization, and advertised a $10 million
bounty for Sharaa's arrest. After HTS conquered Syria, the Biden administration
immediately rescinded the bounty. What has been playing out in Syria since then
can only be described as shameful and embarrassing for Western leaders. All it
took was for Sharaa to sport a suit and trim his beard for them to flock to
Damascus to kiss his newly "moderate" ring. Flashback: The same international
community also believed that the Taliban would become "moderate" if the US just
negotiated with it seductively enough. The result is that today, women and girls
have been completely erased from Afghan society, not allowed to study, work, go
out of the home, seek medical care, or even be seen from the street through a
window.
The entire process was funded by the Biden administration through the United
Nations, according to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan
Reconstruction John Sopko:
"Since Aug 2021, UN has purchased, transported, & transferred at least $2.9
billion to Afghanistan using international donor contributions. U.S. is the
largest international donor, having provided about $2.6 billion in funding for
UN, other public international org. (PIOs) and NGOs operating in Afghanistan...
More than $1.7 billion of that funding came from #StateDept and #USAID to
support humanitarian activities implemented by PIOs and NGOs, including the UN,
the World Bank, and the Colombo Plan...
That is in addition to the $7 billion worth of military equipment that the US
left behind to fall into the hands of the Taliban. Sopko made it clear in
November that aid cannot be provided to Afghanistan without it falling into the
hands of the Taliban. The US taxpayer, in short, is funding the Taliban.
Hurrying to the next scandal, the Biden administration practically threw itself
at Sharaa's feet. It rushed to meet with the terrorist leader, then immediately
removed the $10 million bounty for his arrest, without even waiting to see what
he would do.
According to Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf, who met with Sharaa in
Damascus:
"I would characterize the discussion as quite good, very productive,
detailed.... we've been hearing this for some time, some very pragmatic and
moderate statements on various issues from women's rights to protection of equal
rights for all communities, et cetera."
Whoa. Is the ongoing intimidation, vandalism, violence and discrimination
carried out by Sharaa's jihadist goons against Christians in Syria since taking
power "equal rights for all communities"? Is the appointment of Anas Hassan
Khattab, a former Al-Qaeda commander and a UN-designated terrorist, to head
Syria's General Intelligence Service "very pragmatic"?
"We will judge by deeds," Leaf added, "not just by words. Deeds are the critical
thing,"
The Biden administration has had over 20 years' worth of deeds by Sharaa during
his service for Al Qaeda from which to judge. Sharaa and his cohorts effectively
ruled Idlib Province in northwest Syria from 2017 to December 2024. Here is what
they did there, according to author and journalist Jonathan Spyer:
"[W]hat was established was a repressive, authoritarian statelet ruled in
accordance with Islamic Sharia law. Women were required to wear the hijab, music
and alcohol was banned. No opposition was permitted to the edicts of HTS. Non
Muslims and women were not allowed to be present in the representative bodies
established. Al-Jolani, the organisation's leader, was essentially the de facto
dictator of the province. In his prisons, incarceration without trial and the
practice of torture were routine.
"There is every reason to believe that the system developed by al-Jolani's
'Syrian Salvation Government' in Idleb will now be installed throughout the
country, or at least in those parts of the country he controls (30 per cent of
Syria remains in the hands of the Syrian Kurdish forces). This week he even
appointed his 'prime minister' from those days, Mohammed al-Bashir, as the
interim prime minister in Damascus."
The Biden administration was not stupid, nor are other Western governments that
rushing to ingratiate themselves with the Syrian jihadist leader. All of that
history is well-known. It is just that they made it a matter of policy to
support Islamist terrorists over the rights of women, Christians, Kurds, Druze
and other Syrians. On the other hand, what could
anyone expect from the Biden administration, which again and again rewarded
Qatar for its terrorist role in supporting virtually every Islamist organization
that promotes the Muslim Brotherhood doctrine throughout the world? In January
2022, then President Joe Biden even designated Qatar a "major non-NATO ally,"
and elevated them to "Strategic Partners" of the US later that year. In January
2024, just months after the Qatari-sponsored Hamas atrocities in southern Israel
on October 7, 2023, Biden "quietly" entered into an agreement with Qatar that
extended the US military presence in the Gulf state for another 10 years.
Qatar is also the largest foreign funder of American universities -- nearly $5
billion, which could possibly be used to "suggest" a sizeable gold mine of
questionable information.
In the spring of 2024, then Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered Qatar
oversight of the ill-fated US-built floating pier in Gaza. Before the pier
swiftly disintegrated in rough seas, journalist Daniel Greenfield wrote:
"The Trojan pier is not only about bypassing Israel, but also Egypt. The
administration's vision is that the new arrangement will allow it to directly
move materials into Gaza without having to get permission from either Israel or
Egypt. And that's a major victory for the terrorists."
In the summer of 2024, the Biden administration reached a plea deal with the
mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Khaled Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), a terrorist who
received a safe haven and a government job in Qatar. He used it as a base for
his global terrorist undertakings, including the 1993 World Trade Center
bombing, the plot to assassinate Pope John Paul II, the 2002 murder of American
journalist Daniel Pearl and assorted other crimes. When the CIA tracked KSM down
to Doha, Qatar in the mid-1990s, the Qatari ruling family made sure that he was
quickly bundled to safety. According to the plea deal, KSM, and two other 9/11
terrorists, agreed to plead guilty on condition that the US government would not
seek the death penalty.
The US cannot continue to reward terrorism. President Donald J. Trump would do
well to declare as a Foreign Terrorist Organization the Muslim Brotherhood,
which is the font of all Sunni Islamist terrorism and is effectively promoted
worldwide by Qatar's television bullhorn, Al-Jazeera. Trump would also be
well-advised to move American forces completely out of Qatar's enormous Al-Udeid
Air Base, headquarters of the US Central Command, transfer them to the United
Arab Emirates, and effectively cut ties with Qatar, a country "pretending to be
an ally."
As MEMRI's Yigal Carmon explained on January 9:
"Biden failed miserably. Trump should not recycle Biden's approach, and should
recognize that Qatar and Erdogan are enemies despite their incredible skill in
presenting themselves as friends, and as firefighters when they are actually
arsonists. Trump would achieve the release of all the hostages if he were only
to hint that it is conceivable that the CENTCOM base could be relocated out of
Qatar. In fact, he owes this to the Saudis and the Emiratis, who are his true
allies.
"If Trump clings to Qatar and Erdogan against these allies, he should not then
wonder why his true allies, the Saudis and the Emiratis, are drifting towards
America's adversaries, China and Russia."
*Robert Williams is based in the United States.
© 2025 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.
Middle East and Islam Specialist...Your Time Has Come, Worshippers of the Cross’
Raymond Ibrahim/Coptic Solidarity/January 23/2025
Ahmed al-Sharaa: Jihadist in suit-and-tie.
On Dec. 8, jihadist rebel forces captured Damascus, and with it the whole of
Syria. Some in the Western media are suggesting that, although jihadist in
nature, the new regime promises to be inclusive of the nation’s Christians and
other religious minorities. Below, however, are some developments that occurred
from the moment the jihadists took over to just the end of December, 2024 (three
weeks) which suggest otherwise:
For starters, and as if they could not contain their “enthusiasm,” one of the
very first things the jihadists did is drive around Damascus while brandishing
disturbing messages on their vehicles, including “Your Time Has Come,
worshippers of the Cross.”Even in the days before Damascus fell, its aspiring
jihadist rulers were reported as looking to find and behead the leader of the
largest Christian community in Syria, Metropolitan Ephraim of the Antiochian
Orthodox Church. In response, the metropolitan tried to comfort the nation’s
Christians in a sermon:
[O]ur beloved children in Aleppo, we remain here, in Aleppo, with our flock in
all circumstance—from the most difficult to the most joyful. This is our
pastoral ministry, and we will steadfastly continue to fulfill it… We assure you
that prayers in our churches will continue as circumstances and available means
allow. In prayer, dear ones, we cast our burdens upon God and trust in Him.
Therefore, I urge you: pray without ceasing! Let us patiently follow Christ’s
path to the cross, until we rise with Him in His Resurrection!
The report adds, that, “Metropolitan Ephraim assumed leadership of the Aleppo
Metropolis on December 17, 2021, following the kidnapping and martyrdom of his
predecessor, Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi), who was murdered by Islamists in 2016.”
On Dec. 10, “Jihadist rebels looted the treasury and donation box of St.
George’s Syriac Orthodox Church in Damascus, disrupting religious services and
preventing the Mass from being held. The priest was ordered to leave the
premises.”
On Dec. 11, a Christian priest reported that Muslims attacked the farmers of a
Christian village of Homs: “The Christians were ridiculed and beaten for being
‘infidels.’”
On Dec. 13, a Christian couple, Samaan Satme and Helena Khashouf, of the village
al-Jamasliyye in Homs province, were brutally murdered inside their home.
According to one report, “Although the murder was initially reported as a
burglary gone wrong, it later emerged that Samaan was beheaded and Helena shot,
indicating that there were other motives.”
Suggesting that the murder comes in the wake of uncorked jihadist hostility
against the nation’s Christians, the report adds that, around the same time of
this double homicide, a Christian man and his mother, living in Latakia, were
attacked by their longtime Muslim neighbors, upon the jihadist rebels’ arrival:
“You’re Christians,” they were disparagingly told, “leave the house, we don’t
want you here!”On Dec. 18, the jihadists opened fire on the Greek Orthodox
cathedral of Hama. The gunmen, using automatic weapons, shot up the walls of the
church and tried to demolish the building’s cross.
That same day, the jihadists also “violated the sanctity of the dead” and
“vandalized the cemeteries of Christian families” in Mhardeh, north of Hama,
said a local source. Pictures of desecration (here) show a beheaded Virgin Mary
statue and several smashed crosses and tombstones scattered on the ground.
On Dec. 11, jihadists destroyed and vandalized the contents of the St. Sophia
church in Suqaylabiyah, another predominantly Christian town, also in Hama
province (video footage here).
Nearly two weeks later, and just a couple of days before Christmas, eight
foreign jihadists, of Uzbek origin, set fire to a large public Christmas tree in
Suqaylabiyah (image here). According to one report, “the perpetrators kept
observers and firefighters at bay while the stories-high artificial tree burned
in the main square.”This act of arson, along with the ongoing “series of thefts,
desecrations of churches, and anti-Christian provocations by jihadists from the
Russian Caucasus and Central Asia,” prompted protests from the region’s
indigenous Christians. While shouting “enough is enough!,” protestors marched
through their village carrying a large cross, “to show the jihadists that they
are Christians and not afraid.”
Discussing all these flagrant attacks, one report observes that,
Despite the declarations of tolerance and inclusion by the new government in
Syria, this attack on Christian sites is not the last, because jihadists
continue to act and have fought for the new Syrian government. In particular,
some, who are as close as two peas in a pod to the Islamic State, with the same
patches on their combat uniforms. Although Christmas for Catholics has been
declared a holiday for civil servants, nothing changes the fact that in Syria
the Islamist armed gangs, including the most radical ones, have total freedom.
Even Ahmed al-Sharaa, jihadist warlord and current leader of Syria, confessed in
a Dec. 17 interview that, “When we build the Islamic caliphate, Christians will
pay Jizya under Islamic Sharia.” The word jizya, which is often translated as
“tribute” or “tax,” comes from Koran 9: 29:
Fight those among the People of the Book [Christians and Jews] who do not
believe in Allah, nor the Last Day, nor forbid what Allah and his Messenger have
forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth [Islam], until they pay the jizya
with willing submission and feel themselves humbled.
As should be evident from that verse, jizya is not limited to monetary tribute
from “infidels,” but is also a reflection and reminder of their inferior
status—one of submission and humility—within an Islamic state, which Syria has
become.
Despite all this, and as usual, when it comes to what is in store for Syria,
wishful thinking seems to be supplanting reality. Although everything about
Ahmed al-Sharaa and his jihadist cohorts screams “radicalization,” “Islamic
terrorism” and “ISIS,” of late, the jihadist warlord has been making public
appearances in Western attire—suit and tie—and has been speaking like a Western
diplomat, stressing “inclusion” for religious minorities (aka, infidels,
contemptible kuffar, in his mind) and promising “a new era far removed from
sectarianism.”
And in our world of make believe, that tends to be all that is needed for
reassurance—even as the hate and violence simmers beneath the veneer and seeps
out unchecked.
Realism and the Surreal in Gaza’s Tragedy
Bakir Oweida/Asharq Al Awsat/January 23/2025
Everything our eyes have seen and continue to see, and everything our ears have
heard and still hear, since the day after what was dubbed the “Al-Aqsa Flood,”
attests to the suffering of the Gaza Strip’s cities and villages. This tragedy
has only exacerbated as time went by, growing like a snowball of flames, and
raining fire over unarmed civilians - children, women, and men.
The people of Gaza wandered aimlessly, with their eyes wide open in terror,
moving their feet without knowing where they were going, their faces burned by
flames of confusion and fears of getting lost. They could not tell where they
were, or where fate would lead them after they followed the orders of their
despotic, belligerent occupier, who commanded them to evacuate from the north to
the south...Despite all of that, despite all the pain and suffering, the Gazan
tragedy was not without “surreal” moments. These surreal scenes have likely
caught the attention of sharp observers and keen listeners, especially those who
followed it as their own lived experience despite their exile far from their
suffering families caught in its fires.
Yet, these bizarre moments are unlikely to have drawn the interest of
Palestinians and Arabs accustomed to theorizing and analyzing, nor that of the
leaders of Palestinian and Arab political parties and movements scattered in
different capitals across the East and West who were following the events from
the comfort of their couches. Will examples of such surreal scenes be provided?
Yes, here is one. I am well aware that many will find my bewilderment at a real
event to be strange, but I did find it extraordinarily bizarre.
The location: the heart of Gaza City. The date: last Sunday. The event: the
implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and
Israel.
Hamas releases three Israeli women who had been taken hostage during the Al-Aqsa
Flood operation - a flood that has left Gaza crippled for the foreseeable future
- in exchange for the release of 90 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. Several
dozen members of the Al-Qassam Brigades surround the vehicle in which the three
hostages are being transported. The soldiers are wearing military uniforms, and
a forest of green Hamas flags flutters all around them.
Those following the scene closely would notice that the uniforms appear
impeccably clean, perfectly pressed. Not a speck of dust could be found, giving
us the impression that they had never been worn before. It also seems that the
flags are being waved for the very first time.
A question occurs to me. Some might say that it stems from malicious curiosity -
so be it; journalists have a duty to raise questions and bear the accusations
that follow. The question is this: Was this scene a deliberate attempt by Hamas
to send a message, addressed to all the concerned parties around the world? Was
Hamas trying to signal that it has a vast reserve of vigorous and capable
fighters... with clean uniforms? Did Hamas try to convey that removing it from
the equation will not be easy?
There are reasons to think that “yes” is the answer to this justified question,
even those who are more enthusiastic about Hamas than its own leaders find this
claim inexcusable. The Gazan tragedy has many strange scenes, but the sight of
people returning from the camps in the south to the ruins of their northern
homes is more than “surreal,” even if it does speak to the grim reality of
Gaza’s inferno.
Has the war on Gaza truly ended? No, absolutely not. There are many solid
reasons for this unequivocal negative response, and they could perhaps be laid
out in a subsequent Wednesday column.
GCC’s role in shaping an ethical AI framework
Paul Almeida/Arab News/January 23, 2025
Artificial intelligence has become an important focus of individuals and
organizations in the public and private sectors because it holds immense promise
for generating efficiencies, enhancing innovation and driving economic and
social transformation.
But AI also brings potential dangers, including the possibility of widespread
disinformation, concentration of power, social upheavals and disruptions. So how
does society maximize the promise and minimize the peril associated with AI,
which is still a largely unregulated space? The Gulf Cooperation Council
countries are uniquely positioned to set global benchmarks for ethical and
positive AI advancement and implementation. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are
already working toward an AI economy built as a force for good, focused on
sustainable development and enhancing public services. The UAE aims to be one of
the leading nations in AI by 2031 with a goal of generating up to AED 335
billion ($91.21 billion) in extra growth. However, on a broader scale, there are
several key challenges that are important to address when it comes to building a
positive and sustainable AI ecosystem. With a mindset that business can, and
should, be a force for good in the world, it is imperative that business,
government and other sectors work across disciplines to address complex
innovations such as AI.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are shining examples of how we can launch pioneering
initiatives to harness AI’s potential. The National Strategy for Data and AI in
Saudi Arabia seeks to make the Kingdom a global leader in AI.
For instance, AI is revolutionizing Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector by enabling
early diagnosis and data-driven treatment planning. Similarly, the UAE’s efforts
as part of its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 incorporate AI
in urban planning, upskilling and smart government facilities.
These efforts help bolster the economic potential for AI in the region and
contribute to the well-being of the community at large.
From logistics powered by autonomous systems to predictive analytics, the GCC is
at the forefront of practical AI implementation across key sectors. However, as
new technologies emerge, there is heightened potential for job displacement.
Government and business collaboration is essential to protect society’s most
vulnerable in the future of work.
One key issue facing many companies is the potential for algorithmic bias and
discrimination in AI adoption. For example, one global tech company’s AI hiring
tool was found to prioritize male candidates due to historical biases in its
training data. To avoid such pitfalls, governments and private institutions must
ensure that all approved AI systems are built on diverse and equitable datasets.
Policies should mandate ongoing audits of algorithms to detect and rectify
biases, aligning with global standards while reflecting regional priorities.
Data privacy is paramount in the digital age. Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data
Protection Law and the UAE’s forthcoming Federal Data Protection Law mark
significant steps toward safeguarding personal information. However, enforcement
must be coupled with public education to build a culture of trust.
Initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program are
equipping residents with critical skills in data analytics and machine learning.
Companies should commit to transparency in how data is collected, stored and
used while empowering users with greater control over their information. Data
protection frameworks must also evolve to address emerging risks such as
AI-driven surveillance and misuse of sensitive information.
The automation of routine tasks through AI presents challenges such as job
displacement, but also many opportunities for training and upskilling. As we
embrace the role of AI in organizations it is important that we ensure the less
educated and less privileged in society are not left behind in the future of
work. Initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program are
equipping residents with critical skills in data analytics and machine learning
— essential for a prosperous AI ecosystem. Businesses must align with such
efforts by offering tailored reskilling programs, ensuring employees transition
seamlessly into new roles created by AI advancements. As GCC countries make the
transition to renewable energy supplies, there is an opportunity for AI systems
to play a fundamental role in energy innovation.
Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project is a prime example of how AI can be deployed to
repair the environment while building a sustainable metropolis. AI-powered
systems in NEOM optimize energy usage, manage water resources and support
biodiversity restoration. By championing such initiatives, GCC countries are
demonstrating how AI can tackle global challenges like climate change and
resource scarcity, setting a powerful precedent for the rest of the world.
Looking ahead, there is an opportunity to learn from proof-of-concept systems
developed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Ethical AI requires strong leadership and cross-sector collaboration. As part of
its campaign to attract global talent and business, the UAE’s “UAI Mark” offers
a certification that verifies safe, efficient, and quality AI companies. These
indicators ensure a bold but steady path toward responsible innovation.
At institutions such as Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business,
students are trained to navigate the moral dilemmas posed by AI while embracing
values-based leadership. This ethos must extend to public-private partnerships,
where governments, businesses and academia work together to embed ethics into AI
development.
The GCC’s growing ecosystem of AI innovation hubs and research centers offer
positive grounds for such collaboration. Robust governance is the backbone of
ethical AI adoption. Saudi Arabia’s NSDAI and the UAE’s Minister of State for
Artificial Intelligence exemplify the region’s commitment to comprehensive AI
governance. However, these frameworks must remain dynamic, adapting to new
challenges such as cybersecurity. International collaboration can further enrich
the GCC’s approach, enabling it to contribute its unique perspective to global
AI governance.
The GCC has the vision, resources and determination to be a leader in
responsible AI. The region is also well placed to attract global research talent
to build a sturdy AI network that addresses global ethical AI challenges.
AI adoption is one part of this strategy, but more importantly, we should
refocus our efforts on reshaping societies to benefit from technology while
reflecting human values. While championing AI’s potential for social good, the
region can set a global standard for responsible innovation.
• Paul Almeida is dean and William R. Berkley is chair of Georgetown
University’s McDonough School of Business.
Rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure a critical priority
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/January 23, 2025
Rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure is a monumental task that must be prioritized
by the new government following the fall of the Assad regime. After nearly 14
years of protracted conflict, the country faces an overwhelming challenge in
restoring its basic services, industries and economy. The devastation wreaked by
war has left much of Syria's infrastructure in ruins, with cities like Aleppo
and Homs bearing many scars. Roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and power plants
have been destroyed, leaving millions of Syrians without access to essential
services. Understanding how Syria came to be in this dire state underscores the
urgency of focusing on reconstruction. The conflict, which began in 2011, was a
multifaceted war involving numerous factions, foreign interventions and
devastating humanitarian consequences. The relentless fighting, airstrikes and
sieges obliterated industrial zones, agricultural land and public
infrastructure. Urban centers, once vibrant hubs of economic activity, have been
reduced to rubble.
Nearly half of Syria's population has been displaced, either internally or
externally, creating a refugee crisis that has strained neighboring countries
and Europe. The collapse of infrastructure has compounded the suffering, with
limited access to clean water, electricity and healthcare further exacerbating
the dire living conditions. Prioritizing the reconstruction of infrastructure is
essential for Syria’s recovery. It will not only address the immediate needs of
the population but also serve as a foundation for economic revival and social
stability. Rebuilding transport networks, for instance, will enable the movement
of goods and people, revitalizing trade and commerce. Restoring energy
facilities will provide electricity to households and businesses, jumpstarting
production and creating jobs. Reviving water and sanitation systems will improve
public health, reducing the spread of diseases and enabling communities to
rebuild their lives.
Beyond the practical benefits, infrastructure reconstruction holds symbolic
value. It signifies a commitment to rebuilding the nation and restoring
normality after years of devastation. It also fosters a sense of unity and
shared purpose, as communities come together to rebuild their towns and cities.
For a nation emerging from conflict, such collective efforts can contribute to
healing and reconciliation, laying the groundwork for a more cohesive society.
The issue of sanctions, however, remains a significant obstacle to Syria’s
recovery. Many Arab countries have urged the West to lift the sanctions on
Damascus, recognizing that these restrictions hinder reconstruction efforts.
While the sanctions were imposed to pressure the Assad regime, they also impede
the delivery of humanitarian aid and the rebuilding of critical infrastructure.
Sanctions limit access to financial resources, restrict trade and deter foreign
investment, all of which are essential for recovery. Lifting or easing the
sanctions would enable the new government to access international funding,
procure construction materials and attract foreign expertise.
Rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure also requires a multipronged approach from the
new leadership. Political stability is a prerequisite for attracting investment
and securing international support. The government must demonstrate a commitment
to democratic principles, human rights and transparent governance. This will not
only gain the trust of the Syrian people but also encourage the international
community to engage constructively in the country’s recovery.
Public-private partnerships can play a crucial role in accelerating
reconstruction by involving private enterprises in projects such as energy
production, transport and housing. This collaboration can harness additional
resources and expertise, ensuring efficient rebuilding efforts.
Syria also has an opportunity to invest in renewable energy sources like solar
and wind power. With its traditional energy infrastructure heavily damaged,
renewable energy projects can address electricity shortages while positioning
Syria for a more sustainable and energy-independent future. Countries like Saudi
Arabia and the UAE, with their expertise in renewable energy, could provide
valuable support in this area. Combating corruption is another critical aspect
of reconstruction. Corruption has historically plagued Syria and rebuilding
efforts must include strict measures to ensure transparency and accountability.
Reconstruction funds must be utilized effectively, reaching intended projects
without mismanagement or diversion. Capacity-building is equally important, as
rebuilding infrastructure requires a skilled workforce. Investments in education
and vocational training can equip Syrians with the necessary skills for
construction, engineering and technology-related fields. This not only supports
reconstruction efforts but also reduces unemployment and helps reintegrate
displaced persons and former combatants into the workforce.
Limited access to clean water, electricity and healthcare is further
exacerbating the dire living conditions. Rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure will
have transformative benefits for the nation. It will reestablish Syria as a
functional state capable of engaging meaningfully in regional and global
affairs. A strong infrastructure supports internal development and would
position Syria as a potential trade hub, given its strategic location at the
crossroads of the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Improved transport networks can
facilitate regional trade and foster economic interdependence with neighboring
countries, creating mutual benefits that contribute to long-term peace and
stability.
The reconstruction of housing, schools and healthcare facilities will also help
address the needs of millions of displaced Syrians, both internally and
externally. Providing safe housing and essential services will encourage
refugees to return, aiding the country’s demographic recovery and workforce
replenishment. International organizations such as the UN High Commissioner for
Refugees have expressed a willingness to collaborate with Syria’s new leadership
to support the safe repatriation and reintegration of refugees.
The advocacy of Arab nations for lifting sanctions reflects a growing regional
consensus on the need to assist Syria’s recovery. Countries like Saudi Arabia,
the UAE and Jordan have not only called for the easing of Western-imposed
restrictions but have also shown an interest in participating in reconstruction
efforts. In conclusion, rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure is not just a
logistical challenge, it is a moral and strategic imperative that will define
the nation’s future. Prioritizing infrastructure reconstruction will be critical
for economic revitalization, social stability and national unity. However, this
task requires significant international cooperation, the lifting of sanctions
and the establishment of a stable and transparent political environment.
Reconstruction funds must be utilized effectively, reaching intended projects
without mismanagement or diversion
The new Syrian government has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to
the country’s recovery by enacting reforms that attract investment, ensuring
accountability in reconstruction efforts and fostering partnerships with
regional and global stakeholders. For the international community, supporting
Syria’s rebuilding process is not just an act of humanitarian goodwill but also
an investment in regional and global stability. As the new leadership embarks on
this monumental task, the rebuilding of Syria’s infrastructure will serve as a
cornerstone of its transition from a war-torn nation to a thriving, resilient
state.
• Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political
scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh