English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For July 18/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news

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Bible Quotations For today
Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees Which is their teaching
Matthew 16/05-12: "When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. ’They said to one another, ‘It is because we have brought no bread. ’And becoming aware of it, Jesus said, ‘You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!’ Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on July 17-18/2025
The Nejmeh Square Theatrical Show: Directed by Abu Mustafa Berri, Starring 128 MP's Koumbars, and the Hypocrites of Sovereignty/Elias Bejjani/July 15/ 2025
Urgent Appeal for International Protection of the Druze in Syria’s Sweida Province/Elias Bejjani/July 14/2025
UN special coordinator says Lebanon needs to make a plan for disarming Hezbollah/Al Arabiya English/17 July/2025
Israeli strikes on south Lebanon kill four
2 killed, 2 hurt in Israeli strikes on vehicles in al-Kfour, Naqoura
Turkey works with Jumblat, US envoy, and Israel to de-escalate Syria clashes
Report: Lebanon to shut down Al-Qard Al-Hasan, Hezbollah-linked money changers
Salam and Jumblat discuss Sweida's clashes, call for restraint in Lebanon
Druze spiritual leader urges Sweida armed groups and Hezbollah to disarm
Aoun says committed to unveiling full truth in port blast case
EU and European ambassadors discuss priorities and $600M support with Lebanese Leadership
France court orders release of Georges Abdallah after four decades in prison
Hezbollah hands over all armed Ashoura men to authorities, report says

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on July 17-18/2025
Over 500 killed in south Syria violence
Netanyahu says Syria ceasefire 'obtained by force'
Syrian forces withdraw from Sweida after ceasefire goes into effect
Mediation saved region from 'unknown fate', Syrian leader says
Foreign ministers of Middle Eastern countries affirm support for Syria’s security, stability, and sovereignty
Syria’s Sharaa says protecting Druze citizens is ‘our priority’
Saudi crown prince welcomes measures announced by Al-Sharaa to contain clashes
Mothers of Israeli soldiers fighting on all fronts to stop Gaza war
Strike on Gaza sole Catholic church kills two and injures parish priest
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strike on Gaza Catholic church
Israel has refused to renew visas for heads of at least 3 UN agencies in Gaza
Another key ally quits Netanyahu's governing coalition in major blow to Israel's leader
US says it opposed Israeli strikes in Syria
Erdogan says Israel using Druze as pretext to expand into Syria
Trump hosts Persian Gulf leaders at White House
Fire at shopping center in eastern Iraq kills more than 60 people
Baghdad and Irbil agree to resume Kurdish oil exports

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on July 17-18/2025
A video Link to an important commentary by the distinguished journalist Ibrahim Issa
Celebrating 40 years of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies/Prince Turki Al-Faisal/Arab News/July 17/2025
Five immutable steps to enduring AI adoption/Edgar Perez/Arab News/July 17/2025
How climate change is devastating the Mediterranean/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/July 17/2025
Billions lost, nothing gained: The strategic collapse of Iran’s nuclear program/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Al Arabiya English/17 July/2025
Selected Tweets for 17 July/2025

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on July 17-18/2025
The Nejmeh Square Theatrical Show: Directed by Abu Mustafa Berri, Starring 128 MP's Koumbars, and the Hypocrites of Sovereignty
Elias Bejjani/July 15/ 2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/07/145241/
What took place today in Nejmeh Square was not a parliamentary session. It was a farcical theatrical performance, produced and directed by the undisputed mastermind of the Lebanese system — Nabih Berri, nicknamed "the Esteez" and "Abu Mustafa" — who has effectively ruled Lebanon for four decades, manipulating its power structures, controlling its tempo as he pleases, invoking “dialogue” one day and “sectarian balance” the next, all under the banner of constitutional thuggery.
The current Lebanese Parliament is entirely illegitimate. It was born of an electoral law tailor-made by Hezbollah — imposed through force, fraud, intimidation, and political manipulation — to guarantee the party’s monopoly over Shiite representation and to tighten its grip on Lebanese decision-making.
This Frankenstein law meticulously distributed seats to the heads of political parties "commercial corporations," especially those fraudulently posing as "sovereign" and "independent." In truth, they are nothing more than Trojan dolls, stripped of dignity and free will.
These same actors are the ones who legitimized the absurd innovation of “six Diaspora MPs,” betraying the constitutional rights of the Lebanese Diaspora in pursuit of more seats, all while appeasing Hezbollah and aiding in the cosmetic polishing of the Iranian occupation’s image.
The chief among the “sovereign idols,” who received a hefty share of Christian MPs, disgracefully accepted Hezbollah’s condition of not supporting any free Shiite candidate. Until recently, he and his herd obediently repeated:
“Hezbollah liberated the South.”
“Our martyrs and Hezbollah’s martyrs are of equal status.”
“Hezbollah represents the honorable Shiite community.”
Meanwhile, his so-called pious advisor and media mouthpiece shamelessly begged Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. on television for an meeting with his master,
Another, younger and lesser “idol,” before “drinking the milk of lions,” dared criticize Hezbollah only after its Israeli defeat. For years, he and his secretary-general were regular guests in the southern suburbs, rejecting international resolutions and repeating that Hezbollah’s arms are “a local issue to be resolved internally.” They bartered their dignity through endless rounds of “dialogue” and “understandings” with Hezbollah — futile rituals that only served to re-legitimize the party of Satan and reinforce its stranglehold.
Then comes the dwarf idol, sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act for corruption, and his Trojan Father in-law — both of whom handed the country to Hezbollah in exchange for a phantom presidency. The General went so far as to belittle the Lebanese Army from inside the “Mleeta Hezbollah Museum” and to glorify Iran’s resistance and its Shiite proxy.
Let us not forget the parrot idol — blindly tethered to the “line” — who remains ignorant of Maronite history, clings to the Assad dynasty and Hezbollah, and continues to drown in the abyss of blind submission.
As for our ecclesiastical authorities... enough said. A pitiful mixture of ignorance, weakness, betrayal, and political Iscariotism — unbecoming of shepherds or apostles.
Amid all this moral decay, today’s theatrical show in Nejmeh Square unfolded under the supervision of Abu Mustafa — Esteez Berri — who directed and assigned roles to the 128 MP's Koumbars, all addicted to deception and submission.
Today’s parliamentary session was nothing more than another bland episode in a tired play, meant to rebrand the idols of political party companies, mislead public opinion, and distract the Lebanese — especially those fooled by hollow slogans of "sovereignty" and "independence."
But the bitter truth remains: Lebanon is still occupied, and this Parliament does not represent the will of the people — it represents the will of the Iranian occupier.
This Parliament, this political system, and these faces... do not represent the free people of Lebanon. They are their enemies.
The Lebanese people are hostages — subdued, betrayed — held captive by Hezbollah and the corrupt ruling class it protects and enables.
Yet our firm belief remains: the day will come when the masks fall, and the curtain rises on a new scene, one where governance truly serves the people — not the occupier and his servants.
To all free Lebanese,
To those who still believe that Lebanon deserves freedom, sovereignty, and dignity:
Enough illusions. Enough waiting for salvation from the same actors on the same broken stage.
There is no salvation except through the complete downfall of this regime — the regime of illegal arms, sectarian corruption, and shameful deals at the nation’s expense.
This confrontation is no longer a choice — it is a duty.
A duty for every free conscience.
A duty for everyone who refuses servitude to Hezbollah and its idols in party companies.
In the end, Lebanon is not represented by this parliament of extras.
It is represented by the martyrs, the heroes, the unknown guardians — and by every voice that dared to say “No” to the occupation, in public or in secret, in times of fear.
It is time for a genuine sovereign revolution, one that tears down the idols and rebuilds the national temple on the foundation of liberty — not submission — on the foundation of “Lebanon First,” not “Tehran First.”

Urgent Appeal for International Protection of the Druze in Syria’s Sweida Province
Elias Bejjani/July 14/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/07/145187/
Alongside all those who believe in freedom and the fundamental rights of Middle Eastern peoples—particularly their right to live in peace and practice their religious beliefs freely without repression, terrorism, or extermination—we condemn, in the strongest terms and most resolute language, the systematic attacks and organized aggression being waged against the Druze community in the southern Syrian province of Sweida.
These attacks are being orchestrated by the so-called “Authority of Ahmad Al-Shara,” known as “Al-Jolani,” who stands at the head of an extremist religious regime no different in ideology or eliminationist practices from ISIS itself.
It is now evident that what Al-Shar’a’s regime presents in the media as a “local dispute” between the Druze of Sweida and neighboring Arab tribes is nothing more than a blatant cover for a bloody military campaign launched by the new Islamist regime to seize control of Jabal Al-Arab, disarm its people, crush their free will, and forcibly subject them to a takfiri rule that considers all who differ as “apostates” worthy of extermination.
The ongoing assaults on Sweida—using tanks, armed drones against civilians, road blockades, and mass killings—represent yet another chapter in a long series of bloody episodes. These include horrific massacres committed against Druze near Damascus just months ago, the bombing of Saint Elias Church in Damascus, the killing and wounding of dozens of worshipers, and a wave of systematic attacks on Alawites, Christians, and other religious minorities.
In essence, what is happening today in Sweida is a prelude to a major massacre, being carefully prepared under false “security” pretenses and with explicit foreign backing—primarily from Turkey, the foremost patron of the Muslim Brotherhood, and from Qatar, the principal financier of extremist takfiri ideologies.
Faced with this catastrophic reality, we must raise our voices loudly and urgently to demand the following:
*Immediate international protection for the Druze population in Sweida, through the deployment of international observers and the establishment of UN-supervised demilitarized zones to prevent any takfiri military intrusion into their territory.
*Official recognition that the “Shara regime” is a radical, extremist, takfiri Islamist authority, no less dangerous than the Taliban or ISIS. It adopts an ideology that targets all non-hardline Sunni communities—chief among them the Druze, whom it labels as apostates.
*Holding the international community—particularly the United States and the European Union—accountable for their suspicious silence and implicit support for this regime, under the pretext of “counterterrorism,” while the regime itself practices terrorism in its ugliest and most brutal forms against minorities.
*Issuing a moral and humanitarian appeal to the State of Israel, given its ethical and historical responsibility to protect Druze communities in the region and prevent genocide in Jabal Al-Arab. The Israeli Defense Forces have repeatedly shown that the security of Israel’s southern border includes the protection of threatened communities on the other side. Sweida must not be an exception.
*Calling on all moderate Arab nations—particularly Gulf states, which regrettably have supported the Shar’a regime—to intervene immediately, politically and humanely, to protect and save the Druze and other minorities from the jihadist killing machine now being driven by Al-Shar’a and his affiliates.
*It must be emphasized that the “Shara regime,” with all its local and foreign takfiri factions, bears full responsibility for the bloodshed inflicted upon Syrian Druze, Christian, and Alawite minorities since it took control of parts of Syria. For this reason, it must be internationally prosecuted as a terrorist authority committing religious cleansing and sectarian genocide.
We further stress that no matter how much cosmetic support or international and regional backing is given to the Shar’a regime, it does not—and will not—change the core truth of its takfiri, terrorist, and bloody nature.
In conclusion: There is an urgent need—both regionally and internationally—to protect the Druze of Sweida and to intervene through all available means to stop the massacre being carried out by the Shara regime. Silence in the face of this crime makes one a direct accomplice.

UN special coordinator says Lebanon needs to make a plan for disarming Hezbollah
Al Arabiya English/17 July/2025
A senior UN diplomat told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Lebanon needs to come up with a timeline to disarm Hezbollah. “A clearly articulated roadmap with timelines, underpinned by concrete plans, was needed yesterday,” UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said. The Lebanese government vowed to bring all weapons under the state’s control, with President Joseph Aoun pledging in his presidential oath to do so. While the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have made significant progress, according to US and UN officials, they both say more needs to be done.“The question of non-state arms is multi-faceted,” Hennis-Plasschaert said on Thursday, adding that “foresight and a dedicated framework” was needed.
Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire
Despite a US-brokered ceasefire to end the yearlong war between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel last November, Israel has consistently bombed what it says are Hezbollah and Hamas targets inside Lebanon. Hezbollah has refused to give up what remains in its weapons arsenal, citing the need for Israel to withdraw from five occupied points in southern Lebanon. Hennis-Plasschaert dubbed the situation “tremendously fragile,” citing the continued Israeli occupation of the five points, two so-called buffer zones and repeated airstrikes into Lebanon. “This new status quo cannot and must not be accepted as normal,” she warned. A ceasefire monitoring mechanism at the military level was established after the ceasefire. Despite being dormant for several weeks, it has picked back up in recent weeks with France appointing a new military official to lead its team in the mechanism. The US also appointed Maj. Gen. Michael Leeney to be its full-time senior military leader in Beirut and join the ceasefire monitoring team. However, the UN special coordinator stated that a new track was necessary to complement the existing military-to-military mechanisms. This would elevate unresolved issues to the political level, which is needed to produce decisive commitments, she said. “Short of this, sustainable solutions will continue to elude both sides.”
Lebanon’s political will
Lebanon not only faces an uphill battle to disarm Hezbollah, Palestinian militant groups and other non-state actors, but it also needs to implement economic reforms to tackle decades of corruption and mismanagement. Regional and international countries, as well as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), have expressed willingness to help Lebanon contingent upon specific judicial and economic reforms being passed and implemented. Hennis-Plasschaert told the Security Council that “the current window of opportunity to effect real change in Lebanon will not stay open indefinitely,” while lamenting the “deep-rooted rot of corruption and clientelism.”She added: “Lebanon, in need of major, sustained international support, runs the risk of being sidelined as regional dynamics shift rapidly around it – a harsh reality that must be acknowledged.”

Israeli strikes on south Lebanon kill four
AFP/July 17, 2025
BEIRUT: Four people were killed on Thursday in separate Israeli strikes on south Lebanon, the Lebanese health ministry reported, as Israel said it had targeted two Hezbollah members.
The attacks are the latest despite a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. The ministry said that “an Israeli drone strike targeted a car” in the Nabatiyeh district, killing one person and wounding two others. Another strike “targeted a truck in the town of Naqura” in southern Lebanon “resulting in one martyr,” it said in a statement.The third strike, on Qabrikha, killed two people, a man and a woman who succumbed to her wounds, according to the ministry. The Israeli military said in a statement that it killed Hassan Ahmad Sabra, “a naval commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force” in the area of Kfur, south Lebanon. It also said that it had killed a Hezbollah member “involved in attempts to reestablish terror infrastructure” in Naqura. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the third strike. Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November ceasefire seeking to end over a year of hostilities with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Under the agreement, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters back north of the Litani river, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, leaving the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers as the only armed parties in the region. Israel was required to fully withdraw its troops from the country but has kept them in five places it deems strategic.

2 killed, 2 hurt in Israeli strikes on vehicles in al-Kfour, Naqoura
Naharnet/July 17, 2025
An Israeli drone on Thursday bombed a car between the southern towns of Toul and al-Kfour, killing one person and wounding two others, the Health Ministry said. Another drone strike on a pickup truck in the southern border town of Naqoura killed one person, the Ministry announced. Moreover, an Israeli quadcopter crashed near the Naqoura Municipality after dropping a bomb in the area, the National News Agency said. In a statement, the Israeli army claimed that the man killed in the al-Kfour strike was “Hassan Ahmad Sabra, the commander of the naval force of Hezbollah’s Radwan force.”It added that the man killed in Naqoura was engaged in an alleged attempt to restore Hezbollah infrastructure. Israeli drones were meanwhile overflying Beirut’s southern suburbs as well as several southern towns.

Turkey works with Jumblat, US envoy, and Israel to de-escalate Syria clashes
Associated Press/July 17, 2025
A Turkish official said Thursday that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and intelligence chief İbrahim Kalin held a series of diplomatic and security contacts to de-escalate the clashes in Syria's Sweida. They worked with the U.S. special envoy for Syria, Israel, and regional officials and leaders, including Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblat, said the official who requested anonymity to discuss the issue. The escalation in Syria began with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province of Sweida. Government forces that intervened to restore order clashed with the Druze militias, but also in some cases attacked civilians. The tensions spread to Lebanon where Druze protesters were seen in videos insulting army troops in Dahr al-Baydar, blocking roads and assaulting Syrian workers, passersby and residents in several parts of Lebanon. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Jumblat called for restraint, prudence, and wisdom in Lebanon to avoid reactions that could create internal tensions. Progressive Socialist Party leader Taymour Jumblat and Druze spiritual leader in Lebanon Sheikh Sami Abi al-Mona condemned the attacks on civilians and urged the members of the Druze community not to assault Syrians.

Report: Lebanon to shut down Al-Qard Al-Hasan, Hezbollah-linked money changers
Naharnet/July 17, 2025
Lebanese authorities intend to shut down all money exchange firms that deal with Hezbollah and the Central Bank intends to shut down Al-Qard Al-Hasan’s branches across Lebanon, Al-Arabiya’s Al-Hadath channel quoted unnamed sources as saying on Thursday. “Lebanon’s measures against Al-Qard Al-Hasan come to meet demands presented by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack,” the sources added. The report comes a few days after the Central Bank issued a circular on Monday barring banks and brokerages from dealing with Al-Qard Al-Hasan, described as Hezbollah’s financial arm. Barrack called the move a “step in the right direct by the Lebanese government.”“Transparency and alignment of all financial intermediaries in Lebanon under the supervision of the Central Bank is a valued and necessary accomplishment,” Barrack said in a post on the X platform. In its circular, the Central Bank prohibited all licensed financial institutions in Lebanon from dealing directly or indirectly with unlicensed entities and listed Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan as an example. The bank had issued similar circulars in the past but this is the first time that it mentions Al-Qard Al-Hassan by name. The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Al-Qard Al-Hasan in 2007, saying Hezbollah used it as a cover to manage "financial activities and gain access to the international financial system."Al-Qard Al-Hassan, founded in 1983, describes itself as a charitable organization that provides loans to people according to Islamic principles that forbid interest. Israel struck some of its branches during its war with Hezbollah last year. Operating as a not-for-profit organization under a licence granted by the Lebanese government, it has more than 30 branches, mostly in predominantly Shiite Muslim areas of Beirut and its suburbs, southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.A Lebanese official said the Central Bank move had been in the works for months, and reflected U.S. pressure on Lebanon to take action against Hezbollah's financial wing. Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank, said Lebanese banks were already careful to avoid dealing with Al-Qard Al-Hasan because it is under U.S. sanctions.

Salam and Jumblat discuss Sweida's clashes, call for restraint in Lebanon
Naharnet/July 17, 2025 
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed in a phone call Thursday with former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat the latest developments in Syria and reactions in Lebanon. The two leaders stressed the importance of preserving Syria's unity under the Syrian state's umbrella, as well as the need for prudence and wisdom in Lebanon to avoid reactions that could create internal tensions. The Prime Minister praised Jumblat's efforts to contain the situation in Lebanon, after sectarian tensions erupted in Lebanon Wednesday against the backdrop of Syria's events. Druze protesters were seen in a video shared on social media insulting army troops in Dahr al-Baydar and accusing them of assaulting Druze clerics after the soldiers reopened a road the protesters had blocked in support of Sweida's Druze. Another video showed Druze protesters attacking civilians in a car. The men in the car seemed to speak in Syrian but it was not known where the incident occurred. Media reports said the protesters assaulted Syrian workers, passersby and residents and obstructed Syrian vehicles in several parts of Lebanon, including in Kharayeb, South Lebanon, Qabr Shmoun and Sawfar.
Salam warned all Lebanese against strife and called on them to prioritize the national interest. He said he had contacted ministers and security officials to take all necessary measures to maintain citizens' security in various Lebanese regions and to strictly address any attempts that might threaten stability. Progressive Socialist Party leader Taymour Jumblat condemned "the attacks on citizens on the roads, regardless of who they are," and also condemned the attacks on Lebanese army officers and personnel who are performing their national duty to maintain security and stability.
Druze spiritual leader in Lebanon Sheikh Sami Abi al-Mona also condemned the attacks on civilians and urged the Druze community not to assault Syrians.

Druze spiritual leader urges Sweida armed groups and Hezbollah to disarm
Naharnet/July 17, 2025
Druze spiritual leader in Lebanon Sheikh Sami Abi al-Mona has expressed his fear of sectarian tensions in Lebanon against the backdrop of Syria's Sweida events. In an interview, published Thursday in local An-Nahar newspaper, Abi al-Mona warned against transferring the conflict to Lebanon and urged both Sweida armed groups and Lebanese Hezbollah to hand over their arms to the state. Al-Mona said the decision of war and peace should be in the hands of the state. "We say this to the people of Sweida and to Hezbollah."The Druze spiritual leader added that Hezbollah has already caused losses to Lebanon and that now is the time to build a state and disarm the group through dialogue yet without procrastination."Hezbollah's weapons today would not deter Israel but would rather cause an internal conflict," he said.

Aoun says committed to unveiling full truth in port blast case
Naharnet/July 17, 2025
President Joseph Aoun on Thursday told a delegation from the families of the Beirut port blast victims that he has a “clear commitment” to “unveil the full truth” and “hold accountable all those who caused this tragedy.”“This is the path to pull our country out of the darkness of corruption and negligence,” Aoun added. “We will spare no effort to build a state that respects the rights of its citizens and protects their lives, so that this tragedy becomes a lesson that paves the way for a better future,” the president said.“From now on, the judiciary will take its course, the guilty will be put on trial and the innocent will be acquitted,” Aoun pledged.

EU and European ambassadors discuss priorities and $600M support with Lebanese Leadership
Naharnet/July 17, 2025
EU and member state ambassadors met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on respectively 10, 11, and 17 July 2025, the EU Delegation to Lebanon said. During these meetings, the ambassadors underscored the EU and its member states’ “substantial and ongoing support for Lebanon, including in conflict-affected areas across the country,” a statement said. The EU and its member states current funding in those areas amounts to more than USD 600 million, representing nearly half of their ongoing engagement in Lebanon which stands at over USD 1 billion.
Beyond humanitarian assistance, the majority of this funding supports critical sectors such as education, healthcare, social protection, water and sanitation, and agriculture, while also contributing to economic recovery through job creation and private sector support. Additional funding is also allocated to help mitigate the impact of the conflict on the security and stability of the country, including by supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces’ capabilities and deployment in the south, clearing rubble and unexploded ordnance, and strengthening border management. A significant part of that support is not included in the USD 600 million. In this context, the ambassadors highlighted “the crucial role of UNIFIL in maintaining stability and security in the south, a role that remains indispensable in the future.”They emphasized the “utmost need for all parties to fully implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, including ensuring a state monopoly on arms, and to abide by the November 2024 ceasefire mechanism.” The ambassadors also discussed with their interlocutors the government’s “commitment and plans for the much-needed financial, judicial, and governance reforms that can place the country on the path to recovery.” They also commended the authorities on “the steps taken since the beginning of the year, including Parliament’s approval of the Banking Secrecy Law and the filling of key vacancies in the judiciary and regulatory authorities, among others.”Moreover, the Ambassadors stressed the need for parliament to swiftly endorse a Bank Resolution Law that meets international standards. They similarly called on the Government to urgently draft and adopt a comprehensive strategy for the distribution of financial sector losses (the so-called "GAP Law"), in a way that ensures clarity, fairness, and alignment with international best practices. They additionally inquired about the status of the law on the independence of the judiciary and the new media law that should serve to uphold media freedoms and to strengthen accountability. The ambassadors concluded by reiterating to President Aoun, Prime Minister Salam and Speaker Berri the EU and member states’ “commitment to Lebanon and their willingness to support the country as it moves forward.”

France court orders release of Georges Abdallah after four decades in prison
Agence France Presse/July 17, 2025
A French court Thursday ordered the release of pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, who has been imprisoned for 40 years for the 1982 killings of two foreign diplomats. Abdallah, 74, was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for his involvement in the murders of US military attache Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov. He is one of the longest serving prisoners in France.

Hezbollah hands over all armed Ashoura men to authorities, report says
Naharnet/July 17, 2025
All armed men who appeared in a video carrying machine guns during a Ashoura procession in Zoqaq al-Blat have been handed out to Lebanese security agencies, media reports said. Change MP Ibrahim Mneimneh had published a video on his X platform showing young men with machine guns in Beirut during Ashoura. The video sparked widespread criticism. Sources told local news agency al-Markazia that the handover came after a strict message from the security authorities to Hezbollah urging the group to hand out "all the men" who publicly displayed arms in Zoqaq al-Blat and warning Hezbollah that there will be "no more leniency or tolerance" in security matters.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on July 17-18/2025
Over 500 killed in south Syria violence
Agence France Presse/July 17, 2025
Over 500 people people have been killed in southern Syria's Sweida province, a war monitor said Thursday, giving an updated toll after several days of clashes that triggered the deployment of government forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights counted 79 Druze fighters and 154 civilians from Sweida among the dead, including 83 people "who were summarily executed by members of the defense and interior ministries". The clashes also claimed the lives of 243 government personnel and 18 Bedouin fighters, in addition to three members of Bedouin tribes "who were summarily executed by Druze fighters". Fifteen government personnel were also killed in Israeli airstrikes.

Netanyahu says Syria ceasefire 'obtained by force'
Agence France Presse/July 17, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said a ceasefire in Syria was "obtained by force", after Israel struck military targets in the heart of Damascus in response to government troops attacking the Druze in Sweida. "It is a ceasefire obtained by force. Not by demands, not by pleas -- by force," he said in a statement. Government troops began their pull-out from the Druze heartland province of Sweida in southern Syria on Wednesday evening.

Syrian forces withdraw from Sweida after ceasefire goes into effect
Associated Press/July 17, 2025
Syrian government forces largely withdrew from the southern province of Sweida Thursday following days of vicious clashes with militias of the Druze minority. Under a ceasefire agreement reached the day before, which largely halted the hostilities, Druze factions and clerics have been appointed to maintain internal security in Sweida, Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa said in an address broadcast early Thursday. The dayslong fighting threatened to unravel Syria's postwar political transition and brought in further military intervention by its powerful neighbor Israel, which on Wednesday struck the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters in the heart of Damascus. Israel said it was acting to protect the Druze religious minority. Druze leaders and Syrian government officials reached a ceasefire deal mediated by the United States, Turkey and Arab countries.
Convoys of government forces started withdrawing from the city of Sweida overnight as Syrian state media said the withdrawal was in line with the ceasefire agreement and the military operation against the Druze factions had ended.
It remained unclear if the ceasefire would hold after the agreement was announced by Syria's Interior Ministry and in a video message by a Druze religious leader. A previous agreement Tuesday quickly broke down after being dismissed by prominent Druze cleric Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri. The escalation in Syria began with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province of Sweida. Government forces that intervened to restore order clashed with the Druze militias, but also in some cases attacked civilians. The Syrian government has not issued a casualty count from the clashes, but some rights groups and monitors say dozens of combatants on both sides have been killed, as well as dozens of largely Druze civilians killed in sectarian attacks. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, says at least 374 combatants and civilians were killed in the clashes and Israeli strikes, among them dozens of civilians killed in the crossfire or in targeted attacks against the minority group. Videos circulated on social media showed government forces and allies humiliating Druze clerics and residents, looting homes and killing civilians hiding inside their houses. Syrian Druze from Sweida told The Associated Press that several family members who were unarmed had been attacked or killed. Al-Sharaa appealed to them in his address and vowed to hold perpetrators to account. "We are committed to holding accountable those who wronged our Druze brethren," he said, calling the Druze an "integral part of this nation's fabric" who are under the protection of state law and justice, which safeguards the rights of everyone without exception.
The Druze community had been divided over how to approach al-Sharaa's de facto Islamist rule over Syria after largely celebrating the downfall of Bashar Assad and his family's decades-long dictatorial rule. They feared persecution after several attacks from the Islamic State militant group and al-Qaeda-affiliates the Nusra Front during Syria's 14-year civil war. While it first appeared many Druze hoped to resolve matters diplomatically, with al-Sharaa promising an inclusive Syria for all its different communities, over time they became more skeptical, especially after a counterinsurgency in the coastal province in February turned into targeted attacks against the Alawite religious minority. The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981.

Mediation saved region from 'unknown fate', Syrian leader says
Agence France Presse/July 17, 2025
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday hailed U.S., Arab and Turkish mediation for saving the region from an "unknown fate", while criticizing Israel for targeting civilian and government facilities. "The Israeli entity resorted to a wide-scale targeting of civilian and government facilities," he said in a televised address. This led to a "significant complication of the situation and pushed matters to a large-scale escalation, except for the effective intervention of American, Arab, and Turkish mediation, which saved the region from an unknown fate", he said.

Foreign ministers of Middle Eastern countries affirm support for Syria’s security, stability, and sovereignty
Arab News/July 17, 2025
RIYADH: The foreign ministers of Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, affirmed their support for Syria’s security, unity, stability, and sovereignty in a joint statement issued on Thursday. The Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his counterparts from Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, and Turkiye held intensive talks on developments in Syria during the last two days. The talks aimed to come up with a unified position and coordinate efforts to support the Syrian government in its efforts to rebuild Syria on foundations that guarantee its security, stability, unity, sovereignty, and the rights of all its citizens. Prince Faisal spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday to emphasize the importance of respecting Syria’s independence and sovereignty, the need to halt Israeli aggression on Syrian territory, and the importance of uniting efforts to support the Syrian government’s measures to establish security and uphold the rule of law across its entire territory. The foreign ministers welcomed the ceasefire reached to end the crisis in Sweida Governorate, and stressed the necessity of its implementation to protect Syria, its unity, and its citizens, prevent the shedding of Syrian blood, and ensure the protection of civilians and the rule of law. They also welcomed Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s commitment to hold accountable all those responsible for violations against Syrian citizens in Sweida Governorate. The ministers expressed support for all efforts to establish security and the rule of law in Sweida Governorate and throughout Syria. They also condemned and rejected repeated Israeli attacks on Syria and said they are flagrant violations of international law and a blatant assault on Syria’s sovereignty which destabilizes its security, stability, and unity and undermines the government’s efforts to build a new Syria that achieves the aspirations and choices of its people. They added that Syria’s security and stability are a pillar of regional security and stability and a shared priority. The ministers called on the international community to support the Syrian government in its reconstruction process and called on the Security Council to assume its legal and moral responsibilities to ensure Israel’s full withdrawal from occupied Syrian territories, the cessation of all Israeli hostilities against Syria and interference in its affairs, and the implementation of Resolution 2766 and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

Syria’s Sharaa says protecting Druze citizens is ‘our priority’
Reuters/July 17, 2025
DAMASCUS/CAIRO: Syria’s interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa said on Thursday that protecting Druze citizens and their rights is “our priority,” as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria. In his first televised statement after powerful Israeli air strikes on Damascus on Wednesday, Sharaa addressed Druze citizens saying “we reject any attempt to drag you into hands of an external party.”“We are not among those who fear the war. We have spent our lives facing challenges and defending our people, but we have put the interests of the Syrians before chaos and destruction,” he said. He added that the Syrian people are not afraid of war and are ready to fight if their dignity is threatened. Israel’s airstrikes blew up part of Syria’s defense ministry and hit near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw. The attacks marked a significant Israeli escalation against Sharaa’s Islamist-led administration. They came despite his warming ties with the US and his administration’s evolving security contacts with Israel. Describing Syria’s new rulers as barely disguised jihadists, Israel has said it will not let them move forces into southern Syria and vowed to shield the area’s Druze community from attack, encouraged by calls from Israel’s own Druze minority.The US said the fighting would stop soon. “We have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria. We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media. The United Nations Security Council will meet on Thursday to address the conflict, diplomats said. “The council must condemn the barbaric crimes committed against innocent civilians on Syrian soil,” said Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon. “Israel will continue to act resolutely against any terrorist threat on its borders, anywhere and at any time.”
WARPLANES OVER DAMASCUS
The Syrian Network for Human Rights said 169 people had been killed in this week’s violence. Security sources put the toll at 300. Reuters could not independently verify the tolls. Reuters reporters heard warplanes swoop low over the capital Damascus and unleash a series of massive strikes on Wednesday afternoon. Columns of smoke rose from the area near the defense ministry. A section of the building was destroyed, the ground strewn with rubble. An Israeli military official said the entrance to the military headquarters in Damascus was struck, along with a military target near the presidential palace. The official said Syrian forces were not acting to prevent attacks on Druze and were part of the problem. “We will not allow southern Syria to become a terror stronghold,” said Eyal Zamir, Israel’s military chief of staff. Sharaa faces challenges to stitch Syria back together in the face of deep misgivings from groups that fear Islamist rule. In March, mass killings of members of the Alawite minority exacerbated the mistrust. Druze, followers of a religion that is an offshoot of Islam, are spread between Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Following calls in Israel to help Druze in Syria, scores of Israeli Druze broke through the border fence on Wednesday, linking up with Druze on the Syrian side, a Reuters witness said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military was working to save the Druze and urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border. The Israeli military said it was working to safely return civilians who had crossed. Israeli Druze Faez Shkeir said he felt helpless watching the violence in Syria. “My family is in Syria — my wife is in Syria, my uncles are from Syria, and my family is in Syria, in Sweida, I don’t like to see them being killed. They kicked them out of their homes, they robbed and burned their houses, but I can’t do anything,” he said.

Saudi crown prince welcomes measures announced by Al-Sharaa to contain clashes
Arab News/July 17, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The crown prince welcomed the arrangements and measures announced by Al-Sharaa to contain recent events in Syria, expressing the Kingdom’s confidence in the ability of the Syrian government to achieve security and stability in the country. Prince Mohammed also praised efforts exerted by Al-Sharaa to ensure that Syria continues on the right path, which would in turn ensure the preservation of Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, the strengthening of its national unity, the solidarity and cohesion of all segments of the Syrian people, and the prevention of any signs of sedition aimed at destabilizing security and stability in the country. The crown prince also stressed the importance of continuing steps that Syria has taken at all levels to achieve the progress and prosperity to which the Syrian people aspire. He reiterated the Kingdom’s firm position in supporting Syria, standing by its side, and rejecting any action that would undermine civil and social peace in its entirety. Prince Mohammed reiterated the Kingdom’s declared position condemning Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and interference in its internal affairs. He also stressed the need for the international community to support the Syrian government in confronting these challenges and preventing any foreign interference in Syria’s internal affairs under any pretext. Al-Sharaa expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom for its supportive stance toward Syria and the role and efforts undertaken by the crown prince to promote security and stability in Syria and the region.

Mothers of Israeli soldiers fighting on all fronts to stop Gaza war
AFP/July 17, 2025
HOD HASHARON, Israel: “We mothers of soldiers haven’t slept in two years,” said Ayelet-Hashakhar Saidof, a lawyer who founded the Mothers on the Front movement in Israel. A 48-year-old mother of three, including a soldier currently serving in the army, Saidof said her movement brings together some 70,000 mothers of active-duty troops, conscripts and reservists to demand, among other things, a halt to the fighting in Gaza. Her anxiety was familiar to other mothers of soldiers interviewed by AFP who have refocused their lives on stopping a war that many Israelis increasingly feel has run its course, even as a ceasefire deal remains elusive. In addition to urging an end to the fighting in Gaza, Mothers on the Front’s foremost demand is that everyone serve in the army, as mandated by Israeli law. That request is particularly urgent today, as draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews have become a wedge issue in Israeli society, with the military facing manpower shortages in its 21-month fight against the militant group Hamas. As the war drags on, Saidof has become increasingly concerned that Israel will be confronted with long-term ramifications from the conflict. “We’re seeing 20-year-olds completely lost, broken, exhausted, coming back with psychological wounds that society doesn’t know how to treat,” she said. “They are ticking time bombs on our streets, prone to violence, to outbursts of rage.”According to the army, 23 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza over the past month, and more than 450 have died since the start of the ground offensive in October 2023. Saidof accuses the army of neglecting soldiers’ lives. Combat on the ground has largely dried up, she said, and soldiers were now being killed by improvised explosives and “operational mistakes.”“So where are they sending them? Just to be targets in a shooting range?” she asked bitterly. Over the past months, Saidof has conducted her campaign in the halls of Israel’s parliament, but also in the streets. Opening the boot of her car, she proudly displayed a stockpile of posters, placards and megaphones for protests. “Soldiers fall while the government stands,” one poster read.
Her campaign does not have a political slant, she maintained. “The mothers of 2025 are strong. We’re not afraid of anyone, not the generals, not the rabbis, not the politicians,” she said defiantly. Saidof’s group is not the only mothers’ movement calling for an end to the war.
Outside the home of military chief of staff Eyal Zamir, four women gathered one morning to demand better protection for their children. “We’re here to ask him to safeguard the lives of our sons who we’ve entrusted to him,” said Rotem-Sivan Hoffman, a doctor and mother of two soldiers. “To take responsibility for military decisions and to not let politicians use our children’s lives for political purposes that put them in unnecessary danger” . Hoffman is one of the leaders of the Ima Era, or “Awakened Mother,” movement, whose motto is: “We don’t have children for wars without goals.”
“For many months now, we’ve felt this war should have ended,” she told AFP. “After months of fighting and progress that wasn’t translated into a diplomatic process, nothing has been done to stop the war, bring back the hostages, withdraw the army from Gaza or reach any agreements.”Beside her stood Orit Wolkin, also the mother of a soldier deployed to the front, whose anxiety was visible. “Whenever he comes back from combat, of course that’s something I look forward to eagerly, something I’m happy about, but my heart holds back from feeling full joy because I know he’ll be going back” to the front, she said. At the funeral of Yuli Faktor, a 19-year-old soldier killed in Gaza the previous day alongside two comrades, his mother stood sobbing before her son’s coffin draped in the Israeli flag. She spoke to him in Russian for the last time before his burial.
“I want to hold you. I miss you. Forgive me, please. Watch over us, wherever you are.”

Strike on Gaza sole Catholic church kills two and injures parish priest
Agence France Presse/July 17, 2025
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said an Israeli strike on Gaza's only Catholic church killed two people on Thursday, as Israel said it "never targets" religious sites. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday that "Israeli strikes on Gaza have also hit the Holy Family Church", slamming "unacceptable" attacks on the civilian population. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the strike killed two people and injured several others including the parish priest, as well as causing damage to the building. "The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning. There are several injuries in the place including the Parish Priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli. Currently there are no fatalities confirmed," the Latin Patriarchate said in a statement. The Israeli military said it was "looking into it" when contacted by AFP.

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strike on Gaza Catholic church
Arab News/July 17, 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Thursday an Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church that killed three people. The Kingdom strongly condemns Israel’s continued attacks against innocent civilians and places of worship, the Foreign Ministry said. The Israeli strike on Gaza’s sole Catholic Church killed three people and injured several others, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the small parish, said on Thursday. In the shelling of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, the church compound was also damaged, where hundreds of Palestinians have been sheltering from the 21-month Israel-Hamas war. The Kingdom said that such repeated attacks in the region, without any deterrent, require a serious stance from all countries to put an end to Israeli crimes which threaten the security and stability of the region. It reiterated its call for the international community, especially the United Nations Security Council, to confront Israeli practices and activate international accountability mechanisms for these violations.

Israel has refused to renew visas for heads of at least 3 UN agencies in Gaza
AP/July 17, 2025
UNITED NATIONS: Israel has refused to renew visas for the heads of at least three United Nations agencies in Gaza, which the UN humanitarian chief blames on their work trying to protect Palestinian civilians in the war-torn territory. Visas for the local leaders of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known as OCHA; the human rights agency OHCHR; and the agency supporting Palestinians in Gaza, UNRWA, have not been renewed in recent months, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed. Tom Fletcher, UN head of humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council on Wednesday that the UN’s humanitarian mandate is not just to provide aid to civilians in need and report what its staff witnesses but to advocate for international humanitarian law. “Each time we report on what we see, we face threats of further reduced access to the civilians we are trying to serve,” he said. “Nowhere today is the tension between our advocacy mandate and delivering aid greater than in Gaza.”Fletcher said, “Visas are not renewed or reduced in duration by Israel, explicitly in response to our work on protection of civilians.”Israel’s UN mission did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment about the visa renewals. Israel has been sharply critical of UNRWA, even before Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack in southern Israel — accusing the agency of colluding with Hamas and teaching anti-Israel hatred, which UNRWA vehemently denies. Since then, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies have claimed that UNRWA is deeply infiltrated by Hamas and that its staffers participated in the Oct. 7 attacks. Israel formally banned UNRWA from operating in its territory, and its commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini, has been barred from entering Gaza. At Wednesday’s Security Council meeting, Fletcher called conditions in Gaza “beyond vocabulary,” with food running out and Palestinians seeking something to eat being shot. He said Israel, the occupying power in Gaza, is failing in its obligation under the Geneva Conventions to provide for civilian needs. In response, Israel accused OCHA of continuing “to abandon all semblance of neutrality and impartiality in its statements and actions, despite claiming otherwise.”Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly, political coordinator at Israel’s UN Mission, told the Security Council that some of its 15 members seem to forget that the Oct. 7 attacks killed about 1,200 people and some 250 were taken hostage, triggering the war in Gaza and the humanitarian situation. “Instead, we’re presented with a narrative that forces Israel into a defendant’s chair, while Hamas, the very cause of this conflict and the very instigator of suffering of Israelis but also of Palestinians, goes unmentioned, unchallenged and immune to condemnation,” she said. More than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but says more than half were women and children. Ravina Shamdasani, chief spokesperson for the Geneva-based UN human rights body, confirmed Thursday that the head of its office in the occupied Palestinian territories “has been denied entry into Gaza.”“The last time he tried to enter was in February 2025 and since then, he has been denied entry,” she told The Associated Press. “Unfortunately, this is not unusual. Aid workers, UN staff, journalists and others have been denied access to Gaza.”Israel has accused a UN-backed commission probing abuses in Gaza, whose three members just resigned, and the Human Rights Council’s independent investigator Francesca Albanese of antisemitism. Albanese has accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza, which it and its ally the US vehemently deny. The Trump administration recently issued sanctions against Albanese. Fletcher, the UN humanitarian chief, told the Security Council that Israel also is not granting “security clearances” for staff to enter Gaza to continue their work and that UN humanitarian partners are increasingly being denied entry as well. He noted that “56 percent of the entries denied into Gaza in 2025 were for emergency medical teams — frontline responders who save lives.”“Hundreds of aid workers have been killed; and those who continue to work endure hunger, danger and loss, like everyone else in the Gaza Strip,” Fletcher said.

Another key ally quits Netanyahu's governing coalition in major blow to Israel's leader
Associated Press/July 17, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a major political blow on Wednesday as a key governing partner announced it was quitting his coalition government, leaving him with a minority in parliament as the country faces a litany of challenges. Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party that has long served as kingmaker in Israeli politics, announced that it would bolt the government over disagreements surrounding a proposed law that would enshrine broad military draft exemptions for its constituents — the second ultra-Orthodox governing party to do so this week. "In this current situation, it's impossible to sit in the government and to be a partner in it," Shas Cabinet minister Michael Malkieli said in announcing the party's decision. But Shas said it would not undermine Netanyahu's coalition from the outside and could vote with it on some legislation, granting Netanyahu a lifeline in what would otherwise make governing almost impossible and put his lengthy rule at risk. Once their resignations come into effect, Netanyahu's coalition will have 50 seats in the 120-seat parliament. Netanyahu's government doesn't face immediate collapse. Netanyahu's rule, for now, doesn't appear threatened. Once Shas' resignations are put forward, there's a 48-hour window before they become official, which gives him a chance to salvage his government.
Netanyahu's Likud party did not immediately comment on Shas' departure. The party's announcement also comes just before lawmakers recess for the summer, granting Netanyahu several months of little to no legislative activity to bring the parties back into the fold with a possible compromise on the draft law.
But if the coalition isn't shored up by the time the Knesset reconvenes in the fall, it could signal that Israel may be headed to early elections, which are currently scheduled for October 2026. The political instability comes at a pivotal time for Israel, which is negotiating with Hamas on the terms for a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Shas' decision isn't expected to derail the talks. But with a fracturing coalition, Netanyahu will feel more pressure to appease his other governing allies, especially the influential far-right flank, which opposes ending the 21-month war in Gaza so long as Hamas remains intact. They have threatened to quit the government if it does end. Despite losing two important political partners, Netanyahu will still be able to move ahead on a ceasefire deal, once one is reached. The Trump administration has been pushing Israel to wrap up the war.
The embattled Netanyahu is on trial for alleged corruption, and critics say he wants to hang on to power so that he can use his office as a bully pulpit to rally supporters and lash out against prosecutors and judges. That makes him all the more vulnerable to the whims of coalition allies. Exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox have long divided Israel. On Tuesday, the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party said it was quitting over Netanyahu's failure to pass a law on the military draft exemptions. Military service is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis, and the issue of exemptions has long divided the country. Those rifts have widened since the start of the war in Gaza as demand for military manpower has grown and hundreds of soldiers have been killed. A decades-old arrangement by Israel's first prime minister granted hundreds of ultra-Orthodox men exemptions from compulsory Israeli service. Over the years, those exemptions ballooned into the thousands.The ultra-Orthodox say their men are serving the country by studying sacred Jewish texts and preserving centuries' old tradition. They fear that mandatory enlistment will dilute adherents' connection to the faith. But most Jewish Israelis see the exemption as unfair, as well as the generous government stipends granted to many ultra-Orthodox men who study instead of work throughout adulthood. Netanyahu's coalition has been trying to find a path forward on a new law. But his base is largely opposed to granting sweeping draft exemptions and a key lawmaker has stood in the way of giving the ultra-Orthodox a law they can get behind, prompting their exit.

US says it opposed Israeli strikes in Syria
AFP/July 17, 2025
WASHINGTON: The United States said Thursday that it opposed its ally Israel’s strikes in Syria, a day after Washington helped broker a deal to end violence. “The United States did not support recent Israeli strikes,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters. “We are engaging diplomatically with Israel and Syria at the highest levels, both to address the present crisis and reach a lasting agreement between the two sovereign states,” she said. She declined to say if the United States had expressed its displeasure with Israel or whether it would oppose future strikes on Syria.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced concern when asked about the Israeli strikes, which included attacking the defense ministry in Damascus. He later issued a statement that did not directly address the Israeli strikes but voiced broader concern about the violence. Israel said it was intervening on behalf of the Druze community after communal clashes.Israel has repeatedly been striking Syria, a historic adversary, since Islamist fighters in December overthrew Iranian-allied leader Bashar Assad. US President Donald Trump, who spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday by telephone, has sided with Turkiye and Saudi Arabia in seeking a better relationship with Syria under its new leader, former guerrilla Ahmed Al-Sharaa.

Erdogan says Israel using Druze as pretext to expand into Syria
Al Arabiya English/17 July/2025
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused Israel of using the Druze minority in Syria as a pretext for expanding into the war-torn country. “Israel, using the Druze as an excuse, has been expanding its banditry into neighboring Syria over the past two days,” Erdogan said in a televised speech after the weekly cabinet meeting. “I want to state this once again, clearly and directly: Israel is a lawless, unruly, unprincipled, spoiled, pampered, and greedy terrorist state,” he said. “At this stage, the biggest problem in our region is Israel’s aggression ... If the monster is not stopped immediately, it will not hesitate to throw first our region, then the world, into flames.”Erdogan said Turkey would not allow Syria to be divided or see its multicultural structure and territorial integrity harmed. The Druze heartland province of Sweida in the south of Syria has been gripped by deadly sectarian bloodshed since Sunday, with scores killed in clashes pitting Druze fighters against Sunni Bedouin tribes and the army and its allies. Israel had hammered government troops with airstrikes during their brief deployment to the southern province and also struck the military headquarters in Damascus, warning that its strikes would intensify until the Syrian government pulled back.The United States – a close ally of Israel that has been trying to reboot its relationship with Syria – said an agreement had been reached to restore calm in the area.Erdogan said he had spoken with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa by telephone on Thursday after Syrian troops pulled out of Sweida. With agencies

Trump hosts Persian Gulf leaders at White House
Associated Press/17 July/2025
President Donald Trump hosted a pair of Arab Gulf leaders at the White House on Wednesday as violence between Israel and Syria renewed doubts about his pledge to impose peace on the Middle East. Trump held a meeting in the Oval Office with Bahrain's crown prince and dined privately with Qatar's prime minister. The Republican president has lavished attention on the Persian Gulf, a wealthy region where members of his family have extensive business relationships. He has already visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on the first foreign policy trip of his second term.
With little progress to share on the region's most intractable problems, including the war in Gaza, Trump was more focused Wednesday on promoting diplomatic ties as a vehicle for economic growth. "Anything they needed, we helped them," Trump said in the Oval Office while meeting with Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. "And anything we needed, they helped us."
Meeting with Bahrain's crown prince
Bahrain is a longtime ally that hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet, which operates in the Middle East. Like other Arab leaders, Al Khalifa was eager to highlight the lucrative potential of diplomatic ties with the U.S., including $17 billion of investments. "And this is real," he said. "It's real money. These aren't fake deals." According to the White House, the agreements include purchasing American airplanes, jet engines and computer servers. More investments could be made in aluminum production and artificial intelligence. Bahrain's king, the crown prince's father, is expected to visit Washington before the end of the year. An important part of the relationship will be an agreement, signed on Wednesday, to advance cooperation on civilian nuclear energy.
Dinner with Qatari prime minister
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar and a member of the country's ruling family, was at the White House for a private dinner with Trump on Wednesday evening. Trump visited Qatar during his trip to the region, marveling at its palaces and stopping at the Al Udeid Air Base, a key U.S. military facility. The base was targeted by Iran after the U.S. bombed the country's nuclear facilities. One ballistic missile made impact, while others were intercepted. Trump wants to use a luxurious Boeing 747 donated by Qatar as his Air Force One because he's tired of waiting for Boeing to finish new planes. However, the arrangement has stirred concerns about security and the ethics of accepting a gift from a foreign government. Aaron David Miller, who served as an adviser on Middle East issues to Democratic and Republican administrations, said "the Gulf represents everything that Trump believes is right about the Middle East.""It's rich, it's stable, it's populated by authoritarians with whom the president feels very comfortable," he said.
Fighting in Syria
The fighting in Syria began with clashes between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze factions in the country's south. Government forces intervened, raising alarms in Israel, where the Druze are a politically influential religious minority. On Wednesday, Israel launched strikes in the Syrian capital of Damascus. A ceasefire was later announced, but it was unclear if it would hold. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was in the Oval Office for Trump's meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain, said the fighting was the result of "an unfortunate situation and a misunderstanding." He said "we think we're on our way to a real de-escalation" that would allow Syria to "get back on track" to rebuilding after years of civil war. Despite an international outcry over its punishing military operations in Gaza, Israel has successfully weakened its enemies around the region, including Hezbollah and Iran. "There's a growing concern that Israel unleashed...has been a bigger sense of unpredictability," Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said. He also warned that "there's still no game plan to deal with the loose ends of Iran's nuclear program and its other activities in the region," such as support for the Houthis.

Fire at shopping center in eastern Iraq kills more than 60 people
Associated Press/July 17, 2025
A fire engulfed a newly opened shopping center in eastern Iraq, killing more than 60 people, including children, Iraqi officials said Thursday. Civil defense teams rescued more than 45 people who became trapped when the fire broke out late Wednesday in the city of Kut, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Others are still missing, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency. Photographs and videos on local media showed the Corniche Hypermarket Mall, a five-story shopping center that had opened only a week earlier, fully engulfed in flames. Poor building standards have often contributed to tragic fires in Iraq. In July 2021, a blaze at a hospital in the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah that killed between 60 to 92 people was determined to have been fueled by highly flammable, low-cost type of "sandwich panel" cladding that is illegal in Iraq. In 2023, more than 100 people died in a fire at a wedding hall in the predominantly Christian area of Hamdaniya in Nineveh province after the ceiling panels above a pyrotechnic machine burst into flames..Iraq's Ministry of Interior said in a statement that 61 people died in the shopping center fire, most of them from suffocation. Among the dead were 14 charred bodies that remain unidentified, it said. Provincial Gov. Mohammed al-Mayyeh in a statement declared three days of mourning. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation but that legal cases were filed against the building owner and shopping center owner. He did not specify what the charges were. "We assure the families of the innocent victims that we will not be lenient with those who were directly or indirectly responsible for this incident," al-Mayyeh said. The results of the preliminary investigation will be released within 48 hours, he said. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani said in a statement that he had directed the interior minister to go to the site of the fire to investigate and take measures to prevent a recurrence.

Baghdad and Irbil agree to resume Kurdish oil exports
AFP/July 17, 2025
Lucrative oil exports have been a major point of tension between Baghdad and Irbil
BAGHDAD: The Iraqi government announced Thursday an agreement to resume crude exports from the autonomous Kurdistan region after a more than two-year halt and amid drone attacks on oil fields. Lucrative oil exports have been a major point of tension between Baghdad and Irbil, with a key pipeline through Turkiye shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues. The Kurdistan regional government shall “immediately begin delivering all oil produced” in the region’s field to Baghdad’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) “for export,” the Iraqi government said in a statement. The quantity should be no less than 230,000 barrels per day, and Baghdad will pay an advance of $16 a barrel. The Kurdistan regional government said in a statement it “welcomes” the deal, and hoped all agreements would be respected. Oil exports were previously independently sold by the Kurdistan region, without the approval or oversight of the central administration in Baghdad, through the port of Ceyhan in Turkiye. But the region’s official oil exports have been frozen since March 2023 when the arbitration tribunal of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris ruled oil exports by the regional government illegal and said that Baghdad had the exclusive right to market all Iraqi oil.The decision halted the region’s independent exports by pipeline via Turkiye. Ever since, the federal and regional governments have been haggling over the production and transport costs payable to the region and its commercial partners among other financial issues.The latest agreement should also solve the long-standing issue of unpaid salaries for civil servants in Kurdistan, which has been tied to the tension over oil.
The federal finance ministry will pay salaries for May once SOMO confirms it has received the oil at the Ceyhan port.The regional government said it hoped that the issue of salaries would be treated separately from any disputes. The deal comes after a tense few weeks in Kurdistan, which has seen a spate of unclaimed drone attacks mostly against oil fields, with the latest strike hitting a site operated by a Norwegian firm on Thursday morning — the second attack in two days on the same site. There has been no claim of responsibility for any of the past week’s attacks, and Baghdad has promised an investigation to identify the culprits.

The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on July 17-18/2025
A video Link to an important commentary by the distinguished journalist Ibrahim Issa
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/07/145301/
A video Link to an important commentary by the distinguished journalist Ibrahim Issa, in which he exposes the criminality, terrorism, and madness of al-Julani, as well as the brutality of his army of barbarians and murderous fanatics, who predate the quarantine crisis. Ibrahim Issa opens up a scandalous fire on al-Julani, who is supported by Türkiye and America!

Celebrating 40 years of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
Prince Turki Al-Faisal/Arab News/July 17/2025
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. In 1983, Dr. Farhan Nizami and David Browning decided to lobby Oxford University to establish a centre for Islamic studies. After much give and take with the university, it ultimately agreed and followed all the requirements to establish the centre. In 1985, the centre was formally registered with the Charity Commission as an educational charity. It is a nonprofit institution. The founding trustees were Sheikh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, Dr. Abdullah Omar, Dr. Nizami’s father, the late Professor K.A. Nizami, Sheikh Sultan Al-Qassimi, and Tariq Shafiq. Professor Keith Griffin was the first nominee to represent the university. All other board members represent themselves. The first donation was £10 ($13), five from Dr. Nizami and five from Browning. There was one staff member, a secretary, and the first budget amounted to £70,000, donated by Sheikh Sultan. It was housed in a small hut on one of Oxford’s side streets. King Charles became patron of the centre in 1993, when he gave a landmark lecture titled “Islam and the West.” He elaborated his view that Islam and the West should and can work together to meet the challenges facing humanity. His Majesty continues to be the patron and will preside over the 40th anniversary. The centre is an independent educational institution and is presided over by a board of trustees made up of luminaries from the Muslim world, the UK, a representative of Oxford University, and others. Dr. Farhan Nizami was its director from 1985 and is now secretary to the board of trustees.
Enhancing Muslim and non-Muslim understanding has been the underlying ethos of the centre. The activities of the centre are all-encompassing, from teaching fellowships, publications, conferences, scholarships, seminars, workshops, lectures, and student sponsorships. The centre received a grant from the late King Fahd to construct its building. Grants for three fellowships in the names of the late King Abdullah, the late Prince Sultan, and King Salman followed. Generous support from other Muslim countries and individuals also added to the centre’s building and fellowships. In 2012, the centre became the first British Muslim institution to receive a royal charter from the late Queen Elizabeth. Enhancing Muslim and non-Muslim understanding has been the underlying ethos of the centre. The building that houses it, designed by the famous Egyptian architect Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil, with its dome and minaret, has blended quite beautifully with Oxford’s skyline and has become a landmark, visited by many visitors to the city. The centre’s relationship with Oxford University will grow and it will strive to continue to serve all of humanity in harmony and understanding.
*Prince Turki Al-Faisal is the former director-general of Saudi Arabia’s intelligence agency and a former ambassador. He is also the founder and Trustee of the King Faisal Foundation and Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.

Gulf states’ flourishing ties with Central Asia, South Caucasus
Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/July 17/2025
In recent years, hardly a week has gone by without a visit or announcement involving a country in Central Asia or the South Caucasus and a Gulf state. The pace of engagement between these regions is accelerating across diplomacy, business and security.
Last week, the UAE’s AD Ports Group and Kazakhstan Railways announced the launch of operations for GulfLink, a joint venture with long-term ambitions in the Central Asian logistics landscape. Earlier this year, Uzbekistan introduced a visa-free regime for Gulf nationals, further deepening regional ties. On the political front, Kazakhstan has hosted a long-running Syrian peace dialogue. Meanwhile, the UAE is now taking on one of the most sensitive issues in the South Caucasus: hosting peace talks between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders.
This stronger engagement is a sign of greater involvement by Gulf countries and the increased agency of powers in both regions. There is no doubt that the South Caucasus and Central Asia have been zones of great Russian political influence. Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, Russia has been able to maintain strong political influence over both areas. This is evident in times of specific crisis and has been achieved through the continuation of security alliances, political patronage and conflict mediation.
Some Westerners tend to forget that this influence dates back to long before the Soviet regime and will probably continue in a different form. This is a point that Gulf countries understand well; they have not tried to interfere but rather to develop broader relationships that benefit both sides. The Gulf has become an essential strategic corridor for both regions.
This engagement is a sign of greater involvement by Gulf countries and the increased agency of powers in both regions
The wider region presents a complex geopolitical landscape to navigate. It is like playing three-dimensional chess and dodgeball simultaneously. Indeed, from Turkiye, Russia, China and the US, influence comes from all directions. Each power has its own strategic interests, history and economic agenda.
China has played a big role through its powerful economy, as symbolized by infrastructure and energy investments under its Belt and Road Initiative. Turkiye pushes forward with strong cultural and linguistic ties, especially in Central Asia — with the dominance of Turkish television series being a good sign. Meanwhile, the US remains engaged through security cooperation, development aid and energy diplomacy. In short, local governments must skillfully balance external relationships to preserve their autonomy and advance their national interests. In that sense, Gulf countries have come to be recognized as proposing a much more balanced relationship. By putting forward economic development and collaboration on strategic geopolitical and security interests, it is clear their approach is more cooperative and less domineering than those of the other parties.
Gulf states have proven that their focus is much more on building beneficial partnerships that help strengthen both sides on the economic, cultural, political and security levels. The nature of this engagement, combined with the growing international influence and reach of the Gulf countries, has given the actors in Central Asia and the South Caucasus a valuable broadening of their maneuvering space. While they do not present a full alternative, and probably never will, they help to balance the influence of larger powers.
In a way, the Gulf countries have been able to present a new political approach of dynamic neutrality, which allows them to speak and collaborate with all the powers that face each other. This is very clear in their Central Asian and South Caucasus policies.
It is impossible to look at these two regions only through the economic and soft power lens. The importance of logistical routes and massive lands with competing projects has a major impact on each country’s defense. This also applies to the large powers. Hence, changes in global challenges have translated into shifting alliances. With the war in Ukraine and stronger, more competitive regional defense industries, Russia’s dominance through the Collective Security Treaty Organization faces challenges.
The Gulf countries have not tried to interfere but rather to develop broader relationships that benefit both sides. Countries are diversifying their partnerships. Armenia, which has historically relied on Russian military support, is perhaps reconsidering this in the wake of recent conflicts, especially as Azerbaijan’s close alignment with Turkiye has proven extremely efficient. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan balance Russian security ties with growing Chinese influence and cautious Western engagement. Ongoing border tensions in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan add to regional instability.
On that front, Gulf countries have a different approach. Although logistics and energy are the main focus of their collaboration, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have begun exploring deeper security ties, including intelligence sharing, joint training exercises and counterterrorism cooperation on a bilateral level. These efforts aim to address some of the most difficult issues in Central Asia, specifically, which affect all actors. These are best described as transborder security threats, such as radicalization, trafficking and cybercrime, which affect both regions.
The Gulf Cooperation Council states’ approach tends to have the same spirit as its economic collaboration, always focusing on partnerships and capacity-building that benefit both sides in a balanced manner. One essential area where the Gulf states could provide support to diffuse the greatest risk amid shifting power dynamics is in resolving potential border conflicts, which are often linked to ethnic tensions. This challenge is not unique to the South Caucasus and Central Asia but arises from changes in the world order that allow for more adventurous approaches. This is something the Gulf countries have demonstrated an ability to manage effectively. Failing to resolve historical issues of poorly demarcated borders could trigger a domino effect of military clashes amid competing influences and bring all economic advances to a halt, making this an important issue where the Gulf can play a valuable role.
**Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.

Five immutable steps to enduring AI adoption
Edgar Perez/Arab News/July 17/2025
The relentless drumbeat of artificial intelligence adoption echoes through the AI Workshops I run worldwide. Executives, envisioning a revolutionary future powered by algorithms and neural networks, are fervently pushing for its implementation. Yet, a significant chasm exists between this top-down enthusiasm and the ground-level reality experienced by workers. This tension underscores a critical truth: AI’s transformative potential remains dormant unless it is embraced by the very employees who will interact with and be impacted by it. The challenges are multifaceted, ranging from data complexities to integration hurdles. Ultimately, the linchpin for successful AI adoption lies in the unwavering leadership of the CEO. But when will these leaders truly champion the AI cause? When they are convinced that AI is not merely a technological novelty but a potent catalyst for achieving tangible business goals and objectives.
Amid the fervent discourse and the inherent skepticism, a fundamental question emerges: How can organizations move beyond the superficial adoption of AI to achieve its deep and lasting integration? The answer lies not in forceful imposition but in a carefully orchestrated journey, guided by a set of immutable principles that address both the strategic imperatives of the C-suite and the practical realities faced by the employee base. These five steps, when executed with foresight and commitment, pave the way for a future where AI is not just a tool, but an intrinsic part of the organizational fabric, driving innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth. The first, and arguably most crucial, step in the journey toward long-term AI adoption is the articulation of a clear, purpose-driven AI vision that is inextricably linked to the organization’s core business objectives.
This was never about chasing the latest technological trends or implementing AI for its own sake. Instead, it necessitates a deep understanding of the organization’s strategic priorities, its pain points, and its aspirations for the future.
A vague mandate to “adopt AI” is a recipe for confusion, resistance, and ultimately, failure. Employees need to understand why AI is being introduced, what problems it is intended to solve, and how it will contribute to the overall success of the company.
This requires a collaborative effort, involving not just the executive team but also representatives from various departments and levels within the organization. The process should begin with a thorough assessment of the business. What are the opportunities for growth and innovation? What are the key challenges the organization faces? Where are the bottlenecks in current processes?
Once these areas are identified, the focus should shift to exploring how AI (and technology in general) can provide tangible solutions and drive measurable impact, where possible. For instance, a retail company aiming to enhance customer satisfaction might identify long wait times at checkout as a significant pain point. Their AI vision could then center around leveraging computer vision and predictive analytics to optimize checkout processes, reduce waiting times, and personalize the customer experience. This clearly defined purpose, improving customer satisfaction, provides a compelling rationale for AI adoption that resonates with employees across the organization. Similarly, a manufacturing firm struggling with quality control issues might envision an AI-powered system that uses machine learning to analyze production line data in real-time, identifying anomalies and predicting potential defects before they occur.
The business objective here is clear: to improve product quality, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency. One theme I address in virtually all my keynotes is the crucial need to move beyond the abstract and translate AI’s potential into concrete, relatable benefits that align with the organization’s business strategy. This should be clearly communicated, consistently reinforced, and actively championed by the CEO, setting the tone for the entire organization. Without this foundational clarity, AI initiatives risk becoming isolated experiments, lacking the strategic coherence necessary for long-term integration. Once a clear AI vision is established, it’s no time for executives to rest on their laurels. The next immutable step is to cultivate an organizational culture that embraces experimentation, prioritizes continuous learning, and fosters open communication around AI initiatives. As I continuously stress during my AI Workshops, the adoption of AI is not a linear process; it involves exploration, trial and error, and the inevitable need to adapt and refine strategies along the way.
A culture of experimentation encourages employees to explore the potential of AI in their respective domains, to propose innovative use cases, and to test new tools and approaches. This requires creating a safe space where failure is seen not as a setback but as a valuable learning opportunity. Organizations can facilitate this by establishing dedicated innovation teams, providing access to relevant training such as my programs, learnings from pilot projects and celebrating small wins. Continuous learning is equally critical. The field of AI is rapidly evolving, with new architectures, tools, application programming interfaces, both closed and open source, and best practices emerging constantly. Organizations must invest in upskilling and reskilling their workforce to ensure that employees have the knowledge and capabilities to effectively interact with and leverage AI technologies.
This includes not just technical training for data scientists and engineers, but also AI literacy programs for employees in non-technical roles, enabling them to understand the basics of AI and identify opportunities for its controlled application in their daily work. Open communication is the glue that binds these elements together. It is essential to create channels for employees to ask questions, voice concerns, and provide feedback on AI initiatives. Fostering collaboration between technical teams and business users is important. Throughout my decades in technology, I learned that AI projects should not be developed in silos.Instead, cross-functional teams, where domain expertise from different departments is combined with AI knowledge, are more likely to identify relevant use cases and develop solutions that truly address business needs. This collaborative approach also helps to bridge the gap between executive vision and employee experience, ensuring that AI initiatives are practical, user-friendly, and aligned with the realities of day-to-day operations. The effectiveness of AI is intrinsically linked to the quality and availability of data. Therefore, the third immutable step is the establishment of robust data governance frameworks and ethical AI principles. Without a solid foundation of well-managed, secure, and ethically sourced data, AI initiatives are prone to bias, inaccuracies, and a lack of trust.
AI’s transformative potential remains dormant unless it is embraced by the very employees who will interact with and be impacted by it.
Data governance encompasses the policies, procedures, and processes that ensure the integrity, security, and usability of data throughout its lifecycle. It is also essential to address potential ethical implications, such as bias in algorithms, lack of transparency in decision-making, and the potential impact on employment. Organizations should develop clear ethical guidelines that govern the development and deployment of AI, ensuring fairness, accountability, and transparency. This involves proactively identifying potential biases in data and algorithms and taking steps to mitigate them. It also requires establishing mechanisms for clearly explaining how AI systems arrive at their decisions, particularly in critical applications such as healthcare and manufacturing. Implementing robust data governance and ethical AI frameworks is more than just a regulatory or compliance matter; it is about building trust with employees, customers, and the broader community. When stakeholders are confident that AI is being used responsibly and ethically, they are more likely to embrace its adoption. This requires a commitment from the highest levels of leadership to prioritize data integrity and ethical considerations in all AI initiatives.
As the latest wave of technology, AI shares a significant similarity with previous technological advancements: worker apprehension, particularly the fear of job displacement due to AI adoption. The fourth immutable step directly addresses this concern by emphasizing a paradigm of human-AI collaboration and augmentation, rather than outright replacement. The focus should be on how AI can empower employees, dramatically enhance their capabilities, and free them from repetitive or mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities that require creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Honestly and consistently framing AI as a tool that augments and reframes human skills, rather than a technology that seeks to replace human workers, is crucial for gaining employee buy-in. Organizations should actively communicate how AI will be used to support employees in their roles, improve their productivity, and create new opportunities for growth and development. For example, in customer service, AI-powered chatbots can handle routine inquiries, freeing up human agents to focus on more complex and sensitive customer issues. In healthcare, AI can assist doctors in analyzing medical images, freeing up more time for disease diagnostics and patient interaction.
In finance, AI can automate data analysis and risk assessment, enabling financial professionals to focus on strategic decision-making. The key is to identify tasks that are well-suited for automation by AI, those that are repetitive, data-intensive, or require high levels of accuracy, and to then design AI systems that complement human skills and expertise.
This requires a careful analysis of existing workflows and a thoughtful redesign of processes to optimize human-AI collaboration. Furthermore, organizations should invest in training programs that equip employees with the skills to effectively work alongside AI systems, much like they do with sophisticated enterprise resource planning or customer relationship management systems. This process includes understanding how to interpret AI outputs, how to provide feedback to improve AI performance, and how to leverage AI tools to enhance their own productivity. As I have repeatedly told CEOs across all continents, demonstrating a commitment to empowering employees through AI can alleviate fears and foster a more positive and collaborative environment for AI adoption.
The final immutable step is the consistent demonstration of tangible value derived from AI initiatives and a commitment to continuous iteration based on feedback and measurable results. Employees are more likely to embrace AI when they see firsthand how it is making a positive impact on their work, their team, and the overall success of the organization. Pilot projects and early deployments should focus on delivering clear and measurable benefits, the proverbial low-hanging fruit like increased efficiency, improved accuracy, or enhanced customer satisfaction. These successes should be effectively communicated across the organization, showcasing the tangible value of AI and building momentum for further adoption. It is also crucial to establish mechanisms for collecting feedback from employees who are interacting with AI systems. Their insights and experiences are invaluable for identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that AI tools are user-friendly and effectively meeting their needs. This feedback loop should inform ongoing iterations and refinements of AI models and applications. CEOs worldwide are sometimes surprised to hear me say that today’s AI is the most rudimentary AI we will ever experience. As such, constant evolution is the only constant in the realm of AI.
Therefore, adopting AI is never a one-time implementation but an ongoing journey of learning and improvement.Organizations must be prepared to adapt their strategies, refine their models, and explore new possibilities as AI technology drastically evolves and as they gain more experience with its application. This requires a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback is valued, results are carefully analyzed, and iterations are made based on data and insights. The path to long-term AI adoption is not paved with technological prowess alone. It demands a holistic approach that integrates strategic vision, cultural transformation, ethical considerations, human-centric design, and a relentless focus on delivering tangible value. The five immutable steps outlined above, which I further explore in my AI Workshops, provide a sensible roadmap for organizations seeking to move beyond the hype and achieve the effective integration of AI. By embracing these principles, CEOs can effectively lead the charge, not through forceful mandates, but through the creation of an environment where employees understand the “why” behind AI, feel empowered to contribute to its implementation, and witness its positive impact firsthand.
In doing so, organizations can unlock the true transformative potential of AI, not as a disruptive force that alienates the workforce, but as a powerful catalyst for revolutionary innovation, increased efficiency, and sustainable growth. The future of AI in business is not about replacing humans; it is about augmenting and reinventing their capabilities and creating a more productive, fulfilling, and ultimately, successful future for all.
• Edgar Perez is a global keynote speaker and director of AI Workshops in Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Amman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi

How climate change is devastating the Mediterranean
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/July 17/2025
The Mediterranean region has been engulfed by a wave of wildfires unlike anything seen in recent history. From the lush hills of southern Turkiye to the coastal mountains of Syria and from the sun-drenched countryside of France to Greece, vast stretches of land have gone up in flames. Dense forests and wildlife reserves have been destroyed. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been reduced to ash. Thousands of people have been displaced and dozens have lost their lives, while emergency services are pushed to their limits, battling fires day and night in conditions made worse by soaring temperatures and dry, gusty winds. The scale and speed of the devastation are unprecedented — and they are not accidental. These fires are not just a tragic coincidence of weather and chance. They are the direct, undeniable consequence of a world whose climate is changing rapidly and dangerously.
The Mediterranean basin has been identified by climate scientists as one of the most vulnerable areas in the world to the impacts of global warming. The region has already warmed by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to preindustrial levels — higher than the global average — and it is warming at a rate approximately 20 percent faster than the rest of the planet. This temperature rise has led to longer, more intense heat waves, reduced rainfall, prolonged droughts and lower soil moisture — all of which create the ideal conditions for wildfires to ignite, spread and burn uncontrollably. If no serious action is taken, the consequences for the Mediterranean — and indeed the world — will be catastrophic
If no serious action is taken, the consequences for the Mediterranean — and indeed the world — will be catastrophic. The ecological damage alone is staggering: centuries-old forests and diverse ecosystems are being erased in days. Plant and animal species that have survived in delicate balance for millennia are being wiped out by fire. Soil fertility is also being destroyed, increasing the risk of floods and landslides once rain returns.
The economic costs are equally daunting. Tourism, which makes up a major portion of gross domestic product in countries like Greece, Italy and Turkiye, suffers severe blows as travelers avoid fire-stricken areas. Agriculture, already reeling from drought, loses even more ground as farmland turns to ash. And the long-term health effects on populations exposed to smoke and heat cannot be underestimated — respiratory diseases, heat strokes and other medical emergencies are on the rise across the region.
If wildfires of this scale continue to occur — or worse, increase in frequency and intensity — we will be looking at a future marked by constant crisis. Millions could become climate refugees, forced to abandon their homes in search of safer areas. Governments will struggle to maintain basic services under the pressure of repeated evacuations and reconstruction costs. Entire industries may collapse and, with them, the livelihoods of millions of people. The Mediterranean could transition from a cradle of civilization and cultural tourism into a zone of devastation and abandonment.
So, what must be done? Mediterranean nations must first acknowledge the scale of the threat and act with urgency. Governments need to invest in reforestation programs using fire-resilient species, establish effective land management strategies that include the clearing of deadwood and brush, and develop national early warning systems that alert communities to rising fire risks. These systems should include satellite data, ground-based sensors and communication networks that reach even remote villages. Urban planning also needs a complete overhaul. Building codes must be adapted to climate realities, especially in wildfire-prone zones. Emergency services need more funding, more training and more equipment — including the latest fire-fighting aircraft and surveillance technology. Public awareness campaigns should be launched to educate residents about fire prevention and emergency preparedness. Climate adaptation should not be a side policy. It must be at the core of national security and development strategies.
Climate adaptation should not be a side policy. It must be at the core of national security and development strategies. But the burden of addressing this crisis cannot fall solely on the shoulders of Mediterranean nations. Climate change does not respect borders. It is a global challenge and it requires a global response. The international community must come together to support fire-stricken countries, not just with sympathy, but with resources, technology and policy coordination.
International aid organizations should establish rapid deployment units specifically trained for climate-related disasters. Universities and research institutions should collaborate across borders to develop better fire prediction models and drought management tools.
Wealthy nations, especially those in the Global North, have a moral responsibility to lead this effort. These countries are historically the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Their industries, economies and lifestyles have driven the very conditions now consuming the Mediterranean in flames. Justice demands that they help shoulder the cost of adaptation, mitigation and recovery. Financial support is critical. Mediterranean countries, many of which are already struggling with debt and inflation, need grants rather than loans. They need access to international climate funds without the red tape and political obstacles that so often delay urgent help. Moreover, global powers should facilitate the transfer of green technology, including renewable energy solutions, which can help these countries reduce their own emissions and become more resilient to climate shocks. Every fire that is prevented, every square mile of forest that is saved, is a victory. Climate cooperation is not charity — it is self-preservation. The fires currently burning in the Mediterranean are not just natural disasters. They are warnings. They are the Earth’s way of screaming that something is profoundly wrong with the balance we have disrupted. They tell us what is to come if we continue down this path of inaction, delay and denial. In a sense, the Mediterranean is the canary in the coal mine. What is happening there today could happen elsewhere tomorrow — in California, in Australia, in the Amazon or in Central Africa. The climate crisis is global and the Mediterranean’s pain is humanity’s alarm bell.In conclusion, the unprecedented wildfires sweeping across Turkiye, Syria, France and beyond are not isolated incidents. They are a direct result of human-driven climate change and they signal a dangerous new era in which fire becomes not an exception, but a permanent feature of Mediterranean life. Without immediate and coordinated action — both regionally and globally — the devastation will continue and the cost will grow higher with every passing year. The time for warnings is over and the time for action is now.
**Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh

Billions lost, nothing gained: The strategic collapse of Iran’s nuclear program
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Al Arabiya English/17 July/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/07/145307/
In order to evaluate the true status of Iran’s nuclear program following the recent joint Israeli and US military strikes, two main aspects must be carefully examined: the physical infrastructure that forms the backbone of the program, and the stockpiles of enriched uranium that give the program its potential for weaponization. These two elements – hardware and material – are not interchangeable. One without the other renders a nuclear ambition incomplete. And in the case of Iran, both have taken devastating blows, raising the question of whether decades of national sacrifice, international confrontation, and financial commitment have just been rendered meaningless.
Iran’s nuclear infrastructure – the physical sites, centrifuge arrays, underground bunkers, laboratories, and research facilities – has been systematically crippled. These were not minor tactical strikes but a calculated, technologically sophisticated campaign designed to render key facilities inoperable for the foreseeable future. The Isfahan Nuclear Technology Research Center, long considered a linchpin in Iran’s uranium enrichment chain, was among the most severely hit. Satellite images reveal scorched tunnel entrances, collapsed roof structures, and targeted penetrations deep underground. Experts who have reviewed the aftermath suggest that centrifuge production lines, command control systems, and clean room laboratories have been wiped out or rendered unusable. In effect, what took decades to build – with precision engineering, international procurement efforts, and highly trained scientific teams – was largely eliminated in under two weeks. It is not merely a symbolic setback; it is a material and operational catastrophe for the program.
Rebuilding this infrastructure is not a matter of weeks or months. It will require a minimum of two to three years under ideal conditions – assuming there are no more foreign strikes, no new sanctions, and no loss of technical expertise. And those assumptions themselves are increasingly unrealistic. Iran would need to reconstruct centrifuge production sites from scratch, secure the highly specialized components needed for uranium enrichment, and establish the high-purity conditions needed for functioning nuclear research. Even more critically, the government would need to reassemble a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians with the unique experience necessary to safely and secretly run such a program. All this must be done while under the close scrutiny of Israeli intelligence, US surveillance, and likely sabotage efforts from multiple intelligence agencies.
While the infrastructure lies in ruins, a separate question remains: what happened to Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium? Before the attacks, Iran had accumulated a considerable reserve – over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, according to international watchdogs and leaked intelligence assessments. This level of enrichment brings Iran close to weapons-grade material, although it still falls short of the 90 percent threshold typically needed for a bomb. There have been some reports suggesting that a portion of this uranium may have been hidden or moved prior to the strikes. However, even if some of this material remains intact, it is of limited strategic value without the ability to further refine, convert, and weaponize it.
Weaponization is not a matter of simply having enriched uranium. It requires an entire industrial and scientific apparatus. Iran would need functioning cascades of advanced centrifuges to continue enrichment. It would require weapon design expertise – knowledge of implosion methods, neutron initiators, and detonation mechanics. Then there is the challenge of developing a reliable delivery mechanism, typically a missile or other launch platform, capable of housing and delivering a nuclear warhead. Every one of these steps requires testing, verification, and expert oversight. Without the infrastructure, none of this is feasible. The enriched uranium, if it even exists in usable form, is now essentially inert.
Compounding the damage to Iran’s material assets is the staggering loss of human capital. At least 14 nuclear scientists and technicians were reportedly killed in the Israeli airstrikes. These were not replaceable technicians or anonymous bureaucrats. They represented the intellectual engine of the nuclear program – experts in isotope separation, nuclear metallurgy, weapons design, and high-level engineering. Training new personnel to this level of specialization takes years, sometimes decades. Moreover, in a climate of growing fear, surveillance, and instability, it will be increasingly difficult for Iran to attract young scientists to this field, especially when the risks of assassination, targeted strikes, or internal betrayal are so high. The loss of this brain trust may be even more devastating in the long term than the physical destruction of buildings and machines.
All of this comes against the backdrop of a resurgent Israeli military policy toward Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it abundantly clear: if Iran makes any move to rebuild its nuclear capabilities or pursue a weapon, Israel will strike again. Israel’s doctrine is preemption, not deterrence. This recent operation demonstrated not just Israel’s air superiority, but also its precision strike capability deep inside Iranian territory. The use of advanced drones, bunker-busting missiles, and real-time intelligence reflects a level of surveillance and access inside Iran that is extraordinary. It suggests that Israeli agents or cyber networks have most likely infiltrated even the most secretive elements of Iran’s nuclear and military programs. In short, Iran is being watched continuously and closely – and any revival attempt will likely be identified and neutralized before it can gain momentum.
This brings us to the sobering reality of what Iran’s nuclear program represents today: a cautionary tale. The Islamic Republic has poured tens of billions of dollars over the decades into this endeavor. It has isolated itself diplomatically, suffered under relentless economic sanctions, lost countless opportunities for trade and cooperation, and placed the Iranian people under constant threat of war – all in pursuit of a nuclear deterrent that, in the end, may never materialize. Iran engaged in high-stakes brinkmanship with the West, negotiated and then violated nuclear agreements, and maintained a narrative of resistance and national pride centered on its nuclear ambitions. And yet, all of that has now been nearly erased in a matter of 12 days. The centrifuges, the research sites, the scientists, the material – it has all been shattered.
This outcome offers deeper lessons beyond military and technical implications. It underscores the immense danger of provoking powerful enemies with vastly superior military capabilities. It highlights the cost of allowing ideology and rivalry to dictate national policy. Instead of building bridges with its neighbors, Iran pursued influence through proxies, militias, and nuclear threats. Instead of investing in prosperity, innovation, and regional peace, it spent its resources on uranium enrichment and missile development. And now, after decades of effort, what remains is rubble and mourning.
The Iranian leadership must now face a critical decision point. If it attempts to rebuild its nuclear program, it is almost certain to face further Israeli attacks – possibly even deeper and more lethal. The infrastructure is gone, the scientific talent has been decimated, and the world is watching with heightened attention. Rebuilding is not just a technical challenge – it is a geopolitical dare to those who have already demonstrated their willingness to act decisively. There is no illusion of secrecy anymore. There is no diplomatic cover left. The message is clear: another move toward weaponization, and the next wave of strikes will follow.
In the final assessment, there can be little doubt that Iran’s nuclear program has been dramatically and significantly damaged. Its foundational elements – machines, minds, and material – have all been compromised. What took decades to build was dismantled in less than two weeks. The future of Iran’s nuclear ambitions now lies under heavy surveillance and even heavier consequences. Whether Iran chooses to escalate, rebuild, or pivot to diplomacy will determine not only the fate of its nuclear program, but potentially the future of the region.

Selected Tweets for 17 July/2025
Marc Zell
Public Letter Regarding the Atrocities Against the Syrian Druze from the Chief Rabbi of Israel & President of the Chief Rabbinic Council
2025 July 16
No Time to Whisper
Shocking scenes are being seen on the screens of the media these days. Our eyes are witnessing a brutal campaign of murder against the Druze people and severe violations of the human image. These are acts that we and all religious leaders in the world must not stand by and tolerate. We have seen how beasts of prey pounce in a fit of rage on innocent citizens, not distinguishing between man and woman, old and young.
We remember the dark days of history when bloodthirsty nations committed similar acts and then the world was silent and bled!!!
The divine commandment "You shall not stand aside when you see the blood of your neighbor" requires us to raise a cry and awaken the entire world against the severe harm and ethnic cleansing that is currently taking place against the members of the Druze community in the Druze Mountains in Syria. We must also remember that some of the members of the community and their relatives live with us and are bound to us in a blood covenant for the existence of the State of Israel.
Indifference at this fateful hour is a disaster. I appeal with a heartfelt appeal to all who have the power to prevent the continued killing and destruction, and to the leaders of the free world to join this call and immediately halt these criminal actions.
With the seal with the blessing of peace from the city of peace, the holy city of Jerusalem
Kalman Meir B Bar
Chief Rabbi of Israel
President of the Chief Rabbinate Council

Dr. Kamal Yazigi
One should convey to the Americans this simple idea. Given the current balance of power, ANY Syrian ruler will have to sign a peace treaty with Israel. No need to cling to an Islamist president who provokes most components of the Syrian people.

Dr Walid Phares
Israel did not "bomb Syria"
#Israel bombed the jihadists who are bombing the minorities in Syria.
The American people should be informed not disinformed...

Walid Abu Haya
They thought we would be an easy prey. But the Druze of Jabal al-Druze stood tall, proud, united, and unbroken. With the support of Israel and the bravery of our people, the forces of darkness were driven out.
This wasn’t just a military retreat. It was a victory of dignity over terror, of light over tyranny.Suwayda is not abandoned, and never will be.

Marc Zell
More good news from Suweida:
Reports from residents in Suweyda. Israeli helicopters landed last night near the town and unloaded humanitarian aid and food for the residents. This is what our Druze brothers and sisters asked us to do. I’m proud to have played a small part in helping to protect them from mass killing and rapine by the Syrian government and opening a channel for food, medicine and other basic necessities to reach the embattled population. Also Kudos to the many here on X who heard their plea for help and responded overwhelmingly with words of support. You made a difference. The struggle is not over. We must remain vigilant and prepared.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
https://www.facebook.com/61553631413159/videos/24090907540599786
Engineering students in the New Syria look like mujahideen, talk like mujahideen, carry the mujahideen flag, and speak like mujahideen. They hunted down Druze students at the dorms and canteens, beat them, stabbed them, and ejected them. If you're not a mujahid, Syria is not for you.
And then the world obsesses over "violation of Syrian sovereignty" but sees nothing wrong with normalizing these barbarian human beasts who have just jumped out of Medieval Ages books.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain commented.
https://www.facebook.com/61553631413159/videos/665944069819698
Told Live Now Fox:
It wasn’t the Druze who raided Islamist neighborhoods, but the other way around. This should tell you who is offender and who is victim. The Druze are peaceful, never fight unless defending their towns and villages.
Islamists were on a tribal raid, not law enforcement. They raided the Alawite coast 4 months ago. Sharaa promised to hold perpetrators of massacres accountable. Nothing happened. Syrians lost trust in him. If he wants to govern Syria and build a stable and prosperous state, he needs to share power, win trust of Druze, Kurds, Alawites, or else, he’ll keep trying to subdue them and they’ll keep trying to repulse him and the shooting will never stop.
Ceasefire failed on the first round because it didn’t instruct Islamists to withdraw from Druze territory, but with Israel tipping the scales in favor of the Druze, they decided to push Islamists out. Islamists then understood that they had no other option but to cease fire and pull out.
That was a long day, now a lid. Good night.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
And yet the world focused on #Israel’s “infringement on Syrian sovereignty” and never saw the Islamist massacres against the Druze.
Also, almost no Palestinian or friend of Palestinians said a word against these massacres, while they’ll keep pretending to stand on the high moral ground of international law. They are hypocrites. https://x.com/visegrad24/sta/visegrad24/status/1945792779822543325

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Did the EU call on Syria's Islamist government to immediately halt massacring its Druze citizens?

Open Source Intel
The EU calls on Israel to immediately halt its airstrikes in Syria.

U.S. State Dept - Near Eastern Affairs
@StateDept_NEA
@statedeptspox
https://x.com/i/status/1945612803747840066
: "When it comes to money that supports Hizballah, the ambassador – Ambassador Barrack – stated that stopping the flow of Hizballah’s finances, including through Al-Qard Al-Hassan, is a USA priority. We welcome Lebanon’s recent efforts in that regard as well as a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. The Lebanese Government must abandon the pretense that Al-Qard Al-Hassan is an NGO under Lebanese law rather than what it is, which is a financial institution used by Hizballah to subvert international sanctions regimes and undermine Lebanon’s formal economy.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
The Druze of southern #Syria have historically been so proud of their Arab heritage that their area is called the Mountain of the Arabs. In the true Arab tradition, when Druze men gather, they start their celebration with songs in the Pride Genre. In this video, from years ago, they take pride in defeating the French mandate and staying in union with Syria, sing that Paris became the end destination of their horses, that they planted flags on mountain tops.
Jolani/Sharaa and all his Turks, Chechens and Qatari sponsors would not know these authentic Arab traditions of the Hawran and Arab Mountain region, thus hacking the Arab identity and making it an Islamist one, building it around hating Israel and perpetual war.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Please, please, stop putting the Islamist aggressors on par with the Druze victims in south #Syria. The Druze are defending their hometowns. The Islamists have no business being in these towns. This is not an "all parties" situation. Perpetrators are not unknown.

Ambassador Tom Barrack
@USAMBTurkiye
We unequivocally condemn violence against civilians in Suwayda. Full stop. All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire. Perpetrators need to be held accountable.

Zéna Mansour
Dr Faten Hilal, a Druze Syrian doctor, was killed by extremist militias led by Julani, which target diverse ancient syrian populations in Syria/Assyria, including the Druze, Christians, Alawites & Kurds, driven by strong hatred.