English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For February 01/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Burying Jesus in the Garden’s Tomb after Pilate allowed Joseph of Arimathaea, to
take the body down from the cross
John 19/38-42: After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a
disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he
might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and
took away his body. Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came
bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. So they
took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of
the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden.
In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid. Then,
because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand), they laid
Jesus there.
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on January 31/February 01/2025
On the Anniversary of the Founding of the Lebanese Front/Father Tony Bou
Assaf / January 31/2025
Hezbollah Drone Incident Suggests Divide Between Political, Military Wings
Israeli airstrikes kill 2 in Lebanon
Israel says Hezbollah drone breached ceasefire
Israel threatens to hit Beirut airport if Iran 'keeps sending cash to Hezbollah'
Egyptian FM Calls for Full Implementation of UN Resolution 1701
Govt. formation negotiations: Latest developments
Hochstein's successor visits Lebanon, seeks inspection of 30 'Hezbollah sites'
Hezbollah MP urges state to 'act immediately' after Bekaa strikes
In Beirut, Egypt FM says Cairo ready for reconstruction role, urges Israeli
withdrawal
Iranian Deputy FM: Lebanon Is Entering a 'New Era'
Al-Qard al-Hassan Delays Compensation Payments: Is Hezbollah in Trouble?
Geagea says parties must be in govt., finance can't be given to Shiite Duo
Man held, car torched after he runs over Hezbollah supporters during funeral
The Demonization of Political Parties and Its Effects/Johnny Kortbawi/This is
Beirut/January 31, 2025
Shiites Must
Break Free from Hezbollah and Berri’s Stranglehold/Colonel Charbel Barakat/January
31/2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on January 31/February 01/2025
British-Israeli hostage says Hamas held her at UN facilities
Rubio Affirms
That Lebanon’s Government Will Become Stronger Than Hezbollah
EU restarts Rafah border crossing mission, says foreign policy chief Kallas
UNRWA’s work continues despite ban
Hamas to free three Israeli hostages in next ceasefire swap
Smotrich: Netanyahu, Trump Committed to Removing Hamas from Gaza
Palestinian terrorist groups react to Israel’s latest West Bank operation
Iran FM: Attacking Our Nuclear Sites Would Be ‘One of Biggest Mistakes US Could
Make’
Syria Arrests Assad-Era Officer Seen as Responsible for Triggering 2011 Uprising
Syria writers urge new leaders to respect public freedoms
Legal battle intensifies over Gaza as ICJ rulings face defiance
Ahmad al Sharaa’s Victory Conference: Syria’s new era and an exclusive
translation of Sharaa’s speech
Sweden releases 5 arrested following the killing of an Iraqi who carried out
Qur’an burnings
Trump will rue recklessly yanking security from Mike Pompeo, others in Iran’s
crosshairs
White House says Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will come Saturday
North Korean Troops Withdraw From Russia's Frontline After Heavy Losses,
Officials Say
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on January 31/February 01/2025
Trump’s Return Pushes Iran Into a Defensive Posture/Janatan Sayeh/ Policy
Brief/January 31/2025
Hamas Deal Puts U.S. Boots on the Ground/Daniel Greenfield/Gatestone
Institute/January 31, 2025
Can Trump Reverse The Irreversible?/Amb. Alberto M. Fernandez/MEMRI/January 31/
2025
Israel now applying its ‘Gaza model’ in the West Bank/Daoud Kuttab/Arab
News/January 31, 2025
Turkiye’s compartmentalized approach to the Maghreb/Sinem Cengiz/Arab
News/January 31, 2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on January 31/February 01/2025
On the
Anniversary of the Founding of the Lebanese Front
Father Tony Bou Assaf / January
31/2025
Do as you wish...
Act as you please...
Negotiate with nations...
Roam and revel as you desire...
But if you do not return to the ideology of the "Front of Freedom and
Humanity"—later known as the Lebanese Front—then Lebanon will cease to exist.
On the anniversary of the Lebanese Front’s founding, we call on everyone to
revisit its ideology and fundamental principles to answer a crucial question:
What kind of Lebanon do we want?
Our people deserve a Front of Freedom and a Nation of Humanity.
January 31, 1976 – January 31, 2025
#Theology_of_Existence
Rubio Affirms That
Lebanon’s Government Will Become Stronger Than Hezbollah
Al-Markazia/January 31, 2025
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a recent press interview that the
Middle East is witnessing positive developments, highlighting what he called
"good news" from Lebanon. He affirmed that the current Lebanese government hopes
to become stronger than Hezbollah, noting that the extended ceasefire in the
region is helping to achieve this goal. Rubio pointed out that if the current
trajectory continues—where Hezbollah weakens and becomes unable to serve Iran’s
agenda—it could pave the way for new regional relationships. He explained that
Iran’s growing weakness, following the loss of several of its proxies, may open
the door for agreements between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which would have
significant effects on regional dynamics. He also emphasized that this shift
could facilitate the resolution of some complex challenges, including the
Palestinian issue, particularly in Gaza, despite the persistent difficulties.
While acknowledging that these transformations are not guaranteed, Rubio
stressed that real opportunities now exist that were not available just three
months ago, providing some hope for improved conditions in the region.
Hezbollah Drone Incident
Suggests Divide Between Political, Military Wings
Beirut: Nazeer Rida/January 31, 2025
The downing of a reconnaissance drone, which the Israeli military said belonged
to Hezbollah, on Thursday exposed internal decision-making challenges within the
group. In a statement last week, Hezbollah called on the Lebanese state to
address Israel’s delay in withdrawing troops from occupied Lebanese territory—an
obligation under the 60-day timeframe set by the ceasefire agreement—without
hinting at any unilateral military action. This measured rhetoric was echoed by
senior Hezbollah figures, including Secretary-General Naim Qassem and the head
of its parliamentary bloc, Mohammad Raad, earlier this week. Since the ceasefire
on November 27, Hezbollah has avoided military actions in southern Lebanon,
except for a missile strike on an Israeli military site in the Shebaa Farms
during the first week. Despite Israeli airstrikes, home demolitions, and
incursions into Lebanese territory, including near the Litani River, Hezbollah
has not responded with further military action. Hezbollah's recent statements
have suggested a focus on political, not military action, with Qassem saying
military decisions are up to Lebanon’s “defensive strategy.”However, Israel’s
claim of downing a drone—unclaimed by Hezbollah—raises questions. If the group
is proven responsible, it would disrupt its efforts to shift to a political
approach, say Lebanese sources. The sources note that Hezbollah has refrained
from military action since the ceasefire deadline, signaling a political shift
despite Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese land. Although there’s no
confirmation of a split within the group, researcher Ali Amin pointed out
confusion within Hezbollah. He told Asharq Al-Awsat that while Hezbollah tends
to avoid divisions, recent reports suggest disagreements over the ceasefire
deal. Some members fear it could limit Hezbollah’s military power, making it
harder for supporters to accept the group’s shift toward a non-military,
civilian role.
Israeli airstrikes kill 2
in Lebanon
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/January 31, 2025
BEIRUT: Two people were killed and 10 injured in an Israeli airstrike on Friday
near the town of Janta on the Lebanese-Syrian border, the Lebanese Ministry of
Health reported. The strike was one of four in the area, which severely damaged
a road linking Tfail in Lebanon to Assal Al-Ward in Syria that has been used by
Hezbollah as a smuggling route. Hezbollah paved the road during the Syrian war
under the pretext of facilitating the movement of people. Lebanon later
asphalted it and installed a security checkpoint. The airstrikes caused a crater
7 meters deep and 10 meters wide in the road and severed electricity supply
lines.
As well as the attacks in Janta, Israeli warplanes carried out two airstrikes in
the Wadi Khaled border area.These are the latest in a series of breaches of the
ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli warplanes earlier struck
targets in Baalbek-Hermel province.
Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim Al-Moussawi condemned Friday’s attacks as “a
systematic escalation and a war crime against civilians.”
The Israeli army said the strikes were based on intelligence reports and
directed against Hezbollah targets in Bekaa that “pose a threat to Israel and
its army.”
“The targets that were struck include a military site containing underground
infrastructure used to develop and manufacture weaponry, as well as additional
infrastructure sites on the Syrian-Lebanese border used to smuggle weaponry into
Lebanon.”
Meanwhile, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reiterated his country’s “full
support for Lebanon and its complete readiness to help the country overcome the
repercussions of the recent Israeli war.”
Egypt was willing “to participate in the reconstruction process” and committed
to “supporting Lebanese state institutions and the army to ensure its deployment
across all Lebanese territories, including the southern regions,” he said.
El-Sisi’s comments were made in a message to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun
delivered by Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Ahmed Abdelatty.
Abdelatty’s visit to Beirut coincided with that of Iran’s Deputy Foreign
Minister for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs Vahid Jalalzadeh and at a time
when the formation of Lebanon’s new government is facing obstacles related to
Hezbollah’s participation.
Abdelatty assured Aoun of “the readiness of Egyptian companies, in coordination
with the French side and the international community, to contribute to the
reconstruction process and share expertise with Lebanon, particularly in the
electricity and gas sectors.”
He also highlighted “the utmost importance of fully implementing Resolution 1701
in all its clauses, wording and spirit without any compromise.”
“Egypt insists on Israel’s complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon without any
infringement on Lebanese sovereignty. We welcome the army’s deployment in the
south and Egypt is keen on providing full support to the military institution,”
he said.
“Furthermore, all displaced individuals must return to their homes in the south
and the Bekaa and we condemn the unjustified and illegal targeting of returning
civilians.”
Abdelatty said that there were “ongoing communications with the new US
administration, the Israeli side and France to stress the importance of fully
adhering to the ceasefire agreement, ensuring complete Israeli withdrawal,
halting violations and preventing civilian targeting. This is Egypt’s steadfast
position.”
“These security-level communications are ongoing to convey this message and our
stance will not change,” he said.
The minister also conveyed El-Sisi’s invitation for Aoun to visit Egypt “as soon
as possible” and said his government was “looking forward to working on
redeveloping and activating the frameworks of bilateral cooperation between
Egypt and Lebanon, as well as convening the joint higher committee immediately
after the formation of the government led by Prime Minister-designate Nawaf
Salam.”
“We look forward to the speedy formation of the new government led by Salam, so
Lebanon can fill the vacuum in its institutions,” he said.
“We support Salam’s efforts to form a Lebanese government that does not exclude
anyone and reflects all sectarian and religious diversity in brotherly Lebanon.
We look forward to the speedy completion of this matter, hoping that it will be
a strong Lebanese government that represents everyone.”
Aoun said: “Lebanon holds on to Israel’s withdrawal from the areas it occupied
during the last war within the deadline that was extended until Feb. 17” and
“rejects the delayed withdrawal under any pretext.”
He also stressed “the necessity to release the Lebanese hostages that were
captured by Israel during its war against Lebanon.”
Abdelatty told Salam he hoped for “the formation of the government in the near
future.”“We trust that Lebanon will rise again and fully recover thanks to the
presence of patriotic people like President Aoun and Prime Minister-designate
Nawaf Salam,” he said.
He added that the formation of a government was “a Lebanese matter” and that “no
foreign parties should interfere in this.”
After meeting Lebanon’s caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib,
Jalalzadeh praised “the special brotherly relations between Lebanon and Iran.”
He said the purpose of his visit was to congratulate Aoun on his election
victory and “to congratulate the dear people of Lebanon and the courageous
resistance for their remarkable steadfastness during Israel’s unjust war against
Lebanon, which led to a ceasefire agreement.”
Jalalzadeh said he and Bou Habib discussed the issue of “Syrians, mostly
Shiites, who were forced to flee to Lebanon following the developments in their
country.”
“We called for cooperation to provide them with the best essential care,” he
said. “We hope that all international forums and organizations will provide them
with the same essential and humane care as they did with former Syrian
refugees.”
Israel has been threatening to hit Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport,
claiming that Iran sends cash shipments to Hezbollah through the airport.
In response to the threats, Jalalzadeh said: “Lebanon is a free and independent
state that makes its own decisions and decides what relations to establish with
different countries of the world and with Iran.
“I affirm that Iranian nationals residing in Lebanese territory are subject to
all the laws and customs adopted in Lebanon and therefore we condemn and reject
these Israeli threats.” Lebanese media reported on Friday that Lebanese
officials had been pressured by the US to prevent the appointment of figures
from Hezbollah or its allies to the new government.
Israel says Hezbollah drone
breached ceasefire
Agence France Presse/January 31, 2025
The Israeli military said a Hezbollah surveillance drone that was launched
toward Israeli airspace on Thursday and intercepted by Israel was a "breach of
the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon". "The (army) continues
to remain committed to the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon,
and will not permit any terrorist activity of this kind," it said. Israel and
Hezbollah reached a ceasefire in late November that ended some 14 months of
fighting. Under the deal, both sides were to withdraw forces from southern
Lebanon within 60 days.
The deadline passed this week with Israeli troops still in Lebanon and Israeli
drones still in Lebanon's airspace. The U.S. said the sides had agreed to extend
the ceasefire through Feb. 18 while Israel continues its withdrawal. Israel and
Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the deal. Israel later
struck the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, killing two people and wounding ten
others.
Israel threatens to hit Beirut airport if Iran 'keeps
sending cash to Hezbollah'
Naharnet/January 31, 2025
Israel has complained to the U.S.-led ceasefire committee that "Iranian
diplomats and others are delivering tens of millions of dollars in cash to
Hezbollah to fund the group’s revival," The Wall Street Journal quoted sources
as saying.
The American newspaper said Friday that it has learned from a U.S. defense
official and other sources that Israel threatened to strike Beirut International
Airport if Iran keeps using it to smuggle aid to Hezbollah. According to the
daily's sources, Israel claimed that Iranian envoys have been flying from Tehran
to Beirut’s airport with suitcases stuffed with U.S. dollars and that Turkish
citizens have also been smuggling money from Istanbul to Beirut.The report said
a Lebanese security official assured that Beirut's airport is under tight
control to prevent smuggling cash to Hezbollah but that valuable items like
gemstones and diamonds could pass undetected.
Egyptian FM Calls for Full Implementation of UN Resolution
1701
This is Beirut/January 31, 2025
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Ahmed Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s commitment to
Lebanon’s stability, stressing the need for the full implementation of UN
Resolution 1701 in “all its provisions.”Speaking after a meeting with President
Joseph Aoun on Friday, Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s solidarity with the Lebanese
people, noting that Aoun’s election was a “source of satisfaction” for both the
Egyptian leadership and Lebanon. He voiced confidence in the new administration,
stating, “Lebanon will soon recover.”
He further stressed the urgency of forming a government, noting, “The swift
formation of a government is crucial to restoring full institutional functions
and focusing on reconstruction.”The Foreign Minister also emphasized the
importance of reactivating and developing bilateral agreements between Egypt and
Lebanon once the new government is formed. Regarding regional stability,
Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, stating, “Our role
remains steadfast in preventing violations. We maintain regular communication
with the new US administration, Israel and France at security levels to
reinforce our firm stance.”
Later, Abdelatty also met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Prime
Minister-designate, Nawaf Salam. After the meeting, the foreign minister
reaffirmed Cairo’s confidence in Salam’s leadership, expressing hope for the
swift formation of a government that meets the aspirations of the Lebanese
people.
“We are confident in the wisdom of the Prime Minister-designate and hope that a
government that fulfills the hopes of the Lebanese will be agreed upon ,” he
stated.
Govt. formation negotiations: Latest developments
Naharnet/January 31, 2025
A new visit to Beirut by Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan is an indication that
Saudi Arabia may be trying to facilitate the mission of PM-designate Nawaf
Salam, informed sources said.“There are still obstacles that need solutions,
including what relates to Christian and Sunni representation,” the sources told
al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Friday.“There is perhaps a need for
an imminent meeting between Speaker Nabih Berri and Salam to reach agreements
over some issues that are still pending, including the finance portfolio,” the
sources added.
Berri has been quoted as saying that the Shiite Duo is facilitating Salam’s
mission and that Hezbollah and the Amal Movement are not the problem. Al-Joumhouria
added that in their latest meeting, Salam and the Shiite Duo maintained their
“agreement” that Hezbollah and Amal would be given the five Shiite portfolios in
the new cabinet, including the finance portfolio. “President Joseph Aoun and
Salam do not have a veto on Yassine Jaber. As for the other names, Berri has
stressed that he is open to discussing the candidates proposed for the
portfolios other than the finance one,” the daily said. A source informed on the
negotiations meanwhile told the newspaper that the cabinet formation process is
in its final stages and that the new government “may be formed before the
weekend.”The source added that the Free Patriotic Movement might not join the
government. The possibility of giving the finance portfolio to the Shiite Duo is
meanwhile “facing strong opposition from the majority that named Salam,” al-Joumhouria
said, adding that “the matter still needs further negotiations and an imminent
intervention by the five-nation group for Lebanon.”
Below is a draft cabinet line-up published by al-Joumhouria:
- Deputy PM: Ex-minister Tarek Mitri
- Lebanese Forces: Telecom and energy
- Progressive Socialist Party: Public works
- Moderation bloc: Education and agriculture
- President Aoun: Defense, justice and foreign affairs
- Tashnag Party: Youth and Sports
- Shiite Duo: Finance, labor, industry, environment and health
Hochstein's successor visits Lebanon, seeks inspection of
30 'Hezbollah sites'
Naharnet/January 31, 2025
Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus -- who succeeded U.S.
envoy Amos Hochstein -- began her first visit to Lebanon on Thursday by meeting
at the U.S. Embassy with U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers, the head of the
ceasefire monitoring committee. The pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper said
Ortagus agreed with Jeffers on “launching an intensive work program with the
Lebanese Army to search around 30 sites suspected of being resistance
(Hezbollah) facilities north of the Litani River, especially in al-Zahrani and
the Bekaa.”The committee had informed the Lebanese Army command that it has
information about “buildings, depots, valleys and forests in which Hezbollah is
hiding ammunition and weapons, based on claims submitted by the Israeli enemy,”
al-Akhbar said. The Americans meanwhile “want officer appointments in the army
and security forces that suit their interpretation of the ceasefire agreement
and who would have no ties to Hezbollah,” the daily added. “Ortagus will try to
press Lebanon’s leaders to approve the appointment of army and security forces
officers who enjoy U.S.-French consent, in order to halt the residents’ uprising
that led to the liberation of parts of their towns and the facilitation of the
army’s deployment,” the newspaper’s sources said.
Hezbollah MP urges state to 'act immediately' after Bekaa
strikes
Associated Press/January 31, 2025
Hezbollah legislator Ibrahim Moussawi called Friday Israeli strikes on east
Lebanon "a very dangerous violation and a blatant and explicit aggression."Two
people were killed and 10 others were wounded in an overnight strike on an
unofficial border crossing in eastern Lebanon, as Israel launched four strikes
on the Janta border crossing in the eastern province of Baalbek, while two other
strikes targeted two illegal Syria-Lebanon border crossings in northern Lebanon
late Thursday and early Friday. Moussawi said "the Lebanese state, represented
by the presidency, the government and the army, is required to take immediate
action."The Israeli military said it struck "a military site that included
underground infrastructure for developing and producing combat equipment, in
addition to infrastructure for crossing the Syrian-Lebanese border,” used by
Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley. The statement also accused Hezbollah of launching
a reconnaissance drone toward Israel Thursday, saying it’s a violation of the
ceasefire agreement that halted the Israel-Hezbollah war in late November.
In Beirut, Egypt FM says Cairo ready for reconstruction role, urges Israeli
withdrawal
Naharnet/January 31, 2025
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced Friday after meeting
President Joseph Aoun in Baabda that Cairo was “extremely relieved after the
finalization of the presidential election in Lebanon.”“We are full of hope
regarding the wise leadership of President Aoun,” Abdelatty added. “We are
confident that Lebanon will recover and rise … and during my meeting with
President Aoun I relayed to him a message from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi,
which stresses full Egyptian support for Lebanon during these difficult times in
the region,” the minister said. “We discussed the Egyptian role in the
reconstruction in Lebanon and Egyptian companies will be at Lebanon’s disposal
to execute all recovery projects,” Abdelatty added. Stressing “the importance of
implementing Resolution 1701,” the minister said Egypt is “keen on full Israeli
withdrawal from Lebanon” and added that Egypt is willing to “offer aid to the
army.”“Egypt underscores the need for committing to the ceasefire agreement and
we have constant contacts with Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and France
and the U.S. in this regard,” Abdelatty said.
Iranian Deputy FM: Lebanon Is Entering a 'New Era'
This is Beirut/January 31, 2025Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular and
Parliamentary Affairs Vahid Jalalzadeh stated that the election of a new
Lebanese president, followed by a potential formation of a government marks the
beginning of a “new era” for Lebanon.
Following a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib on Friday,
Jalalzadeh expressed hope that these political developments “would spur
reconstruction, prosperity and progress.” He also emphasized the need for
Lebanon to overcome its ongoing economic and political challenges “that have
undermined its stability.”Furthermore, he congratulated “the Lebanese people and
the resistance” for what he described as their “legendary determination
throughout the war,” a claim of victory that both Hezbollah and Iran have
continued to assert since the November ceasefire agreement.Addressing the issue
of displaced Syrians, the Iranian diplomat reiterated Tehran’s support for
Lebanon, stating that Iran is “fully prepared to contribute to resolving this
issue.”He urged international organizations to take concrete steps to assist
both the Lebanese authorities and displaced Syrians, particularly those who
arrived to Lebanon following the fall of the Assad regime.
Al-Qard al-Hassan Delays Compensation Payments: Is Hezbollah in Trouble?
This is Beirut/January 31, 2025
The recent decision by Al-Qard al-Hassan, Hezbollah’s illegal financial
institution, to postpone until February 10 the payment of compensation to
victims of the conflict with Israel has sent shockwaves through the Shiite
community. The payments were originally scheduled for February 1.
To justify this delay, the militia-run ‘bank’ cited “internal technical and
administrative issues” while assuring that its other financial services, such as
loans, deposits and withdrawals, will be operating normally. According to an
article written by Nawal Berri for Nidaa al-Watan on Friday, this announcement
has raised questions about the extent of Hezbollah’s financial difficulties.
According to multiple sources cited by the journalist, Al-Qard al-Hassan
employees were caught off guard, as were the beneficiaries of these
compensations, with no valid explanation provided for the postponement. The
report recalls that, following the war between Israel and Hezbollah, the latter
had pledged to provide direct aid to families affected by the fighting. Each
family was supposed to receive an annual sum of $14,000, distributed as follows:
a one-time payment of $8,000 for furniture replacement and a rental allowance of
$6,000 per year for those living in Beirut and its surroundings, or $4,000 for
those residing in southern Lebanon, the Beqaa and other regions.According to
retired Colonel Adel Machmouchi, cited by Nidaa al-Watan, these financial aids
were intended to appease popular discontent over the widespread devastation. He
said that Iranian officials who recently visited Lebanon provided emergency
assistance to support Hezbollah and its grassroots base. However, due to a lack
of sufficient financial resources to undertake large-scale reconstruction
projects — which require significant funding — Hezbollah has opted to contain
the situation and quell potential unrest by carrying out minor repairs where
possible. Machmouchi noted that the available funds had been used in the hope of
receiving additional aid. However, supply lines, particularly aerial routes,
have come under increased scrutiny, especially after the closure of the land
border with Syria, making it difficult to transport financial aid. Moreover,
Iran, which is grappling with a severe internal economic crisis, could be less
able to support Hezbollah financially. This would explain the current crisis and
Al-Qard al-Hassan’s announcement on Wednesday regarding the postponement of
monthly payments, according to Machmouchi.Banking risk expert Mohammad Fahili,
also interviewed by Nidaa al-Watan, criticized the actions of the militia-run
bank, calling on Lebanese authorities to intervene. He pointed out that the
institution is not legally authorized to provide financial services such as
loans or compensation payments. He also highlighted significant violations by
Al-Qard al-Hassan, particularly its operation of ATMs without official
authorization, which contradicts the regulations of Lebanon’s Central
Bank.Israel Accuses Iran of Funding Hezbollah via Turkey
In a related development, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israel has filed
a complaint with the supervisory committee responsible for ensuring the strict
enforcement of the ceasefire, alleging the transfer of tens of millions of
dollars in cash to Hezbollah via Iranian diplomats. The American newspaper cited
a US defense official and other well-informed source. According to the WSJ,
Israel informed the committee that Turkish officials facilitated the air
transport of Iranian funds intended for Hezbollah — allegations that Turkey has
strongly denied. Ankara asserted that it had not been officially questioned on
the matter and denied any involvement in the transfer of funds to Hezbollah.
Faced with a severe liquidity crisis, with promised aid still on hold, Hezbollah
and its institutions find themselves in a precarious situation. This raises
questions about the future of Al-Qard al-Hassan and how Hezbollah will continue
to maintain its influence without sufficient resources to meet the immediate
needs of its support base.
Geagea says parties must be in govt., finance can't be given to Shiite Duo
Naharnet/January 31, 2025
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Friday stressed that there are "good"
political parties and bad political parties."You cannot treat them equally and
political action cannot be right without parties, but no portfolio can become
the exclusive right of a party," Geagea said, commenting on the controversy on
whether or not PM-designate Nawaf Salam should represent political parties in
the new government. "We will not accept the approach of excluding parties from
the government," Geagea added, explaining that "in all societies around the
world, political action is based on parties.""The unity of standards cannot be
imposed, and those who dragged Lebanon into war should not be treated like the
others," the LF leader said.As for the Shiite Duo's participation in the
government, Geagea said he is not opposed to giving the finance portfolio to the
Shiite community, but not to "someone from the Amal Movement or Hezbollah."He
added that the Lebanese people deserve "a competent and active government that
meets its aspirations."
Man held, car torched after he runs over Hezbollah
supporters during funeral
Naharnet/January 31, 2025
The army on Friday reportedly arrested a man who rammed his vehicle into
motorbikes carrying Hezbollah supporters during a funeral procession on the
Sarafand road. Al-Akhbar newspaper said the army arrested the “Palestinian
national” after he wounded four people. Unconfirmed media reports identified the
man as Palestinian national Mohammad al-Aqleh, as the Palestinian Fatah Movement
issued a statement saying the man is Lebanese and not Palestinian. Other media
reports said the man is a supporter of imprisoned anti-Hezbollah cleric Sheikh
Ahmad al-Assir.A video circulating online shows the car, a Renault Rapid with no
license plate, going against traffic to collide head-on with a motorbike
carrying two Hezbollah supporters.
The Demonization of Political Parties and Its Effects
Johnny Kortbawi/This is Beirut/January 31, 2025
There is a widespread misconception in Lebanon regarding political party life.
Talking about political parties in politics is akin to referring to cancer as
“that disease.” This perception stems from the association of political parties
with war. Many parents, who believed that their children should pursue their
education, viewed political parties as entities that lured their offspring into
combat. As a result, many opted to send their children abroad for studies rather
than allowing them to join political parties at the time. However, after the
war, and with the relative stabilization of political life, political parties
also regained their structure. They abandoned their weapons, and partisan
activities became an integral part of the political process. Nevertheless, the
demonization of political parties persisted, as they were seen as the successors
of warlords. This stereotype did not fade, even as Lebanon entered a phase where
parties participated in governance and elections, gradually replacing
traditional family-based and feudal power structures. In any normal political
system worldwide, political parties are fundamental. They offer ideas and
proposals, attracting members who align with their vision. The more successful a
party is in elections, the greater its influence in public affairs through
official positions and institutions. In Lebanon as well, certain parties have
spent their post-war existence presenting political ideas, proposing projects
and striving to gain the broadest possible representation in Parliament. This is
the natural course of politics everywhere. However, since the October 17
uprising, there has been a growing notion that political parties are
illegitimate, that they have no right to hold power or to participate in the
government. Such claims are riddled with contradictions, injustice and even
embarrassment when addressing the role of political parties. If political
parties have made mistakes in governance, they should be held accountable in
court and their political judgment should take place through elections. But to
insist that governments should be formed entirely outside of political parties
and the existing political framework—simply to appease certain factions or to
deal with the ruling authority in a retaliatory manner—is nothing short of
exclusion in its fullest sense. The demonization of political parties cannot
continue indefinitely. They are an intrinsic part of Lebanon’s social fabric,
even if opposition exists against each one of them. Engaging in vengeful tactics
against them is merely another form of dominance, similar to the power grabs
committed by some factions in the past.
Shiites Must Break Free
from Hezbollah and Berri’s Stranglehold
Colonel Charbel Barakat/January 31/2025
(Free Translation from Arabic by: Elias Bejjani)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/01/139706/
Introduction
Lebanon stands at a critical crossroads, yet the so-called Shiite duo—Hezbollah
and Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement—remains oblivious to reality, behaving as if
they have not just lost a devastating war with Israel, dragged Lebanon into
ruin, and inflicted disasters upon the very Shiite community they claim to
represent. Instead of acknowledging defeat, learning from their catastrophic
mistakes, and seeking a path toward national recovery, they persist in
obstructing the formation of a new government, imposing conditions that serve
their Iranian masters rather than the Lebanese people. The time has come for
Lebanon’s Shiites to break free from this oppressive grip and reclaim their
place within a sovereign, independent, and prosperous Lebanon.
Shiites and the Necessity of Change
Some argue that Hezbollah and Amal’s demands cannot be ignored to avoid
alienating Shiites. While this may seem reasonable on the surface, it is
essential to ask whether this duo ever considered anyone else’s opinions when
they seized control of Lebanon using Iranian weapons and the false pretense of a
“resistance” mandate. For decades, they have ruled with an iron fist,
dismantling Lebanon’s political, economic, and administrative structures without
foresight, accountability, or regard for the very Shiites they pretend to
defend.
The Lebanese Shiites are an integral part of the nation, just like the Druze,
Christians, and Sunnis, contributing to the country’s rich mosaic and standing
resilient against hardships. However, Hezbollah and Amal’s leadership has led
them into isolation, destruction, and servitude to a foreign power. History has
proven time and again that Shiites, like all Lebanese, have thrived through
cooperation, openness, and national unity—not through sectarian domination and
blind allegiance to a theocratic dictatorship in Tehran.
Instead of drawing lessons from the Druze, who balanced alliances with other
groups, or the Maronites, who championed a Lebanon for all, Hezbollah and Amal
have imposed an extremist, isolationist doctrine. This self-inflicted
marginalization is further compounded by their exploitation of the Palestinian
cause—not to serve Palestinian interests, but to justify interventions across
the Arab world and destabilize sovereign nations, as seen in Bahrain, Saudi
Arabia, and Yemen.
The greatest threat Hezbollah poses to the Shiite community is not just military
or political but cultural. By imposing Iranian-style indoctrination, extremist
ideology, and a culture of blind militancy, Hezbollah has erased the traditional
openness of Lebanese Shiites. Where once they were known for their
entrepreneurial spirit, pragmatism, and adaptability, they are now forced into a
suffocating identity defined by paranoia, aggression, and servitude to Iran’s
regional ambitions.
This delusion of power led Hezbollah into a reckless war with Israel, which
resulted in the obliteration of its military arsenal, the deaths of its fighters
and leaders, and the widespread destruction of Lebanese towns and villages. Yet,
instead of recognizing this reality, they continue to act as though they emerged
victorious, using propaganda and intimidation to silence dissent within their
own ranks and across Lebanon.
Even more troubling is that elements within the Lebanese state and media
continue to enable Hezbollah’s deception, either out of fear or personal
interest. The government remains paralyzed, unable to hold Hezbollah and Amal
accountable for their crimes against the nation, while the army and security
agencies hesitate to dismantle their paramilitary structure. Instead, they
foolishly pressure Israel to withdraw as if Hezbollah had won the war, giving
the illusion of victory to a terrorist organization that has brought only death
and destruction.
If Lebanon is to escape this cycle of violence and collapse, decisive action is
required. The immediate dissolution of Hezbollah and the arrest of all its
members—starting with its political representatives—is essential. The same
applies to the Amal Movement, which must be stripped of all government
positions. Speaker Nabih Berri, who has held Lebanon’s parliament hostage for
over 30 years, must be investigated and removed, along with his network of
corrupt officials who have looted state institutions under his watch.
Moreover, Lebanon must call for swift parliamentary elections in districts where
seats have been rendered illegitimate by Hezbollah’s stranglehold, allowing for
true representation of Shiites who reject Iran’s hegemony. Anything less would
mean a continuation of the failed policies that have turned Lebanon into a
regional wasteland, reeking of corruption, lawlessness, and decay.
Lebanon is now at a breaking point. Either it is cleansed of Hezbollah and
Amal’s rot, restoring governance, accountability, and national sovereignty, or
it continues to burn under the weight of its own decay. The choice is clear—will
the Lebanese, especially the Shiites, seize this moment for liberation, or
remain shackled by the chains of Iranian tyranny?
Colonel Charbel Barakat
***Colonel Charbel Barakat, a retired Lebanese Army officer, historian,
terrorism expert, and author of numerous works on Lebanon, the Iranian regime’s
schemes, and jihadist movements, has testified multiple times before the U.S.
Congress on critical issues, including Iranian and Syrian terrorism, the Syrian
occupation of Lebanon, jihadist threats, and the pursuit of Middle East peace.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on January 31/February 01/2025
British-Israeli hostage says
Hamas held her at UN facilities
Robert Greenall - BBC News/January 31, 2025
A British-Israeli woman who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months says
she was detained for some time at United Nations facilities.
During a phone call with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Emily Damari - who
was released earlier this month - said she was held at sites belonging to the
UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa). She also said she was denied
medical treatment during her captivity, despite being shot in the hand and leg.
In a statement, Unrwa said claims that hostages had been held on UN premises
were "very serious" and that it had repeatedly called for independent
investigations into claims Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas, were
misusing the facilities. Israel has repeatedly accused personnel from Unrwa of
being involved in the 7 October attacks and said that its buildings in Gaza were
used by Hamas. The Israeli government plans to ban the organisation from
operating. During the call with Downing Street, Ms Damari said that while being
held at an Unrwa facility, her captors only provided her with an out-of-date
bottle of iodine to treat gunshot wounds in her leg and her left hand, on which
she lost two fingers. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme, Unrwa's director
of communications Juliette Touma was asked about Ms Damari's claims. She said:
"For many, many months we did not have access to several of our facilities.
"So the vast majority of our buildings were turned into shelters when the war
started. "At some point we had a million people in those shelters." Mandy and
Emily Damari sitting in a room and speaking on a phone. Emily Damari and her
mother (left) spoke to the UK prime minister over the phone on Friday
[BBC/Handout] A Downing Street spokesperson said they "welcome the fact that
Unrwa have said there should be an investigation into the use of their
facilities". Ms Damari, now 28, also used the call with Sir Keir to thank people
in the UK who campaigned for her release. A ceasefire deal between Israel and
Hamas will see the gradual release of hostages being held in Gaza, in exchange
for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. Three more hostages are set to be
released on Saturday, while 183 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be freed.
Some 251 hostages were taken by Hamas when it attacked Israel on 7 October 2023,
killing about 1,200 people. The attack triggered a war which has devastated
Gaza. Israel's 15-month military offensive killed 47,460 Palestinians in the
territory, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
EU restarts Rafah border
crossing mission, says foreign policy chief Kallas
Reuters/January 31, 2025
BRUSSELS: The European Union has restarted its civilian mission to monitor the
border crossing between Gaza and Egypt at Rafah, a key entry and exit point for
the Palestinian territory, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on
Friday. Kallas announced on Monday that there was broad agreement among member
states’ foreign ministers that the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) could
play a “decisive role” in supporting the ceasefire agreement between Israel and
the Hamas group that administers Gaza. “The EU’s civilian border mission deploys
today to the Rafah Crossing at the request of the Palestinians and the Israelis.
It will support Palestinian border personnel and allow the transfer of
individuals out of Gaza, including those who need medical care,” she posted on
X. Palestinian and Hamas officials said the crossing would now be run by members
of the Palestinian Authority and European monitors. It will be opened for 50
injured militants and 50 wounded civilians, along with individuals escorting
them, according to the officials, who said a further 100 people, most likely
students, would be allowed through on humanitarian grounds. A civilian EU
mission to help monitor the crossing began work in 2005 but was suspended in
June 2007 as a result of Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip. In its standby mode,
the mission had 10 international and eight local staff. Italy has said it will
send seven paramilitary Carabinieri officers to join the Rafah mission in
addition to two Italians already there, while Germany’s interior and foreign
ministries are discussing sending a German contingent.
UNRWA’s work continues
despite ban
Reuters/February 01, 2025
GENEVA: The UN Palestinian relief agency said its humanitarian work across the
occupied territories and Gaza was still ongoing on Friday despite an Israeli ban
that took effect a day before and what it described as hostility toward its
staff. An Israeli law adopted in October bans operations by UNRWA, or UN Relief
and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, on Israeli land — including annexed
East Jerusalem — and contact with Israeli authorities from Jan. 30. Britain,
France, and Germany on Friday reiterated their concern over Israel implementing
the new law, which humanitarian agencies say will have a considerable impact on
devastated Gaza as staff and supplies transit to the Palestinian enclave via
Israel. “We continue to provide services,” Juliette Touma, director of
communications of UNRWA, told a press briefing in Geneva. “In Gaza, UNRWA
continues to be the backbone of the international humanitarian response. We
continue to have international personnel in Gaza and bring in trucks of basic
supplies.”She said any disruptions to its work in Gaza would put a ceasefire
deal that halted the war between Israel and Hamas at risk. “If UNRWA is not
allowed to continue to bring and distribute supplies, then the fate of this very
fragile ceasefire is going to be at risk and is going to be in jeopardy,” she
said. Tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees in occupied East Jerusalem —
whose annexation by Israel is not recognized internationally — also receive
education, healthcare, and other services from UNRWA. Touma said that its
Palestinian staff in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are facing difficulties,
citing examples of stone-throwing and hold-ups at checkpoints without
attributing blame. “They face an exceptionally hostile environment as a fierce
disinformation campaign against UNRWA continues,” she said. “It has been a
really rough ride; it has not been easy. Our staff have not been
protected.”International staff have already left after their visas expired, she
added. Israel has long been critical of UNRWA and alleges its staff were
involved in the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which triggered the Gaza
war.
The UN has said nine UNRWA staff may have been involved and were fired. The
ceasefire deal has allowed for a surge in humanitarian aid and enabled the
release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli
jails.Before the agreement, experts warned of imminent famine in northern Gaza.
Supplies have since risen and the World Food Programme said that more than
32,000 tonnes of food had entered Gaza since the Jan. 19 deal took effect. At
the same briefing, the World Health Organization’s Dr. Rik Peeperkorn said about
12,000-14,000 patients were waiting to be evacuated from Gaza across the Rafah
crossing. Fifty are set to be moved on Saturday amid warnings that some children
could die. He added that these would be the first medical evacuations via Rafah
since it was shut in May last year. “They (evacuations) must urgently resume,
and a medical corridor must open up,” he said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel was committed to facilitating
humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, saying assistance should go through other
international agencies and NGOs. “Humanitarian aid doesn’t equal UNRWA, and
those who wish to support the humanitarian aid effort in the Gaza Strip should
invest their resources in organizations that are alternative to UNRWA,” he said
in a statement. “We will abide by the law, and we will continue to facilitate
humanitarian aid.”
Hamas to free three Israeli
hostages in next ceasefire swap
AFP/January 31, 2025
JERUSALEM: Hamas and Israel will carry out their fourth hostage-prisoner swap of
the Gaza ceasefire on Saturday, with the militant group to free three Israeli
captives in exchange for 90 inmates in Israeli jails. Militants in Gaza began
releasing hostages after the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire with Israel
took effect on January 19. The hostages have been in captivity for nearly 15
months. Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants have so far handed over 15 hostages to
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in exchange for hundreds of
Palestinian prisoners. Israeli campaign group, the Hostage and Missing Families
Forum, named the captives to be released on Saturday as Yarden Bibas, Keith
Seigel, who also has US citizenship, and Ofer Kalderon, who also holds French
nationality. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed it had
received the names of the three captives to be released.
In exchange, Israel will free 90 prisoners, nine of whom are serving life
sentences, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club advocacy group said. During their
October 7, 2023 attack on Israel which started the Gaza war, militants abducted
Siegel from kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Kalderon and Bibas from kibbutz Nir Oz.
Militants took a total of 251 people hostage that day. Of those, 79 still remain
in Gaza, including at least 34 the military says are dead. Those seized include
the wife and two children of Bibas, whom Hamas has already declared dead,
although Israeli officials have yet to confirm that.
The two Bibas boys — Kfir, the youngest hostage, who turned two in captivity
earlier this month, and his four-year-old brother Ariel — have become symbols of
the suffering of the hostages held in Gaza. The children were taken along with
their mother, Shiri. Hamas says the boys and their mother were killed in an
Israeli air strike in November 2023. The arrangements for hostage handovers in
Gaza have sometimes been chaotic, particularly for the most recent handover in
the southern city of Khan Yunis, which produced scenes that the Israeli prime
minister condemned as “shocking.”Woman hostage Arbel Yehud was visibly
distressed as masked gunman struggled to clear a path for her through crowds of
spectators desperate to witness her handover, television images showed. Israel
briefly delayed Thursday’s prisoner release in protest and the ICRC urged all
parties to improve security. “The security of these operations must be assured,
and we urge for improvements in the future,” ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric
said. Later on Thursday, Israeli authorities released 110 inmates from Ofer
prison, including high-profile former militant commander Zakaria Zubeidi, 49,
who was given a hero’s welcome in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Also freed was Hussein Nasser, who received little attention from the crowd but
was at the center of his daughters’ world. “Where’s Dad?” Raghda Nasser asked
tearfully as she moved through the crowd, an AFP correspondent reported. Raghda,
21, hugged her father in the flesh for the first time Thursday night. Her mother
was pregnant with her when he was jailed 22 years ago. “I just visited him
behind the glass in Israeli prisons. I cannot express my feelings,” Raghda said.
The fragile ceasefire hinges on the release of a total of 33 hostages in
exchange for around 1,900 people — mostly Palestinians — in Israeli jails.
The truce deal has allowed a surge of aid into Gaza, where the war has created a
long-running humanitarian crisis. Negotiations for a second phase of the deal
are set to start on Monday, according to a timeline provided by an Israeli
official. This phase would cover the release of the remaining captives. During
the current phase, more than 462,000 war-displaced Palestinians have returned to
the north of Gaza since Israel restored access on Monday, according to UN
figures. Many have gone back to homes that have been completely destroyed.
Smotrich: Netanyahu, Trump
Committed to Removing Hamas from Gaza
Asharq Al Awsat/January 31, 2025
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said that he decided to remain in
the government after becoming convinced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
and the new Trump administration were committed to removing Hamas as a governing
power from Gaza, including by force if necessary. Smotrich, who leads an
ultranationalist religious party, had voted against the ceasefire deal with
Hamas but has remained in the governing coalition for the time being. His
departure would rob Netanyahu of his parliamentary majority, setting the stage
for the government’s collapse and early elections. In an interview with The
Jerusalem Post, Smotrich argued that the deal would have gone through whether or
not he left the government, and said that while he believed that the deal was a
mistake, the majority of his coalition was in favor, and he could not “impose
his minority opinion” on the rest. Smotrich has said that if Phase two of the
deal includes an end to the war without achieving its goals, he would not just
leave the government; he would topple it. The most dangerous part of the deal is
the idea that taking Israelis hostage paid off and was enough to “bring Israel
to its knees,” Smotrich said in the interview published Friday. This could
result in attempts to kidnap Israelis or Jews abroad, which could be done fairly
easily, and could force Israel to pay a heavy price. Israel needs to ensure that
the end result will be an end to Hamas – and as such, a deterrent against future
hostage-taking. Smotrich also criticized the length of the war, which he said,
should have been far quicker. Part of what prolonged it was the Biden
administration’s “arms embargo” and its delay of shipment of D9 military
bulldozers, which are crucial for Israel’s urban warfare tactics, said Smotrich.
Palestinian terrorist groups react to Israel’s latest West
Bank operation
Joe Truzman/ FDD's Long War Journal/January 31/2025
The Security Cabinet of Israel directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the
Shin Bet intelligence agency, and the Israel Border Police to conduct an
operation aimed at “bolstering security” in the West Bank, Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu announced on January 21. More than a week since the start of
the operation, Israeli troops have killed 18 terrorists, arrested over 60 wanted
suspects, and dismantled over 100 explosives, the IDF stated.
As the IDF dismantles terrorist infrastructure in the northern West Bank,
Palestinian terrorist groups and their affiliated branches—numbering dozens
across the territory—have published statements and videos claiming they are
deploying small arms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to fight against
Israeli security forces.Telegram pages operated by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ),
Hamas, and other armed groups in the West Bank routinely update followers on
their activity. Most of the publications are statements claiming responsibility
for a shooting or an IED attack on Israeli forces. Other updates include
“martyrdom” notices acknowledging a fighter’s death in combat. A Telegram
channel operated by the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades in Tulkarm has been updated
almost daily since the start of the IDF’s operation. In one of the group’s
latest entries, it published evidence of fighters engaging IDF vehicles with
small arms and IEDs. In addition, on January 19, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida
articulated his group’s position by urging West Bank residents to escalate the
conflict against Israel. Statements by these armed groups share a common theme:
Israel is attempting to annex the West Bank. This narrative may be fueled by
reports from last year and five years ago of Israeli plans to annex Israeli
settlements in the territory. However, the conflict between Israel and
Palestinian terrorist groups, especially in the West Bank, is more complex and
predates recent reporting on a potential annexation. The latest Israeli effort
is the third large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank since
2023. Previous operations have eliminated terrorist group commanders, foot
soldiers, and infrastructure, causing some setbacks for these organizations. For
example, since November 2023, Hamas’s Tulkarm branch has lost three commanders
to IDF airstrikes. However, terrorist groups have continued to operate, expand,
and carry out attacks in the West Bank despite Israeli efforts. Throughout
Israel’s latest extensive operation, West Bank terrorist groups have
persistently engaged Israeli forces with small-arms fire and IED attacks.
Statements and videos published online buttress their claims of “armed
resistance.” However, the character and level of opposition may change, as the
IDF has signaled plans to significantly ramp up its push to remove terrorist
elements in the West Bank.
*Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal
focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle
East.
Iran FM: Attacking Our Nuclear Sites Would Be ‘One of
Biggest Mistakes US Could Make’
Asharq Al-Awsat/January 31/2025
Iran will respond immediately and decisively if its nuclear sites are attacked
which would lead to an "all-out war in the region," Tehran's foreign minister
told Al Jazeera TV in an interview aired on Friday. Israel and the US launching
a military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be "one of the biggest
historical mistakes the US could make," Abbas Araqchi said through a translator.
Concerns have grown among Iran's top decision-makers that US President Donald
Trump might in his second term empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
to strike Iran's nuclear sites while further tightening US sanctions on its oil
industry. Those concerns, coupled with mounting anger within Iran over economic
conditions, could drive Tehran toward engaging in negotiations with the Trump
administration over the fate of its fast-advancing nuclear program. Araqchi
suggested that the United States could free blocked Iranian funds as a first
confidence-building step between the two hostile countries. "Iranian assets and
funds have been frozen at various points by the US(which) has not fulfilled its
previous pledges (to free them). These things can be done by the US
administration in order to bring confidence between us," Araqchi said. In 2018,
then-President Trump reneged on the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and a group
of world powers and re-imposed harsh US sanctions as part of his "maximum
pressure" policy against the country. In response, Tehran breached the deal in
several ways including by accelerating its uranium enrichment. Trump has vowed
to return to the policy he pursued in his previous term that sought to use
economic pressure to force the country to negotiate a deal on its nuclear
program, ballistic missile program and regional activities.
Syria Arrests Assad-Era Officer Seen as Responsible for
Triggering 2011 Uprising
Asharq Al Awsat/January 31, 2025
Syrian authorities have arrested a former senior security officer and cousin of
ousted leader Bashar al-Assad seen by some as responsible for sparking the
country's 2011 uprising due to a crackdown on protests in the southern city of
Daraa, state media said. Atef Najib, a brigadier general and former head of the
Political Security Department in Daraa, was arrested by General Security forces
in the country's western Latakia province, state media SANA said. Syria's new
ruling authority has carried out security crackdowns in several regions that it
says aim to detain remnants of the former government, arresting dozens of
people, mostly low-level officers or combatants. Najib is the most senior member
of Assad's former political or security structures whose arrest has been
announced since the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group seized power from the former
president in a lightning offensive last year.
HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has since been appointed president for the
transitional phase and has pledged to arrest members of the former government
accused of crimes. "This step comes within the framework of the authorities'
efforts to hold accountable those involved in violations against the Syrian
people and enhance security and stability in the region," SANA quoted the head
of General Security in Latakia, Mustafa Knaifati, as saying.
Syria writers urge new leaders to respect public
freedoms
AFP/January 31, 2025
DAMASCUS: Dozens of Syrian writers, artists, and academics signed a petition
posted online on Friday calling for the respect of public freedoms after the
overthrow of Bashar Assad in December. The publication of the petition came two
days after the leader of the militant offensive that toppled Assad, Ahmad Al-Sharaa,
was named interim president. “We call for the restoration of fundamental public
freedoms, foremost among them the freedoms of assembly, protest, expression and
belief,” the petition said. “The state must neither impose nor interfere in
people’s customs regarding food, drink, clothing, or other aspects of daily
life,” it added, alluding to fears that the new authorities might impose
religious law. Al-Sharaa promised on Thursday to hold a “national dialogue
conference” to help shape a “constitutional declaration” that will serve as a
“legal reference” during the country’s transition.
BACKGROUND
Ahmad Al-Sharaa promised on Thursday to hold a ‘ national dialogue conference’
to help shape a ‘constitutional declaration’ that will serve as a ‘legal
reference’ during the country’s transition. The signatories called for “the
election of a constituent assembly under a fair electoral law and adopting a new
constitution that guarantees freedom and dignity for all citizens, men and women
alike.”Among the signatories were award-winning filmmaker Waad Al-Kateab and
Mustafa Khalifa, author of “The Shell,” an autobiographical account of an
activist imprisoned for years. Since Assad’s overthrow, deadly fighting has
continued in northern Syria between militants and forces loyal to a Kurdish-led
administration in the northeast. The petition called for a “just resolution to
the Kurdish question” that “must uphold the legitimate cultural, linguistic, and
political rights of our Kurdish citizens within a mutually agreed framework of
administrative decentralization.”Syria’s new rulers have called on the
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to hand over their weapons, rejecting
demands for any self-rule. During more than half a century of rule by the Assad
family, public displays of dissent were savagely repressed. After Bashar Assad
succeeded his father, Hafez, in June 2000, there was a period of greater
openness, but it was short-lived. Al-Sharaa, in his speech on Thursday, said he
would form a small legislative body to fill the parliamentary void until new
elections were held after the Syrian parliament was dissolved on Wednesday. He
said he would also, in the coming days, announce the formation of a committee
that would prepare to hold a national dialogue conference that would be a
platform for Syrians to discuss the future political program of the nation. That
would be followed by a “constitutional declaration,” he said, in an apparent
reference to drafting a new Syrian constitution. Al-Sharaa has previously said
that drafting a new constitution and holding elections may take up to four
years.
Legal battle intensifies over Gaza as ICJ rulings face
defiance
Arab News/January 31, 2025
LONDON: The international legal battle over Gaza has deepened as South Africa
and Malaysia announced a campaign to uphold rulings from the International Court
of Justice and the International Criminal Court, responding to what they
described as widespread defiance of international legal orders.
The two nations are spearheading the newly formed Hague Group, a coalition of
nine countries — also including Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile,
Senegal and Namibia — committed to defending the global legal framework, The
Guardian newspaper reported on Friday. Their initiative follows mounting
frustration in the Global South over perceived Western double standards in the
application of international law, particularly in the cases of Gaza, Ukraine and
Mediterranean human smuggling. South Africa’s Minister of International
Relations Ronald Lamola, said: “The Hague Group’s formation sends a clear
message: No nation is above the law and no crime will go unanswered.”South
Africa has taken a leading role in pursuing legal accountability for the war in
Gaza, having filed a case at the ICJ accusing Israel of genocide. Israel has
fiercely rejected the claim but interim rulings from the ICJ in January last
year mandated it to take immediate measures to prevent genocidal acts and allow
humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. However, a recent Oxfam survey of
nongovernmental agencies operating in Gaza found that 89 percent of agencies
reported deteriorating access to aid since the ICJ’s orders were issued. The
ongoing humanitarian crisis and Israel’s apparent noncompliance have intensified
calls for international enforcement mechanisms. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar
Ibrahim said the campaign was not about punishing Israel but about defending the
integrity of global legal institutions.
“These rulings strike at the very foundations of international law, which the
global community has a duty to defend,” he said. The growing resistance to ICJ
rulings has drawn attention to broader concerns over the erosion of
international law. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a report
outlining steps that member states could take to ensure Israel’s compliance,
including reaffirming the ICJ’s finding that its continued occupation of
Palestinian territories is illegal and should end within a year. Switzerland has
been tasked with convening a conference in March for the 196 signatories of the
Geneva Conventions to reaffirm the legal obligations regarding occupied
Palestinian territory. A conference in June in New York is set to discuss the
feasibility of a two-state solution. But enforcing ICJ rulings remains a
challenge. Newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has endorsed a
congressional bill proposing sanctions against any individuals or entities
cooperating with ICC investigations targeting the US or its allies. The bill
could extend to family members, further complicating efforts to hold Israel
accountable.
Ahmad al Sharaa’s Victory Conference: Syria’s new era
and an exclusive translation of Sharaa’s speech
Ahmad Sharawi/FDD's Long War Journal/January 31/2025
On January 29, Syria’s new leadership, headed by Ahmad al Sharaa—formerly known
as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, the emir of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) and previously
the leader of Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, Jabhat al Nusrah—hosted a “Victory
Conference” to outline the country’s future.
In a sweeping restructuring of the state, all military factions, as well as
political and civil revolutionary bodies, were ordered to dissolve and integrate
into newly formed state institutions. Additionally, former dictator Bashar al
Assad’s Baath Party, the Syrian Army, the Syrian parliament, and various
regime-linked institutions were dissolved.
Sharaa was formally declared Syria’s leader, assuming full presidential powers
for the transition period, while also being tasked with forming a temporary
legislative body. Sharaa has previously stated that drafting a new constitution
will take three years, with elections expected to follow in the fourth year.
According to Al Arabiya, 18 armed factions agreed to dissolve and merge into a
newly unified army. While the specific groups were not named, their identities
can be inferred based on the conference’s attendees. Notably absent from this
agreement were armed factions from Suwayda, the Southern Operations Room in
Daraa, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Attendees Included:
Amer al Sheikh — General commander of Ahrar al Sham and governor of Rif Dimashq
Ahmad Issa Sheikh — Commander of the Suqor al Sham Brigade and governor of Idlib
Azzam Gharib — General commander of the Sham Front and governor of Aleppo
Fadlallah al Haji — General commander of the Sham Legion and chief of staff of
the Syrian National Army
Sayf Abu Bakr — Leader of the Turkish-backed Hamza Division (Hamzat)
Mohammad Jasem (Abu Amsha) — Leader of the Turkish-backed Suleyman Shah Brigade
(Al Amshat)
Salem Turki al Antri — Commander of the US-backed Syrian Free Army
Jamil al Saleh — Commander of Jaysh al Izza
Abu Hatem Shaqra — Commander of Ahrar al Sharqiya
Sharaa gave a five-minute victory speech in which he emphasized resilience in
the face of adversity. He also talked about the moral responsibility of victory,
cautioned against arrogance after success, and stressed the need for stability,
rebuilding, and governance based on justice and ethics, rather than revenge and
power struggles. Sharaa called for unity, economic recovery, and international
cooperation to restore Syria’s strength.
A translation of Sharaa’s speech follows:
“A few months ago, Damascus appeared to me like a devoted mother, gazing at her
children with a look of both reproach and desperation, lamenting her wounds,
humiliation, and suffering—bleeding but bearing the pain with resilience, on the
verge of collapse, crying out: ‘Save your nation! Save it before the disgrace of
nations befalls you!’
Damascus, which bequeathed you the pride of the East and the prestige of
glory—Sham, God’s chosen land. Syria, the land of civilization and history.
Syria is the trust of ‘Ubaidah ibn al Jarrah and Khalid ibn al Walid.
Oh, Sham, how your cries of agony tormented us! What greater disgrace there is
than for a criminal faction to rule over you and commit what they have done.
They destroyed her homes, displaced her people, tortured them in prisons of
darkness, crushed them in iron presses, and burned their bodies in acid.
We called out to you with sincerity: ‘Stand, O Damascus! Rise and endure!’We
resolved, organized our ranks, prepared our forces, and set our target. We
marched upon our enemy until we reached Damascus before she could fall.
By the grace of God, we broke the chains, freed the tormented, and wiped away
the dust of humiliation from Damascus’s shoulders. The sun of Syria rose once
more. The people rejoiced, chanting “Allahu Akbar!” for it was the clear
conquest and the great victory—the day when the rightful triumphed over
falsehood, justice over oppression, and mercy over torture. But, gentlemen, the
defining features of war and military battles are usually destruction,
devastation, and bloodshed. However, Syria’s victory was one of mercy, justice,
and kindness.
Those who believe that war permits moral corruption are mistaken, for power,
wealth, and weapons lead to widespread tyranny if not governed by values and
ethics. The essence of struggle is a battle between righthood and falsehood,
good and evil, justice and oppression.
Whenever the people of righthood lower themselves to the morals of their
enemies, they lose—even if they win. If a man gives in to his own temptations,
killing his own brother, he becomes one of the losers—even if he appears
victorious.
The first moments of victory can be the first moments of defeat.
If arrogance consumes the victor, and he forgets the grace of God, he will be
led to tyranny. Victory is not merely an achievement; it is a responsibility.
The burden on the victorious is heavy, and their duty is immense.
The fallen regime has left deep wounds—social, economic, and political and
other. Healing them requires a lot of wisdom, relentless effort, and tireless
perseverance. Those who believe the time for struggle has passed and that
comfort has arrived are deluded. Syria today needs more than ever before. Just
as we were determined to liberate her, we must now commit to rebuilding and
developing her.
Syria is a trust in your hands. Syria holds intrinsic value—she elevates those
who serve her and humbles those who fail her. Today, she is entrusted to you.
And Syria’s priorities today are, first, filling the power vacuum in a
legitimate and lawful manner. Second, preserving civil peace by ensuring
transitional justice and preventing acts of revenge. Third, rebuilding state
institutions, especially the military, security, and police forces, as ensuring
the safety of the people is the foremost priority. Fourth, reviving the economy
by reconstructing human resources, agriculture, industry, and the service
sector. Fifth, restoring Syria’s regional and international standing,
establishing foreign relations based on brotherhood, respect, sovereignty, and
shared interests.
Many have spoken of our nation’s glorious past, and people have grown weary of
hearing, “We were, and we used to be.”But with this great victory, we now have
the right to connect the past with the present, to say with confidence, “We
were, and we are!”History itself bears witness—let it return to record new
pages, to sing the melodies of triumph! Congratulations to us, to you, to all of
Syria, to everyone who sympathized and stood by her side.”Ahmad Sharawi is a
research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian
intervention in Arab affairs and the levant.
Sweden releases 5 arrested following the killing of an
Iraqi who carried out Qur’an burnings
AP/January 31, 2025
STOCKHOLM: Swedish prosecutors said Friday they have ordered the release of five
men who were arrested after the fatal shooting of an Iraqi man who carried out
several Qur’an burnings. Salwan Momika staged several burnings and desecrations
of Islam’s holy book in Sweden in 2023. Videos of the Qur’an burnings got
worldwide publicity and raised anger and criticism in several Muslim nations,
leading to riots and unrest in many places. Momika was killed in a shooting
Wednesday night at an apartment building in Sodertalje, near Stockholm. Five
people were arrested in the following hours on suspicion of murder. Prosecutor
Rasmus Öman said in a statement Friday that the suspicions they committed a
crime have weakened and he no longer sees a reason to keep them in custody. The
statement added that the suspicions have not yet been dismissed completely and
investigators are still looking into what exactly happened and who was behind
the killing.
Trump will rue recklessly yanking security from Mike Pompeo, others in Iran’s
crosshairs
(Ret.) Mark Montgomery & Bradley Bowman/New York Post/January 31/2025 |
Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday canceled the personal
security detail assigned to retired Gen. Mark Milley, following his boss
President Trump’s decision to revoke protection for his former Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton and Iran envoy Brian
Hook. That the Trump administration is doing so despite continued specific
threats against their lives from the Islamic Republic of Iran is dangerous and
short-sighted — and should be reversed without delay.
What is going on here?
In January 2020, Trump authorized a military strike in Iraq that killed Qasem
Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds
Force. Soleimani was “responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and
coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more,” according to the
Pentagon. “Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American
diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated
him,” Trump said at the time. The Islamic Republic of Iran was not happy that
its chief exporter of terrorism had been taken off the battlefield. A few days
later, it launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at two bases in northern Iraq,
resulting in traumatic brain injuries for more than 100 American troops.
But the regime in Tehran was not satisfied.
Since then, it has repeatedly made clear that it wants to kill numerous senior
American leaders involved in the Soleimani strike, including Trump himself.
As a US president, Trump enjoys world-class protection for life. The same cannot
be said for Pompeo, Bolton, Milley and Hook. When reporters asked about his
decision last week, Trump was shockingly dismissive. “When you have protection,
you can’t have it for the rest of your life,” he shrugged, apparently oblivious
to the fact that he himself has just such lifetime security. Trump may not fully
appreciate the degree to which the murderous Iranian regime and its supporters
are patient.
In 1989, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa
ordering the death of author Salman Rushdie for what he had published the year
prior in his novel “The Satanic Verses.” More than 30 years later, in August
2022, Rushdie was repeatedly stabbed as he was about to give a lecture.
The assailant’s indictment alleged he was trying to carry out Khomeini’s fatwa.
When it comes to former US government officials, what matters is not the amount
of time elapsed, but whether they remain in danger for actions they took in the
course of their official duties, as they carried out the direction of their
commander-in-chief.
If the danger to a fellow citizen and former official remains, the protection
should remain in place. Period. Some might argue that the threat to these
individuals is inflated. That seems to be Trump’s view.
“I mean there are risks to everything,” he said dismissively. That response
demonstrates an ignorance of the danger to these former officials, a callous
disregard for their safety, or worse. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from
Arkansas and hardly an anti-Trump partisan, disagrees with any suggestion that
the threat is inflated.
“As the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, I’ve reviewed the intelligence
in the last few days,” Cotton told Fox News on Sept. 26.
“The threat to anyone involved in President Trump’s strike on Qassem Soleimani
is persistent. It’s real. Iran is committed to vengeance against all of these
people.”
In December, the State Department notified Congress that the threats against
Pompeo and Hook were “serious and credible” and warranted continued
government-provided security. So, if the threat remains, what is really going
on?
The answer is clear, and it is lamentable: President Trump does not like some of
the comments these individuals have made. Mr. President, if you don’t like what
these individuals have said, explain why you think they are wrong — or better
yet, move on and focus your energies instead on your policy agenda to help
Americans and improve our country. But whatever you do, please don’t help the
terrorist regime in Tehran and put our fellow citizens in danger. Such a
decision is beneath the office you hold. If they are injured or killed, Mr.
President, you will be the one person responsible — and that would be a black
mark against you that time will not erase.
Mr. President, our enemy is Iran, not citizens with whom we disagree.
We hope you will remember that fact, and rescind this dangerous order, before it
is too late. Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery is a senior fellow at the
Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where Bradley Bowman serves as senior
director of the Center on Military and Political Power.
White House says Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico and
China will come Saturday
AP/January 31, 2025
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump will put in place 25 percent tariffs on
imports from Canada and Mexico and 10 percent tariffs on goods from China
effective on Saturday, the White House said, but it provided no word on whether
there would be any exemptions to the measures that could result in swift price
increases to US consumers. Trump had been threatening the tariffs to ensure
greater cooperation from the countries on stopping illegal immigration and the
smuggling of chemicals used for fentanyl, but he has also pledged to use tariffs
to boost domestic manufacturing and raise revenues for the federal government.
“Starting tomorrow, those tariffs will be in place,” White House press secretary
Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday. “These are promises made and promises
kept by the president.”The tariffs carry both political and economic risks for
Trump, who is just two weeks into his second term. Many voters backed the
Republican on the promise that he could tamp down inflation, but the possibility
of tariffs could trigger higher prices and potentially disrupt the energy, auto,
lumber and agricultural sectors. Trump had said he was weighing issuing an
exemption for Canadian and Mexican oil imports, but Leavitt said she had no
information to share on the president’s decision on any potential carveouts. The
United States imported almost 4.6 million barrels of oil daily from Canada in
October and 563,000 barrels from Mexico, according to the Energy Information
Administration. US daily production during that month averaged nearly 13.5
million barrels a day. Trump has previously stated a 10 percent tariff on
Chinese imports would be on top of other import taxes charged on products from
the country.
Shortly after Leavitt spoke, the S&P 500 stock index sold off and largely erased
its gains on the day. “We should expect all three countries to retaliate,’’ said
Wendy Cutler, a former US trade negotiator. China responded aggressively to
tariffs Trump imposed on Chinese goods during his first term, targeting the
president’s supporters in rural America with retaliatory taxes on US farm
exports. Both Canada and Mexico have said they’ve prepared the option of
retaliatory tariffs to be used if necessary, which in turn could trigger a wider
trade conflict that economic analyzes say could hurt growth and further
accelerate inflation. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that
Canada is ready is a respond if Trump goes ahead with the tariffs, but he did
not give details.
“We’re ready with a response, a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate
response,” he said. “It’s not what we want, but if he moves forward, we will
also act.”Trudeau said tariffs would have “disastrous consequences” for the U.S,
putting American jobs at risk and causing prices to rise. Trudeau reiterated
that less than 1 percent of the fentanyl and illegal crossings into the US come
from Canada. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that Mexico has
maintained a dialogue with Trump’s team since before he returned to the White
House, but she emphasized that Mexico has a “Plan A, Plan B, Plan C for what the
United States government decides.” “Now it is very important that the Mexican
people know that we are always going to defend the dignity of our people, we are
always going to defend the respect of our sovereignty and a dialogue between
equals, as we have always said, without subordination,” Sheinbaum said. Liu
Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said the two countries
should resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation. “There is no
winner in a trade war or tariff war, which serves the interests of neither side
nor the world,” Liu said in a statement. “Despite the differences, our two
countries share huge common interests and space for cooperation.”A study this
month by Warwick McKibbin and Marcus Noland of the Peterson Institute for
International Economics concluded that the 25 percent tariffs on Canada and
Mexico and 10 percent tariffs on China “would damage all the economies involved,
including the US’’. “For Mexico,’’ the study said, “a 25 percent tariff would be
catastrophic. Moreover, the economic decline caused by the tariff could increase
the incentives for Mexican immigrants to cross the border illegally into the US
— directly contradicting another Trump administration priority.’’Cutler, now
vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said the extent of the
economic damage will depend on how long the tariffs are in effect.
If it’s just a few days, “that’s one thing. If they are in place for weeks onto
months, we’re going to see supply chain disruptions, higher costs for US
manufacturers, leading to higher prices for US consumers,’’ she said. “It could
have macroeconomic impacts. It could affect the stock market. Then
internationally it could lead to more tension with our trading partners and make
it harder for us to work with them.”
North Korean Troops Withdraw From Russia's Frontline After
Heavy Losses, Officials Say
Kate Nicholson/HuffPost UK/January 31, 2025
North Korean troops are no longer fighting on Russia’s behalf in Vladimir
Putin’s war against Ukraine, according to reports. Pyongyang signed a mutual
defence agreement with Moscow last year, promising to defend one another if a
third party were to attack. Ukrainian troops then crossed the Russian border in
August in a shock incursion into the region of Kursk, seizing around 500 sq
miles. It’s thought North Korea subsequently offered up its troops to help Putin
defend Kursk– but most of those soldiers seem to have now disappeared from the
frontline. Sources told the New York Times that the additional soldiers have not
been seen at the frontline in Kursk for about two weeks. From November onwards,
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent around 11,000 trained fighters to help
Russia. The troops were reportedly some of the best North Korea has to offer but
Russians allegedly used them as foot soldiers – meaning they’ve been regularly
shot down by Ukrainian fire. Anonymous Western sources told the BBC earlier this
month that there were 4,000 North Korean losses after just a few weeks of
fighting, including 1,000 deaths. Ukraine’s top military commander General
Oleksandr Syrsky also said that in just three months, the North Korean ranks
diminished by half. However, the US officials told the New York Times that the
decision to pull North Korean troops off the frontline might not be a permanent
move. They may return after receiving extra training, or once Moscow has
developed a strategy which reduces their losses.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence previously reported that Russian soldiers were
struggling with their North Korean peers due to a language barrier which created
operational struggles. Coupled with disorder in the Russian ranks, and Putin’s
“meat-grinder” tactics, North Korean troops have endured a staggering number of
casualties and even ended up fending for themselves in some scenarios, according
to Ukrainian officials. Russia has managed to retake around half of the land in
Kursk so far, while also continuing to push forward and seize more Ukrainian
territory on the other side of the border. But since Donald Trump has returned
to the White House, he is pushing for a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv to
end the war within 100 days.
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on January 31/February 01/2025
Trump’s Return Pushes Iran Into a Defensive Posture
Janatan Sayeh/ Policy Brief/January 31/2025
Increasingly fearful of their loosening grip on power, the Islamic Republic’s
rulers are recalibrating their foreign policy, at least temporarily, to gauge
the impact of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Tehran is reining in
regional proxies from Gaza to Yemen and suggesting its readiness for talks with
the United States over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions as it faces the prospect of a
renewed campaign of “maximum pressure.”
Khamenei Warns of U.S. Deception
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has floated the possibility of talks with
Washington by warning that Iran must approach any negotiations with appropriate
caution. “Behind the smiles of diplomacy, there are always hidden and malicious
enmities and resentments,” Khamenei said on January 28. This is an apt
characterization of Tehran’s approach to negotiating with the Biden
administration, which mainly served to divert attention from Iran’s accelerating
nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi similarly did not rule out renewed
talks. He also emphasized that Tehran’s disappointment that the nuclear deal
negotiated with the United States and four other powers in 2015 was now
effectively moot, with robust new sanctions introduced in the interim. Yet the
enforcement of those sanctions was lackluster during Biden’s term, enabling Iran
to mount a substantial economic recovery.
Baghdad Calls for Integrating Shiite Militias Into Iraqi Armed Forces
Araghchi conceded that Iran’s regional proxies had been dealt “several serious
blows” by their participation in the multi-front war against Israel triggered by
the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023. Anticipating Washington’s stringent
stance against Iran’s proxies, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein asserted on
January 16 that Iraq’s national government aims to pressure Iran-backed militias
to disarm and integrate into the country’s armed forces.
The Iran-backed al Nujaba militia in Iraq — designated a terrorist group by the
United States — announced in December 2024 a halt to attacks on Israel ahead of
Trump’s return to office. And in a clear indication that Iran’s rulers are still
smarting from the January 2020 elimination of Qassem Soleimani, Esmail Ghaani,
the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force (IRGC-QF) and
Soleimani’s successor, met with Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq on January 5
to discuss “restructuring and disengaging armed factions.”
Yemeni Houthis Redesignated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
Trump redesignated the Houthi rebels in Yemen as a foreign terrorist
organization (FTO) on January 22. Biden lifted the group’s previous designation
when he first took office, reversing Trump’s initial decision. Yet the Houthi’s
campaign of aggression in the Red Sea led the Biden administration to classify
them as specially designated global terrorists in January 2024. The return to
FTO status will strengthen sanctions on the Houthis and enhance penalties for
those who aid them. Iran condemned Trump’s announcement, an unsurprising
response considering the crucial role that Iranian support has played in
enhancing the Houthis’ military capabilities, including attacks on the U.S.
Navy, ballistic missile strikes on Israel, and assaults on shipping vessels in
the Red Sea.
Nuclear Brinkmanship: Tehran’s Gravest Threat
Despite the impact of Israel’s military campaign on Iran’s proxies and military
facilities inside Iran, the regime retains a crucial source of leverage: its
nuclear program. Tehran possesses an enriched uranium stockpile and centrifuge
capabilities that could swiftly yield weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb.
The Islamic Republic has publicly escalated its nuclear threat in a bid to
obtain sanctions relief. Kamal Kharrazi, an advisor to Khamenei, threatened in
November 2024 to “reconsider” the regime’s nuclear doctrine and added that Iran
possesses the capabilities to manufacture a nuclear weapon.
Reinstating Maximum Pressure While Supporting the Iranian People
Despite Tehran seemingly signaling a willingness to engage in negotiations, it
has made sanctions relief a prerequisite for talks. Yet Tehran pocketed
concessions granted by the previous administration without reciprocating. This
only emboldened Tehran, fueling its regional aggression and advancing its
nuclear ambitions. Today, the regime’s growing fragility presents a critical
opportunity to reinstate a maximum pressure strategy — this time paired with
support for the Iranian people’s pursuit of a democratic and secular government.
* Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of
Democracies (FDD), where he focuses on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic
Republic’s malign regional influence. For more analysis from Janatan and FDD,
please subscribe HERE. Follow Janatan on X @JanatanSayeh. Follow FDD on X @FDD
and @FDD_Iran. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, non-partisan research institute
focused on national security and foreign policy.
Hamas Deal Puts U.S. Boots on the Ground
Daniel Greenfield/Gatestone Institute/January 31, 2025
The Biden administration rolled Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's envoy, into
signing off on their deal to save Hamas...
Witkoff admitted to Fox News that he had done nothing but agree to the Biden
administration's May 27 protocol... and all he had done was to "speed up the
process" by pressuring Israel into making every possible concession to Hamas. By
getting Trump to accept the Biden deal, Witkoff and his allies in the Trump
transition team, some of whom are associated with the pro-Iran Koch network, had
also bound President Trump to a comprehensive nation-building project...
Trump is right to be skeptical. And he was right when he said: "You certainly
can't have the people that were there. Most of them are dead. But they didn't
exactly run it well. They run viciously and badly. You can't have that."
But the deal foisted on him by Biden, Qatar, Witkoff and his Koch network allies
does just that. It saves Hamas and puts the terrorists back in power.
The Trump administration can exit the Biden deal and the sooner we do it, the
easier it will be.
Any rebuilding will be to the benefit of Hamas. And will put billions into the
pockets of Islamic terrorists, just the way that our reconstruction projects in
Afghanistan financed the Taliban.
And having US veterans risking their lives to inspect terrorists moving around
Gaza is senseless.
The Biden administration rolled Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's envoy, into
signing off on their deal to save Hamas. By exiting the deal, Trump can
demonstrate once again that America is no longer in the nation-building
business: that we will not squander blood and treasure for globalist agendas.
American soldiers are headed to Gaza.
They're not there to fight Islamic terrorists, but to secure the disastrous
Biden deal that saved Hamas by monitoring and inspecting the Gazans traveling
across the "Netzarim corridor."One of the companies is UG Solutions, founded by
a former Special Forces veteran, which hires US military vets to provide
security. Hiring veterans as contractors became a common practice during the War
on Terror because it allowed politicians to avoid accountability for US
casualties.
Hundreds of Americans were killed working as contractors in Iraq, including, in
one of the most infamous incidents in the war, when four ex-Special Forces
contractors working for Blackwater had their bodies dragged through the streets,
were beaten, hacked and hanged from a bridge while the Arab Muslim mobs of men,
women and children cheered. The scene played out again in Benghazi, when two
former Navy SEALS working as CIA contractors were murdered.
How soon until it plays out in Gaza?
Bringing in veterans as contractors has been a longtime way to disguise "boots
on the ground." But the men in those boots are still veterans who believe
they're serving their country. And when they die, it's Americans dying to carry
out the policies of their Commander in Chief. Gaza is every bit as dangerous as
Fallujah, Iraq or Benghazi, Libya. One American soldier already died in Biden's
futile Gaza pier aid-delivery effort. This will be far more risky. In 2003,
Islamic terrorists bombed an American diplomatic convoy in Gaza, killing three
security contractors, John Branchizio, Mark Parsons and John Martin Linde Jr.
Branchizio was a former Navy SEAL, Linde, an ex-Marine and Parson's family sued
the Palestinian Authority which freed the terrorist murderers of the three men.
Sadly, nothing was learned from their murders. Reportedly, the ex-military and
CIA operatives are already there and planning operations.
No matter how they're disguised, American boots are back on the ground and the
lives of American soldiers are being risked in a nation-building project to
create a terror state. As FrontPage Magazine already reported, the UN is
estimating that it will take $50 billion to rebuild Gaza, with an estimated
completion date of 2040. And it's already set to put armed Americans on the
ground to secure a nation-building operation that is doomed to fail.
So why are we doing it all over again?
The Biden administration rolled Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump's envoy, into
signing off on their deal to save Hamas and, by Phase 3, begin building a
"Palestinian state" paid for and protected by us. Witkoff admitted to Fox News
that he had done nothing but agree to the Biden administration's May 27
protocol, had nothing to do with "the mathematics behind the prisoner release
and the hostage release" and all he had done was to "speed up the process" by
pressuring Israel into making every possible concession to Hamas. By getting
Trump to accept the Biden deal, Witkoff and his allies in the Trump transition
team, some of whom are associated with the pro-Iran Koch network, had also bound
President Trump to a comprehensive nation-building project that would force him
to spend his whole second term rebuilding Gaza and put ex-soldiers on the ground
to secure it.
At an event, Trump correctly said that he is "not confident" that the ceasefire
will hold, described Gaza as "a massive demolition site," and said that it would
need to be "rebuilt in a different way." "Beautiful things could be done over
there, fantastic things," he suggested. And asked if he'll help rebuild Gaza,
Trump answered, "I might." And that would be a catastrophic mistake.
America should not be in the business of nation-building in Gaza or anywhere in
the Muslim world. Trump is right to be skeptical. And he was right when he said:
"You certainly can't have the people that were there. Most of them are dead. But
they didn't exactly run it well. They run viciously and badly. You can't have
that."
But the deal foisted on him by Biden, Qatar, Witkoff and his Koch network allies
does just that. It saves Hamas and puts the terrorists back in power.
Any rebuilding will be to the benefit of Hamas. And will put billions into the
pockets of Islamic terrorists, just the way that our reconstruction projects in
Afghanistan financed the Taliban.
And having US veterans risking their lives to inspect terrorists moving around
Gaza is senseless. The Israelis have shown that they are more than capable of
controlling the Netzarim corridor and securing Gaza. They don't need us to do it
for them. Hamas and its allies need that. And once Americans are on the ground,
Hamas will attack us to regain control of the zones in Gaza.
The Biden trap for the Trump administration will have us spending blood and
treasure in Gaza. Our people will have the thankless job of replacing the
Israelis to keep them away from Hamas. Not only won't Hamas thank us for it, the
terrorists will set traps for us, accuse us of attacking them, and then attack
us. Just like it already happened in Afghanistan and Iraq.
We'll be there to enable a "technocratic" unity front government negotiated by
Hamas and the PLO under the aegis of Communist China and Russia at meetings in
Beijing and Moscow.
Biden personnel have trapped the Trump administration into nation-building one
more time. But it doesn't have to be this way. The Trump administration can exit
the Biden deal and the sooner we do it, the easier it will be. Not a single
American has to die, and not a single dollar should be spent on nation-building
in Gaza. And won't be if we exit the Biden deal.
No one in the Trump administration or the conservative movement should take
ownership of the Biden deal. That's falling into a trap that will assign them
the blame for the deal when it falls apart. Witkoff admitted what we already
knew. It was the Biden deal. It should end with him.
By exiting the deal, Trump can demonstrate once again that America is no longer
in the nation-building business: that we will not squander blood and treasure
for globalist agendas.
The Israelis do not need us or want us in Gaza. All they want is a free hand to
finish off the terrorists. And when they do that, it will be one more global
problem we don't have to deal with.
The U.S. should have no "boots" or "sneakers" on the ground. After the murders
of John Branchizio, Mark Parsons and John Martin Linde Jr, not one more American
should die for Gaza. We don't need to rebuild Gaza, inspect it or try to teach
its people about democracy.
Let's leave Gaza. Leave the Biden deal with Hamas. And leave "Palestinian"
nation-building to those countries stupid enough to think that what failed since
the early 90s will work now.
**Daniel Greenfield is a Shillman Journalism Fellow at the David Horowitz
Freedom Center. Reprinted by kind permission of the Center's Front Page
Magazine.
**Follow Daniel Greenfield on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook
© 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.
Can Trump Reverse The Irreversible?
Amb. Alberto M. Fernandez/MEMRI/January 31/ 2025
Fear and loathing stalks the halls of power in Washington, D.C. The fate of the
giant "Self-Licking Ice Cream Cone" (SLICC) hangs in the balance.
That term, for those who are unfamiliar with it, dates at least from the 1990s
and referred initially to the U.S. Defense Department and NASA.[1] It was a type
of military short-hand to describe how programs and processes develop a life of
their own where a system exists for no other reason than to perpetuate itself.
In such a scenario, measures of success are created to accomplish the most
important goals – not necessarily to achieve a real outcome – but to keep the
entity funded and growing. The bureaucracy and its processes exist to keep doing
what they have always done, and this inertia is powerful. Large bureaucracies
are resistant to change.[2]
While much has been written about Elon Musk and the Department of Government
Efficiency (DOGE), what the Trump Administration seems to be trying to do is far
broader and more ambitious, an attempt at reversing an irreversible trajectory,
radical reform in the way the U.S. government functions both domestically and
globally. The odds are daunting, for it turns out that there is not just one
SLICC out there, but many.
Although they may overlap to some extent, five big SLICCs can be seen at work
today:
The Budget SLICC
The Personnel SLICC
The Implementing Partner SLICC
The Globalism SLICC
The Regional SLICC
The Budget SLICC is, obviously the budgeting and spending process (so this is
the original one, as the term was first used to refer to DOD and NASA
appropriations and spending in 1991-1992). While Congress appropriates the
money, there is a lot of discretion within the executive branch over the
budgeting and spending process, a lot of wiggle room. In the summer of 2024, we
saw the Biden Administration spend at least $230 million for a Gaza pier to
nowhere.[3] Good government advocates often cite egregious examples of waste,
fraud and abuse but, of course, there is plenty of spending which is not very
smart or helpful that manages to avoid the legal definitions of waste and fraud.
Anyone who sat through DOD PowerPoint presentations – as I did back in the day –
on Afghanistan knew that spending was occurring that was perfectly legal but
which was deceptively being presented as a success. A trillion dollars later,
you had the fall of Kabul.[4] But if you are the one who writes the measures of
success, almost everything you are measuring – your metrics – will look
successful.[5] The Trump people trying to get their hands on ongoing, often
opaque, spending in areas such as foreign assistance, is a logical step.
The Personnel SLICC is, of course, the people who staff the bureaucracy. Here
one recalls Robert Conquest's Second Law of Politics (or John O'Sullivan's First
Law, which is identical): "Any organization not explicitly right-wing sooner or
later becomes left-wing." Based on my experience in government, there is little
doubt that many American civil servants lean left or liberal. It depends on the
organization, of course, but the bias is there (less "liberal" institutions like
DOD have their own biases).[6] Some might say that personal political views do
not matter as long as the work is done. And yet, during the first Trump
Administration, USAID officials attempted to block Trump Administration policy
on Iraq to the extent that it became – with liberal spin, of course – a matter
of public record.[7] There were many other examples which got less attention. A
Trump review of both spending and personnel is also not just about what is being
spent and who is overseeing it but also examining if there are cost savings to
be made in what seems to be to many Americans a bloated, unresponsive and
arrogant bureaucracy at a time of runaway budget deficits.
The Implementing Partner SLICC is a whole ecosystem of NGOs, groups, and
organizations relying on government funding to implement certain programs and
policies. Often there is a revolving door between government employees (who
overwhelmingly share similar worldviews) and the implementing organization. Over
time a symbiotic relationship develops involving both personnel and money. The
result is liberal government funds liberal private entities for liberal causes.
If there is any accountability, it comes from the liberal bureaucracy. The
result is, to use the quaint British term, the creation of "Quangos," or
Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organizations, funded by taxpayers but part of
an internal, semi-permanent network of political cronies advancing inexorably
certain favored causes. Here also you have private entities also carrying out
policies that would invite greater scrutiny if done by government. The growth in
recent years of the so-called "Disinformation Industrial Complex" in both the US
and UK is a perfect example, with ostensibly private organizations – but
government funded or influenced – curbing speech or enforcing speech codes in
ways that government might not be able to get away with otherwise.[8]
The Globalism SLICC is merely the international dimension of the three previous
emanations, the network of international or multinational entities, such as the
United Nations Organization or International Criminal Court that have grown up
over time and metastasized into a constellation of new anti-American stars. If
the international system or the so-called liberal international order was an
invention of the United States, or often at the service of the United States, in
the post-war period since 1945, it has now often been turned against American
interests, with adversaries or obstacles to US policy often funded, at least in
part, with American money. Redefining and reorienting America's position toward
this system, establishing new benchmarks and redlines, seems like a logical step
for an America First nationalist policy agenda.
The Regional SLICC is a straitjacket of our own creation that oriented U.S.
policy, resources, and attention towards certain regions – one thinks of Europe
and the Middle East – trapping us in a tired scenario of diminishing political
returns while marginalizing other areas. The Middle East is important, it is
also the world's most dysfunctional region. Europe is important but is both
wealthy (at least for now) and imploding. That the U.S. under Trump may finally
and truly pivot not just towards Asia, but to Latin America, and even Africa is
a realization that things must change and that we cannot do everything (and that
our allies can do much more).[9] "He who attempts to defend everything, defends
nothing," as Frederick the Great once said.
Two-thirds of Americans believe that government "corruption, inefficiency and
red tape" are major problems and want change although they do not fully trust
those who want to bring it about.[10] The overwhelming majority of the American
people are also unhappy with the status quo, according to Gallup, and have been
so for quite a while.[11] The Trump Administration's attempt to address these
five areas, to radically reform government operations, including personnel, to
cut off the Quango gravy train, to reorient itself – our foreign, economic, and
security policy – more realistically, both internationally and regionally, is
extremely ambitious. It will not be easy to accomplish and certainly, in its
scope, dwarfs anything attempted by an administration in terms of drastic reform
for many decades. For many that prospect will be either exhilarating or
terrifying.
*Alberto M. Fernandez is Vice President of MEMRI.
[1] Worden, S. Pete (1992). "On Self-Licking Ice Cream Cones." Proceedings of
the seventh Cambridge workshop on cool stars, stellar systems, and the sun. ASP
Conference Series. Vol. 26. Astronomical Society of the Pacific. pp. 599-603.
[2] Arstechnica.com/science/2022/05/how-nasa-finally-melted-its-giant-self-licking-ice-cream-cone,
May 23, 2022.
[3] Thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2024/07/16/us-gaza-pier-close-after-costing-230-million-days-worth-aid,
July 16, 2024.
[4] Responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/10/04/how-the-self-licking-ice-cream-cone-prolonged-the-20-year-war,
October 4, 2021.
[5] Irregularwarfare.org/articles/learning-from-failure-afghanistan-as-a-microcosm-for-strategic-competition,
January 4, 2024.
[6] Theamericanconservative.com/mattis-one-more-general-for-the-self-licking-ice-cream-cone,
January 8, 2019.
[7] Propublica.org/article/how-mike-pences-office-meddled-in-foreign-aid-to-reroute-money-to-favored-christian-groups,
November 6, 2019.
[8] Cato.org/commentary/beginning-end-censorship-industrial-complex, March 20,
2024.
[9] Providencemag.com/2024/08/securing-a-core-group-of-near-east-allies-to-counter-iran/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIIZAdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTJYeQyczUCVU37dKM1IG7XxqRhp3RCUSKvPv9lCLekyrfKghmS5VoP53w_aem_q__OV2JphnefhWQTkXa_bA,
August 19, 2024.
[10] Apnews.com/article/doge-musk-trump-corruption-government-efficiency-16243280f446ea85ef50ff106c7e2841,
January 24, 2025.
[11] News.gallup.com/poll/1669/general-mood-country.aspx, accessed January 31,
2025.
Israel now applying its ‘Gaza model’ in the West Bank
Daoud Kuttab/Arab News/January 31, 2025
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems to have shifted from Gaza to the West
Bank, with little international accountability, even though there are no
hostages being held there. While global observers grapple with the ramifications
of the US foreign aid suspension and incendiary calls for the forced
displacement of 1.5 million Gazans, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
has played a pivotal role in delaying ceasefire negotiations. Meanwhile, in the
West Bank, Israeli military operations continue to escalate, exacting a
devastating toll on Palestinian civilians.
In recent weeks, Israeli military forces have intensified their presence in the
West Bank, notably through the reoccupation of the Jenin refugee camp. This
aggressive strategy mirrors historical patterns, drawing uncomfortable parallels
to the policies of Ariel Sharon in the 1970s. Once again, the civilian
population bears the brunt of military maneuvers as homes, roads and
infrastructure are razed in the name of security. The deployment of massive
Caterpillar D9 and D10 bulldozers to demolish homes and widen roads in Jenin is
eerily reminiscent of Gaza’s long-standing plight. The Israeli military claims
these operations target militant strongholds, yet the scale of destruction
suggests a broader objective — one that punishes entire communities rather than
surgically addressing security threats. The Israeli army reported that its
recent incursion in Jenin resulted in 18 Palestinian deaths and 60 arrests, yet
it made no mention of the homes that were demolished or the families left
homeless.
In the town of Tamun, south of Tubas, Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of 10
Palestinians in what can only be described as a massacre. Elsewhere, the pattern
of destruction continued: the Al-Taqwa prayer hall in Sur Baher was demolished
under the pretext of lacking a permit, while businesses and homes in Jabal Al-Mukaber
suffered a similar fate. The cumulative effect of these actions suggests an
insidious strategy — one that seeks to impose the “Gaza model” on the West Bank,
reducing Palestinian cities and refugee camps to rubble.
The expansion of Israeli military aggression cannot be separated from the
inflammatory rhetoric of far-right Israeli officials
The expansion of Israeli military aggression cannot be separated from the
inflammatory rhetoric of far-right Israeli officials, such as Finance Minister
Bezalel Smotrich, who openly advocate for the destruction of Palestinian
communities. These calls for violence are not empty threats; they translate into
real-world policies that systematically strip Palestinians of their homes,
rights and dignity.
Adnan Dmeiri, a former spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces,
articulated the sheer absurdity of Israel’s justification for these incursions.
Speaking to Al-Monitor, he pointed out that the destruction of essential
infrastructure — such as roads, water systems and power grids — serves no
military purpose beyond collective punishment. The calculated targeting of
civilian spaces under the guise of counterterrorism raises fundamental ethical
questions. How can one claim to fight extremism while employing tactics that
deepen resentment and suffering?
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture. Abu Fayez, a resident of Jenin,
likened the destruction to a second Nakba, a reference to the mass displacement
of Palestinians in 1948. His words carry a chilling truth: for many, the loss of
a home is not just a material setback — it is the erasure of history, identity
and future prospects. Similarly, Maysoun Khanfar, another displaced resident,
described the trauma of being forced from her home in the dead of night,
watching helplessly as entire neighborhoods were reduced to ashes.
The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank demands an immediate
response from the international community. Yet, time and again, Palestinian
suffering has been met with indifference or, worse, outright complicity. While
some global leaders issue hollow condemnations, meaningful action remains
elusive. The destruction of mosques, schools and hospitals — protected under
international law — should elicit more than mere words of concern.
The Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has condemned the
targeted destruction of places of worship, emphasizing the cultural and
spiritual significance of these sites. Such violations underscore the need for
accountability. The international legal framework, including the Geneva
Conventions, explicitly prohibits the targeting of civilian infrastructure. Yet,
in practice, enforcement is nonexistent when it comes to Israel’s actions in the
Occupied Territories.
Time and again, Palestinian suffering has been met with international
indifference or, worse, outright complicity
If history has taught us anything, it is that silence emboldens aggressors. The
world has watched this crisis unfold for decades, offering only sporadic
interventions that fail to address the root causes of Palestinian suffering.
Without substantive pressure — both diplomatic and economic — Israel has little
incentive to alter its approach. The global community must demand an end to the
systematic destruction of Palestinian homes and the relentless cycle of
displacement.
Beyond the statistics and political maneuvering, it is essential to recognize
the human cost of this ongoing violence. The destruction in Tulkarem, Jenin and
other West Bank areas is not merely about military strategy, it is about the
everyday lives of people who are trying to survive under occupation. Families
that once had homes, businesses and places of worship now face an uncertain
future, stripped of the most basic of human necessities.
For every building reduced to rubble, there is a family left homeless. For every
school destroyed, there are children who will struggle to access education. For
every act of aggression met with silence, the message is clear: Palestinian
lives are deemed expendable in the grand chess game of global geopolitics.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot shift from one occupied area, Gaza, to
another, the West Bank including East Jerusalem.
A just resolution requires international accountability, a halt to illegal
settlements and recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. Sustainable peace cannot
be achieved through military might, but rather through genuine dialogue and
mutual recognition of rights.
• Daoud Kuttab is an award-winning Palestinian journalist and former Ferris
Professor of Journalism at Princeton University. He is the author of “State of
Palestine NOW: Practical and logical arguments for the best way to bring peace
to the Middle East.” X: @daoudkuttab
Turkiye’s compartmentalized approach to the Maghreb
Sinem Cengiz/Arab News/January 31, 2025
The Maghreb, a region that serves as a crucial bridge between the Middle East,
Africa and Europe, occupies a significant place in the foreign policy agenda of
several regional actors, including Turkiye. Its connections to the
Mediterranean, in particular, make it an important region for Ankara’s
geopolitical ambitions. Thus, Turkiye’s policy in the Maghreb, which includes
the countries of Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya, is part of its broader
“opening up to Africa” initiative, involving economic, energy and military
motives.
Turkiye is gradually developing its relations with Algeria, despite several
differences, while building stronger ties with Libya, where it is involved both
politically and militarily. Ankara also continues to foster economic and
security relations with Tunisia and Morocco. However, Turkiye’s engagement with
these countries varies based on both sides’ specific interests and the nature of
their bilateral relations. Some of these states view Turkiye’s growing
engagement in their region as an opportunity, while some approach it with
caution.
If we were to categorize Turkiye’s relations, we could argue that it enjoys
strong ties with Tunisia and Libya, while its relations with Algeria and Morocco
are still developing. Yet, Morocco is a step further forward than Algeria as it
seeks to strengthen its defense ties with Turkiye. However, this motive could
potentially cause concern in Algeria, as the two Maghreb states remain at odds,
particularly over the Western Sahara issue.
Morocco has recently emerged as one of the leading customers of Turkiye’s
defense industry and defense cooperation has become the main point of the two
countries’ developing relations. Morocco’s military has integrated a fleet of 19
Bayraktar TB2 drones, which it acquired from Turkish defense company Baykar in
September 2021. These drones have proven their operational effectiveness.
Some of these states view Turkiye’s growing engagement as an opportunity, while
some approach it with caution.
In November last year, Morocco confirmed its plan to acquire the Akinci model —
a high-altitude, long-range drone also produced by Baykar — with the first
deliveries expected soon. Rabat has also submitted a request to purchase 200
Turkish Cobra II armored vehicles, valued at about $136 million. For Morocco,
strengthening its defense capabilities is part of a broader strategy to
modernize its military infrastructure and enhance its security. For Turkiye,
gaining Morocco as a new customer bolsters its footprint in the Maghreb’s
defense sector.
The strong indications of growing defense collaboration were clear after a
recent visit to Morocco by a delegation from Aselsan, Turkiye’s leading defense
company. The discussions with Aselsan were centered on the potential acquisition
of a next-generation combat management system, which is expected to
significantly enhance Morocco’s naval defense capabilities. Aselsan this week
secured a $50.7 million contract to supply Morocco with the Koral electronic
warfare system.
The strengthening of defense relations with Turkiye is not just about acquiring
advanced weaponry — it also reflects Morocco’s ambitions for a stronger position
in the Maghreb. Signaling its commitment to this issue, Morocco also recently
appointed a military attache to its embassy in Ankara.
While strengthening its ties with Morocco, Turkiye should carefully balance its
relations with Algeria, which is neither distant nor an ally for Ankara but
plays a crucial role as a strategic gate to Turkiye’s Maghreb policy, in which
it has economic, energy and military objectives.
Algeria shares a border with Libya, where Turkiye is trying to consolidate its
political and military presence. Within this context, ignoring Algeria would not
be a rational policy, but developing closer ties with it is equally complex.
While Turkiye’s relationship with Algeria presents opportunities, it also has
challenges — particularly concerning defense ties with Morocco, Iran’s influence
in Algeria and Turkiye’s growing presence in the Maghreb.
Despite its more distant relations with Algeria, Turkiye places importance on
the energy dimension of their ties. Last November, the liquefied natural gas
supply deal between Turkish energy company Botas and Algeria’s state-owned
Sonatrach was extended for an additional three years, until 2027. In fact, there
have been talks about increasing defense cooperation between Turkiye and Algeria
in the past few years, though relations in this sector remain somewhat cautious.
Despite its more distant relations with Algeria, Turkiye places importance on
the energy dimension of their ties
Libya occupies a central role not only in Turkiye’s Maghreb policy but also in
its Mediterranean strategy, serving as a gateway for projecting Turkish
influence. In 2020, Turkiye signed a military cooperation agreement with Libya,
which allows Turkiye to deploy troops and provide military training, as well as
to establish military bases in the North African country.
Turkish military contractors have been involved in training and equipping Libyan
forces and Turkiye has used its advanced Bayraktar TB2 drones. Turkish firms are
pursuing major construction projects. Moreover, a recent energy agreement aims
to tap into Libya’s substantial oil reserves, estimated at 48 billion barrels.
But in a significant shift from its traditional oil-based economy, Libya is also
launching an ambitious renewable energy initiative with Turkish technology and
expertise at its core.
In addition to Libya, Tunisia is often considered one of Turkiye’s closest
allies in the Maghreb, marked by their cooperation in both the defense and
economic sectors. Turkish construction company Biltek was last year awarded a
contract to establish a regional maritime center of excellence in Bizerte,
Tunisia. This contract reflects the growing defense ties between Turkiye and
Tunisia, as well as the latter’s openness to collaborating with Turkiye on
strategic projects.
The fragmented regional order and ongoing Ukraine crisis have made it
increasingly difficult for European states to address the needs of the Maghreb
countries. This situation has pushed these states closer to Turkiye, which is
actively seeking new partners in Africa to fill the vacuum left by the declining
Western involvement. In doing so, Ankara has compartmentalized its relations
with each state to maintain a balanced approach across the region.
• Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s
relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz