English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For March 07/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil/Those who want to be rich fall
into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires
First Letter to Timothy 06/06-12/ Of course, there is great gain in godliness
combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can
take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content
with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped
by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and
destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their
eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced
themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good
fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and
for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on March 06-07/2025
The Coup Against President Aoun's Tenure/Dr. Ali Khalifa/Nidaa Al Watan/March
07/2025
Aoun: Cabinet has authority of taking
decisions, not parties or sects
Aoun and Salam meet ahead of cabinet session
Lebanon's reform roadmap: Key takeaways from Cabinet session as it advances
reform agenda
Govt. launches reform plan, stresses need to implement Taif accord
Report: Army barred from using Hezbollah's weapons
Lebanon's Cabinet approves 2025 budget decree, discusses reforms and climate
risks
Lebanese Army says Israeli violations persist
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber: Lebanese government committed to key financial
and customs reforms
IMF fact-finding mission to visit Lebanon next week
Agreement reportedly reached to name Rudolph Haykal as army chief
Rajji denies presence of Israeli-US-Lebanese 'understanding'
Ibrahim Huayja, One of Kamal Joumblatt’s Alleged Assassins, Arrested in Syria
One Person Killed in Israeli Fire in Kfar Kila
The Council of Ministers Endorses the 2025 Budget
Amnesty International Calls for War Crimes Investigation into Israeli Strikes in
Lebanon
A US Bill That Aims to Dismantle Hezbollah? Salam El Zaatari/This is
Beirut/March 06/2025
Syria, Such a Troublesome Neighbor/Marc Saikali/This is Beirut/March 06/2025
Aoun’s Visit to Saudi Arabia, Speech at Cairo Summit Revive Arab-Lebanese
Relations/Caroline Akoum/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025 |
Nasrallah’s funeral was Hezbollah’s desperately needed lifeline/David Daoud/MENASource/March
06/2025
Lebanon Must Relearn Democracy, Debate Peace with Israel/Hussain Abdul-Hussain/Read
in This is Beirut/March 06/2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on March 06-07/2025
Explosion at Tehran Military Site Kills 1 and Injures 10
Firefighters
US Will Exert Maximum Pressure on Iran via Sanctions, Bessent Says
Latakia: Assad Loyalists Kill 16 Security Forces in Most Violent Attack Since
Ouster
Over 133,000 Syrian Refugees Have Returned From Turkey in Three Months, Says
Erdogan
Syria leftover explosives kill and injure over 180 children: NGO
UK Lifts Sanctions on Syrian Central Bank and Petroleum Firms
Trump Issues 'Last Warning' to Hamas Over Remaining Gaza Hostages
Hamas Brushes off Trump’s Threat, Says It Will Only Free Hostages in Return for
Lasting Truce
France Backs Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction, Rejects Hamas Governance
GCC chief urges international community to take responsibility for halting
Israeli violations against Palestinian people
UNRWA Says ‘Growing Concerns’ Annexation behind Israeli West Bank Operation
Israel's Mission Against Hamas 'Not Accomplished', Says New Military Chief
Zelenskiy Says Truce in Air and at Sea Could Test Russia’s Will to End War
Steve Witkoff Announces US Talks on Ukraine Ceasefire in Saudi Arabia
Russia Dismisses Ceasefire Proposals, Insists on Final Settlement in Ukraine
France to Host European Army Chiefs on Tuesday to Discuss Ukraine Support
Norway to More Than Double Aid to Ukraine
Vatican: Pope Francis Resting After 'Peaceful Night'
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on March 06-07/2025
Rebuilding Gaza is Pointless Unless Hamas is Eradicated/Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone
Institute/March 6, 2025
What is Being 'Cooked Up' for Sudan in Nairobi/Osman Mirghani/Asharq Al-Awsat/March
06/2025
Why the Gulf must evolve or risk becoming obsolete/Adrian Monck/Arab News/March
06, 2025
Trump bullish but America divided/Dr. Amal Mudallali/Arab News/March 06, 2025
The silver lining of Trump’s harsh policies/Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg/Arab
News/March 06, 2025
Why Syria-Jordan relationship is key to regional stability/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab
News/March 06, 2025
Why Europe is not taken seriously on the world stage/Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab
News/March 06, 2025
Global Trade War... Trump's Tariffs Upsetting the World/Maurice Matta/This is
Beirut/March 06/2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on March 06-07/2025
The Coup Against President Aoun's Tenure
Dr. Ali Khalifa/Nidaa Al Watan/March 07/2025
(Free translation from Arabic by: Elias Bejjani)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/03/140963/
Will Hezbollah gradually descend from its pedestal, allowing its supporters to
experience the bitter taste of crushing defeat, the shifting geopolitical
landscape, and the emergence of a new Lebanon—one that rejects forced
coexistence between the state and the armed mini-state?
Will Nabih Berri finally break free after decades of subservience to Hezbollah?
And will those who continuously placed their bets on him—only to be deceived
time and again—finally realize that he long abandoned the founding principles of
his movement?
This article answers both questions in one decisive response: No. The coup
against President Aoun’s tenure has begun.
As Lebanon’s political establishment watches the Nasrallah's funeral scene
unfold, Israeli jets proudly dominate the skies—beyond the reach of those with
keen eyes but powerless hands. Meanwhile, the bizarre rituals of Khomeinist
zealots continue, exposing the glaring weakness of Hezbollah’s remaining
leadership, embodied in the feeble and contradictory rhetoric of Naim Qassem. He
speaks in doublespeak, uttering one thing and its exact opposite in the same
breath—buying time as he scrambles to prepare for the coup against Aoun's
tenure.
Qassem openly reaffirms his unwavering loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Leader,
Khamenei—an allegiance that stands in stark contradiction to his supposed
commitment to Lebanon as a sovereign homeland. He clings to the so-called
“resistance” while hypocritically invoking the National Taef Accord,
which explicitly calls for the disbandment of all militias, including Hezbollah
itself.
His latest speech, laden with contradictions, is nothing more than a façade of
taqiyya—deception in service of survival.
The truth is simple: Hezbollah cannot and will not transform into a mere
political party, civic organization, or religious association. At its core, it
remains an armed proxy of the Iranian regime, entrenched in security operations,
organized crime, religious and political extremism, a parallel economy, and an
alternative educational system. These pillars of Hezbollah’s existence stand or
fall together. If its umbilical cord to Tehran is severed, there will be no
“Lebanonization” of this Iranian proxy—nor any space for it within Lebanon’s
pluralistic society.
Then came Tehran’s order: Berri obeyed. The so-called "big brother" of Hezbollah
reaffirmed his allegiance to the Iranian operations directive. He conjured up
the fabricated justification for an armed presence north of the Litani, as if
Hezbollah’s weapons had ever been about resistance or national defense. In
reality, these weapons serve only as instruments of sectarian militarization,
intimidation, and dominance—bringing new forms of occupation after so-called
liberation, delivering devastation instead of development. This is the doctrine
of the "duo," and this is the era they seek to preserve.
Yet, the coup against the previous era has already begun, marked by Lebanese
Armed Forces Commander Joseph Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia, where he reaffirmed
Lebanon’s commitment to sovereign defense under the state’s exclusive authority.
The question now is clear: Will the era decisively crush the coup by confronting
the Hezbollah-Berri duo head-on? Will it compel Lebanon’s Shiites to reclaim
their rightful place within their people, their society, and their state—free
from the grip of Iranian occupation?
Aoun:
Cabinet has authority of taking decisions, not parties or sects
Naharnet/March 06, 2025
President Joseph Aoun told a Cabinet session on Thursday that “Cabinet possesses
the authority of taking decisions, not parties or sects.”“We are here to take
decisions, not to obstruct, and all eyes are on us in this regard,” Aoun added.
Briefing Cabinet on his latest visit to Saudi Arabia, the president said “there
is Saudi willingness to help Lebanon once the needed reforms are made.”“I
stressed during the meeting that the reforms are a Lebanese demand before being
a foreign demand, and that we intend to carry them out in light of Lebanon’s
need for them,” Aoun added. He also revealed that there will be “a second
expected visit to Saudi Arabia after Eid al-Fitr, in which a number of ministers
will take part to sign agreements between the two countries, which will give an
impetus to Lebanon.”
Aoun and Salam meet ahead of cabinet session
Naharnet/March 06, 2025
President Joseph Aoun held a meeting Thursday with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at
the Baabda Palace ahead of cabinet’s first session after winning parliament’s
confidence.
The conferees will discuss an agenda of 25 items and the file of appointments
“will be partially present through proposing the appointment of an army
commander from outside the agenda,” al-Joumhouria newspaper reported. The rest
of the appointments will be completed next week, the daily added.
Lebanon's reform roadmap: Key takeaways from Cabinet
session as it advances reform agenda
LBCI/March 06, 2025
Lebanon's Cabinet has set the country's long-delayed reform process in motion,
discussing mechanisms for implementation across economic, financial,
administrative, and judicial sectors. With international and Arab support
contingent on these reforms, officials have little choice but to enact them or
risk leaving the country adrift in crises. These reforms are not new, as many
were proposed as early as the Paris I Conference in 2001 and reiterated in Paris
II, Paris III, and the CEDRE conference. Successive Lebanese governments failed
to implement them, eroding international and Arab confidence in providing
financial aid. However, this time, the dynamic has shifted. Should
Lebanon's leadership attempt to delay or circumvent the reforms, external
pressure may compel their enforcement—similar to how international and regional
forces influenced the election of a president and the appointment of a prime
minister. The process also runs parallel to the implementation of U.N.
Resolution 1701 and efforts to maintain a ceasefire. Lebanon's President,
accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, is expected to visit Saudi
Arabia after Ramadan, carrying signs of progress on the reform agenda. In this
context, the Cabinet held a session to discuss necessary reforms and addressed
key appointments, recognizing that effective reforms require placing the right
individuals in essential positions. Discussions focused on a new appointment
mechanism, emphasizing the role of ministers and the Civil Service Council.
Security appointments are expected next week, alongside the appointment of a new
Banque du Liban (BDL) governor. Additionally, Prime Minister Salam promised an
ambitious 2026 budget following the approval of the 2025 budget, which had not
been ratified within the constitutional deadline. To address concerns over
certain tax measures, the government will draft and submit an urgent bill to
Parliament within a week. Political reforms were also on the table, with
discussions covering municipal and local elections and plans for greater
administrative decentralization.
Govt. launches reform plan, stresses need to implement Taif accord
Naharnet/March 06, 2025
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced Thursday after a cabinet session that the
government has “launched a comprehensive reform plan based on the ministerial
statement.”“We’ve stressed the need to continue the Taif Agreement’s reform
clauses,” Salam added. “We have issued the 2025 state budget in a decree and
tasked the finance minister to prepare a draft law to reconsider the fees
mentioned in the budget to avoid their social and economic impact on citizens.
We will also begin working on the 2026 budget,” the premier said. “We have
agreed with the ministers on devising detailed lists with the needed reformist
steps at every ministry and to set a timeframe for implementing them,” Salam
went on to say. Moreover, he said that “it has been agreed to adopt a
transparent mechanism regarding the file of appointments,” revealing that “it
has been decided to return to holding cabinet sessions at a dedicated place as
per the Taif Agreement,” noting that “the location will be announced next week.”
Information Minister Paul Morkos for his part said that President Joseph Aoun
briefed Cabinet on the outcome of his visit to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that
“there is Saudi willingness to help should Lebanon carry out the
reforms.”“President Aoun pointed out that there will be a second expected visit
to Saudi Arabia after Eid al-Fitr in which several ministers will take part,”
Morkos added. He also announced that Cabinet approved a draft law to exempt
those affected by Israel’s latest war from some taxes and fees. “There is no
specific date for the file of appointments and Cabinet has not interfered in
names,” Morkos added.
Report: Army barred from using Hezbollah's weapons
Naharnet/March 06, 2025
The Lebanese Army “has received an order not to put in its depots any arms found
in areas south of the Litani River,” informed sources told al-Akhbar newspaper
in remarks published Thursday. “There are conflicting reports about whether the
army has seized arms and ammunition left behind by the resistance in several
southern points or that it has destroyed them on the spot at the United States’
request, knowing that Israel has told the Americans that it wants the arms
destroyed so that they do not fall in Hezbollah’s arms anew,” al-Akhbar added.
The deputy head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, has
said in an interview with OTV that the Lebanese Army is “prohibited from arming
itself to face Israel” and that it “detonating the arms it is finding in the
South.”
Lebanon's Cabinet approves 2025 budget decree, discusses
reforms and climate risks
LBCI/March 06, 2025
Lebanon's Cabinet convened at the Baabda Palace, chaired by President Joseph
Aoun and attended by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and ministers, to issue the 2025
state budget decree. Information Minister Paul Morcos announced the session's
outcomes, stating that Prime Minister Salam outlined the implementation
mechanism for the reforms included in the ministerial statement based on a
timeline prioritizing urgent needs. He also called for the completion of
unimplemented provisions of the Taif Agreement and correcting those that were
improperly applied. Salam urged ministers to collaborate and coordinate in
setting a clear timeline for reforms within their respective ministries.
Discussions also covered administrative appointments, with Salam emphasizing the
need to expedite the appointment of regulatory bodies, which he described as
essential to improving public services. The Cabinet approved several measures,
including: A draft law granting tax exemptions and extensions for deadlines to
those affected by the Israeli war on Lebanon. The 2025 state budget decree,
alongside a separate Finance Ministry decree — expected within a week — to
review certain fees. A draft law to extend the retirement age for diplomats. A
draft law to approve a loan agreement between Lebanon and the World Bank for a
project to reduce pollution in Lake Qaraoun, along with extending the project
deadline.The temporary extension of certain contract-based ambassadors' terms at
the Foreign Ministry, effective March 9. The Defense Ministry requested that the
Lebanese Army recruit pharmacists, technical nurses, medical assistants,
administrative technicians, and programmers. The appointment of 36 specialist
officers in various fields for the Internal Security Forces. Most
recommendations from the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law
regarding Israeli violations are approved, with one item left for further
discussion. Morcos highlighted concerns the agriculture and environment
ministers raised over climate change, noting that rainfall this year amounted to
only about 35% of the annual average, posing drought risks to the agricultural
sector. The ministers stressed the importance of securing irrigation water,
warned of increased wildfire risks, and emphasized the need to protect migratory
birds.
Lebanese Army says Israeli violations persist
LBCI/March 06, 2025
The Lebanese Army said that Israel has continued violations of Lebanon’s
sovereignty by land, sea, and air, citing a series of recent attacks targeting
civilians in South Lebanon and the Bekaa region. In a statement, the army
highlighted Israel’s ongoing occupation of Lebanese territory and repeated
border breaches, warning that these actions threaten Lebanon’s stability and
could have broader regional repercussions. The army also stressed that such
violations directly contradict the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Lebanese
military units are facilitating the return of displaced residents to the south
by clearing unexploded ordnance, removing debris, and reopening roads. The army
command confirmed it closely monitors the situation and coordinates necessary
measures with the five-nation committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement and
the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber: Lebanese government
committed to key financial and customs reforms
LBCI/March 06, 2025
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber: Lebanese government committed to key financial
and customs reforms Finance Minister Yassine Jaber affirmed that the ministry is
moving forward with essential reforms to improve Lebanon's financial and customs
systems. He emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing financial
transparency, improving the business environment, and increasing revenue
collection efficiency to support the national economy. Jaber made these remarks
during separate meetings with the directors of public finance and customs, where
he reviewed ongoing mechanisms and issued directives to accelerate necessary
corrective measures. He urged officials to prepare thoroughly for upcoming
discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next week, during which
Lebanon's progress in financial and customs reforms and their impact on fiscal
sustainability and economic growth will be assessed. Jaber also held discussions
with the High Council of Customs and the Directorate General of Customs,
focusing on preparations for the IMF meeting and the potential adoption of
pre-shipment inspection (PSI) measures. These procedures would ensure that
imported goods meet the required standards before being shipped from the country
of origin. Additionally, post-clearance audit (PCA) measures were discussed to
verify customs declarations and ensure compliance with regulations, aiming to
strengthen customs enforcement and reduce tax evasion.
The minister further stressed the importance of improving information exchange
with the VAT Directorate to enhance tax compliance and ensure effective revenue
collection.
IMF fact-finding mission to visit Lebanon next week
LBCI/March 06, 2025
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) fact-finding mission will visit Lebanon
next week as part of efforts to assist the newly formed government in developing
a comprehensive economic reform program. IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack confirmed
during a press briefing on Thursday that the delegation will be in Lebanon from
March 10 to 14. She emphasized that the IMF is providing policy advice and
capacity-building support to help rebuild Lebanon's economy and institutions in
coordination with other international partners.
Agreement reportedly reached to name Rudolph Haykal as army chief
Naharnet/March 06, 2025
An agreement has been reached to name Major General Rudolph Haykal as army
commander, while the rest of the security appointments will be completed next
week, a governmental source told al-Joumhouria newspaper. “There is no problem
over the security appointments and the inclination is to leave General Security
acting chief Maj. Gen. Elias Bayssari in his post until the end of his extended
term,” the source added. As for the Central Bank governor post, the daily said
the nominations are yet to be discussed. Al-Akhbar newspaper meanwhile reported
that Speaker Nabih Berri might visit Baabda on Thursday to discuss the file of
appointments with President Joseph Aoun. “But by Wednesday night the visit was
yet to be confirmed, after no consensus was reached over a number of
appointments, especially in General Security and State Security, which could
prevent proposing the topic from outside the agenda in the cabinet session,” al-Akhbar
added.
Rajji denies presence of Israeli-US-Lebanese 'understanding'
Naharnet/March 06, 2025
Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has denied a media report published by U.S. news
portal Axios about the presence of an alleged “quiet understanding” between
Israel, Lebanon and the U.S. over Israel’s continued military presence in five
posts in south Lebanon. “We don’t have any knowledge of the existence of such an
alleged understanding,” Rajji said. Axios has quoted U.S. and Israeli officials
as saying that there is a “quiet understanding” between Israel, Lebanon and the
U.S. that the Israeli presence “will continue for several weeks or months until
the Lebanese army stabilizes the situation in southern Lebanon and ensures
Hezbollah is no longer a threat.”The Israeli army has almost entirely pulled out
from southern Lebanon, but Israeli soldiers stayed in five positions several
hundreds meters inside Lebanese territory. The Lebanese government has
officially said it opposes the Israeli army’s presence in those positions.
Ibrahim Huayja, One of Kamal Joumblatt’s Alleged Assassins,
Arrested in Syria
This is Beirut/March 06/2025
“God is great.” These were the words used by Druze leader Walid Joumblatt
following the announcement of the arrest, in Syria, of Ibrahim Huayja, a senior
Syrian military official involved in the assassination of his father, Kamal
Joumblatt, the founder of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), on March 16,
1977. The announcement was made by official Syrian news agency Sana, which
quoted a source within the Syrian General Security. Sana reported the arrest of
Huayja, the former head of the General Intelligence Directorate under Assad’s
regime, but did not provide further details on the case, adding that he was
arrested in Jableh, “after a meticulous manhunt.” Huayja is from the town of
Jableh, near Latakia, where forces of the new Syrian authorities are engaged in
clashes with militias loyal to Bashar al-Assad. Huayja enrolled in the Syrian
army in the 1970s. He was appointed in 1995 as head of the Air Force
Intelligence, a position he held until 2002, according to the Janoubia website.
This service is considered one of the most important security agencies in Syria
and directly reported to the Syrian president at the time, Hafez al-Assad,
according to Janoubia.
One Person Killed in Israeli Fire in Kfar Kila
This is Beirut/March 06/2025
One person was killed and two others were wounded by Israeli fire at the Fatima
Gate in the village of Kfar Kila late on Thursday. In a statement, the Lebanese
Army denounced “the continuing Israeli aggressions by land, sea and air against
Lebanon’s sovereignty, the latest being a series of attacks on civilians in the
South and the Beqaa.” “The persistence of Israeli attacks threatens the
stability of Lebanon and has negative repercussions on the stability of the
region. It is in total contradiction to the ceasefire agreement,” it stressed.
The Army said it was “closely monitoring the situation and taking the necessary
measures, in coordination with the international truce monitoring committee and
the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).”
The Council of Ministers Endorses the 2025 Budget
This is Beirut/March 06/2025
The Council of Ministers on Thursday approved the promulgation of the 2025
budget by decree, as well as the temporary extension of the mandates of
ambassadors from outside the cadre. At its first session after gaining the
parliament’s vote of confidence held at the Baabda Palace, the Cabinet went
through twenty-two items on its agenda. Speaking at the end of the session,
chaired by President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced the
launch of a reform program based on his government’s policy statement. He also
stressed the importance of pursuing the implementation of the reforms as
stipulated by the Taif Agreement, stressing that the promulgation of the budget
by decree is meant to avoid any delay in procedures. For his part, Information
Minister Paul Morcos pointed out that President Aoun briefed the Cabinet on his
visit and the various meetings he had in Saudi Arabia on Monday, and during his
participation in the Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday. “President Aoun indicated
that reforms are essentially a Lebanese requirement and expressed the hope that
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad ben Salman would lift the travel ban to Lebanon and
facilitate the export of Lebanese products to the kingdom,” Morcos said. He
added, “President Aoun also confirmed that a second visit to Saudi Arabia was
planned after the Fitr holiday, with the participation of several ministers,
during which numerous agreements would be signed between the two countries.”The
Minister noted that the Head of State had insisted on the confidentiality of
deliberations taking place during Cabinet sessions, and concluded by announcing
the approval of a bill exempting victims of the recent war with Israel from
certain taxes.
Amnesty International Calls for War Crimes Investigation into Israeli Strikes in
Lebanon
This is Beirut/March 06/2025
Amnesty International called, on Wednesday, for an investigation into the
Israeli army's attacks on healthcare facilities in southern Lebanon during the
war with Hezbollah that began on October 8, 2023. “Israel’s unlawful attacks on
medical facilities and personnel are not only serious violations of
international humanitarian law and likely war crimes but also have devastating
consequences for civilians more broadly,” stressed Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty
International’s Senior Director for Research, Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at
Amnesty International. She also called on the Lebanese government, “with the
support of the international community, to step up and act to ensure that
suspected perpetrators of war crimes can be held accountable.”“The new Lebanese
government must grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over all
Rome Statue crimes committed on or perpetrated from its territory,” she added.
Amnesty presented the results of its investigations into four Israeli attacks on
medical facilities and vehicles in Beirut and southern Lebanon, between October
3 and 9, 2024. These strikes killed 19 medical workers, wounded 11 others and
destroyed or damaged several ambulances and two medical facilities in the space
of a week. The Israeli army had justified these attacks by accusing Hezbollah of
using the medical facilities for military purposes, but Amnesty International
claimed to have found no evidence of this. Between October 2023 and November
2024, Israeli bombardments hit 67 hospitals, 56 primary care centers and 238
emergency medical teams, resulting in the deaths of at least 222 first-aiders
and caregivers, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
A US Bill That Aims to Dismantle Hezbollah?
Salam El Zaatari/This is Beirut/March 06/2025
The US Congress has taken things to a whole new level. Dubbed the “Preventing
Armed Groups from Engaging in Extremism Act” (PAGER Act), this legislation,
spearheaded by Republican Congressman Greg Steube, is not just about sanctioning
Hezbollah—it’s about forcing Lebanon into a political and military reckoning.
The bill lays out an uncompromising checklist: within 60 days of its enactment,
Lebanon must take drastic steps to disarm Hezbollah, cut all government ties
with the group, and completely sever any relationship with Iran. If Lebanon
fails to meet these conditions, all US military aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces
(LAF) will be suspended indefinitely. And that’s just the beginning. The bill
goes as far as demanding that the Lebanese government no longer recognize
Hezbollah, its parliamentary bloc, or even its long-time ally, the Amal
Movement, as legitimate political entities. In other words, Washington wants
Beirut to erase Hezbollah from the political landscape. If this bill passes, it
won’t just put Lebanon in a bind, it could completely reshape the country’s
fragile balance of power. But here’s the kicker: Lebanon might not even have the
option to comply. The bill puts US military aid—which amounts to roughly $150
million annually—on the chopping block unless Lebanon meets several extreme
conditions.
What Does This Mean for Lebanon ?
At first glance, this bill looks like just another attempt to weaken Hezbollah.
But let’s be clear: this isn’t just about Hezbollah. This is about Lebanon
itself and its future. The Lebanese government led by Salam cannot simply
“cancel” Hezbollah and Amal from the political map. Hezbollah is not just a
militia—it’s a deeply embedded political, military, and social powerhouse with
seats in Parliament, affiliated ministers in the new government, and a support
base.The Amal Movement, led by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, has been
ruling Lebanese politics for decades. If the Lebanese government were to
implement this bill’s demands, it would trigger an immediate political crisis,
potentially collapsing the fragile governing coalition. Hezbollah and Amal would
resist, possibly paralyzing state institutions or pushing Lebanon closer to
civil unrest. This could split the army, drag Lebanon into internal conflict,
and leave the country even weaker than before.
This might be the opening move in a broader playbook:
1. Force an internal crisis.
2. Destabilize the country.
3. Justify foreign military intervention.
4. Use intervention as leverage for a regional deal.
Once foreign troops are on the ground, pressure could mount for Lebanon to
normalize ties with Israel, possibly under the banner of “regional security” or
a post-conflict reconstruction plan.
This fits into a broader pattern of US and Israeli strategic goals. If Hezbollah
is weakened, isolated, or removed, then a Lebanon-Israel peace deal—similar to
the Abraham Accords—becomes much more realistic. Would Hezbollah take the bait?
Syria, Such a Troublesome Neighbor
Marc Saikali/This is Beirut/March 06/2025
Since its independence, Lebanon has served as a mirror reflecting the events
unfolding in its much larger neighboring country. Damascus has long cast a
covetous eye on Lebanon, disturbed by its freedoms and economic achievements.
Despite all the challenges, Lebanon has managed to preserve a semblance of
political democracy, even in its darkest hours. Meanwhile, in Damascus, coups
d'état followed one another relentlessly, until the Assad dynasty rose to power,
embracing socialism—a path that ultimately ruined the country and drove away
vital investments. For five decades, Lebanon was reduced to little more than a
political, economic, and military pawn, manipulated by a regime that mutated
into a mafia-like structure. Every means was used to keep the "little brother"
subjugated: occupation, large-scale extortion, assassinations, wars, smuggling —
nothing was off-limits. Lebanon’s political class, largely complicit, bowed to
the masters in Damascus. Then, abruptly, the tide turned. The Assad regime
collapsed in what might be called a reverse Berezina. Few will mourn its bloody
reign. But a question lingers: can Mr. Al Sharaa forge the Syria he envisions—a
democratic, liberal, tolerant, and peaceful state?
“Once bitten, twice shy”—many remain cautious, and understandably so. There is
no reason to doubt the intentions of the new strongman of Damascus. Yet behind
him, an Islamist international of sorts looms, drawing together thousands of
militiamen from all corners of the Muslim world. Will they heed orders from
above? That’s not the greatest threat, though. The stakes are so high that they
seem almost unbeatable. The biggest danger now is the potential fragmentation of
the country. In the northeast, the Kurds are clinging to their autonomy, backed
by the Americans. De facto, they are far removed from a unified central state.
To the north, the entire border region with Turkey looks set to remain under
Turkish military control. The coastal region, predominantly Alawite, could end
up as a Russian-controlled enclave, with Russia’s historical bases there and
Washington’s tacit approval. To the south, Israeli influence would lead to a
Druze-Sunni demilitarized zone, with no military presence from Damascus. The
center, home to a Sunni majority, would serve as a buffer against any return of
an Iranian axis pushing toward the Mediterranean and Lebanon. Syria’s
Christians, or their remnants, lack a viable foothold and risk being overlooked
in any potential partition, politely labelled as a federation. For now, such a
scenario is dismissed by both the Syrian state and by Arab and Western
countries. But in this region, nothing is ever truly impossible. Regardless of
the outcome, Lebanon will inevitably feel the effects of Syria's shifting
geopolitical landscape. An empowered central state that respects its neighbors
would be the ideal outcome. A fragmented federation, on the other hand, would
only destabilize Lebanon’s delicate balance, which it certainly doesn't need.
The waiting drags on, and the two million Syrian refugees in Lebanon show no
eagerness to return home. In fact, new pro-Assad refugees have joined their
ranks, already numbering around 80,000. Napoleon Bonaparte famously said, “The
policy of a state is in its geography.”
From this perspective, one could argue that we’re well served.
Aoun’s Visit to Saudi Arabia,
Speech at Cairo Summit Revive Arab-Lebanese Relations
Caroline Akoum/Asharq Al-Awsat/March
06/2025 |
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s official visit to Saudi Arabia and
participation at the emergency Arab summit in Cairo this week kicked off a new
positive phase in relations between Lebanon and the Arab world. Days after his
election as president in January, Aoun declared that Saudi Arabia would be the
destination of his first foreign visit. He was accorded a warm welcome in the
Kingdom on Monday and in Cairo on Tuesday. His speech at the Arab summit was
widely praised by the majority of participants and in Lebanon. Observers in
Lebanon viewed his remarks as a continuation of the pledges he made during his
inaugural speech. Informed sources described Aoun’s meetings since the beginning
of his term as “paving the way for a new chapter in relations between Lebanon
and the Arab world in general, and Saudi Arabia in particular.” They underlined
the warm and extraordinary welcome he received in the Kingdom, noting that
senior Saudi officials were present at Aoun’s reception. They highlighted the
closed-door talks between Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and
Prime Minister, and Aoun. They described the meeting as friendly and frank,
revealing that it tackled the historic relations between their countries. The
leaders were keen on issuing a joint statement after their talks, said the
sources. Aoun was accorded a similar warm welcome in Cairo where he met for the
first time with a number of Arab heads of state. “He was among the presidents
who held the most bilateral meetings with officials, many of whom hadn’t met him
before or only knew him as Lebanon’s army commander,” the sources said. The
Lebanese and Syrian presidents effectively “stole the spotlight” at the summit,
each for the developments that had taken place in their countries, they added.
Lebanese former Ambassador to the United States Riad Tabbara said Aoun’s visit
to Saudi Arabia opened a new chapter in ties with the Arab world. His speech in
Cairo can be summed up in “resistance through diplomacy,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Aoun set in his speech his course of action. He stressed resistance through
diplomacy, and rejected the idea of establishing peace with Israel before
Lebanon reclaims all of its occupied territories. He steered clear of threats
and the use of force to achieve goals,” he added.
The speech effectively draws a roadmap for what Lebanon’s policy will be in the
next phase given the changes that have taken place in the region, he stated. At
the summit, Aoun declared: “No one can possibly claim to be championing
Palestine when Beirut is occupied, Damascus is destroyed, Amman is threatened,
Baghdad is weakened and Sanaa falls.”In Lebanon, sources from parliament Speaker
Nabih Berri’s bloc hailed his remarks, while sources from the Lebanese Forces
said Aoun “returned Lebanon back to the Arab, regional and Gulf map after it was
kept away from it for so long.”They told Asharq Al-Awsat that Lebanon was kept
away “not only because of the vacuum in the presidency, but because it was not
one with itself, and did not believe in the state and constitution.”“By
committing to the state building project, Lebanon was able to reclaim its
position, role and presence. This alone offers a glimmer of hope that Lebanon
has embarked on a new phase that returns it to the table after its voice was
usurped by Damascus or Hezbollah,” they stressed. After their monthly meeting
headed by Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, the Council of Maronite Bishops said Aoun’s
visit to Riyadh bolstered Lebanon’s good relations with Saudi Arabia. “We hope
the visit will pave the way for others that will benefit the two countries,”
they said in a statement. On Aoun’s participation at the Cairo summit, they
hoped it will help garner Arab support for Lebanon’s “drive to revive itself on
all levels and correct course under the new president through state building and
the rule of law and the constitution.”The Kataeb Party echoed these remarks,
saying the president’s visits “are a turning point that will return Lebanon to
its natural place among its friends in the region so that it can reclaim its
historic role and be present at regional discussions about its future and the
future of the region.”
Nasrallah’s
funeral was Hezbollah’s desperately needed lifeline
David Daoud/MENASource/March 06/2025 |
Hezbollah is in a crisis. The group suffered an unprecedented drubbing by
Israel, which decimated most of its arsenal, eliminated a substantial number of
its fighters, and killed its iconic Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah faces near-total Israeli freedom of action in Lebanon, growing
skepticism about its utility at home, and the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad
regime, which has severed its supply line through Syria. Within Hezbollah’s core
constituency—Lebanese Shiites—these developments have left the group vulnerable
to criticism. Many can now plausibly accuse Hezbollah of compounding five years
of severe economic hardship, beginning with Lebanon’s 2019 financial collapse,
with an unnecessary war that has left their homes in ruin and reconstruction
uncertain. Hezbollah desperately needed a lifeline to secure its future in
Lebanon. The massive turnout to Nasrallah’s funeral on February 23 may have
provided one, deterring Beirut from either seizing its arms or undermining its
domestic standing. Hezbollah derives its domestic strength—and its longstanding
immunity from disarmament or restraint by the Lebanese government—not through
force of arms alone but through widespread popularity among Lebanese Shiites,
Lebanon’s likely largest and fastest-growing sect. In Lebanon’s May 2022
parliamentary elections, the group garnered 356,000 of the 1.8 million votes
cast—the most of any party by approximately 150,000 votes. Polls from January
and September of 2024 showed that between 89 percent and 93 percent of Lebanese
Shiites support Hezbollah. This extensive support reflects the group’s “Nation
of Hezbollah” model of membership, first articulated in its foundational 1985
Open Letter, which prioritized a party’s “responsiveness with the masses” over
territorial control. As a result, Hezbollah developed a broad, flexible concept
of membership to attract as much support as possible. This served a pragmatic
purpose. Gaining Shiite support at all granted Hezbollah domestic legitimacy and
secured its place in Lebanon’s sectarian-power sharing system. The larger that
support, the more influence Hezbollah had within that sectarian system—and
therefore adopting a membership model designed to maximize support was vital.
Road to reconstruction
Popular support will also prove critical to Hezbollah achieving its post-war
priorities, the first of which is retaining its arms. In his December 5 speech,
the group’s new Secretary-General Naim Qassem bowed to reality and the
Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement, agreeing that “the presence of armed
individuals and the resistance’s weapons” would be “banned south of the Litani
River”—amounting to a tactical withdrawal from most of south Lebanon. However,
Qassem and the rest of Hezbollah have insisted that the agreement does not apply
north of the Litani, meaning that the question of Hezbollah’s arms in the rest
of Lebanon must be resolved through Lebanese consensus and dialogue on a
national defense strategy. Hezbollah’s other, equally important priority is
ensuring that post-war reconstruction funds reach its battered community. Qassem
insisted that this must also be the Lebanese government’s priority, after
ensuring Israel’s complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Seeking to shifting
the onus of reconstruction—and the potential backlash if aid does not
materialize—from Hezbollah squarely to the Lebanese state, Qassem stated that
Beirut had a “responsibility” to “attract donations or call for [aid]
conferences or rely on [help] from [foreign] countries” for reconstruction.
Securing these two priorities is of existential importance for Hezbollah as they
are essential to regain whatever trust Shiites lost in the group for inviting
the recent war with Israel. Without its arms, the group could no longer claim to
be “The Resistance.” After all, that image is the basis of much of Hezbollah’s
appeal, and it also serves as its justification for retaining the figurative
stick it uses—often as a last resort—to deter hostile action within Lebanon and,
more vitally, dissent from within the Shiite community.
As for reconstruction, Iran has allegedly been channeling funds to its main
regional instrument—one billion dollars the day after the ceasefire went into
effect. However, that’s a pittance compared to the estimated eight billion to
eleven billion dollars in war damage. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s access to Iranian
coffers has been complicated by a combination of Assad’s downfall and Israeli
threats, which led Beirut to temporarily clamp down on Hezbollah’s alternate
funding route through Hariri International Airport by, for example, seizing cash
shipments. If reconstruction aid does not materialize, Hezbollah will likely
face an unprecedented eruption of anger from within its own support base.
Numbers game
Enter Nasrallah’s funeral, the purpose of which, as Qassem stated, was not only
an outpouring of grief but also a domestic show of force. Vast attendance was
therefore necessary. Turnout numbers varied. Citing event organizers, Al-Jadeed
and the Lebanese National News Agency offered a slightly implausible preliminary
estimate of 1.4 million people, while Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation
International reported “hundreds of thousands” both in Camille Chamoun Stadium,
Lebanon’s largest sports arena where the funeral began, “and surrounding areas.”
Meanwhile, Reuters estimated one million attendees based on an unnamed “Lebanese
security source,” anonymous Hezbollah sources told AFP that the event drew
“around 800,000” participants, and a Lebanese official speaking on condition of
anonymity to the Associated Press put the number at 450,000. The newspaper Al-Joumhouria
claimed that 200,000 people from the Beqaa valley alone had headed to Beirut to
participate in the funeral. The final say on turnout, however, goes to the
Beirut-based research and consultancy firm Information International. It
dismissed both the inflated 1.4 million figure provided by the funeral
organizers and the minimal estimate of a 200,000-person turnout, calling the
latter “very low” and illogical, “given nearly 40 percent of attendees were in
the stadium.” Instead, they estimated that 700,000 to 900,000 people attended
Nasrallah’s funeral, with “no more than 15,000” of them coming from abroad,
“based on [Hariri International Airport’s] daily activities.”For comparison, the
February 16, 2005, funeral of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri attracted
around 150,000 people.
Arms control
Hezbollah’s gambit, it would therefore appear, paid off—seemingly rebutting
claims that the war and its effects had drained the group of a critical mass of
supporters and left it domestically vulnerable. But that turnout now also serves
to forestall any potential action by Lebanese authorities, who are already
wavering on reining in the group. Both the ostensibly sovereigntist President
Joseph Aoun and longtime ally, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, have accepted
Hezbollah’s position on resolving the question of its arms. This is also likely
to critically impact Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who has already made
concessions to Hezbollah while forming his cabinet—Lebanon’s real executive
authority—in recognition of the country’s political realities. Salam, if his
government and its policy statement win a parliamentary vote of confidence, will
hold the premiership until Lebanon’s May 2026 parliamentary elections, when his
government will dissolve by operation of law. Meanwhile, Salam has a long list
of vital tasks to accomplish during his short term in office, including steering
Lebanon through economic recovery, repairing and upgrading the country’s
dilapidated infrastructure, enacting political and judicial reforms, and
overseeing post-war reconstruction. These would be monumental tasks in a
functioning state. In Lebanon, accomplishing them will require all hands on deck
and avoiding political infighting. With the numbers it brought out on
February 23, Hezbollah can threaten the premier with—at a minimum—obstructionism
if the group senses his government is moving against its arms or withholding or
conditioning reconstruction aid to areas under its control. At worst, clashing
with a Hezbollah that has retained pre-war levels of Shiite support could risk
igniting a civil war. Most Shiites who support Hezbollah are not unwavering
Khomeinists. They back the group for practical reasons: its extensive social-clientelist
network, the protection from external threats they believe Hezbollah’s private
arsenal provides, and the domestic dignity and equality the traditionally
disenfranchised sect derives from the group’s domestic political weight. But the
relationship between party and population isn’t entirely transactional.
Hezbollah has spent decades building an emotional symbiosis between the two—one
that has remained relatively unchallenged by Shiite opposition alternatives,
whose already small numbers are disunited and lack resources.
By bringing the community out to Nasrallah’s funeral in the hundreds of
thousands, Hezbollah sent a message to its domestic opponents and the
government: An attack on Hezbollah is an attack on the Shiites writ large. That
doesn’t mean Hezbollah’s survival is absolutely guaranteed. But it has now, to
Lebanon’s and the region’s misfortune, created a bridgehead that it can
widen—over years, perhaps decades, and quite likely in fits and starts—to ensure
it remains a fixture in Lebanon’s future.
**David Daoud is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies,
focusing on Hezbollah, Israel, and Lebanon issues. Follow him on X: @DavidADaoud.
Lebanon Must Relearn Democracy, Debate Peace with Israel
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/Read in This is Beirut/March 06/2025
Druze lawmaker Wael Abou-Faour said that U.S. officials have broached the
subject of peace between Lebanon and Israel with top Lebanese leaders, but
argued that peace would spark clashes and civil strife, and therefore, his bloc
thinks that truce with the Hebrew state was the most that Lebanon could accept.
The merits of peace aside, Lebanon needs to relearn democracy. Liberal
democracies have no topics that are off limits to discuss or vote into policies.
The stateguarantees freedom of expression so that any citizen can present any
idea, no matter how outrageous it is to the majority, without fear for their
safety or of civil war. Lebanon is not there yet and opinions, when deemed
non-mainstream or controversial, are muted and dissenters either bullied,
prosecuted, or even assassinated. From Abou-Faour’s statement, we infer that, on
her last trip to Beirut and in her meetings with President Joseph Aoun and Prime
Minister Nawaf Salam, U.S. Deputy Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus did
invite Lebanon to consider signing a bilateral peace deal with Israel, just like
the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Morocco did, a few years back.
Respectful of the privacy of the conversation, Ortagus did not include this bit
of her conversation in her stakeout after the meetings. Weeks later, U.S. Envoy
to the Middle East Steven Witkoff said exactly that: Lebanon and Syria should
join the Abraham Accords.
Lebanon has traditionally switched between four policies on Israel:
1- When Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was still alive and acting
as the country’s de facto autocrat, Lebanon would never recognize Israel or sign
peace with it but would rather join the battle for its destruction and
replacement with a Palestinian state, from the “river to the sea.”2- To avert
war, the opposition to Hezbollah’s maximalist position called for the revival of
the 1949 truce, a permanent situation of “no war, no peace,” in which Lebanon
pretendedthat Israel did not exist. 3- Under Aoun and Salam, Lebanon’s policy on
the Jewish state has become more reasonable and now toes the Arab League
position, which stipulates that the league’s member states will normalize
relations with Israel if Palestinians establish their state on 1967 territory.
The impossibility of the Arab Peace Initiative aside, by endorsing it, Beirut
has signaled that, in theory, it was willing to recognize Israel and enter into
a peace deal with it, but only as part of the Arab collective and not in a
bilateral Lebanon-Israel fashion. 4- The fourth Lebanese policy has been to sign
a bilateral peace treaty with the Hebrew state, regardless of the Palestinian
situation or the Arab League position. If Beirut were ever to repeat such a
move, it could explain it as a “sovereign decision” designed to serve the
national interests of Lebanon, the same reasoning employed by the UAE, Bahrain,
and Morocco in what came to be called the Abraham Accords. On May 17, 1983,
Lebanon became the second Arab country after Egypt whose Parliament voted on a
peace agreement with Israel, but Syrian President Hafez Assad bullied his
Lebanese counterpart Amine Gemayel and forced him not to sign the treaty into
law. Between 1949 and 1969, the truce between the Lebanese and the Israelis held
strong, allowing Lebanon to witness the biggest economic expansion in its
history. That was the time when the country won its moniker “Switzerland of the
Middle East.”In 1967, Egypt, Syria and Jordan lost in war to Israel. To vent
popular anger, Egypt’s Gamal Abdul-Nasser encouraged asymmetric war.
Palestinians organized themselves into armed militias, in Jordan, and launched
attacks across the border with Israel. Palestinians also used their newfound
power to try to topple the government in Amman.
The Jordanian monarchy prevailed and ejected the Palestinian militias, who
relocated to Lebanon. Nasser had impressed on Beirut to concede its sovereignty
to the Palestinians, who ran amok in the country and launched cross border
attacks that invited destructive Israeli reprisals. After Israel invaded Lebanon
and ejected the Palestinian militias, in 1982, Beirut never regained its
sovereignty. Lebanese fighters with the Palestinian militias stayed behind and
formed Hezbollah, which fought several wars with Israel, until the Hebrew state
decapitated it in September. Instead of grasping the opportunity of Hezbollah’s
weakness to revive the 1983 peace deal with Israel, Lebanon seems to be dragging
its feet, hanging on to a half-baked arrangement that couples a truce with the
unicorn Arab Peace Initiative. Wael is a friend from our days at the American
University of Beirut (AUB). However, come 2026 election, I will take the side of
candidates running against him and promising full, unconditional and immediate
peace with Israel. Lebanon’s peace camp might win only a few seats in Parliament
or none at all. But when Lebanon’s peace camp loses, it will not start a civil
war. It will prepare for the election that follows and continue to pitch its
peace plan and convert the Lebanese to its cause, until the time comes when it
becomes a majority and its opinion wins, leading to a peace treaty with
Israel.This is how democracy works. Wael, and the Lebanese political scene in
general, can do Lebanon a great service if they stop threatening the Lebanese
with civil war every time they fear an opinion that they disagree with might
prevail.
*Hussain Abdul-Hussain is a research fellow at The Foundation for Defense of
Democracies (FDD) in Washington, DC.
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on March 06-07/2025
Explosion at Tehran Military Site
Kills 1 and Injures 10 Firefighters
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
An explosion in a container at a military site east of Tehran killed one
military personnel and injured 10 firefighters, Iranian media reported Thursday.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency said fire initially broke out within the
container, followed by an explosion as firefighters attempted to extinguish the
flames. Four firefighters were taken to the hospital and six others received
treatment at the site due to slight injuries, according to other news outlets.
The report did not elaborate on the cause of the fire and explosion. Jalal
Maleki, a spokesperson for the Tehran Fire Department, told the news agency that
the fire occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and involved a 50-square-meter
(538-square-feet) container. The area east of Tehran is home to the headquarters
of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and other military sites, situated near densely
populated residential areas. Reports of explosions in Iran's military sites are
rare. However, in October Iran’s state-media acknowledged blasts that could be
heard in Tehran and said some of the sounds came from air defense systems around
the city. This followed a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian
military sites, reportedly in retaliation for Iranian missile attacks against
Israel. In 2010, Iran’s official IRNA news agency said 18 members of the
Revolutionary Guard force were killed in an explosion at a military base in the
western city of Khorramabad.
US Will Exert Maximum Pressure on Iran via Sanctions,
Bessent Says
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
The US will exert a campaign of maximum pressure of sanctions Iran to collapse
its oil exports and put pressure on its currency, Treasury Secretary Scott
Bessent said on Thursday. "Making Iran broke again will mark the beginning of
our updated sanctions policy," Bessent told members of the Economic Club of New
York.
Latakia: Assad Loyalists Kill 16 Security Forces in Most
Violent Attack Since Ouster
This is Beirut/AFP/March 6, 2025
Gunmen loyal to Syria's Bashar al-Assad killed 16 security personnel on
Thursday, a war monitor said, in attacks it described as the "most violent"
since the longtime president's ouster. The fighting took place in the
Mediterranean coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of the ousted
president's Alawite minority, who were considered bastions of support during his
rule. The death toll "following attacks and ambushes by gunmen loyal to Assad in
the town of Jableh and its surrounding areas increased to 16 members of the
security forces," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding that the
majority of the dead were from the former rebel bastion of Idlib. It said they
were "the most violent attacks against the new authorities since Assad was
toppled."At least three of the gunmen in Jableh were killed, said the
Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria.
The province's security director had earlier said that Syrian forces were
clashing with gunmen loyal to an Assad-era special forces commander in another
village in Latakia after authorities reportedly launched helicopter strikes.
"The armed groups that our security forces were clashing with in the Latakia
countryside were affiliated with the war criminal Suhail al-Hassan, who
committed the most heinous massacres against the Syrian people," the security
director told state news agency SANA. Nicknamed "The Tiger," Hassan led the
country's special forces and was frequently described as Assad's "favorite
soldier." He was responsible for key advances by the Assad government in 2015.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier reported "strikes launched
by Syrian helicopters on armed men in the village of Beit Ana and the
surrounding forests, coinciding with artillery strikes on a neighboring
village."
SANA reported that militias loyal to the ousted president had opened fire on
"members and equipment of the defense ministry" near the village, killing one
security force member and wounding two. Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera reported
that its photographer Riad al-Hussein was wounded in the clashes but that he was
doing well. A defense ministry source later told SANA that large military
reinforcements were being deployed to the Jableh area "to support the security
forces and restore stability to the area."
Deadly attacks
Alawite leaders later called in a statement on Facebook for "peaceful protests"
in response to the air strikes, which they said had targeted "the homes of
civilians."Tensions erupted after residents of Beit Ana, the birthplace of
Suhail al-Hassan, prevented security forces from arresting a person wanted for
trading arms, the Observatory said. Security forces subsequently launched a
campaign in the area, resulting in clashes with gunmen, it added. The
Observatory said it could not verify the identity or affiliation of the gunmen.
Later on Thursday, large groups of young men, some bearing arms, gathered in
Idlib in support of the security forces fighting in Latakia, the Observatory
said. Messages broadcast over the loudspeakers of mosques called for "jihad"
against the gunmen, it added. The tensions erupted after at least four civilians
were killed during a security operation in the city of Latakia, the monitor said
on Wednesday. Security forces launched the campaign in the Daatour neighborhood
on Tuesday after an ambush by "members of the remnants of Assad militias" killed
two security personnel, state media reported. Islamist rebels led by Hay’at
Tahrir al-Sham launched a lightning offensive that toppled Assad on December 8.
The country's new security forces have since launched extensive campaigns
seeking to root out Assad loyalists from his former bastions. Residents and
organizations have reported violations during those campaigns, including the
seizing of homes, field executions, and kidnappings. Syria's new authorities
have described the violations as "isolated incidents" and vowed to pursue those
responsible.
Over 133,000 Syrian Refugees Have Returned From Turkey in Three Months, Says
Erdogan
This is Beirut/AFP/March 6, 2025
More than 133,000 Syrians living in Turkey have returned home in the three
months since Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad was toppled, President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday. "Since December 8, more than 133,000 Syrians
voluntarily returned to their homeland. As stability takes hold in Syria, this
figure will go up. We will not force anyone, but if our brothers and sisters
would like to return, we will facilitate this journey," he said. Turkey is home
to nearly three million refugees who fled Syria after the civil war began in
2011 and is keen to see them return home. The country shares a 900-kilometer
(560-mile) border with Syria, along which there are six operational crossings.
Around 1.24 million of the Syrian refugees in Turkey hail from the northwestern
Aleppo region, the interior ministry has said. On February 18, the UN said it
estimated that more than one million people had returned to their homes in
Syria, of which more than 800,000 were those who had been internally displaced
while another 280,000 had returned from abroad.
Syria leftover explosives kill and injure over 180
children: NGO
This is Beirut/ AFP/March 06/2025
Landmines and unexploded ordnance in Syria have killed or injured at least 188
children since president Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December, Save the
Children charity said Thursday. Of that figure, more than 60 children were
killed, the UK-based group said, warning the toll could rise as more families
return to the war-ravaged country. Since Assad was toppled on December 8,
"landmines and explosive remnants of war have caused at least 628 casualties,
more than two-thirds of the total number of casualties for all of 2023", Save
the Children said. The United Nations last week said about 1.2 million people
had returned home to Syria in the past three months, including over 885,000 who
were internally displaced. "Much of Syria is pockmarked by mines and explosive
remnants of war after 13 years of conflict," said Bujar Hoxha, the charity's
Syria director. "At least 188 children have been killed or injured in about
three months -- that's an average of two children a day," he added. The group
called on the transitional authorities and international donors to speed up the
process of clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Syria. A report by
non-governmental organisation Humanity and Inclusion last month had warned of
the dangers posed by unexploded munitions left over from the devastating civil
war that erupted in 2011. It said experts estimated that between 100,000 and
300,000 of the roughly one million munitions used during the war had never
detonated. Also last month, at least eight civilians including three children
were killed when unexploded munitions ignited at a house in northwestern Syria,
a war monitor and the civil defence said.
UK Lifts Sanctions on Syrian Central Bank and Petroleum
Firms
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
Britain unfroze the assets of Syria's central bank and 23 other entities
including banks and oil companies on Thursday, reversing sanctions imposed
during Bashar al-Assad's presidency. The West is rethinking its approach to
Syria after opposition forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group ousted Assad
as president in December after more than 13 years of civil war. "We are lifting
asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities that were previously used by the Assad
regime to fund the oppression of the Syrian people," a foreign office
spokesperson said. "At the same time, sanctions on members of the Assad regime
and those involved in the illicit trade in captagon remain in place."Captagon in
an addictive amphetamine-like stimulant widely produced in Syria during Assad's
rule. A notice posted on the British government website said entities including
the central bank, the Commercial Bank of Syria and the Agricultural Cooperative
Bank had been delisted and were no longer subject to an asset freeze.Syrian Arab
Airlines, Syrian Petroleum Company, Syria Trading Oil Company (SYTROL) and
Overseas Petroleum Trading were also among those delisted. Syria's Interim
President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called repeatedly for the lifting of Western
sanctions that were imposed to isolate Assad during the civil war.Last month,
the European Union eased restrictions on the Syrian central bank while keeping
in place the sanctions. The US has said its sanctions on the central bank remain
in place. A Syrian government media official did not immediately respond to a
request for comment.
Trump Issues 'Last Warning' to Hamas Over Remaining Gaza Hostages
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued what he called a “last warning” to
Hamas to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza, directing a sharply worded
message after the White House confirmed that he had recently dispatched an envoy
for unprecedented direct talks with the Palestinian group. Trump, in a statement
on his Truth Social platform soon after meeting at the White House with eight
former hostages, added that he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish
the job.”“Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all
of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” Trump
said. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and
twisted!”The pointed language from Trump came after the White House said
Wednesday that US officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with
Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held US policy of not directly
engaging in the militant group.
Confirmation of the talks in the Qatari capital of Doha come as the Israel-Hamas
ceasefire remains in the balance. It’s the first known direct engagement between
the US and Hamas since the State Department designated the group a foreign
terrorist organization in 1997. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
declined to provide detail on the substance of talks, but said President Donald
Trump has authorized his envoys to “talk to anyone.” Egyptian and Qatari
intermediaries have served as mediators with Hamas for the US and Israel since
the group launched its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the war.
“Look, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best
interest of the American people is something that the president ... believes is
a good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” she said.
Leavitt added that Israel has been consulted about the direct engagement with
Hamas officials, and noted that there are “American lives at stake.” Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office offered a terse acknowledgement of
the US-Hamas talks. “Israel has expressed to the United States its position
regarding direct talks with Hamas,” the prime minister’s office said. Israeli
officials say about 24 living hostages as well as the bodies of at least 35
others are believed to still be held in Gaza.
Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee to be special envoy for hostage affairs, led the
direct talks with Hamas. The talks, which took place last month, focused mainly
on the release of American hostages, and a potential end of the war without
Hamas in power in Gaza, according to a Hamas official who was not authorized to
comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The official added
that no progress was made but “the step itself is promising” and more talks are
expected. Egyptian and Qatari mediators helped arrange the talks. The direct
engagement comes as continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains
uncertain, The Associated Press reported. Trump has signaled that he has no
intentions of pushing Netanyahu away from a return to combat if Hamas doesn’t
agree to terms of a new ceasefire proposal, which the Israelis have billed as
being drafted by US envoy Steve Witkoff. The new plan would require Hamas to
release half its remaining hostages — the militant group’s main bargaining chip
— in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting
truce. Israel made no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners, a key
component of the first phase.
Hamas Brushes off Trump’s Threat, Says It Will Only Free
Hostages in Return for Lasting Truce
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
Hamas on Thursday brushed off President Donald Trump's latest threat and
reiterated that it will only free the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for
a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The group accused Trump and Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to back out of the ceasefire agreement
they reached in January. The agreement calls for negotiations over a second
phase in which the hostages would be released in exchange for more Palestinian
prisoners, a permanent ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas
spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua said the “best path to free the remaining
Israeli hostages” is through negotiations on that phase, which were supposed to
begin in early February. Only limited preparatory talks have been held so far.
On Wednesday, Trump issued what he said was a “last warning” to Hamas after
meeting with eight former hostages. The White House meanwhile confirmed it had
held unprecedented direct talks with the group, which Israel and Western
countries view as a terrorist organization. “Release all of the Hostages now,
not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you
murdered, or it is OVER for you,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”Both
Israel and Hamas have a longstanding practice of holding onto the remains of
their adversaries in order to trade them in hostage-prisoner deals.
US plan for the second phase
Hamas is believed to still have 24 living hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023,
attack that triggered the war, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander. It is
also holding the bodies of 34 others who were either killed in the initial
attack or in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in the 2014
war. Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange
for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first 42-day phase of the
ceasefire, which ended on Saturday. Israel supports what it says is a new US
plan for the second phase in which Hamas would release half the remaining
hostages immediately and the rest when a permanent ceasefire is negotiated.
Hamas has rejected the proposal and says it is sticking with the agreement
signed in January. Israel has cut off the delivery of food, fuel, medicine and
other supplies to Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians in an attempt to
pressure Hamas into accepting the new arrangement. It has threatened “additional
consequences” if Hamas does not resume the release of hostages. It is unclear if
the US-Hamas talks made any progress. The Trump administration has pledged full
support for Israel's main war goals of returning all the hostages and
eradicating Hamas, which may be incompatible. Direct talks between the US and
Hamas could make it difficult for Israel to resume the war, according to
Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor at Gaza’s Al-Azhar University
who is currently in Egypt. “The current US administration is trying to avoid a
return to war in Gaza in all possible ways,” he said.
Gaza reconstruction plan
Egypt said Thursday it will host an international conference to raise money for
a Gaza reconstruction plan proposed this week at the Arab Summit in Cairo. A
date was not announced. The conference, in cooperation with the United Nations,
would secure financial pledges for the $53 billion five-year plan, Egyptian
foreign ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf said. Egyptian and Arab officials
also will tour key capitals, including Washington, to promote further details,
Khallaf said, adding that Egypt believes it’s a “workable and realistic plan” in
the interest of all partners.
Hamas-led fighters killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7
attack and took a total of 251 people hostage. Most have been released in
ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israeli forces have rescued eight
living hostages and recovered the bodies of dozens more. Israel's military
offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children,
according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead
were fighters. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 fighters, without providing
evidence. The offensive destroyed vast areas in Gaza and displaced most of its
population. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in tents,
schools-turned-shelters or war-damaged buildings, and the population relies on
international aid.
UN chief says aid cuts are a ‘perfect storm’
The United Nation’s humanitarian chief issued a dire warning Thursday about how
US funding cuts to foreign aid have issued a “body blow to our work to save
lives.”
Tom Fletcher briefed the UN Security Council on the various challenges
humanitarian workers face on the ground in Yemen and other areas around the
world. “It is of course for individual countries to decide how to spend their
money. But it is the pace at which so much vital work has been shut down that
adds to the perfect storm that we face,” Fletcher said, adding that he has asked
partners to provide lists of areas where they have to cut back.
France Backs Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction, Rejects
Hamas Governance
This is Beirut/AFP/March 06/2025
France welcomed an Arab plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future
administration of the Palestinian Authority, adding Islamist militant group
Hamas should be "entirely" excluded from running the territory. The proposal
from Arab leaders "constitutes a serious and credible basis to respond to
reconstruction, governance, and security needs after the Gaza war," French
foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said on Thursday. But "the plan
must entirely exclude Hamas from governing Gaza, where it must be disarmed and
give Israel serious security guarantees."Arab leaders on Tuesday endorsed a plan
that would finance Gaza's reconstruction through a trust fund and would see the
return of the Palestinian Authority to the territory. The PA had previously
governed Gaza before losing power there in 2007 to Hamas. Palestinians, Arab
states, and many European governments have rejected another proposal from US
President Donald Trump for the United States to control Gaza, opposing any
efforts to expel its people. Trump sparked global outrage last month by
suggesting the United States "take over" the Gaza Strip and turn it into the
"Riviera of the Middle East," while forcing its Palestinian inhabitants to
relocate to Egypt or Jordan.
GCC chief urges international community to take
responsibility for halting Israeli violations against Palestinian people
Arab News/March 07, 2025
RIYADH: The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Thursday urged
the international community to take responsibility for halting ongoing Israeli
violations against the Palestinian people. Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said at a
joint ministerial meeting between the GCC and Egypt held in Makkah: “The
alarming escalation and ongoing violations faced by the Palestinian people
represent a blatant threat to their identity and rights, which we categorically
reject. “We urge the international community to take responsibility for halting
these practices that undermine security and stability.”
Albudaiwi thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for hosting the
Extraordinary Arab Summit on Palestine that took place in Cairo on Tuesday. Arab
leaders adopted an Egyptian reconstruction plan for Gaza that would cost $53
billion and avoid displacing Palestinians from the enclave, in contrast to US
President Donald Trump’s “Middle East Riviera” vision that received global
condemnation. Albudaiwi affirmed his support for the summit’s outcomes and urged
the international community to participate in the initiative to accelerate the
rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza after the destruction caused by
Israeli aggression, emphasizing that the future of Gaza should be within the
framework of a unified Palestinian state and the implementation of the two-state
solution. He reiterated his rejection of placing any burden on Egypt due to
“inhumane and unjust calls for the displacement of the Palestinian people.”
He also announced that the “Trade and Investment Forum between the GCC and the
Arab Republic of Egypt” would be held this year in Egypt. The forum will aim to
enhance economic and trade relations between the GCC and Egypt, providing a
platform for investors to explore promising investment opportunities across
various economic sectors in Egypt, as well as addressing the challenges facing
GCC investors in the country.
UNRWA Says ‘Growing Concerns’ Annexation behind Israeli
West Bank Operation
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
A major offensive in the occupied West Bank which over several weeks has
displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians and ravaged refugee camps
increasingly appears to be part of Israel's "vision of annexation", a UN
official told AFP. Israeli forces carry out regular raids targeting gunmen in
the West Bank, occupied since 1967, but the ongoing operation since late January
is already the longest in two decades, with dire effects on Palestinians. "It's
an unprecedented situation, both from a humanitarian and wider political
perspective," said Roland Friedrich, director of West Bank affairs for UNRWA,
the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees. "We talk about 40,000 people that
have been forcibly displaced from their homes" in the northern West Bank, mainly
from three refugee camps where the operation had begun, said Friedrich. "These
camps are now largely empty," their residents unable to return and struggling to
find shelter elsewhere, he said. Inside the camps, the level of destruction to
"electricity, sewage and water, but also private houses" was "very concerning",
Friedrich added. The Israeli operation, which the military says targets gunmen
in the northern West Bank, was launched shortly after a truce took hold in the
Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, a separate Palestinian territory. The operation
initially focused on Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps, where UNRWA
operates, but has since expanded to more areas of the West Bank's north.
Friedrich warned that as the offensive drags on, there are increasing signs --
some backed by official Israeli statements -- that it could morph into permanent
military presence in Palestinian cities. "There are growing concerns that the
reality being created on the ground aligns with the vision of annexation of the
West Bank," he said.
'Political operation' -
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has said troops would remain for many
months in the evacuated camps to "prevent the return of residents and the
resurgence of terrorism".
And Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician who lives in one
of dozens of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, has said that Israel would be
"applying sovereignty" over parts of the territory in 2025.According to
Friedrich, "the statements we are hearing indicate that this is a political
operation. It is clearly being said that people will not be allowed to
return."Last year the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion
saying that Israel's prolonged presence in the West Bank was unlawful. Away from
home, the displaced Palestinian residents also grapple with a worsening
financial burden. "There is an increasing demand now, especially in Jenin, for
public shelter, because people can't pay these amounts for rent anymore," said
Friedrich. "Everyone wants to go back to the camps."The UN official provided
examples he said pointed to plans for long-term Israeli presence inside
Palestinian cities, which should be under the control of the Palestinian
Authority (PA). "In Tulkarem you have more and more reports about the army just
walking around... asking shop owners to keep the shops open, going out and
issuing traffic tickets to cars, so almost as if there is no Palestinian
Authority," said Friedrich. "It is very worrying, including for the future of
the PA as such and the investments made by the international community into
building Palestinian institutions." The Ramallah-based PA was created in the
1990s as a temporary government that would pave the way to a future sovereign
state.
'Radicalization' -
UNRWA is the main humanitarian agency for Palestinians, but a recent law bars
the agency from working with the Israeli authorities, hindering its badly needed
operations.
"It's much more complicated for us now because we can't speak directly to the
military anymore," said Friedrich. "But at the same time, we continue to do our
work," he said, assessing needs and coordinating "the actual emergency response
on the ground". Israeli lawmakers had passed the legislation against UNRWA's
work over accusations that it had provided cover for Hamas fighters in the Gaza
Strip -- claims the UN and many donor governments dispute. The prolonged Israeli
operation could have long-term consequences for residents, particularly children
traumatized by the experience of displacement, Friedrich warned. "If people
can't go back to the camp and we can't reopen the schools... clearly, that will
lead to more radicalization going forward." He said the situation could compound
a legitimacy crisis for the PA, often criticized by armed Palestinian factions
for coordinating security matters with Israel. Displaced Palestinians "feel that
they are kicked out of their homes and that nobody is supporting them", said
Friedrich. A "stronger international response" was needed, he added, "both to
provide humanitarian aid on the ground, and secondly, to ensure that the
situation in the West Bank doesn't spin out of control".
Israel's Mission Against Hamas 'Not Accomplished', Says New
Military Chief
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
New armed forces chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said during his
inauguration in Tel Aviv on Wednesday that Israel's mission to defeat
Palestinian group Hamas was "not accomplished". "I accept command of the
(Israeli military) with modesty and humility... Hamas has indeed suffered a
severe blow, but it has not yet been defeated. The mission is not yet
accomplished," Zamir said, amid deadlock in negotiations on next steps in a
ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Zamir that
Israel is "determined" to achieve victory in the multi-front war that began with
Hamas's October 2023 attack. "A very heavy responsibility rests on your
shoulders, the results of the war will have significance for generations, we are
determined to achieve... victory" Netanyahu told Zamir during his inauguration.
Former tank commander and director of the defense ministry Zamir replaces
outgoing chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halev, who resigned admitting
he failed to fulfil his mandate. Zamir, 59, is being sworn in at a sensitive
time in Israel's war with Hamas, with the ceasefire that took effect on January
19 hanging in the balance. Announcing his appointment last month, Netanyahu said
he had high hopes that Zamir would help achieve Israel's goal of "absolute
victory" against Hamas. Zamir will also take over operations in the occupied
West Bank, where the military has deployed tanks in recent weeks for the first
time in 20 years. His appointment also comes at a moment of high tension
for Israel with its arch-foe Iran. Zamir wrote in a 2022 policy paper for the
Washington Institute for Near East Policy that Israel needed to adopt a tougher
approach in order to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Pushing for
greater cooperation with the United States against what he called the "Iran
axis", Zamir advocated "offensive action" in order to guarantee success. His
position on Iran mirrors that of Netanyahu, who recently said that Israel plans
to "finish the job against Iran's terror axis". Zamir, who led key operations
during the second Palestinian intifada or uprising, served as Netanyahu's
military secretary from 2012 to 2015. He is the founder of the right-wing think
tank Israel Defense and Security Forum. In contrast to Halevi, who avoided the
spotlight, Zamir comes across as a powerful figure. At a defense ministry event
a day after his appointment, Zamir, a father of three, was quoted as saying that
2025 would be "a year of continued fighting". "The war has demonstrated that we
must be self-reliant," he said.
As head of the defense ministry, Zamir is credited with some of Israel's biggest
and most significant defense procurements. "He understands very well what big
wars are all about and how to fight them," said Amir Avivi, a former Israeli
general who now runs a network for former security officials. Zamir cuts a
powerful frame, his burly build sending a clear message that he means business.
Avivi, who has known Zamir for more than 20 years and spent a year with him at
the Israeli College for National Security, described him as being
"mission-oriented", "detail-oriented" and "strict". He said Zamir has a "deep
understanding" of the Gaza front and even authored "a very detailed plan to
conquer all of Gaza" while serving as head of Southern Command from 2015 to
2018. Saying he had spoken with Zamir since his appointment, Avivi added: "I
think he has a very clear understanding that he was chosen for one thing -- to
bring total victory to Israel on all fronts." Jonathan Conricus, a former
Israeli army spokesman who served with Zamir, also said the incoming chief would
have to "navigate strategic challenges of the most sensitive nature", including
restoring public trust. Born in Israel's southernmost city Eilat, Zamir, whose
paternal grandfather immigrated from Yemen and whose mother's family arrived
from Syria, joined the military in 1984. Unlike previous chiefs of staff, who
served in the distinguished paratroopers' unit or in the Golani infantry
brigade, Zamir began his career in the Armored Corps. He served through the
first and second intifadas holding senior combat and command roles. In 2002, he
led a brigade that captured the refugee camp adjacent to the West Bank city of
Jenin, a hotbed of Palestinian militancy. The army laid siege to the camp for
more than a month amid fierce fighting that saw hundreds of homes levelled, and
52 Palestinians and 23 Israeli soldiers killed. Zamir was later appointed head
of the army's southern command, where he led efforts to cut off Hamas tunnels.
From 2018 to 2021, he served as deputy chief of staff under Lieutenant General
Aviv Kochavi, tasked with implementing the military's multi-year plan
Zelenskiy Says Truce in Air and at Sea Could Test Russia’s
Will to End War
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on EU leaders on Thursday to support the
idea of a truce between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the air and at sea,
saying it would be a chance to test Moscow's will to end its three-year
invasion. "Everyone needs to make sure that Russia, as the sole source of this
war, accepts the need to end it," Zelenskiy said, addressing a summit in
Brussels where European leaders have gathered to discuss defense spending and
support for Ukraine after the US paused military aid to Kyiv. "This can be
proved by two forms of silence that are easy to establish and monitor, namely,
no attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure – truce for missiles,
bombs, and long-range drones, and the second is truce on the water, meaning no
military operations in the Black Sea," Zelenskiy added. He underlined that any
such truce could only be seen as a first step towards comprehensive agreement on
ending the war and providing security guarantees to Ukraine. According to the
Ukrainian leader, the release of all prisoners of war could also be a means of
establishing "basic trust". Zelenskiy once again stressed the need to adhere to
the principle of no talks on Ukraine without Ukraine after US President Donald
Trump engaged in bilateral talks with Russia, sidelining Kyiv and European
leaders. "Anything that affects the security of Europe should be resolved with
the participation of Europe," he added, welcoming a new rearmament plan to boost
the EU's defense spending. The summit in Brussels takes place after a disastrous
Zelenskiy-Trump clash in the Oval Office last week, and weeks of harsh criticism
of Zelenskiy from the Trump administration as the US president presses for
prompt end to Russia's war in Ukraine. "Let me emphasize once again that
Ukrainians do really want peace, but not at the cost of giving up Ukraine,"
Zelenskiy said. As Ukrainian and American officials agreed to hold a meeting
next week, Zelenskiy expressed hope that it would be "meaningful".
Steve Witkoff Announces US Talks on Ukraine Ceasefire in
Saudi Arabia
This is Beirut/AFP/March 06/2025
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced Thursday that he will meet with a
Ukrainian delegation next week in Saudi Arabia to discuss a ceasefire with
Russia. "We are coordinating a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or possibly
Jeddah," Witkoff told reporters. "The goal is to establish a framework for a
peace agreement and an initial ceasefire."Witkoff noted that President Donald
Trump was pleased with a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
following their tense exchange at the White House last Friday. "I believe Trump
saw Zelensky's letter as a positive first step—it included apologies,
recognition of US support for Ukraine, and a sense of gratitude," Witkoff said.
During the meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of
failing to show sufficient appreciation for the billions of dollars in US
military aid since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Zelensky left without signing a
mining agreement Trump had pushed regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources. Asked
whether Ukraine might sign the deal during talks in Saudi Arabia, Witkoff said,
"I think Zelensky has proposed signing it, and we will see if he follows
through." The upcoming discussions, set for Tuesday in Riyadh, were confirmed by
a senior Ukrainian official speaking to AFP. The Ukrainian delegation, led by
Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak and potentially including Defense
Minister Rustem Umerov, aims to mend strained ties with Trump’s administration.
Gaza: "A good-faith first step"
Beyond the Ukraine talks, Witkoff also addressed the situation in Gaza, praising
Egypt's reconstruction plan as "a good-faith first step.""It has many compelling
aspects. We need to discuss it further, but it's a good-faith first step by the
Egyptians," Witkoff told reporters. He welcomed Trump's ability to "encourage
other Middle Eastern actors to present proactive proposals for what we might
consider."On Tuesday, Arab leaders met in Cairo and adopted a plan for
rebuilding Gaza, which excludes Hamas and envisions the return of the
Palestinian Authority—ousted from the territory by Hamas in 2007.
However, Israel has rejected the plan, insisting that the Palestinian Authority
will play no future role in Gaza. According to Egypt, the plan ensures that
Gaza’s residents will remain in their homeland, a direct rebuttal to Trump's
proposal, which envisions relocating them to Egypt and Jordan to transform Gaza
into the "Riviera of the Middle East."In a sharp escalation, Trump issued a
"final warning" to Hamas on Wednesday, demanding the release of hostages or
risking "death for the people of Gaza." This came on the same day Washington
confirmed direct contacts with Hamas.
Witkoff hinted that this threat could lead to joint military action against
Hamas. "I believe there will be action. It could be carried out jointly with the
Israelis," he stated. "It's unclear for now, but I think Hamas has the
opportunity to act reasonably, do the right thing, and leave. They will not be
part of a future government there," he added.
Russia Dismisses Ceasefire Proposals, Insists on Final
Settlement in Ukraine
This is Beirut/AFP/March 06/2025
Russia said Thursday it would not accept a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine,
rejecting proposals of a one-month halt in fighting or a stop in aerial and
naval attacks - ideas floated by Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and French
President Emmanuel Macron. Talk of a possible truce is at fever pitch with US
President Donald Trump pushing for a rapid end to the conflict and having halted
the supply of arms and intelligence to Ukraine, hobbling its capacity to fight
off the Russian offensive. Ukrainian President Zelensky has called for an
immediate halt to attacks in the sky and at sea as the first stage to a possible
peace deal. And Macron told France's Le Figaro newspaper on Sunday that Paris
and London were proposing a one-month truce to cover attacks "in the air, at
sea, and on energy infrastructure."But Moscow on Thursday appeared to rule out
any temporary or piecemeal ceasefire. "Firm agreements on a final settlement are
needed. Without all that, some kind of respite is absolutely unacceptable,"
foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in a televised
briefing. "We are dealing with a blatant desire to secure a respite for the
moribund Kyiv regime at any cost and to prevent a collapse of the front," she
said. Ukraine would "use this pause, with the help of its allies, to strengthen
its military potential," Zakharova added. Ahead of possible talks on a
settlement to the conflict, unleashed by Moscow in February 2022, Russian
officials have stuck to their hardline demands.
They have ruled out ceding Ukrainian territory captured over the last three
years, have said a European peacekeeping force is a non-starter, and repeated
the desire to roll back the NATO presence across Europe. Trump's suspension of
military aid to Ukraine has hardened fears in Kyiv and across Europe that
Ukraine could be forced to accept a peace on terms favorable to Moscow.
France to Host European Army Chiefs on Tuesday to
Discuss Ukraine Support
This is Beirut/AFP/March 06/2025
France will host talks on Tuesday, with military chiefs of staff whose nations
are ready to offer Ukraine military support after any peace deal ending the war
with Russia, a source close to President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday. With
European countries scrambling to boost support for Ukraine as US President
Donald Trump pursues direct talks with Russia to end the conflict, Macron, in an
address to the nation Wednesday, again said European troops could be sent to
Ukraine to ensure a peace deal was observed. He said a meeting would take place
"as early as next week" in Paris of "the chiefs of staff of the countries
wishing to take responsibility in this regard." The meeting will take place on
Tuesday in the presence of Macron, said the source, asking not to be named.
Further details on the format of the meeting were not immediately available. It
will be held on the sidelines of the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum, organized
over three days in the French capital by the defense academy of France's famed
Ecole Militaire military school. Warning that "Russia can no longer be trusted
to keep its word" after its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Macron in his
speech also said once a deal is signed, Ukraine's allies must make sure it is
"not invaded again by Russia."He reaffirmed that European military forces could
be sent to Ukraine if a peace accord was signed to guarantee "respect" of a
peace deal. A peace agreement for Ukraine would be backed "perhaps, by the
deployment of European forces," Macron said. "They won't go to fight today; they
won't go to fight on the front lines, but they would be there once a peace deal
is signed to guarantee it is fully respected," he said. Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov said Russia was unwavering in its opposition to the deployment of
European forces in Ukraine as peacekeepers, suggesting they would not be
impartial. "We see no room for compromise. This discussion is being held with an
overtly hostile aim," he added.
Norway to More Than Double Aid to Ukraine
This is Beirut/AFP/March 6, 2025
Norway will more than double its aid to Ukraine in 2025 to bring the annual
total to $7.8 billion, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced Thursday,
expressing concern that Russia was "heavily arming." "The Norwegian aid will
help Ukraine oppose Russia and (reinforce) the peace plan on which the European
countries are working," he said in a statement announcing the extra 50 billion
kroner ($4.5 billion/4.2 billion euros). "Russia's war of aggression against
Ukraine is in full swing, and Russia is heavily arming itself," Store said. The
announcement came as European Union leaders held a summit in Brussels to discuss
the Russia-Ukraine war and Europe's security amid concerns over relations with
the United States. Norway "associates itself with Europe to strengthen its
support for Ukraine," the prime minister added. "We are confronted with the most
serious security situation for Norway since World War II. It is a solid
Norwegian contribution to peace and stability in Ukraine and in Europe," added
Store. Norway's aid to Ukraine this year will now total 85 billion kroner. The
government said the increased aid had been agreed upon by political parties in
parliament. It added that aid to be granted up to 2030 will now total some 205
billion kroner. As a major oil producer, Norway has greatly benefited from
Russia's invasion of Ukraine as countries seek an alternative to Russian
supplies. It is also one of Ukraine's key supporters.
Vatican: Pope Francis Resting After 'Peaceful Night'
This is Beirut/ AFP/March 6, 2025
Pope Francis was "resting" Thursday after spending a "peaceful night", as he
nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia, the Vatican said. The 88-year-old
had used an oxygen mask overnight for a third time, the Holy See said. The
pontiff was hospitalized on February 14 at Rome's Gemelli hospital with
breathing difficulties but is now battling pneumonia in both lungs. Francis
missed the formal Ash Wednesday celebrations in Rome marking the start of Lent
but took part in a blessing in the private suite reserved for popes on the 10th
floor of the Gemelli. Christians across the globe celebrating Ash Wednesday
prayed for the pontiff's recovery, including in his native Argentina. Francis,
leader of the world's almost 1.4 billion Catholics, has not been seen in public
since his hospitalization, nor has the Vatican issued any photos, although he
has published several texts.
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on March 06-07/2025
Rebuilding Gaza is Pointless Unless Hamas is
Eradicated
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/March 6, 2025
The establishment of a new government in the Gaza Strip while Hamas maintains
its military capabilities there unfortunately will not work. Hamas's presence
during reconstruction will only result in the emergence of the Lebanon model:
Hezbollah, another Iranian proxy terror group, simply created a terrorist
state-within-a-state. Worse, having a new government that would oversee
reconstruction and humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip while Hamas is still
there would exempt the Palestinian terrorist group from its responsibilities
towards Gaza's residents. The new government would not be able to stop Hamas
from rearming, regrouping, and preparing more attacks against Israel -- as Hamas
has unremittingly vowed to do.
The new government would be busy rebuilding homes and skyscrapers and delivering
humanitarian aid, while Hamas and the other terror groups would have all the
time in the world to rebuild tunnels and manufacture weapons.
Hamas never cared about the well-being of the Palestinians under its rule in the
Gaza Strip. The terrorist group could have built schools, universities, and
hospitals. Instead, it chose to invest millions of dollars in building a vast
network of tunnels to attack Israel, smuggle and hide weapons, and torture
Israeli hostages.The reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the resumption of
humanitarian aid should be conditioned on the removal of Hamas from power and
disarming of all of Gaza's terror groups.
Hamas should be completely excluded from any plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip
because all it cares about is pursuing its Jihad (holy war) to destroy Israel
and murder as many Jews as possible.
As Arab and Western leaders continue to discuss plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip,
the ran-backed Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has again rejected laying down
its weapons. It is clear that the terrorist group is determined to hold on to
its weapons and its power, even if that entails depriving Gazans of
reconstruction and further humanitarian aid. Hamas must not only be removed from
power; it must disappear altogether.
As Arab and Western leaders continue to discuss plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip,
the ran-backed Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has again rejected laying down
its weapons.
For Hamas, preserving its weapons and military wing, Izz a-Din al-Qassam, is
apparently more important than the reconstruction of thousands of homes and
buildings destroyed during the Hamas-Israel war, which erupted after the
terrorist group's October 7, 2023, bloodthirsty attack on Israel.
"Disarming Hamas is a red line," senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri was quoted
as saying on March 4. He added that his group will not accept exchanging its
weapons for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the resumption of
humanitarian aid.
Abu Zuhri described the talk about Hamas's disarmament as "nonsense" and
stressed that weapons are a red line for Hamas and all terror factions in the
Gaza Strip. "The weapons are not subject to bargaining and are not up for
discussion or negotiation," he said.
His remarks have been echoed by several other Hamas officials who emphasized in
recent statements their total rejection to disarm.
The officials also stressed that Hamas is opposed to the deportation of its
members from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said that Israel's demand that his group be
evacuated from the Gaza Strip is "ridiculous psychological warfare." He added:
"[Hamas's] withdrawal [from Gaza] or disarming is unacceptable."
Hamas's statements are directed not only towards Israel and the US, which
support the idea of disarming the terror group and removing it from power, but
also to the Arab countries that are talking about reconstructing the Gaza Strip
and establishing a new governing body there.
The heads of several Arab states met in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on March
4, at an Arab League summit, to discuss plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip.
According to Reuters, the Arab leaders were to discuss an Egyptian plan that
would see the creation of a "Governance Assistance Mission" that would replace
Hamas in the Gaza Strip for an unspecified interim period, and would be
responsible for humanitarian aid and for starting reconstruction of the coastal
enclave.
The establishment of a new government in the Gaza Strip while Hamas maintains
its military capabilities there unfortunately will not work. Hamas's presence
during reconstruction will only result in the emergence of the Lebanon model:
Hezbollah, another Iranian proxy terror group, simply created a terrorist
state-within-a-state.
If the alleged Egyptian plan materializes, it will allow Hamas to function as a
parallel political and military power alongside the proposed Governance
Assistance Mission in the Gaza Strip.
Worse, having a new government that would oversee reconstruction and
humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip while Hamas is still there would exempt
the Palestinian terrorist group from its responsibilities towards Gaza's
residents. The new government would not be able to stop Hamas from rearming,
regrouping, and preparing more attacks against Israel -- as Hamas has
unremittingly vowed to do.
The new government would be busy rebuilding homes and skyscrapers and delivering
humanitarian aid, while Hamas and the other terror groups would have all the
time in the world to rebuild tunnels and manufacture weapons.
If the Arabs are genuinely eager to help the residents of the Gaza Strip, they
need to insist on disarming Hamas and removing it from power. The Palestinian
Authority (PA), which has expressed readiness to return to the Gaza Strip, must
also make the same demand.
Bringing the PA back to the Gaza Strip is also not a great idea. The PA ruled
the Gaza Strip between 1994 and 2007, but failed to rein in Hamas and other
terror groups, including the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). As a
result, Hamas became so strong that it managed to seize full control of the Gaza
Strip, and violently overthrow the PA in the summer of 2007.
Anyone who believes that PA President Mahmoud Abbas will order his security
forces to crack down on the terror groups should he return to the Gaza Strip is
living on a different planet. The PA security forces have failed to prevent the
emergence of dozens of Iran-backed terror groups in the northern West Bank over
the past few years. Late last year, an attempt by the PA security forces to
disarm dozens of Hamas and PIJ gunmen in Jenin Refugee Camp in the northern West
Bank was unsuccessful, prompting the Israel Defense Forces to launch a major
counterterrorism operation there and in two other camps.
Hamas never cared about the well-being of the Palestinians under its rule in the
Gaza Strip. The terrorist group could have built schools, universities, and
hospitals. Instead, it chose to invest millions of dollars in building a vast
network of tunnels to attack Israel, smuggle and hide weapons, and torture
Israeli hostages.
Moreover, Hamas chose to invest many millions of dollars in manufacturing and
smuggling weapons, including rockets, missiles, and explosive devices that were
used to attack Israel -- before and after the October 7 massacre.
Hamas and its patrons in Iran have brought nothing but death and destruction on
the Palestinians, both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The reconstruction
of the Gaza Strip and the resumption of humanitarian aid should be conditioned
on the removal of Hamas from power and disarming of all of Gaza's terror groups.
Hamas should be completely excluded from any plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip
because all it cares about is pursuing its Jihad (holy war) to destroy Israel
and murder as many Jews as possible. Under Hamas, the Gaza Strip has been
transformed into one of the largest and most dangerous bases for Jihad in the
Middle East, posing a threat not only to Israel, but also to neighboring Arab
countries, including Egypt and Jordan.
In light of the latest statements by senior Hamas officials, it is clear that
the terrorist group is determined to hold on to its weapons and its power, even
if that entails depriving the Gaza Strip's residents of reconstruction and
further humanitarian aid. Hamas must not only be removed from power; it must
disappear altogether.
*Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.
*Follow Khaled Abu Toameh on X (formerly Twitter)
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What is Being 'Cooked Up' for Sudan in Nairobi
Osman Mirghani/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 06/2025
Without any of the rapture seen when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and a number
of political and civil society groups signed the “Sudan Founding Charter” in
Nairobi last month, it was announced that the signatories had agreed to a
transitional constitution that document adopts secularism, calls for the
formation of a new army composed of RSF forces, and dividing the country into
eight regions, some of which are granted the right to self-determination in
certain cases.
There was no rapture because Kenyan President William Ruto’s government angered
Sudan and sparked protests. It was also opposed domestically, with Kenyan
politicians and activists denouncing their government’s decision to embrace the
RSF and its allies given its record of human rights violations. Moreover,
holding these meetings in Nairobi sets a dangerous precedent that legitimizes
non-state actors seeking to establish a parallel government. In hosting them,
the Kenyan government has blatantly violated another country’s sovereignty and
international and regional agreements.
In reality, all the arrangements being “cooked up” in Nairobi seem geared
towards boosting the RSF’s standing and cover for its successive defeats: the
loss of its positions in Al-Jazira, central Sudan, other areas on the eastern
and southern outskirts, then Khartoum. Indeed, all the RSF has left is its
stronghold in Darfur and pockets in Kordofan. In response to these losses, the
RSF leadership and its backers have sought new allies, specifically the Sudan
People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu and the
faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur. While
the RSF has managed to reach an agreement with the former, on his terms,
progress on a deal with the latter remains stalled.
As the RSF leadership and its allies scrambled to get Hilu on their side at any
cost, his terms left a clear mark on the talks in Nairobi. In addition to the
adoption of his stance on secularism, which has become a central feature of the
transition constitution, his imprint is also evident in the provision concerning
the division of Sudan’s states and how certain regions were redrawn. A crisis
was sparked, with protests erupting in West Kordofan, as soon as news spread
that the document included the abolition of West Kordofan State, which is split
between North and South Kordofan (renamed the Nuba Mountains Region).
The expectation is that the transitional constitution will be followed by the
formation of a parallel government. Its proponents sometimes claim this
government will be formed to facilitate the delivery of services in RSF-controlled
areas, and at others, they suggest that the goal is to challenge the legitimacy
of the current government. Meanwhile, some of their supporters go so far as to
present it as a government that will lay the foundations of a new Sudan,
allowing the country to rise from the ashes of what they call "the 1956 state"
(the year the country obtained its independence).
I do not know what legitimacy the supporters of this parallel government hope to
attain. Do destruction, killing, rape, looting, and the displacement of citizens
from their homes reinforce one’s legitimacy? Even the talk of challenging the
current government's legitimacy becomes untenable when we consider the scenes we
have repeatedly seen in various regions. Across the country, the people chant
"One army... one people" and celebrate each time an area is liberated from the
RSF.
Moreover, as the transitional constitution was being signed in Nairobi, General
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was attending the emergency Arab summit in Cairo,
representing Sudan as the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and the head of
its internationally recognized government. That is, no parallel government will
not receive recognition. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt,
Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Somalia, and Türkiye, swiftly rebuffed this parallel
government, while the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations
expressed concerns over actions that could aggravate the crisis further,
reaffirming their support for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Furthermore, even Darfur, which the Nairobi talks are rumored to be seeking to
carve out into a separate entity as part of a project to divide Sudan, is not
entirely under RSF control, nor is its population loyal to the group or willing
to accept its government. The RSF has a bloody history in Darfur, and its
horrific crimes, like burying Masalit people alive, remain fresh in memory, as
do its massacres of particular ethnic groups- atrocities documented by
international organizations that have compelled several countries to condemn the
RSF for its crimes against humanity, genocide, and ethnic cleansing. Moreover,
several factions and communities from Darfur have opposed the RSF and joined the
army.
The fact is that even if this parallel government is formed, it has no hope of
making the breakthrough its proponents hope for, nor will it ever receive the
recognition they dream of. More importantly, it would not hinder the army’s
advance. If anything, the formation of this government could strengthen the
army’s resolve and its determination to reclaim the areas that remain outside of
its control and hasten incursions into RSF-controlled territories in Darfur. If
anything good has come from the plans being cooked up in Nairobi, it is that the
process has brought several matters to light and left all the cards on the
table. Now, the battle lines have been drawn, and the real motives of those who
support, host, finance, and back the conspiracy against Sudan have been exposed.
This conspiracy, however, is on course to defeat as the army and its allies
continue to advance, with the people, or most of them, rallying behind the
military in this decisive battle.
Why the Gulf must evolve or risk becoming obsolete
Adrian Monck/Arab News/March 06, 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Seha Virtual Hospital is more than just a breakthrough in medical
innovation. As patients receive artificial intelligence-powered diagnoses from
home — leapfrogging half a century of infrastructure development in a single
technological stride — we are witnessing more than just a healthcare revolution.
This is a nation actively shaping its post-petroleum future. This leapfrogging
strategy mirrors the breakthroughs unfolding in a cutting-edge Parisian lab,
where GenBio scientists are not just discovering new drugs — they are rendering
the pharmaceutical industry’s plodding timeline obsolete. Their AI organism,
AIDO, simulates millions of molecular interactions, transforming decades of
research into mere days. GenBio’s genius, however, lies in its geographic
arbitrage: European scientific rigor, Silicon Valley’s capital engine, and Abu
Dhabi’s ambition form an innovation triangle that the Gulf states would be
foolish to ignore. The Gulf is at a crossroads familiar to anyone who has ever
faced obsolescence. The vast oil wealth — the economic miracle that transformed
desert kingdoms into global financial powers — now carries an expiration date.
The carbon economy is terminal, even if the patient can still sit up in bed. Its
leaders understand this with a clarity that eludes many in the West: adapt or
die. The UAE has launched Falcon 2, its home-grown generative AI model. Not
content with importing foreign technology, Abu Dhabi is building its own. Why?
Because buying innovation keeps you permanently second-rate. It is the
difference between owning the means of production and merely consuming what
others create. History judges harshly those who miss technological inflection
points. The Ottoman Empire, once the world’s superpower, failed to embrace the
printing press for political and religious reasons. Within centuries, it was
dismembered by European countries that used the technology to accelerate
learning and innovation. Today’s printing press is AI, and those who master it
will write tomorrow’s rules. The Gulf’s advantages are substantial: centralized
decision-making that cuts through bureaucratic dithering, sovereign wealth that
can fund ambitious projects, and, most crucially, freedom from legacy systems.
When Kenya introduced M-Pesa mobile payments, it vaulted past the Western
banking model because it had no established infrastructure to protect.
Similarly, the Gulf can implement AI-native systems without fighting entrenched
interests.
But ambition alone is insufficient. A 2024 Boston Consulting Group study found
the Gulf’s digital maturity below global averages despite showcase projects and
splashy conferences. The region suffers from a crippling talent shortage,
fragmented data infrastructure, and an innovation ecosystem that remains more
aspirational than actual. Too many initiatives remain gleaming facades without
functioning interiors.
What would real transformation look like?
First, a talent revolution. Like GenBio, which draws researchers from several
continents, the Gulf needs diverse intellectual capital. China’s AI surge came
when thousands of engineers educated at Stanford and MIT returned home. The Gulf
needs to create similar knowledge pipelines — not just importing foreign experts
but developing sovereign technical capability. Without this, every vision
statement is merely an expensive wish list. The Gulf must leverage its “no
legacy” advantage. New hospitals, government services, and urban developments
should be AI-native, not retrofitted. Second, the Gulf must leverage its “no
legacy” advantage. New hospitals, government services, and urban developments
should be AI-native, not retrofitted. When Estonia gained independence in 1991,
it rejected Finland’s free analogue telephone system, opting instead for a
digital-first future. Such bold choices separate visionaries from managers.
Third, rather than diffusing efforts across every AI domain, the Gulf should
target strategic niches where its unique position offers advantages. Saudi
Arabia could dominate in AI for energy optimization and climate adaptation —
areas where its experience and challenges provide unparalleled datasets. The UAE
might focus on supply chain optimization and Arabic language AI, addressing
market gaps ignored by Western developers. The fundamental question is whether
Gulf leadership possesses the intellectual courage to build truly new systems
rather than shiny versions of Western ones. GenBio succeeded because it did not
replicate existing pharmaceutical models — it reimagined them entirely. The Gulf
must do the same with its economies and institutions. Singapore’s Smart Nation
initiative works because it integrates technologies into an overarching vision
rather than treating them as separate showpieces. Every sensor, algorithm, and
database serves a coordinated purpose. This systemic thinking remains rare in
the Gulf, where too many projects exist in isolation.
When Kenya revolutionized mobile banking, it was not because the government
announced grand plans — it was because regulators allowed an ecosystem to
emerge, stepping back as telecom companies, banks, and startups collaborated to
solve real problems. The Gulf’s top-down approach to innovation often
substitutes announcement for achievement. Time is not the Gulf’s ally. The
window for technological leapfrogging closes rapidly as AI infrastructure
solidifies globally. Two futures await: one where Saudi Arabia and the UAE
become dynamic centers of innovation, exporting solutions rather than just
importing them; another where they remain wealthy consumers of technology
developed elsewhere, perpetually one step behind. The latter is not merely
suboptimal — it is fatal in a post-oil world. The achievements in Riyadh and Abu
Dhabi today are no mere modernization projects; they are early indicators of
whether these nations can reinvent themselves. The question is not whether they
can transform — it is whether they are bold enough to create rather than copy,
to lead rather than follow.
The answer may determine whether the Gulf’s moment in history extends beyond the
age of oil.
• Adrian Monck is a senior adviser at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of
Artificial Intelligence and authors the geopolitics newsletter, Seven Things.
Trump bullish but America divided
Dr. Amal Mudallali/Arab News/March 06, 2025
President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that “America is back” at the start
of his first speech to a joint session of Congress in his second term. He
proclaimed: “America’s momentum is back. Our spirit is back. Our pride is back.
Our confidence is back,” before adding that the American dream is “unstoppable.”But
a look at the headlines of the last few days shows a different America and a
different world than the one the president boasted about. The country is split
down the middle about his policies and that was visually obvious during the
speech to Congress. The Department of Government Efficiency and its leader Elon
Musk are under attack by Democrats and government employees who have lost their
jobs. The opposition, Congress and the courts are battling the president in what
some have dubbed a constitutional crisis over the president’s authority. The
relationship between the US and its neighbors is tense due to the president’s
tariffs against Canada and Mexico, while China is threatening a trade war. There
are fears over the long-term damage being to America’s relations with its
neighbors and to global trade.
The relationship with America’s allies in Europe, America’s closest allies and
NATO partners, is rife with tension over the war in Ukraine, how best to end it
and how to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his speech, the
president presented a different picture on all these issues and events on the
ground show that his strategy is winning so far. The president invited Musk to
his congressional speech and praised him for the accomplishments of the
Department of Government Efficiency, which has been tasked with overhauling the
federal government. Musk and his team have been making drastic cuts to federal
agencies, leading to job cuts, the elimination of agencies like the US Agency
for International Development and funding freezes, fueling protests and an
outcry by Democrats. Several of the federal employees who have lost their jobs
were in the gallery as guests of the Democrats. The president said Musk is
“working very hard. He didn’t need this” and was not apologetic about the work
of the department.
While the president boasted about his success in securing the border, his tariff
battle with America’s neighbors is capturing the headlines. The tariffs have
caused a crisis in America’s relationship with Canada and Mexico and are
threatening to upend global trade, while affecting the livelihoods of everyday
Americans. Experts are warning that the tariffs could lead to greater inflation
and affect the president’s domestic and economic agendas, while causing
recessions in Canada and Mexico.
But Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the crisis with the two
neighbors may be resolved this week and Trump will “probably” announce a deal
that will reduce the tariffs, following lengthy phone calls between their
representatives and the commerce secretary.
The dispute between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his
European allies also seems on its way to being resolved. The president softened
his tone after he received an “important letter” and expression of regret by
Zelensky over the Oval Office argument with the American president and Vice
President J.D. Vance. The letter expressed Ukraine’s willingness to come “to the
negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” President
Trump said as he read from it. Trump also quoted the Ukrainian president
assuring him that he was ready to sign the “agreement on minerals and
security.”The US president did not back down from his intention to “reclaim” the
Panama Canal or shy away from a new expansionist foreign policy. As proof that
Trump’s strategy seems to be working, it emerged that a consortium of companies
including American investment firm BlackRock was set to buy shares from the Hong
Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings that would give it control of the ports at
either end of the canal. This would give Trump, who raised the alarm about
potential Chinese interference with shipping operations in the strategic canal,
a victory. Greenland is also still in the sights of the American president.
After telling Greenland, “we strongly support your right to determine your own
future,” he said: “One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” citing its
vitality to American and international security. But the response from
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede was categoric. “We are not for sale
and cannot be taken. Our future will be decided by us in Greenland,” he wrote
after the speech.
The Democrats seemed more like students protesting in the streets than a
political party that has a strategy. Trump did not say much about the Middle
East, except to speak of the Abraham Accords that were agreed in his first term,
which he described as “one of the most groundbreaking peace agreements in
generations.” He said a “lot of things are happening in the Middle East … a
rough neighborhood, actually.”
But his administration seems to have already rejected the plan for rebuilding
Gaza that was approved by the Arab summit in Cairo this week. National Security
Council spokesman Brian Hughes told The Times of Israel that Trump “stands by
his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas.” He added that the Arab plan “does
not address the reality that Gaza is currently uninhabitable and residents
cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance.”
But he kept the door open for more talks “to bring peace and prosperity to the
region.”
Does Trump’s agenda have the backing of the American people, whether
domestically or on foreign policy? He spoke to a divided country. The Congress
chamber looked like a split screen, with Republicans standing up and cheering
and Democrats sitting down and protesting with signs like “it’s a lie,” “resist”
and “Musk steals.” But the Democrats seemed more like students protesting in the
streets than a political party that has a strategy or a roadmap on how to oppose
Trump’s agenda.
The president said more Americans now believe that the country is going in the
right direction. At least one poll supported this statement, with 47 percent of
Americans believing this, up 10 points from December, as Newsweek reported. The
Democrats are not seen as a credible opposition with a strategy, while the
president is on a winning streak and he is “just getting started,” as he said in
his speech.
**Dr. Amal Mudallali is an international affairs adviser for Think and a former
Lebanese ambassador to the UN.
The silver lining of Trump’s harsh policies
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg/Arab News/March 06, 2025
The verbal brawl with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House last Friday was
extreme in the annals of diplomacy. US President Donald Trump and Vice President
J.D. Vance took turns excoriating the Ukrainian president, who did not hold back
either. The public display was probably unprecedented, but it was revealing
about the new administration’s foreign policy going forward. Zelensky appeared
shocked by the biting candor, despite many signals that the US had had enough of
supporting Ukraine. In the transactional mood of the White House, that support
was not paying off. Trump had made it plain that he was not going to continue
helping Ukraine without a substantial quid pro quo. On Tuesday, Trump shed more
light on his approach to both domestic and foreign policies. He gave a
100-minute-long speech before Congress, the longest by any president in decades.
Political opponents and others have been busy fact-checking his remarks, but
regardless of its factual veracity the speech unveiled some aspects of his
likely approach in the coming four years.
Like other parts of the world, people in the Gulf have been watching
developments in Washington with a mixture of shock, awe and apprehension, but
also with hope that this administration will be more decisive and transparent
than the previous one. The policies seem to be based on a mixture of
mercantilism, transactionalism, realism and Trumpism. It is strangely refreshing
that this administration is prioritizing its own interests and saying so
publicly, instead of claiming to uphold some lofty principles. Take the war in
Gaza. The Biden administration claimed to be upholding international
humanitarian law, but it nevertheless continued to provide Israel with the
lethal means to carry out the genocide and total destruction of Gaza. It engaged
in protracted, unsuccessful negotiations, which Israel used as cover for
intensifying its onslaught. This region being obsessed with conspiracy theories,
people thought that the failure of the negotiations was intentional, especially
when Trump’s team was able to cobble together a deal in just a few days.
Since his inauguration on Jan. 20, President Trump has been true to his campaign
promises, even when they are not popular. He took a sledgehammer and eliminated
whole departments, cut them drastically or merged them with other agencies.
Thousands of undocumented immigrants were rounded up and summarily deported. It
is true that Trump has reversed some long-standing US policies, but in some
cases more in style and degree than in essence. Examples include industrial
policy, foreign aid, security assistance and Middle East policy.
Addressing Congress on Tuesday, Trump made his case for tariffs, saying friend
and foe alike impose tariffs on US exports and arguing for reciprocal tariffs,
which he said will kick in on April 2. He wants to impose the same tariffs on
imports from foreign countries as those nations impose on US exports. “If you
don’t make your product in America … under the Trump administration, you will
pay a tariff and in some cases a rather large one,” he said. He mentioned the
EU, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Korea and Canada, which “have used
tariffs against us for decades and now it’s our turn … That’s reciprocal, back
and forth. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them.”
While the Trump administration is publicizing its high-tariff policy, the
previous administration, without a lot of fanfare, continued to impose the
prohibitive tariffs levied by the first Trump administration. Gulf Cooperation
Council aluminum and steel exports to the US were among those heavily taxed. The
Biden administration adopted an industrial policy in the form of tariffs and
subsidies that was at odds with long-standing US opposition to such
interventions in the market, essentially picking winners and losers. It
justified it on national security grounds.
The 2022 National Security Strategy outlined a number of subsidy schemes, some
worth hundreds of billions of dollars, allocated for specific industries it
believed would help the US catch up with China. For a long time, the US stood
firm against subsidies on principle, but the Biden administration abandoned that
position, paving the way for such a Trump-style industrial policy.
From the point of view of some developing countries, this US reversal on
industrial policy is welcome, because it allows them to also strengthen their
industrial policies through generous subsidies for local producers and high
tariffs on imports.
However, this regression to mercantilism and beggar-thy-neighbor policies is
posing a threat to the international trading system and is likely to be a drag
on growth in the future. For the GCC and other oil and gas-producing regions,
that is bad news, because they thrive when the world economy is healthy. When it
comes to foreign aid, there has been a common thread in American politics that
exaggerates how much the US gives to poor countries. In total, the US gave $68
billion in 2023, or about 0.24 percent of its gross domestic product. That rate
is much less than the UN-recommended minimum of 0.7 percent of GDP and much less
than most other wealthy countries. Much of the aid is security-targeted. For
example, Ukraine got 25 percent of all aid. Israel and its neighbors got another
10 percent. In that year, aid declined by more than 10 percent.
It is true that Trump has reversed some long-standing US policies, but in some
cases more in style and degree than in essence. The Trump administration is
signaling that security assistance will be based on reciprocity. But for the GCC
countries, that has always been the case. They have paid full price for all the
weapons and help they received, so if the administration were to apply that
across the board, it would be welcome. The changes in security assistance and
the uncertain security commitment of the US are creating anxieties, while also
producing healthy reactions. The UK has decided to increase its defense spending
and so have other beneficiaries of US security commitments. Trump is asking NATO
partners to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, but that level
is normal in the Gulf.
Perhaps the biggest visible change in US foreign policy is in the Middle East.
Trump has proposed deporting the Palestinian population from Gaza, then
rebuilding it but never allowing them to return. This proposal was rejected by
almost every country around the world because it would constitute a war crime if
done by force. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Arab partners to come up
with an alternative. This was done at Tuesday’s extraordinary Arab summit in
Cairo, which adopted a $53 billion plan to rebuild Gaza. President Abdel Fattah
El-Sisi of Egypt hosted the summit. He said at the opening session that he was
looking forward to working with the Trump administration to implement the agreed
Gaza plan, together with the UN and other international organizations. In other
words, Trump’s unrealistic idea focused the minds and helped produce a credible
plan, and quickly.
What is important is the substance of US policies, whether in the Middle East,
on multilateralism or on security commitments, and not the style. The Trump
administration’s in-your-face style could make it easier for some countries to
make decisions, including on security partnerships and arms procurement. Trump’s
declared commitment to ending all wars is also to be commended. Peace in
Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank is long overdue. **Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is
the GCC assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation. The
views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily represent those of the
GCC. X: @abuhamad1
Why Syria-Jordan relationship is key to regional stability
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/March 06, 2025
The meeting between the Syrian Arab Republic’s new leader, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and
Jordan’s King Abdullah in Amman last week marked a turning point in the evolving
relationship between the two nations. With Syria undergoing a transition, the
support and cooperation of neighboring Jordan have taken on newfound importance.
Jordan, having long played a significant role in regional diplomacy and
security, reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Syria in its recovery and
reintegration. The strengthening of this relationship is not only vital for
Syria’s reconstruction but also for regional stability, economic growth and
security cooperation. For more than a decade, Amman has navigated the fallout of
the Syrian conflict, which has profoundly affected both nations. Jordan, which
shares a 375-km border with Syria, has borne the brunt of war-induced
challenges, from the mass influx of refugees to increased security threats and
disruptions in trade. King Abdullah’s meeting with Syria’s new leadership
signals a renewed willingness to engage with Damascus and support its
reintegration into the Arab world. King Abdullah emphasized the need for Syria
to restore sovereignty and stability. This endorsement from Jordan carries
weight, as it underscores Amman’s broader strategy of supporting regional
stability while ensuring that Syria does not become a breeding ground for
extremist elements or organized crime.
The resumption of strong bilateral ties is not merely a diplomatic gesture, it
also reflects a deeper recognition that Syria’s recovery is in Jordan’s best
interest. The two nations are inextricably linked by geography, economy and
security concerns, making their cooperation essential to meet both immediate
challenges and long-term stability.
One of the most pressing concerns for both countries is border security. Over
the past decade, the Syrian-Jordanian border has become a hotspot for arms
smuggling, drug trafficking and the movement of extremist groups. A key issue
has been the trafficking of captagon, a powerful amphetamine that has flooded
regional markets. Jordanian security forces have intercepted large shipments
originating from Syria. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the two
nations in January committed to strengthening border security through
intelligence-sharing, joint military patrols and enhanced surveillance.
Beyond countering narcotics, Syria and Jordan also share concerns about
extremist groups attempting to regroup and establish footholds in border
regions. Jordan has long been wary of Daesh and other factions exploiting
instability in Syria to launch attacks. To address this, the two countries can
work on bolstering counterterrorism cooperation, ensuring that militant networks
are dismantled before they pose a wider regional threat.
Furthermore, the Syrian conflict severely disrupted economic ties between the
two countries, causing billions of dollars in trade losses. Before the war,
Jordan served as a crucial transit hub for Syrian goods, while Syrian exports —
ranging from textiles to agricultural products — were a staple in Jordanian
markets. The war upended these economic flows, forcing businesses on both sides
to seek alternative, often less profitable, markets. Now, as Syria embarks on
reconstruction, economic cooperation with Jordan is most likely poised to
accelerate. The reopening of border crossings and trade routes will not only
benefit Syria’s battered economy but also provide Jordan with new investment and
trade opportunities. In other words, by easing trade restrictions and
harmonizing customs procedures, both nations stand to regain lost economic
momentum.
Infrastructure projects also hold significant potential. Jordan’s well-developed
transport network could serve as a vital artery for Syrian goods reaching
international markets. Similarly, Syrian labor — once a key component of
Jordan’s workforce — could again play a role in Jordan’s construction and
agriculture sectors. Increased trade and investment will help both nations
recover from the economic stagnation imposed by years of instability.
It is important to note that Syria’s energy infrastructure suffered immense
damage during the war, leaving many areas in dire need of electricity and fuel.
Jordan, which has developed its energy sector in recent years, could emerge as a
key supplier for Syria. Last week’s talks between Amman and Damascus explored
the possibility of Jordan supplying Syria with electricity and gas, a move that
would provide immediate relief to Syrian households and industries while
strengthening economic ties between the two governments.
Beyond energy, reconstruction efforts present another avenue for cooperation.
Jordanian companies, particularly in construction and engineering, have the
expertise needed for Syria’s rebuilding efforts. Facilitating Jordanian
investment in Syrian infrastructure projects would not only aid Syria’s recovery
but also create economic incentives for sustained collaboration. In addition,
Jordan has been one of the main destinations for Syrian refugees, with the
country hosting an estimated 1.3 million of them. While Jordan has provided
shelter, education and healthcare to these displaced people, the strain on its
economy and resources has been immense. The return of Syrian refugees is a
sensitive issue, requiring careful coordination between the two governments and
the international community. King Abdullah’s meeting with Syria’s new leadership
signals a renewed willingness to engage with Damascus.
Ensuring safe and voluntary repatriation is paramount. Many refugees remain
hesitant about returning due to concerns about security, economic opportunities
and political stability. For this reason, Jordan and Syria can work together to
create the conditions that could encourage returnees, including rebuilding
housing, providing employment opportunities and ensuring legal protections.
International organizations can also play a role in supporting reintegration
efforts, ensuring that returning refugees have access to education, healthcare
and social services. Finally, the strengthening of Syrian-Jordanian relations
goes beyond bilateral concerns. It has broader implications for Middle Eastern
stability, particularly in an era of shifting alliances and regional
realignments. Jordan’s engagement with Syria could pave the way for Damascus’
further reintegration into the Arab diplomatic fold, fostering constructive
engagement with neighboring countries. In conclusion, for Jordan, a stable Syria
is critical to its long-term security and economic well-being. For Syria,
Jordan’s backing offers a bridge to the international community and a pathway to
rebuilding its shattered economy and infrastructure. The mutual benefits of
cooperation are clear and both nations have compelling reasons to sustain their
renewed partnership. As Syria’s new government seeks to stabilize the country
and reestablish its role in the region, Jordan’s support will be indispensable.
By working together on security, trade, energy and humanitarian initiatives,
Syria and Jordan can not only enhance their own national interests but also
contribute to a more stable and prosperous Middle East. The path ahead will
require diplomatic finesse and practical cooperation, but if both nations commit
to sustained engagement, their partnership could serve as a model for regional
resilience and recovery.
**Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political
scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh
Why Europe is not taken seriously on the world stage
Khaled Abou Zahr/Arab News/March 06, 2025
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelensky each visited the White House for discussions with
US President Donald Trump last week. European security and the war in Ukraine
were at the top of the agenda. While Starmer and Macron’s visits were marked
with strained smiles, Zelensky’s visit was heated. As a Middle Easterner, I
cannot help but link them all together. Whether the cards were badly played or
not, the main outcome of these visits has been an increased conversation
surrounding putting forward a French-UK nuclear umbrella to protect Europe and
to replace the US. This is a European reaction to what they consider to be
America’s abandonment of the old continent. Trump has set out a clear path to US
protection: it can no longer be granted, it will have to be deserved. In short,
there will be no free ride. It is blunt and tough, but clear and fair.It has
been entertaining to see Europe’s reaction to this new US rule, especially as it
has been very similar to its reaction to the UK’s Brexit. London and Paris
bickered through that bad breakup but are now once again cozying up as if it
never happened. And this probably should be the lesson to learn. The
overreaction of Europe to Brexit should not be repeated in the situation between
Europe and the US. To misquote a play, Europe should not once again act as a
“woman scorned.”
It is not a bad thing for Europe to seek to mutualize and strengthen its defense
and security. Funnily enough, this is exactly what Trump has been requesting
since his first presidency, especially when it comes to military budgets. Beyond
the rhetoric, there is a core difference in what losing to Russia would mean for
the US and Europe. Washington sees it the same way as its exit from Afghanistan
or any other theater, while Europe sees it as the beginning of its invasion and
war. Who is right? And can Europe be protected by the UK and France’s nuclear
umbrella instead of America’s?
France’s nuclear arsenal is estimated at about 290 warheads, with approximately
280 operational. Since the time of Charles de Gaulle, it has maintained a
“strict sufficiency” policy in terms of its sovereign deterrence. If we go into
a little more detail, its capabilities are divided between four Triomphant-class
submarines, each capable of carrying 16 ballistic missiles. At least one of
these submarines is always on patrol to provide a continuous maritime
deterrence. However, the bulk is the 40 nuclear-capable Rafale jets. France is
actively modernizing its forces, upgrading submarines while researching a new
air-launched missile. The UK has an estimated 225 warheads, yet it relies solely
on a sea-based nuclear deterrent. It has four Vanguard-class submarines that can
each carry up to 12 nuclear warheads. Just like France, the UK consistently has
at least one submarine at sea. It is also looking to transition to a new class
of submarines in the 2030s.The Lancaster House Treaties, signed in 2010,
deepened the military collaboration between the UK and France. They established
close defense and security cooperation between the two countries. Nuclear
collaboration is a part of these treaties and includes cooperation on nuclear
warhead testing and aircraft carriers.
This is undoubtedly the point from which any collaboration could be extended.
And while European defense comes to mind, this framework allows Paris and London
to maintain their national sovereignty and has not mutualized it.
The joint UK-France nuclear deterrence is modest but still credible, even when
compared to Russia. This joint nuclear deterrence is modest but still credible,
even when compared to Russia, which has an arsenal of some 5,580 warheads. It is
also close to China’s stockpile of about 500, although Beijing’s is growing.
Even under the UK and France’s umbrella, Europe has a much less clear-cut
deterrent without the support of America’s 5,044 warheads. Yet, with nuclear
power, it is more about the will to act than the numbers that create the
deterrence. So, when and how would this capability be used? How clear can they
make it to any aggressor that any attack on European soil would lead to strong
military action? And how credible would it be to the aggressor?
Any European enemy will look to play on its disunity. It will look to divide.
Hence, it will convey messages that powerful countries will be spared from any
attack. It will look to minimize the threat of its aggression. It will look to
play one country off against the other.
Europe’s first test will be to bypass bureaucracy. Indeed, integrating France’s
nuclear power into a broader European framework would require immense policy
shifts and a new legal framework. Moreover, the UK’s nuclear weapons are
integrated within NATO. This all complicates any unilateral European initiative
and is a true test of Europe’s resolve. In short, if the will is there, there is
a way. And so, here lies the European dilemma. It has united against the US, or
more precisely against Trump. In reality, if Europe believes, as all its leaders
now state, that it needs to build up its own defense, then it should have done
so before the war in Ukraine reached this stage. This is why Europe is not taken
seriously. It is indeed acting like a woman scorned, but unfortunately its wrath
is far from “hell hath no fury.”
**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.
Global Trade War... Trump's Tariffs Upsetting the World
Maurice Matta/This is Beirut/March 06/2025
In his longest-ever speech before Congress, US President Donald Trump addressed
several domestic and foreign issues, calling for the beginning of the “America’s
Golden Age” and the strengthening of its sovereignty and independence. He
emphasized that the United States “will remain free and independent.”
As he delivered his speech, Trump repeatedly mocked his Democratic opponents and
insisted that the tariffs he imposed on various countries would make the US
"rich and great again," even if they caused "some disruptions" in the US
economy. For Trump, tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs; they
are about safeguarding the "spirit of the United States." He also warned that
companies manufacturing their products outside the US would have to pay tariffs,
which in some cases would be "very high," as part of his effort to end what he
considers "unfair trade practices."
Since taking office on January 20, 2025—and even before that—Trump has waged a
trade war against US trading partners, starting with China, Canada, and Mexico,
and extending to threats against the European Union and other countries. Upon
assuming office, Trump quickly followed through on his threats. In early
February, he signed an executive order imposing additional tariffs of 25% on
imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on imports from China. Even close US
allies like the United Kingdom and the European Union were not spared, as Trump
announced that European products would soon be subjected to tariffs as well.
This time, however, the situation is different. Trump's new tariffs impact
nearly $1.5 trillion in annual imports. Notably, his move raises tariffs on US
imports to their highest levels since 1943, according to the Budget Lab at Yale
University. The tariffs will have significant consequences for businesses that
rely on global supply chains. Superficially, Trump has expressed a strong
preference for using tariffs to boost the economy and support domestic
industries while increasing government revenue. However, in reality, these
measures are widely seen as a means of pressuring countries into negotiations
through economic threats.
A US-China Trade War!
President Trump made it clear: The US will impose reciprocal tariffs on its
trade partners starting April 2. This announcement came just days after he
signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%, citing
Beijing’s failure to combat fentanyl trafficking. This executive order raised
tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%, as Trump had previously pledged.
In response, China quickly imposed additional tariffs of up to 15% on certain US
goods and added ten companies to its "unreliable entities" list. This came after
an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods went into effect at midnight last
Monday-Tuesday.
China’s new tariffs, set to take effect on March 10, include a 15% tariff on
poultry, wheat, corn, cotton, and a 10% tariff on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef,
fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and seafood. China's Ministry of Commerce
and Customs Administration also announced export controls on several key
minerals—tungsten, tellurium, ruthenium, molybdenum, and ruthenium-related
elements—citing national security concerns, according to The Guardian.
Meanwhile, China’s Tariff Commission argued that "the unilateral tariff hikes by
the US undermine the multilateral trading system, increase burdens on American
businesses and consumers, and erode the foundation of US-China economic and
trade cooperation." China is now preparing to file a complaint with the World
Trade Organization (WTO) against the latest US tariffs.
Tariffs on Canada and Mexico
In response to Trump's 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, Canada
retaliated by imposing tariffs on $107 billion worth of US goods. The first
phase includes a 25% tariff on $20.6 billion in US exports, with the second
phase—set to take effect in three weeks—applying the same rate to an additional
$86.32 billion in goods, including cars, trucks, steel, and aluminum.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also announced retaliatory tariffs on US
imports, set to be revealed on Sunday. Earlier this week, Trump declared that
Mexico and Canada had "no way out" of the tariff increases.
The White House justified the move, stating that Mexico and Canada’s failure to
curb drug trafficking and cooperate with US law enforcement posed a threat to
national security. This raises questions about the future of the trade agreement
Trump negotiated during his first term.
In the past few hours, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick hinted that the
Trump administration might introduce measures to ease tariffs on Canadian and
Mexican imports—just one day after they took effect. However, he did not specify
what these measures might entail and dismissed the possibility of eliminating
the tariffs entirely. Instead, he pointed to the existing trade agreement
between the US, Mexico, and Canada that was negotiated during Trump's first
term.
The United States remains a key trading partner for Canada, China, and Mexico.
However, the impact of these tariffs will be disproportionately severe on its
North American neighbors. In 2023, the US imported approximately $893 billion
worth of goods from Canada and Mexico, primarily machinery, vehicles, oil, and
petroleum products. Meanwhile, China is the largest market for US agricultural
products, accounting for 17% of total US agricultural exports in 2023.
Top Imports to the US from Canada and Mexico
(Source: US Census Bureau)
Goods
Imports from Canada (Billion USD)
Imports from Mexico (Billion USD)
Total (Billion USD)
Machinery & Transport Equipment
106
296
402
Mineral Fuels & Lubricants
123
22
145
Manufactured Goods
52
33
85
Food Products & Live Animals
34
33
67
Chemicals
34
11
45
Other Goods
29
19
48
Raw Materials (excluding fuels)
14
3
17
Beverages & Tobacco
2
12
14
Top Imports to Mexico from the US
(Source: US Census Bureau)
Goods
Import Value (Billion USD)
Share of Total Imports (%)
Machinery & Mechanical Appliances
82.6
29.9
Oils & Minerals
44.2
16.0
Chemicals, Rubber & Plastics
43.9
15.9
Agricultural Products
25.2
9.1
Transport Equipment
24.0
8.7
Raw Metals (e.g., Iron & Steel)
22.1
8.0
Wood & Paper
6.91
2.5
Top Imports to Canada from the US
(Source: US Census Bureau)
Goods
Import Value (Billion USD)
Share of Total Imports (%)
Machinery & Mechanical Appliances
68.2
22.2
Transport Equipment
52.2
17.0
Chemicals, Rubber & Plastics
50.3
16.4
Agricultural Products
29.8
9.7
Transport Equipment
26.7
8.7
Oils & Minerals
2
8.5
Wood & Paper
10.1
3.3