English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For November 03/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
I have made your name known to those whom
you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they
have kept your word
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John
17/01-08/:"After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said,
‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you,
since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all
whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by
finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your
own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world
existed. ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world.
They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they
know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave
to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I
came from you; and they have believed that you sent me."
Titles For The
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on
November 02-03/2025
Elias Bejjani/October 21/2025/ My X Account
Faith Reflections on the Meaning and Background of All Souls' Day/Elias
Bejjani/November 02/2025
Indeed, Lebanon is a failed state, just as Tom Barrack described its illness.
The only solution is placing it under international mandate pursuant to Chapter
VI/Elias Bejjani/November 01, 2025
Faith Reflections on the Feast of All Saints/Elias Bejjani/November 01/2025
Israel warns of intensifying attacks in Lebanon against Hezbollah
Israel vows self-defence if Lebanon allows Hezbollah to rebuild arms
Israel warns of intensified strikes on Hezbollah if disarmament fails
Israel Prepares for Potential Escalation with Hezbollah
Israeli Government: Hezbollah is Digging Tunnels, and We are Ready for Any
Escalation
Israeli Alert: Tel Aviv Prepares for Peak Tension with Hezbollah in a Month
Launch of an Israeli Balloon on the Border with Lebanon... What Are Its Goals
and Missions?
UK Foreign Secretary: Hezbollah is a "Destructive Force" in the Region
Lebanese Army Raises Readiness After Israeli Alert in Meiss Ej Jabal
After Barak's Statement: "Lebanon is a Failed State," Who is "Failing the State
of Lebanon?"
Minister Joe Issa El Khoury: The Role of Palestinian Weapons, Like Hezbollah's
Weapons, Has Expired
Expatriate Gathering in Front of the Lebanese Consulate in Montreal Demands the
Abolition of Article 112, Expressing Rejection of the Marginalization of Their
Role as Emigrants
Lebanese Diaspora in Britain Mobilizes to Demand the Abolition of Article 112 of
the Election Law
Sit-in by Lebanese Emigrants in Paris Rejecting the Allocation of Only Six Seats
to Them
Damascus Demands Beirut Hand Over Assad Regime Officers and Officials
Negotiation is Coming... Even if it Takes Time/Jean Faghali/Nidaa Al
Watan/November 03/2025
Russians Warn Lebanon: Israeli Aggression Has No Limits/Alan Sarkis/Nidaa Al
Watan/November 03/2025
Maronite Patriarch AlRahi: The Nation where Values have been Shaken and Trust
has been Eroded Needs to be Rebuilt on the Rock of Truth, Equality, and Sincere
Citizenship
Bishop Elias Aoudi: The Rich Man in the Gospel may be a State that Fails to
Fulfill its Duties, Leaving the Victims of the Port Disaster to their Fate, the
Families of the Victims of Uncontrolled Weapons, Drugs, and Assassinations to
their Pain, and Preventing those Forced to Leave their Homeland from Exercising
their Right to Elect their Representatives
“Evil Needs No Intention—Only a Fool”: A Reply to Tom Barrack’s Middle East
Sermon/Makram Rabah/Now Lebanon/November 02/2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on
November 02-03/2025
Israel receives what Hamas says are remains of 3 more deceased hostages from
Gaza
Cooper to visit Jordan in push for more aid for Gaza
Turkey set to call for action on Gaza as soon as possible, source says
Israeli strike kills one in Gaza as sides trade blame for truce violations
Iraq's foreign minister calls for disarmament of 'PKK elements' in the north
Syrian leader to discuss lifting sanctions, reconstruction in 'historic' US
visit
Iran vows to rebuild nuclear sites as Oman pushes for diplomatic talks
Will China-Iran ties help foster a 'new Asia'? Envoy sees rebalance in region
Sadr confirms boycott, casting shadow over Iraq’s November elections
Nigeria urges Trump meeting after military action threat
Trump says Xi is aware of ‘consequences’ if China invades Taiwan
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on
November 02-03/2025
'Innocent People Cowardly Killed': The Persecution of Christians,
September 2025/Raymond Ibrahim/Gatestone Institute./November 02/2025
Trump policies spur economic anxiety in US Republican heartland: ‘Tariffs are
affecting everything’/Stephen Starr in Jeffersonville, Ohio/The
Guardian/November 02/2025
Path to Mideast peace lies in investment — not brute force/Hassan
Al-Mustafa/Arab News/November 03, 2025
Without major reform, Iraq’s elections will count for little/Talmiz Ahmad/Arab
News/November 02/2025
The great disconnect: Will AI kill the firm?/Sami Mahroum/Arab News/November 03,
2025
Selected X Tweets For November 02/2025
The Latest
English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on
November 02-03/2025
Elias Bejjani/October 21/2025/ My X Account
Please be informed that my account on the X
platform has been suspended for reasons unknown to me. This is the fourth
account in five years to be arbitrarily suspended.
Faith Reflections on the Meaning and Background of All
Souls' Day
Elias Bejjani/November 02/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/148802/
The Catholic Church celebrates the "Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed"
on the second day of November each year. This day is a profound occasion for
prayer and faith reflection. What, then, are the backgrounds of this
commemoration, and what are the spiritual concepts and meanings that call us to
prayer and hope?
The Meaning and Faith Significance of This Holy Day
This day is known in the Catholic Church as "The Commemoration of All the
Faithful Departed" (All Souls' Day), celebrated on November 2nd of each year,
immediately following All Saints' Day. It offers believers an opportunity to
pray for the souls of their deceased loved ones who passed away "sleeping in the
hope of the resurrection." The faith significance lies in embodying the doctrine
of the "Communion of Saints," which affirms the spiritual bond between: the
Church Triumphant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Militant. It is a call
to remember that death does not sever the bonds of faith and love that connect
us to our departed loved ones.
2. Background: When Was It Instituted by the Catholic Church?
The standardization of the commemoration of All Souls' Day on November 2nd in
the Western Church dates back to the 10th century, specifically around the year
998 AD, when it was instituted by Saint Odilo, the Abbot of Cluny in France, as
a practice for the Cluniac Order, which then gradually spread throughout the
Catholic Church. It was not instituted by a single specific Vatican Pope for the
Universal Church at that time, but rather developed and spread through the
influence of the powerful Cluniac Order, after which the Church as a whole
adopted it.
3. The Concept of Death in the Gospel: Sleep in the Hope of Resurrection
The Bible presents death for believers not as an end or absolute annihilation,
but as a "passing from death to life" (John 5:24), and a temporary "sleep" in
the "hope of the resurrection." The Gospel often uses the term "sleep" or
"slumber" to describe the death of believers, indicating that the body awaits
the glorious resurrection. The Gospel affirms that on the glorious day of
Christ's return and His descent from heaven, the departed faithful sleeping will
be the first to be raised to meet Him.
Selected Verses:
1 Thessalonians 4:14: "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even
so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."
1 Corinthians 15:22: "For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in
Christ."
1 Thessalonians 4:16: "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry
of command... And the dead in Christ will rise first."
4. The Importance of Prayer and Visiting Graves
In the Catholic tradition, praying for the dead is considered an expression of
love and solidarity within the "Communion of Saints." The purpose of the prayer
is to aid those souls who died in God's grace but require further purification
(Purgatory) to attain the fullness of happiness in Heaven. Visiting graves and
placing wreaths is a traditional practice that carries profound meanings:
showing love and fidelity, hope in the resurrection (as wreaths and flowers
symbolize eternal life), and a reminder of mortality.
5. The Evangelical Concept of Death
The Evangelical concept of death for the believer is "gain" and "rest." Death is
the moment of immediate transition into the presence of the Lord (Philippians
1:21-23), even though the body is "asleep" awaiting the resurrection.
Philippians 1:21: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Revelation 14:13: "...“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord... that they may
rest from their labors.”
6. Christian Reasons Justifying Prayer for the Dead
In Catholic doctrine, the justifying reasons for praying for the dead include:
Love and Fraternal Solidarity.
The Doctrine of Purgatory: Assisting souls who require purification.
Communion of Saints: Affirming the unity between the Church in heaven, on earth,
and in Purgatory.
Atonement for Imperfection of the deceased during their lives.
Traditional Practice (based on ancient Church tradition).
7. For Whom is the Prayer Made?
According to the Catholic ecclesiastical concept, prayers are offered for the
faithful departed resting in Purgatory.
Prayers are not offered for the Saints (as they are in Heaven).
Prayers are not offered for those condemned in Hell (as their fate is sealed).
The prayer is specifically raised for the suffering souls in Purgatory, who died
in friendship with God, but whose holiness was not yet perfected.
8. Prayers Offered and the Objectives of Prayer
A. Prayers in Catholic Churches
A special mass known as the Requiem Mass is celebrated. A famous prayer recited
is: "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon
them."
The Lebanese Maronite Church
The Maronite Liturgy emphasizes the "Commemoration of the Faithful Departed"
within the "Three Weeks of Commemoration" during the Season of the Epiphany. The
model prayer seeks rest for their souls and acceptance into the dwelling of the
righteous. Part of the Evening Prayer: "O God of the spirits and of all flesh,
accept our evening prayer... in commemoration of the faithful departed who are
resting in the hope of the resurrection. Make it a mercy for all who have eaten
your holy Body and drunk your forgiving Blood... Amen."
C. Objectives of Praying for the Dead
Mercy and Forgiveness.
Heavenly Acceptance.
Consolation for the Living.
Renewal of Hope.
**Contextual Note: In the Maronite tradition, the
commemoration of the faithful departed often takes place on a specific Sunday,
known as "Sunday of the Faithful Departed" (in the Season of Epiphany), which is
separate from the November 2nd date in the Roman Calendar.
Video Link: Evening Prayer for the Sunday of the Faithful Departed, from the
Lebanese Maronite Order Website
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E57yblMR2bw&t=1s
Elias Bejjani/Indeed, Lebanon is a failed state, just as
Tom Barrack described its illness. The only solution is placing it under
international mandate pursuant to Chapter VI
Elias Bejjani/November 01, 2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/148785/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTs1P5jTGyU
Ambassador Tom Barrack has correctly diagnosed the problems plaguing Lebanon,
which reflect the grave and undeniable status quo. However, his proposed plan
for salvation is unrealistic.
The salvation of Lebanon cannot come from within the current Lebanese regime,
its corrupt politicians, or the politically subservient (“dhimmitude”) parties.
This is due to the undeniable fact that Lebanon, since the 1970s, has been
systematically stripped of its sovereignty and was and remains completely under
the control of successive external and internal forces:
First, the Arafat gangs.
Then, the Syrian occupation.
And, since 2005, and continuing to this day, under the full hegemony of
Hezbollah, the Iranian terrorist-jihadist proxy.
The Only Viable Solution: UN Intervention and Full International Guardianship
The solution must therefore materialize through external and decisive action by
the international community.
The only realistic path to salvation is for Lebanon to be declared a failed
state and, accordingly, designated a rogue state, and placed under full
international guardianship. The international community must then enable the
United Nations (UN) to take over and place the country under Chapter VII of the
UN Charter for a transitional period.
This UN Chapter VII mandate would be essential to:
Implement all relevant international resolutions (1559, 1701, 1680), the
Lebanese Constitution, and the latest ceasefire agreement.
Reconstruct the state institutions free from corruption and external control.
Rehabilitate the Lebanese people to empower them to govern themselves
effectively and independently again.
Faith Reflections on the Feast of All Saints
Elias Bejjani/November 01/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/148768/
The Catholic Church celebrates All Saints’ Day every year on November 1st, a
solemn feast also observed by the Eastern Churches in communion with her,
including the Maronite Church of Lebanon.
What follows explains the historical background, spiritual meaning, and faith
significance of this feast that unites heaven and earth, reminding all believers
that holiness is not a distant dream but a path of life to which Christ calls
each person by name.
1. The Date and the Pope Who Established It
All Saints’ Day was officially instituted in the Catholic Church during the
papacy of Pope Gregory III (731–741 AD), who dedicated November 1st as a day to
honor all saints, both known and unknown. Later, Pope Gregory IV (827–844 AD)
extended the celebration to the entire universal Church, establishing it as a
solemn feast throughout the Catholic world.
2. The Background and the Reason for Its Establishment
This feast arose from the Church’s desire to honor all the saints who lived
faithful and holy lives but were never formally canonized. In the early
centuries, Christians commemorated the martyrs on the anniversaries of their
deaths, but as persecutions increased, the number of martyrs became too great
for each to have a separate day of remembrance. Therefore, the Church
established one universal day to celebrate all those who have completed their
journey of faith and now share in eternal glory.
3. The Spiritual Meaning and Concepts of the Feast
At its heart, All Saints’ Day proclaims the universal call to holiness. It
reminds us that sainthood is not reserved for priests or religious alone but is
a vocation for every baptized person, in every walk of life. It is a feast of
spiritual joy that binds heaven and earth together, calling each believer to
reflect on eternal life and to follow the saints’ example in humility, love,
repentance, and service. This celebration reminds us that the saints are not
distant historical figures, but living witnesses whose prayers and intercessions
continue to accompany us. Holiness begins in the ordinary — in the family, in
daily work, and in love that perseveres.
4. The Celebrations in the Lebanese Maronite Church
The Lebanese Maronite Church celebrates this day with a solemn mass in every
parish.
During the liturgy, the Hymn of the Saints is sung, and special prayers are
offered for both the living and the departed. The Gospel of the Beatitudes
(Matthew 5:1–12) is read, emphasizing the virtues that lead to true holiness.
Churches are beautifully adorned with flowers and candles, and many believers
visit cemeteries to pray for their loved ones, expressing the unity between the
Church on earth and the Church in heaven. Priests remind the faithful that
holiness begins in family life, daily work, and acts of love and fidelity, in
carrying the cross with faith and trust in God.
5. The Prayers Recited on This Day
The prayers offered on All Saints’ Day express the profound communion between
the faithful and the saints. Among them are:
A prayer of thanksgiving to God, who has completed His work of grace in the
saints.
A prayer of intercession, asking the saints to protect the Church and all
believers.
The reading of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12), describing the true path of
holiness through humility, mercy, purity, and peace.
The Prayer of the Faithful, lifting intentions for peace, mercy, salvation, and
growth in love throughout the world.
6. Faith and the Role of Saints in Catholic Teaching
In Catholic belief, the saints are faithful witnesses of Christ who lived the
Gospel heroically and now share eternal glory. The Church does not worship the
saints—worship belongs to God alone—but rather asks for their intercession,
meaning their loving prayers to God on our behalf. Intercession, in Christian
understanding, is a spiritual act of love and communion that expresses the unity
of the Body of Christ between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven. All
Saints’ Day is therefore a reminder that holiness is possible, and that every
believer, no matter his or her circumstances, is called to walk toward God in
faith, hope, and love.
7. A Special Prayer for All Saints’ Day
Lord of Holiness and Source of All Grace,
You crown with eternal glory all those who have loved and served You faithfully.
On this blessed day, enlighten our hearts with the grace of Your Holy Spirit,
that we may bear witness to You as Your saints did before us.
Strengthen our faith, fill us with love, and help us to walk the paths of
holiness,
carrying Your light to everyone we meet.
Through the intercession of all Your saints,
grant that we may one day share in their everlasting joy in heaven.
Amen.
8. A Final Reflection
All Saints’ Day is not only a celebration of those who have already reached
heaven, but also a call to each of us to begin the same journey toward sanctity.
Every act of kindness, every word of truth, every silent prayer becomes a step
along the road to holiness.
The saints remind us that perfection is not achieved by greatness, but by
faithfulness — by loving God and others in the simplicity of daily life.
Let this feast renew in our hearts the desire to live as children of light,
trusting that God’s grace can make saints even from the weakest among us.
Through their example and prayers, may we one day join them in the eternal joy
of God’s kingdom.
Israel warns of intensifying attacks in Lebanon against
Hezbollah
France 24/November 02/2025
Fighters stand in front of the charred remains of a car in Lebanon, November,
2025.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Beirut on Sunday to disarm
Iran-backed Hezbollah, signalling that Israel could intensify operations in
Lebanon against the militant group. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire with
Hezbollah, Israel maintains troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and has
kept up regular strikes. Israel on Sunday signalled it
could intensify operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, which Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused of rearming, urging Beirut to disarm the
Iran-backed group. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire with the Lebanese militant
group, Israel maintains troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and has kept up
regular strikes. "Hezbollah is playing with fire, and
the president of Lebanon is dragging his feet," Defence Minister Israel Katz
said in a statement. "The Lebanese government's commitment to disarm Hezbollah
and remove it from southern Lebanon must be implemented. Maximum enforcement
will continue and even intensify -- we will not allow any threat to the
residents of the north." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hezbollah
was attempting to "rearm" itself. "We expect the Lebanese government to fulfil
its commitment -- to disarm Hezbollah -- but it is clear we will exercise our
right of self-defence under the terms of ceasefire," Netanyahu told the cabinet
at its weekly meeting on Sunday. "We will not allow Lebanon to become a renewed
front against us, and we will act as necessary," he said, according to a
statement issued by his office. Thousands of Israelis living near the northern
border with Lebanon were forced to evacuate their homes for months after
Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel following the outbreak of the war in
Gaza in October 2023.
Latest strike
That set off a more than year-long conflict that culminated in two months of
open war before last year's ceasefire was agreed. The Iran-backed militant
group, which opposes Israel, has been badly weakened by the war but remains
armed and financially resilient.
What we know about mass stabbing on train in Cambridgeshire as police give
details on suspects
Since the ceasefire, the United States has increased pressure on Lebanese
authorities to disarm the group, a move opposed by Hezbollah and its allies. The
Lebanese government has drawn up a plan to impose a state monopoly on weapons,
and said the army has begun implementing it, starting in the country's south.
Israel never stopped carrying out air strikes in Lebanon in spite of the truce
-- usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah positions -- and has stepped up the
attacks in recent days. On Thursday, Israeli ground troops carried out a deadly
raid into southern Lebanon, prompting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to order
the army to confront such incursions. Aoun had called for talks with Israel in
mid-October, after US President Donald Trump helped broker a ceasefire in Gaza.
But Aoun later accused Israel of responding to his offer by intensifying its
strikes, the latest of which killed four people in Nabatiyeh district on
Saturday, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
'Our enemy'
The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that the Israeli army hit a
car "with a guided missile". The Israeli military confirmed the strike, saying
it killed a member of Hezbollah's Radwan Force in southern Lebanon. Read
moreUnited Nations, France condemn Israel for attack on UN peacekeeping troops
in Lebanon. "The terrorist was involved in transferring weapons and in efforts
to reestablish Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon," the
military said, adding three other members of the group were also killed. The
previous day, it had announced the killing of a "Hezbollah maintenance
official," who it said was working to restore the movement's infrastructure.
Hundreds of people gathered in Nabatiyeh on Sunday to pay tribute to the
Hezbollah members killed. Participants threw flower petals onto the coffins,
draped in the Hezbollah flag, chanting: "Death to Israel, death to America."
"This is the price that southern Lebanon pays every day," Rana Hamed, the mother
of one of the five men killed, told AFP. "We have known that Israel has been our
enemy for decades."(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Israel vows self-defence if Lebanon allows Hezbollah to
rebuild arms
The Arab Weekly/November 02/2025
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that Hezbollah was
seeking to rearm and that Israel would exercise its right to self-defence under
last year’s ceasefire accord if Lebanon failed to disarm the militant group. At
the start of a cabinet meeting Netanyahu said Israel would “act as necessary”,
if Lebanon does not take steps to prevent its territory from becoming a renewed
front. The US brokered a truce in November 2024 between Lebanon and Israel after
more than a year of conflict sparked by the war in Gaza, but Israeli strikes
across the border have continued sporadically. The Israeli military said in a
statement on Sunday that it had killed four Hezbollah members. Israeli Defence
Minister Israel Katz also said the Lebanese government must fulfill its
commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove the group from southern Lebanon. Katz
said maximum enforcement efforts would continue and intensify to protect Israeli
residents in the north. Under the ceasefire accord, Lebanon agreed that only
state security forces should bear arms, which means Hezbollah must be fully
disarmed. Lebanese army sources said they had blown up so many Hezbollah arms
caches that they had run out of explosives and they expect to complete their
sweep of the country’s south by the end of the year. Once the dominant political
party in Lebanon, Hezbollah was severely weakened by the war with Israel, which
killed thousands of fighters and longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah has
publicly committed to the ceasefire and has not opposed the seizures of unmanned
weapons caches in the south. It has not fired on Israel since the November
truce. However, it insists the disarmament, as mentioned in the text, only
applies to the south of Lebanon and has hinted conflict is possible if the state
moves against the group.
Israel warns of intensified strikes on Hezbollah if
disarmament fails
Euronews/November 2, 2025
Israel has threatened to ramp up its attacks against Hezbollah i
n southern Lebanon if the Lebanese government fails to disarm the
militant group, despite a ceasefire agreement between the two. Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah was seeking to rearm and that
Israel would act in self-defence, claiming such operations were in line with the
"terms of the ceasefire". "We will not allow Lebanon to become a renewed front
against us, and we will act as necessary," Netanyahu said at a press conference
on Sunday. He emphasised that Israel reports to the
United States but does "not ask for permission," adding that Israel maintains
responsibility for its own security. Also on Sunday, the Israeli military
confirmed in a statement that it killed four Hezbollah members. A ceasefire
between Israel and Hezbollah, mediated by the US and France, was established in
November last year. However, Israel has continued to launch frequent strikes on
targets in Lebanon, saying it is conducting operations against Hezbollah
militants and facilities.
Israel Prepares for Potential Escalation with Hezbollah
Sky News Arabia - Abu Dhabi/November 02/2025 (Free translated from Arabic by
LCCC website editor)
Israel's Channel 12 television revealed on Sunday evening that Israel is
preparing for the possibility of escalation with Hezbollah in the coming days.
The Israeli station stated on Sunday that the peak of tension on the northern
front will be "a month from now when the deadline for disarming Hezbollah south
of the Litani expires." The Israeli newspaper Maariv also stated: "Hezbollah is
suffering from the Israeli army's attacks and fears retaliation. Its predicament
is clear. The fear is that its retaliation will lead to immediate damage in
areas like Beirut." It quoted an Israeli source as saying: "There is a
possibility of days of fighting against Hezbollah." Earlier on Sunday, Israeli
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a new threat to target the Lebanese capital,
Beirut, should Hezbollah launch any attack reaching a town in northern Israel.
Katz said in an interview with Channel 14 that Israel would deal with any
threat, indicating that US envoys had informed the Lebanese government of this.
He added that the United States is pressuring Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, noting
that Israel is giving this a chance, according to him. Katz's statements come
against the backdrop of increasing military escalation in Lebanon in recent days
and continuous talk about Israel's intention to intensify its operations. The
Israeli army has intensified its air raids on Hezbollah targets in recent days.
In the same context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that
Hezbollah is attempting to "re-arm" itself. He said during the weekly cabinet
meeting, "We expect the Lebanese government to fulfill its obligations, which is
to disarm Hezbollah, but it is clear that we will exercise our right to
self-defense under the terms of the ceasefire." Since the ceasefire, the United
States has intensified pressure on Lebanese authorities to disarm the Party, a
plan that Hezbollah and its allies have opposed.
Israeli Government: Hezbollah is Digging Tunnels, and We
are Ready for Any Escalation
Nidaa Al Watan/November 02/2025 (Free translated from Arabic by LCCC website
editor)
Hany Marzouk, spokesman for the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, said that war might return to Lebanon if Hezbollah decides to carry
out an unexpected escalation, affirming the full readiness and caution of the
Israeli army. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Marzouk explained that the
Israeli shelling of Lebanon is due to Hezbollah re-equipping its military
infrastructure, noting that the Party is ignoring the agreement reached with it
last November, particularly regarding the handover of weapons. He pointed out
that the Israeli shelling is happening because Hezbollah is digging tunnels and
stockpiling weapons.
Israeli Alert: Tel Aviv Prepares for Peak Tension with Hezbollah in a Month
Nidaa Al Watan/November 02, 2025 (Free translated from Arabic by LCCC website
editor)
Israel's Channel 12 reported on Sunday evening that "Israel has begun
preparations for an alert status due to the possibility of escalation on the
northern front against Hezbollah," indicating that the "peak of tension on the
northern front will be a month from now, when the deadline for disarming
Hezbollah south of the Litani expires."
Launch of an Israeli Balloon on the Border with Lebanon...
What Are Its Goals and Missions?
Nidaa Al Watan/November 02, 2025 (Free translated from Arabic by LCCC website
editor)
An Israeli spy balloon was launched over South Lebanon, specifically opposite
the town of Khiam, today, Sunday, as part of the continuous Israeli military
escalation on the border with Hezbollah. The balloon is used for purely military
purposes including espionage, surveillance, and information gathering, in
addition to defensive tasks. Since its launch, it has been transmitting images
and information, detecting drones, and any small targets that are difficult to
spot. The balloons are being developed by Israeli aerospace industries
companies, which have supplied them with radars, in cooperation with American
balloon manufacturing companies.
UK Foreign Secretary: Hezbollah is a "Destructive Force" in the Region
Nidaa Al Watan/November 02, 2025 (Free translated from Arabic by LCCC website
editor)
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced Britain's full support for the
efforts of the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Army, considering them the
only legitimate forces that should have authority in the country. The Minister
affirmed that the United Kingdom backs Lebanon in its pursuit of stability and
development, noting that British support goes beyond words to include actual
cooperation in several fields, including security and economic support.
Regarding Britain's stance on Hezbollah, the Minister described the Party as a
"destructive force" in the region, noting that its activities represent a threat
to regional security and the stability of Middle Eastern countries. She added
that Britain considers Hezbollah part of a "network of threats" extending across
the region, which hinders efforts to build lasting peace in Lebanon and
neighboring countries. Concerning the Iranian role in the region, Cooper
confirmed in an interview with Al Hadath that Iran continues to pose a direct
threat to British national security and the security of the region in general.
She pointed out that Iranian activities in the Middle East, through its support
for militias and extremist groups, contribute to destabilizing countries such as
Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, which further complicates the regional crisis.
Regarding the situation in Lebanon, the Minister affirmed that the United
Kingdom is making continuous efforts to prevent the return of conflict to
Lebanon, noting that Lebanon must remain a fully sovereign state. She explained
that Britain is working closely with the international community, including the
United Nations and Arab states, to provide the necessary support to Lebanon
amidst the significant security and economic challenges it faces. The UK Foreign
Secretary further stated: Border control between Israel and Lebanon will be
under the umbrella of the United Nations. Cooper concluded: We do not want a
military escalation with Iran, but rather the continuation of diplomatic
pressure.
Lebanese Army Raises Readiness After Israeli Alert in Meiss
Ej Jabal
National News Agency/November 02/2025 (Free translated from Arabic by LCCC
website editor)
The National News Agency reported an Israeli army alert inside the occupied
territories opposite the Kroum Al Marah neighborhood east of the town of Meiss
Ej Jabal, which necessitated a Lebanese Army alert inside Lebanese territory in
the mentioned area. The Lebanese Army deployed its vehicles and personnel to the
location for some time, until the Israeli army withdrew its forces.
After Barak's Statement: "Lebanon is a Failed State," Who
is "Failing the State of Lebanon?"
Nidaa Al Watan/November 03, 2025 (Free translated from Arabic by LCCC website
editor)
The storm unleashed by the statement of the US envoy, Tom Barak, at the Bahrain
Forum continues to have repercussions in Lebanon. While his words didn't contain
anything entirely new, as Envoy Barak has previously expressed these positions,
and even stronger ones, what he stated in Bahrain served as a "compilation" of
these positions into a single document, ranging from declaring Lebanon a "failed
state" to addressing the issue of Hezbollah's weapons. This raises a question
among diplomatic observers:
If Barak's statement reflects the position of the US administration, it means
Lebanon will enter a period of "diplomatic troubles," the hardest part being
that the ceiling set by Barak will be the one followed by the new US Ambassador
to Lebanon, Lebanese-American Michel Issa. The next question is: Is Barak's
stance part of an "orchestra" of positions intended to pressure Lebanon?
The answer lies in a series of American and Israeli positions issued in the last
48 hours that point in almost the same direction.
Israeli Defense Minister: "Hezbollah is Playing with Fire"
Among the positions harmonizing with Barak's statement is that of Israeli
Defense Minister Israel Katz, who accused Hezbollah of "playing with fire,"
holding the Lebanese government and the Lebanese President responsible for
stalling in implementing their commitments regarding the disarmament of the
"Party" and its withdrawal from the South. Minister Katz stressed that Israel
would continue to apply a "maximum response" policy in its military actions,
emphasizing that it will not tolerate any threat targeting northern residents.
He called on the Lebanese authorities to bear full responsibility to ensure
stability and prevent escalation. Katz issued a new threat to target the
Lebanese capital, Beirut, should Hezbollah launch any attack reaching a town in
northern Israel. The seriousness of what Katz said is that Israel will deal with
any threat, indicating that US envoys have informed the Lebanese government of
this.
Foreign Minister Threatens Too
In the context of threats, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also confirmed
in a tweet on the "X" platform that the rearmament of Hezbollah in Lebanon would
have serious repercussions for Israel's security and Lebanon's future, noting
that terrorism has taken root in Lebanon and its removal is essential for the
region's stability and security.
American Dissatisfaction with Lebanon's Hesitation
American sources close to the White House expressed their dissatisfaction with
Lebanon's hesitation regarding the complete disarmament of Hezbollah, despite
Beirut's awareness that the "Party" not only undermines state sovereignty but
also poses a major challenge to the stability of the entire region, thus
complicating US interests in the Middle East. The sources point to President
Joseph Aoun's "dual discourse" regarding confronting Israel while simultaneously
initiating negotiations with it. The sources question whether President Aoun
will use the US military aid, sent by Washington to bolster the Lebanese Army's
capabilities to disarm Hezbollah, against an Israeli incursion. In this context,
Senator Lindsey Graham emphasized on the "X" platform that it is crucial for
Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah to pave the way for peace. He added that Israeli
military operations are a response to the continuous threat posed by this
"extremist group."
Sebastian Gorka and Intensifying Pressure
This pressure is expected to intensify with the anticipated visit of Sebastian
Gorka, former Deputy Assistant to US President Donald Trump and Senior
Counter-Terrorism Advisor. Gorka's mission to Lebanon will reinforce
Washington's demands for the Lebanese authorities to take concrete action to
dismantle Hezbollah's arsenal and bring all weapons under the exclusive
authority of the state. US diplomats stress that Lebanon's persistent hesitation
in confronting illegal disarmament jeopardizes vital military and economic aid,
as well as broader diplomatic relations. With the rhetorical approach shifting
from quiet encouragement to firm warnings, there is a growing consensus among
American policymakers on the necessity of increasing pressure to compel the
Lebanese authorities to act. Gorka's visit is expected to "deepen" this dilemma,
especially since his visit will reinforce the messages from US officials that
the time for procrastination and verbal maneuvering is over.
Negotiations Stuck Between the Fires of Israel and Hezbollah
Amidst this atmosphere, Nidaa Al Watan learned that the Lebanese state is
waiting this week to determine the direction of the negotiation compass, and the
matter is tied to the internal faction and Israel. Regarding the internal front,
after Aoun sounded the negotiation alarms and both Presidents Berri and Salam
agreed, the matter is now pending a response from Hezbollah. This answer will be
crucial because the "Party" is primarily concerned with the issue. If it agrees,
the Lebanese path to negotiation will be open. However, if it refuses, the
process will be hampered, especially since its weapons will be the first item on
the agenda of the negotiations. Lebanon cannot agree to an item regarding the
surrender of weapons and then have the "Party" reject this. As for Israel, it is
supposed to inform Washington of its position on the negotiations this week, so
it can be relayed to Lebanon, despite Tel Aviv's continued raids. However, these
matters could change if the negotiation path begins, according to circles
informed of the general course of events.
Egypt Supports Lebanon
After an Egyptian diplomatic move to propose a new approach to prevent the
region from sliding into an all-out confrontation came to light, the visit of
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to Cairo received extensive attention. Salam met with
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdel-Aty, where they
discussed bilateral relations between Lebanon and Egypt, and developments in
Gaza and the region, particularly the phase following the Gaza agreement and the
Sharm El-Sheikh summit, and the regional and international efforts that
accompanied them to consolidate stability. During the meeting, Abdel-Aty
affirmed Egypt's keenness to continue coordination and consultation with Lebanon
on various issues of common interest, noting the momentum in bilateral relations
at the presidential and ministerial levels, and the aspiration to strengthen
this fraternal path and develop political, economic, and cultural cooperation
between the two countries.
Patriarch Al-Rahi: The Emigrant is Not a Second-Class Citizen
Over the weekend, positions supporting the right of emigrants to vote for all
128 deputies escalated. The most prominent statement came from the Maronite
Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, who said in his Sunday homily:
"The emigrants, who carry Lebanon's image to the world, demand their legitimate
right to participate in national decision-making. The law for the election of
emigrants, which has become the talk of the hour in Lebanese political life,
according to Law No. 44/2017, specifically Articles 112 and 122, allocated six
seats in Parliament to Lebanese emigrants (one for each continent). However,
many national forces today demand the full right of emigrants to elect all 128
deputies, not to have their representation limited to only six. The Lebanese
emigrant is not a second-class citizen. Rather, he is a son of this homeland,
who left unwillingly or in pursuit of a livelihood, but has remained
emotionally, economically, and humanly connected to it." Emigrants have
contributed, and continue to contribute, to supporting Lebanon in the hardest of
times, through financial transfers, projects, and the positive image they have
conveyed of their country. "Are they being rewarded today by curtailing their
constitutional right? Obstructing the inclusion of an amendment to this law on
the agenda of the Parliament, and delaying the application of the full right to
vote, is a retreat from the principle of equality and citizenship according to
the Constitution. The nation is not sustained by marginalization, but by full
participation among its resident and diaspora children."
Minister Joe Issa El Khoury: The Role of Palestinian
Weapons, Like Hezbollah's Weapons, Has Expired
Nidaa Al Watan/November 02/2025 (Free translated from Arabic by
LCCC website editor)
Industry Minister Joe Issa El Khoury indicated today, Sunday, that "the Army
Commander informed us that the withdrawal of weapons in the South of Litani
region will end by the end of the year, and the President of the Republic did
well when he said that Lebanon is ready to negotiate with Israel, which may
spare us the scenario of war." In an interview with "MTV," Issa El Khoury said:
"The government has the intention to carry out reforms, but we need time due to
the control that was present over the political and security decisions," adding
that "the role of Palestinian weapons, like Hezbollah's weapons, has expired,
and the ceasefire agreement is not limited to South of the Litani but involves
containing weapons across all Lebanese territories." He also clarified that "the
ministerial committee tasked with discussing the electoral law will meet on
Tuesday, and is expected to present one or more formulas in next Thursday's
session, based on the draft laws submitted by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs
and Interior."
Expatriate Gathering in Front of the Lebanese Consulate in
Montreal Demands the Abolition of Article 112, Expressing Rejection of the
Marginalization of Their Role as Emigrants
National/November 02/2025 (Free
translated from Arabic by LCCC website editor)
Montreal - A number of expatriates residing in Montreal answered the call of the
"LABORA" association in Canada and gathered in front of the Lebanese Consulate,
demanding the right of emigrants to vote for all 128 deputies, each in their own
district. The head of the association, Dr. Melhem Touq, delivered a speech on
the occasion, saying: "We stand in a national stance in front of the Lebanese
Consulate in Montreal, to send a message on behalf of thousands of Lebanese in
the diaspora, who are still holding on to their constitutional right to active
participation in the democratic life in Lebanon. Our message today is addressed
to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Nabih Berri, and to all members of Parliament.
In the 2022 elections, the Lebanese diaspora proved that the expatriate vote
makes a difference, and their voting contributed to changing results in a number
of districts. Today, months away from the end of the Parliament's term, we are
still hearing procrastination and debate about the emigrants' full right to
vote, as if the resident Lebanese is the real citizen, and as if the emigrant is
a second-class citizen." He added: "We ask the decision-makers and their
Excellencies: What are you afraid of? The free vote of the emigrant? Because he
has been liberated from the constraints of dependency, and from the policy of
intimidation, inducement, and deprivation often practiced to shackle the will of
resident voters? Is this emigrant not the same person who sends money, supports
his family, and contributes to reviving the Lebanese economy? How is his natural
right to participate in determining the fate of his country suddenly stripped
away from him?" He continued: "The emigrant is the pillar of the Lebanese
economy, and the savior who did not forget his homeland. From here, we demand
two essential things: First: Including the draft to abolish Article 112 of the
Election Law on the agenda of the General Assembly of the Parliament, because it
restricts the participation of the Lebanese diaspora without any justification.
Second: Considering the diaspora countries as polling stations affiliated with
the fifteen electoral districts, and enabling emigrants to vote fully for all
128 seats of the Parliament, according to the district in which each emigrant is
registered, just as happened in the 2022 elections. This demand is neither
political nor sectarian, but a reinforcement of the sense of belonging and
communication between the emigrant and his homeland Lebanon, and above all, an
authentic constitutional right, a right to citizenship and participation, a
right for our voice to be heard and effective." He concluded: "Finally, we say
to the political class: The Lebanese emigrant is not a tourist, and the
Constitution does not distinguish between the resident Lebanese and the emigrant
Lebanese. The emigrant whose money was stolen will not allow his voice to be
stolen too. And to the officials we say: Be careful, do not exile the Lebanese
twice, once when they were forced to leave, and once when you deprive them of
their vote. From here, from in front of the Lebanese Consulate in Montreal, we
raise our voice on behalf of the Lebanese diaspora in Canada, to say: We want a
more just, more democratic Lebanon, and one that is more representative of all
its children, both at home and abroad. We want Lebanon to be a homeland we dream
of returning to, not a homeland we love from afar."
Lebanese Diaspora in Britain Mobilizes to Demand the Abolition of Article 112 of
the Election Law
Nidaa Al Watan/November 02/2025 (Free translated
from Arabic by LCCC website editor)
In the framework of defending the constitutional rights of the Lebanese
diaspora, the Lebanese expatriate community in Britain is witnessing a movement
aimed at encouraging registration for the upcoming elections, and rejecting the
policy of marginalization and exclusion under which the diaspora was deprived of
their right to full voting in the 2022 elections. Participants are demanding the
abolition of Article 112 of the Election Law, which limited the expatriate vote
to only six seats, contrary to the Constitution which enshrines equality among
all Lebanese in political rights. The movement is based on articles of the
Lebanese Constitution, especially Articles 7, 21, and 24, which guarantee
equality, the right to vote for every Lebanese wherever they are, and fair
representation in Parliament. The diaspora confirms that the abolition of
Article 112 is a constitutional and national demand, aiming to correct the
imbalance and preserve the right of Lebanese expatriates to full participation
in the democratic process, just like residents in Lebanon.
Sit-in by Lebanese Emigrants in Paris Rejecting the
Allocation of Only Six Seats to Them
Nidaa Al Watan/November 02/2025 (Free translated
from Arabic by LCCC website editor)
Lebanese emigrants in Paris organized a massive sit-in today, Sunday, in Victor
Hugo Square in the 16th Arrondissement, demanding an electoral law that
guarantees their constitutional rights to free, equal, and transparent
participation in the elections. The sit-in came in rejection of the allocation
of only six seats to emigrants, calling for the abolition of this restriction
and allowing the diaspora to fully participate in the democratic process,
reflecting the principles of equality and justice guaranteed by the Lebanese
Constitution. Participants raised slogans calling for the reinforcement of the
voice of Lebanese abroad, emphasizing that their presence and participation in
the elections represent an essential part of Lebanon's strength, unity, and
democratic future.
Damascus Demands Beirut Hand Over Assad Regime Officers and
Officials
Al Modon/November 02/2025 (Free translated from
Arabic by LCCC website editor)
The Syrian government has officially requested its Lebanese counterpart to hand
over a number of former officials and officers of the ousted regime of President
Bashar al-Assad, amidst Syrian insistence on the necessity of the Lebanese
side's cooperation in this matter. The Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post
quoted Syrian sources as saying that Damascus requested the handover of these
officers and officials accused of committing war crimes who had fled to Lebanon,
adding that communication between the two countries is still ongoing regarding
this issue. The sources confirmed that "Syrian government entities informed the
Lebanese side of the necessity of cooperation" in this sensitive matter,
clarifying that hundreds of Syrian officers and soldiers fled to Lebanon
following the collapse of the ousted regime, which highlights the size and
complexity of the situation. According to the newspaper, the handover of the
officers has become a critical test of the two countries' readiness to rebuild
normal relations after years of political and diplomatic tension, while
observers indicated that the involvement of international judicial institutions
or the adoption of transitional justice frameworks would help ensure
transparency and reduce the political sensitivities surrounding this issue. It
added that attention is currently focused on whether the Lebanese government
will issue an official stance soon, and whether the two sides are capable of
overcoming the legal and security obstacles to achieve tangible progress on an
issue that directly affects the sovereignty, justice, and intertwined future of
the two states. This comes as the Syrian and Lebanese sides continue to seek
legal solutions for the file of Syrian detainees in Roumieh prison, which is
considered one of the most complex and convoluted files between the two
countries. Last October, a Syrian judicial delegation headed by Syrian Justice
Minister Muthher Al-Weis visited Lebanon to discuss the signing of a judicial
agreement between Lebanon and Syria that would allow the release of Syrian
detainees who were arrested for their affiliation with and support for the
Syrian revolution. Al-Weis announced that he, accompanied by the Director of the
Arab Affairs Department at the Foreign Ministry, Mohammad Al-Ahmad, and a number
of judges, discussed a number of judicial cooperation files between the two
countries with Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar, foremost among them the
file of the Syrian detainees. He explained that the two sides "worked to
reconcile views and strive for fair legal solutions," stressing that "work is
still ongoing to formulate clear understandings, in light of a sincere desire
from both sides to move forward toward constructive cooperation that serves
justice, preserves human dignity, and achieves good for the two brotherly
peoples." A high-level Syrian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister As'ad
Al-Shabani, also visited Lebanon in the same month, where the delegation met
with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, President of the Republic Joseph Aoun,
Foreign Minister Youssef Reji, Justice Minister Adel Nassar, Intelligence
Director Tony Kahwaji, and General Director of General Security Hassan Shkeir.
Negotiation is Coming... Even if it Takes Time
Jean Faghali/Nidaa Al Watan/November 03/2025 (Free
translated from Arabic by LCCC website editor)
In military terms, there is a concept called "delaying action," which is a fight
to cover a withdrawal. This term applies to what is used in diplomacy, meaning
that statements rejecting negotiations are nothing but a "delaying action for a
withdrawal," or more accurately, a retreat from positions rejecting negotiation.
The obvious question that arises is: Where in the references of negotiation,
international relations, and treaties do we find that negotiation took place at
a distance? Or indirectly? When the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat
negotiated with Israel, he went to Tel Aviv and delivered a speech in the
Knesset. Then came the negotiations of King Hussein bin Abdullah of Jordan, who
pursued direct negotiation, followed by the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation
Organization, Yasser Arafat, who shook hands with Yitzhak Rabin in Washington
under the patronage of US President Bill Clinton. Syria today, with its new
regime, is approaching direct negotiation, noting that the "Syrian-Israeli
agreement" was respected by the Assad regime since the end of the '73 war, and
then when the Syrian army entered Lebanon on the pretext of stopping the war,
knowing that this entry was to control the Palestine Liberation Organization,
and this intervention would not have happened without an Israeli and American
green light. Even the Soviets were unaware of it, as revealed by the Soviet
Foreign Minister at the time, Andrei Gromyko, in his Memoirs, in which he
elaborated on the Syrian military entry into Lebanon without informing his
Soviet allies. He says: "The Soviet Union was not notified in advance of all the
details of the Syrian decision, but they were informed after the execution."
Thus, all the Arab countries surrounding Israel went to negotiate with it. The
form of the negotiation is no longer important, as the significant and most
important element is the content of the negotiation, not its form. Stopping at
the form is due to the fact that the form covers the refusal to negotiate.
During the days of the Syrian guardianship regime, it was said that "Lebanon is
the last Arab state to sign with Israel." If we look closely, this description
applies to Lebanon today; it is the last Arab state, with a border with Israel,
that has not yet signed, and moreover, has not yet entered into negotiation. In
contrast, Lebanon did not hesitate to sign agreements with its "Arab brothers,"
all of which affected its sovereignty and struck at its core, from the "Cairo
Agreement" with the PLO in 1969 to the "Treaty of Coordination and Cooperation
between Lebanon and Syria," which overwhelmingly favored Syria. Those familiar
with the matter recall that this treaty was prepared in Syria, and the Lebanese
side only had to sign. Today, what are the options available to Lebanon? There
is no option but negotiation, because the alternative is war. Is Lebanon capable
of war? And if it is not capable, which is the most likely scenario, what will
it choose? Lebanon has experienced war, and the result is clear to everyone.
What is the alternative to war? The answer is contained within the question
itself! All that remains is the courage to speak it.
Russians Warn Lebanon: Israeli Aggression Has No Limits
Alan Sarkis/Nidaa Al Watan/November 03/2025 (Free
translated from Arabic by LCCC website editor)
South Lebanon wakes up every day to a security incident. Israeli raids are not
limited to the border strip area but reach the Bekaa. Drones do not leave
Lebanese airspace and violate the skies of the Presidential Palace, indicating
an upcoming escalation. Thus, Lebanon has entered the orbit of a major war, and
the Lebanese state has relinquished its sovereignty since before the "Cairo
Agreement." The opportunity was available after the Israeli withdrawal in 2000,
but the Syrian and Iranian regimes prevented the state from implementing its
minimum duties. Resolution 1701 did not serve its purpose and was only formally
applied, and Hezbollah exploited the state's weakness to build its system in the
South, Bekaa, and Dahiyeh, and to reinforce the Iranian presence in Lebanon. The
Lebanese state has not learned the lesson, and despite the defeats and huge
losses of the support war, Iran continues to move freely on Lebanese territory
and is rebuilding Hezbollah's capabilities. The Lebanese state has not detained
a single officer or element of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who violates
Lebanese sovereignty and laws. What is even more astonishing is the Lebanese
state's awareness of the gravity of the situation, without taking the required
action. Warning messages have arrived from Americans, Europeans, and Arabs, and
everyone agrees that the failure to disarm Hezbollah, which dragged Lebanon into
the war, will lead to a more bloody and destructive war, especially since Israel
acts without deterrence and no one can stand in its way, and all Hezbollah does
is give it a pretext to attack the South and Lebanon. The warning messages are
not limited to Americans, Europeans, and Arabs; echoes of what might happen if
Lebanon does not follow the agenda drawn up for it have reached the Russian
capital, Moscow, which is considered one of the major countries that follow
Middle Eastern affairs, even if it has temporarily distanced itself from Syria.
The visit of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa to Moscow confirms Russia's global
position and its follow-up on regional issues, foremost among them the files of
Syria and Lebanon. Amidst international and Arab fears of the situation
escalating in the South after reading all the events taking place, Russia has
entered the line of warnings. Information available to Nidaa Al Watan indicates
that while Moscow has not officially informed Lebanon of what might happen or
its knowledge of military secrets, there is great concern in the Russian capital
about the development of the situation and its reaching a dangerous escalation
phase in the South. Russian fear is not limited to the South but includes all of
Lebanon. The Russians are not talking about a ground incursion and occupation of
additional Lebanese territories or a war in the traditional way that Hezbollah
might benefit from, as it benefited from the July 2006 war. Rather, they are
concerned about the expansion of the scope, size, and nature of the attacks,
especially since Tel Aviv possesses the latest technology and weapons, and US
President Donald Trump has given it everything it needs not only to strike
Hezbollah but also to confront Iran. More than one official in the Russian
Foreign Ministry indicates that Israel's aggressions have no limits when it
decides to expand the scope of the war, given full American cover and
Washington's desire to conclude Middle East files. This is very worrying because
all of Lebanon will be within range of Israeli attacks, and there will be no
international sympathy for it, as happened in previous times, considering that
it was given more than one chance and wasted them. Consequently, there are
Russian estimates that Lebanon is heading toward a catastrophic scenario if a
political settlement is not reached or a radical solution is found and the
negotiation process is launched. Lebanon's files are linked to the region's
files, and this is what raises Russian concern because Trump speaks and acts
according to a peace-through-strength strategy, and this force may be used in
Lebanon just as it was tested in Gaza. All indicators show that there will be no
final solution in Lebanon until the issues of Gaza and Syria are resolved. If
the Gaza agreement succeeds, it may extend to Lebanon if it responds to
international advice, but the matter will take time because the Gaza path is
clear, but faces major obstacles. Will Lebanon listen to Russian advice? Or will
it meet the fate of previous advice from countries keen on the Cedar Nation?
Maronite Patriarch AlRahi: The Nation where Values have
been Shaken and Trust has been Eroded Needs to be Rebuilt on the Rock of Truth,
Equality, and Sincere Citizenship
NNA/ November 02/2025 (Free translated from
Arabic by LCCC website editor)
The Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, presided over Sunday
Mass at Our Lady Church at the Patriarchal See in Bkerke. After the Holy Gospel,
Al-Rahi delivered a homily titled: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God" (Matthew 16:16). In it, he stated: "The assassination of the young man,
Elie Abou Hanna, at the entrance of the Shatila Palestinian camp a week ago, has
caused us great pain, as it did all Lebanese. We offer our condolences to his
parents, pray for the repose of his soul, and condemn in the strongest terms
this brutal assassination. 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God'
(Matthew 16:16). This response by Simon Peter was not a theoretical phrase or a
philosophical idea, but a declaration of living faith in Christ. True faith is
not acquired by intellect, but is granted by grace. It is a light in the heart,
not merely knowledge of the mind. From this light, the Church was born and the
history of salvation began. Just as Christ founded His Church on the faith of
Peter, so too are nations built on the faith of their children in truth,
justice, and human dignity. As the Lord said: 'On this rock I will build my
church,' similarly, the nation is built on the rock of values, not on the
interests of individuals or parties." He continued: "The faith that Peter
declared is sincere and steadfast, one that does not change with circumstances
but withstands storms. This is what we need today in Lebanon: a steadfast
national faith that places the interest of the nation above all other interests,
and considers the human person more precious than any calculation. Lebanon is
going through a critical phase: the economy is exhausted, institutions are
paralyzed, the people are suffering, and the emigrants who carry Lebanon's image
to the world demand their legitimate right to participate in national
decision-making.
The law for the election of emigrants has become the talk of the hour in
Lebanese political life. According to Law No. 44/2017, specifically Articles 112
and 122, six seats in Parliament were allocated to Lebanese emigrants (one for
each continent). However, many national forces today demand the full right of
emigrants to elect all 128 deputies, not to have their representation limited to
only six. The Lebanese emigrant is not a second-class citizen. Rather, he is a
son of this homeland, who left unwillingly or in pursuit of a livelihood, but
has remained emotionally, economically, and humanly connected to it." Emigrants
have contributed, and continue to contribute, to supporting Lebanon in the
hardest of times, through financial transfers, projects, and the positive image
they have conveyed of their country. "Are they being rewarded today by
curtailing their constitutional right? Obstructing the inclusion of an amendment
to this law on the agenda of the Parliament, and delaying the application of the
full right to vote, is a retreat from the principle of equality and citizenship
according to the Constitution. The nation is not sustained by marginalization,
but by full participation among its resident and diaspora children." He
concluded: "The Church is not built on a rock of stone, but on the rock of
faith, truth, and trust in God. This rock is what has kept the Church steadfast
throughout the ages, walking through crises, persecutions, and the consolations
of God, remaining alive because it is built on truth and love. And just as the
Church is built on faith, so too are nations built on truth, justice, and
conscience. The faith that made Peter a spiritual leader is the same faith that
should inspire every official and every citizen to be a servant of the public
good, not of themselves or their faction. The nation where values have been
shaken and trust has been eroded needs to be rebuilt on a new rock, the rock of
truth, equality, and sincere citizenship. And the nation awaits the officials to
carry out the reforms, which are: political and constitutional reform,
financial, monetary, and banking reform, administrative and infrastructure
reform, judicial reform, and social and productive reform. Let us pray, brothers
and sisters: Lord, at the beginning of this new liturgical year, we lift our
hearts to you. Renew in us the faith that Peter declared, and strengthen us on
the rock of faith, truth, and hope. Bless your Church, sanctify your people, and
look upon our homeland Lebanon, grant it honest leaders, faithful institutions,
and a people united in love. Bless the children of Lebanon scattered throughout
the earth. Shine your Holy Spirit upon this people, and restore its joy and
faith. Glory be to you forever. Amen."
Bishop Elias Aoudi: The Rich Man in the Gospel may be a
State that Fails to Fulfill its Duties, Leaving the Victims of the Port Disaster
to their Fate, the Families of the Victims of Uncontrolled Weapons, Drugs, and
Assassinations to their Pain, and Preventing those Forced to Leave their
Homeland from Exercising their Right to Elect their Representatives
NNA/November 02, 2025 (Free translated from
Arabic by LCCC website editor)
Metropolitan of Beirut and its Dependencies, Archbishop Elias Odeh, presided
over the Divine Liturgy at St. George Cathedral. After the Gospel, he said in
his homily:
"Today's message and the Gospel text invite all of us to reflect on our lives
and conduct. We heard the Apostle Paul say: 'The life which I now live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.'
If God the Creator sacrificed His only Son for the salvation of the world, does
not your brother in humanity deserve to be looked upon with the eye of love,
mercy, and compassion? Does not your fellow citizen deserve to be respected and
treated as you wish to be treated? Abraham said to the rich man: 'Son, remember
that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil
things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.' Let these words be a
motive for us to contemplate our lives and realize that what we sow during our
lives we will reap the results of at the Judgment, and that man, whether high in
rank or low in station, will harvest the result of his deeds." He added: "The
rich man of the Gospel may be any person who has mastered hatred and injustice
and closed his heart, withholding his love from others or his bread from the
needy. He may also be a state that fails to fulfill its duties toward its
citizens, not adopting equality among them nor administering justice among them,
thus leaving the victims of the port disaster to their fate, the families of the
victims of uncontrolled weapons, drugs, or assassinations to their pain, the
prison inmates to their destiny, or preventing those who left their homeland
unwillingly, out of fear or escape, from exercising their right to elect those
who represent them and demand their rights. Therefore, everyone is called to
move from the destructive 'self' to the 'other', and to rise above hatreds and
contradictions, above private interests and immediate gains, toward the public
interest, the common good, and to work to establish equality and justice, spread
love and peace, and look at the other as if they were yourself." He concluded:
"Christ is still present at our doors in the form of the poor, the sick, the
suffering, and the marginalized. The Lord Jesus said: 'For I was hungry and you
gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took
Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in
prison and you came to Me' (Matthew 25:35–36). We are called to open our hearts
and live love, mercy, and compassion for every oppressed, suffering, and wronged
person to taste eternal life from now. We must live the faith that works through
love, and crucify our selves with Christ, to live with Him in the bosom of the
Father."
“Evil Needs No Intention—Only a Fool”: A Reply to Tom
Barrack’s Middle East Sermon
Makram Rabah/Now Lebanon/November 02/2025
“Evil needs no intention—only a fool.” In our part of the world, the line
between foolishness and wickedness is often too thin to see. Ambassador Barack’s
sweeping remarks about the Levant—draped in the language of “bold action,”
“momentum,” and “leapfrogging”—blur that line to the point of danger. They are
not merely careless; they are counterproductive to American interests, corrosive
to Lebanese sovereignty, and perilous for any realistic regional order.
The Ambassador’s thesis is seductively simple: stop confusing “effort” with
“results,” pick winners, force momentum, and let prosperity stitch the region
together from the bottom up while “bypassing” the century of “rust” that
diplomacy allegedly produced. In practice, this is a doctrine of
shortcuts—treaties without constituencies, security schemes without state
monopoly of force, and normalization projects that pretend militias are a
technical irritant rather than the political heart of the problem. It exhorts
Lebanon to “go from Beirut to Tel Aviv” as if a border arrangement can
substitute for dismantling a parallel armed order, reforming bankrupt
institutions, and restoring public trust. That is not strategy. It is
performance.
Start with Lebanon. Barrack’s caricature—Lebanon as a failed state that must
accept a new security architecture while leaving Hezbollah’s domestic grip
conceptually intact—is an argument for permanent dependency, not sovereignty.
You do not “avoid civil war” by normalizing the militia veto; you invite chronic
low-intensity conflict, creeping cantonization, and rule by checkpoint. My
earlier writing has insisted on a basic sequence: the state reclaims its
exclusive right to coerce; the parties compete within civilian politics; and
external understandings follow from internal legitimacy, not the other way
around. Reverse that order and you get what Lebanon is living: predictable
“de-escalations” punctured by predictable explosions, while the center hollows
out.
Barrack’s breezy demography (“the Maronites are in Paris; Sunnis elsewhere;
Shia, Palestinians, and Syrians are the majority”) is not analysis—it’s a
pretext to treat Lebanon as a post-national geography whose political future can
be arranged over its head. That frame licenses precisely the kind of policy the
United States should avoid: rewarding the most organized gun while admonishing
the most vulnerable civilian, a method which Barack Obama used to empower Iran
and assign the late Qassem Sulimani as high commissioner. It also misunderstands
the only durable American interest here: a sovereign Lebanese state able to
police its frontiers, disarm non-state actors, and negotiate its external
relations as a single authority, not as a federation of militias with diplomatic
wallpaper.
On Syria, the Ambassador’s storyline is even more fantastical: a “new regime”
sprinting toward normalization and peace with Israel if only the region provides
momentum. This is not boldness; it is amnesia. You cannot “Starlink” your way
across mass atrocities, carceral economics, and a war economy stitched into
every institution. Calling this “prosperity-led pacification” is a rhetorical
trick that turns accountability into a “speed bump.” It tells victims their
suffering is an unfortunate toll booth on the highway to investment. That is not
how legitimacy works—and Washington knows it.
There is also a basic category error in Barrack’s pitch. He treats normalization
with Israel as the organizing principle of regional peace rather than the
outcome of domestic consolidation. Where states possess a monopoly on force and
public consent, they can normalize, de-normalize, and renegotiate without
society collapsing. Where they don’t, “normalization” becomes a security
theater—fragile, reversible, and hostage to every faction with rockets. That is
not peace; it is the illusion of sovereignty. When American policy chases
illusions, it loses leverage and breeds cynicism among allies who need
institutions, not photo-ops.
The Ambassador’s Lebanon prescription—park the debate over disarmament, chase a
boundary deal, and let momentum do the rest—would entrench the very dynamics
that produce cross-border fires and domestic impunity. It tells the Lebanese
state to subcontract its core function (security) to the party most incentivized
to keep the temperature permanently “warm.” It tells reformers that
accountability can wait until after the next ribbon-cutting. And it tells
Washington to confuse the absence of war for the presence of order. That is how
you incubate the next war.
For the United States, the cost of this shortcut doctrine is strategic. It
converts a long American bet—sovereign, rule-bound states capable of enforcing
their borders and their laws—into a narrow transaction that rises and falls with
the fortunes of strongmen and their armed auxiliaries. It teaches would-be
partners that Washington will trade institutions for quiet. And it leaves
America holding the bag when “quiet” fails, as it reliably does. If U.S. policy
in the Levant is to be credible, it must resist the Ambassador’s temptation to
treat militias as a fact of life and courts, budgets, and barracks as optional
extras.
A sovereign-first approach looks different. It means sequencing diplomacy around
internal state capacity: support the Lebanese Armed Forces not as a
“counterweight” in some militia balance, but as the exclusive armed authority;
hardwire assistance to measurable institutional reform; pair border arrangements
with verifiable demobilization benchmarks; and anchor any external deal in
domestic legislation and cross-confessional consent. It means that in Syria,
prosperity is not leveraged until there is a pathway—however gradual—toward
accountability and the re-centralization of legitimate force. And it means that
normalization anywhere in the Levant is a derivative, not a driver, of these
domestic prerequisites.
The evil in our region often arrives disguised as pragmatism: the suggestion
that we can buy time by renting sovereignty, that we can trade justice for
investment, that we can leapfrog history instead of repairing it. The
foolishness is believing that such bargains hold. In Lebanon as in Syria,
skipping the hard work of state restoration is not bold; it is reckless. The
United States should know better—and act like it.
**Makram Rabah is the managing editor at Now Lebanon and an Assistant Professor
at the American University of Beirut, Department of History. His book Conflict
on Mount Lebanon: The Druze, the Maronites and Collective Memory (Edinburgh
University Press) covers collective identities and the Lebanese Civil War. He
tweets at @makramrabah
The Latest English
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on
November 02-03/2025
Israel receives what Hamas says are remains
of 3 more deceased hostages from Gaza
Tal Shalev, CNN/November 02/2025
Israel on Sunday received the bodies of what Hamas said are three more deceased
hostages held in Gaza. The remains were transferred to Israel via the Red Cross
and taken to the country’s national forensics laboratory for identification. If
confirmed that the bodies are those of three Israeli hostages, that would leave
eight deceased hostages still remaining in Gaza. The latest transfer of remains
comes after Hamas handed over the bodies of two deceased hostages on Thursday
evening, identified as Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25. Hamas had also
handed over the remains of three deceased individuals over the weekend, but they
were not identified as belonging to any of the deceased hostages, an Israeli
official said on Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on
Sunday that Israel is committed to ensuring the return of all the deceased
hostages. Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu accused Hamas of
“pathetic attempts to deceive us, the United States, and the world. They will,
of course, fail, and we will gradually bring back all our hostages.” He added
that Israel is still operating against “Hamas pockets” in Rafah and Khan Younis,
areas that are under Israel Defense Forces (IDF) control, “and we are
systematically eliminating them.”As the mission of returning the remaining
deceased hostages draws closer to its conclusion, the IDF announced Sunday that
Major General (Res.) Nitzan Alon, head of the Hostages and Missing Persons
Directorate, will conclude his tenure at his own request after more than two
years in the role. Alon, who held the job since October 7, oversaw the efforts
to rescue and return the hostages from the military side and played a key role
in the negotiations that secured their release. The hostages families regarded
him as one of the most trusted figures taking part in the effort. In a
statement, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the return of the
hostages remains a national and moral imperative, stressing that “the mission is
not complete while any deceased hostages remain in Gaza. The IDF and security
establishment will continue to pursue all efforts to bring them home.”
Cooper to visit Jordan in push for more aid for Gaza
Christopher McKeon, PA Political Correspondent/PA Media: UK
News/November 02/ 2025
The Foreign Secretary will travel to Jordan on Monday as she calls for more aid
to reach Gaza following last month’s tentative ceasefire. Yvette Cooper
announced the UK would provide an extra £6 million of humanitarian support for
Gaza in the form of sexual and reproductive healthcare for women and girls
provided by the UN Population Fund. She is also expected to visit a warehouse
where UK-supplied aid remains stuck waiting to enter Gaza, despite the truce
agreed between Israel and Hamas. Ms Cooper said:
“Essential UK aid, including food and shelter supplies, is ready and warehouses
to go in. Humanitarian support is desperately needed and the people of Gaza
cannot afford to wait. “Following the US-led peace process and the plans for a
substantial increase in aid for Gaza, we need an increase in crossings, an
acceleration in lifting of restrictions and more agencies able to go in with
aid. “As well as food aid, we need a rapid increase in
shelter kits and medical care. That includes urgently needed maternity support
for pregnant women.”Her visit comes as part of a tour of the Middle East aimed
at increasing the flow of aid into Gaza. Although more aid is now entering the
territory, the Foreign Office said it was still “insufficient to meet needs” and
needed to be “rapidly scaled up”. The ceasefire, which came into effect on
October 10, has so far proved shaky – with both sides accusing each other of
breaching its terms. On October 28, Israel launched fresh strikes on Gaza that
killed more than 100 people, following the killing of an Israeli soldier in
Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, and the incomplete return of hostages. Although
all the live hostages taken by Hamas in 2023 have been returned, the group has
so far failed to return the remains of the dead, with Israel saying the bodies
of three people handed over last week do not belong to any of the hostages.
While in Jordan, the Foreign Secretary is also expected to visit UK-supported
training facilities for Palestinian security forces and announce £1 million of
funding to help them maintain security in the West Bank. She will also speak to
girls at a school supported by UK funding and visit a hospital where children
from Gaza were treated before being taken to Britain for NHS care. Earlier in
her tour, she attended the Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain, where she met
regional foreign ministers, including her Palestinian counterpart, as well as US
director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. On Sunday, she travelled to
Saudi Arabia, where she discussed efforts to improve aid access to Gaza with
foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and visited an aid centre in Riyadh.
Turkey set to call for action on Gaza as soon as
possible, source says
Reuters/02 November/2025
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to call at a meeting in
Istanbul on Monday for arrangements to be made as soon as possible to ensure the
security and administration of Gaza by Palestinians, a foreign ministry source
said on Sunday. The foreign ministers of Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia are set to join
the meeting on ceasefire developments and the humanitarian situation in Gaza,
the Turkish foreign ministry source said. The source said Fidan was expected to
“emphasize the importance of coordinated action by Muslim countries for the
ceasefire to evolve into a lasting peace.”Countries taking part in the Istanbul
talks all attended a meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York in
September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The US-brokered Gaza
truce, which left thorny issues like the disarmament of Palestinian militant
group Hamas and a timeline for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza unresolved, has been
tested by periodic violence since coming into force.
The source said Fidan is set to tell the meeting that Israel is “making excuses”
to end the ceasefire and emphasize the need for the international community to
“take a resolute stance against Israel’s provocative actions.” He was also set
to say that humanitarian aid entering Gaza is insufficient and Israel has not
fulfilled its obligations in this regard. Relations
between Turkey and Israel have hit new lows during the Gaza war, with President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly criticizing Israel’s attacks on the enclave.
Turkey helped persuade Hamas to accept Trump’s peace plan and has
expressed a willingness to take part in an international task force to monitor
ceasefire implementation. However, Israeli Foreign
Minister Gideon Saar said last Monday that Israel won’t accept the presence of
Turkish armed forces in Gaza under the US plan to end the war.
Israeli strike kills one in Gaza as sides trade blame for
truce violations
Reuters/02 November/2025
An Israeli airstrike killed a Palestinian man in the Gaza Strip on Sunday,
health authorities said, as Israel and Hamas traded blame for daily violations
of a fragile truce that has largely halted two years of war. The Israeli
military said its aircraft struck a militant who was posing a threat to its
forces. Al-Ahli Hospital said one man was killed in the airstrike near a
vegetable market in the Shujaiyya suburb of Gaza City. His identity was not
immediately known. The Israeli military said on Saturday that its troops were
attacked by militants in areas of Gaza where its forces are still deployed as
part of the US-backed ceasefire agreement. Hamas did not immediately respond to
a request for comment. In a separate statement, it listed a series of what it
said were Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreed in October, which have
killed more than 200 people. At least 236 Palestinians, most of them civilians,
have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect, according
to the Palestinian health ministry. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed by
Palestinian gunmen in the same period, according to the military, which says its
strikes have targeted dozens of militants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will continue to retaliate for, and thwart,
any attempts to harm its troops in Gaza and threatened to keep up action against
Hamas. “There are still Hamas pockets in the areas under our control in Gaza,
and we are systematically eliminating them,” Netanyahu said in broadcast remarks
at the start of his cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Netanyahu added that any
Israeli action in Gaza is reported to Washington. Hamas in its statement said
the United States was not doing enough to ensure Israel abides by the ceasefire
agreement. The US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, met
on Saturday with Israel’s military chief Eyal Zamir during a visit to the region
to discuss Gaza, the Israeli military said. About 200 US troops have set up base
in southern Israel to monitor the ceasefire and plan an international force to
stabilize the enclave. There has been little sign of progress on the next stages
of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end war in Gaza and major obstacles
still lie ahead, including the disarmament of Hamas and a timeline for Israeli
withdrawal from Gaza.
Iraq's foreign minister calls for disarmament of 'PKK elements' in the north
QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA/AP/November 02/2025
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Sunday called on Kurdish
separatist fighters who have withdrawn to the country's north after waging a
decades-long insurgency in Turkey to disarm. Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK,
began laying down its arms in July in a symbolic ceremony in northern Iraq after
withdrawing its fighters from Turkey to Iraq as part of a peace effort with
Ankara. But armed “PKK elements” remain in northern Iraq, notably in Sinjar and
Makhmur, according to Hussein. Speaking on Sunday during a joint news conference
in Baghdad with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, Hussein said: “We support
the agreement between Turkey and the PKK and look forward to the implementation
of this agreement and the resolution of the PKK issue.” He said the matter of
the “PKK elements” in northern Iraq was discussed with Fidan. Turkey hopes that
the PKK will end its armed operations in Iraq and withdraw from there, as well
as in parts of Iran and Syria, Fidan said. “We are working closely with Iraq,
and I thank both Iraq and the Kurdistan region for their cooperation in this
regard,” he said. Sabri Ok, a member of the Kurdish umbrella organization, the
Kurdistan Communities Union, this week said all PKK forces in Turkey were being
withdrawn to areas in northern Iraq “to avoid clashes or provocations.”
Hussein said 26 bilateral memorandums of understanding were being signed
related to energy and security, as well as a critical water rehabilitation
agreement, following talks last month. Flights between
Iraq and Turkey are set to resume on Monday, ending a suspension that lasted
over two years, an official at Sulaymaniyah International Airport told The
Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity. The PKK announced in May
that it would disband and renounce armed conflict, bringing to an end four
decades of hostilities with Turkey, The move came after PKK leader Abdullah
Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999, urged his
group in February to convene a congress and formally disband and disarm.
Syrian leader to discuss lifting sanctions,
reconstruction in 'historic' US visit
France 24/November 02/2025
Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will make a "historic" visit to Washington DC
later this month to discuss issues including lifting remaining sanctions,
reconstruction and counter-terrorism with White House leadership, the country's
top diplomat said Sunday. Syria's president will
discuss issues including lifting remaining sanctions, reconstruction and
counter-terrorism when he becomes the country's first leader to pay an official
visit to Washington later this month, the foreign minister said Sunday. Ahmed
al-Sharaa is expected in the US capital in early November, Syria's top diplomat
Asaad al-Shaibani told a panel at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
This visit is certainly historic," he said. "Many topics will be
discussed, starting with the lifting of sanctions," Shaibani said, adding:
"Today we are fighting (the Islamic State)... any effort in this regard requires
international support." Discussions will also revolve around reconstruction
after more than a decade of war, he said. The foreign ministry in Damascus
confirmed the trip would be the first ever visit to the White House by a Syrian
president. On Saturday, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said Sharaa was heading to
Washington "hopefully" to sign an agreement to join the international US-led
alliance against the Islamic State (IS). Though it will be Sharaa's first visit
to Washington, it will be his second to the US after a landmark UN trip in
September, where the former jihadist became the first Syrian president in
decades to address the UN General Assembly in New York.
In May, the interim leader, whose Islamist forces ousted longtime ruler
Bashar al-Assad late last year, met US President Donald Trump for the first time
in Riyadh during a historic visit that led to the US leader vowing to lift
economic sanctions on Syria.
Israel talks
Syria and Israel remain technically at war, but they opened direct negotiations
after Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led coalition last December. Trump has
expressed hope that Syria will join other Arab countries that have normalised
ties with Israel under the so-called Abraham Accords. But Shaibani said that
"regarding Syria and the Abraham Accords, this is an issue that is not being
considered and has not been discussed". A Syrian
official had told AFP earlier this year that Syria expects to finalise security
and military agreements with Israel in 2025, in what would be a breakthrough
less than a year after Assad's ouster. Since December, Israel has deployed
troops in a UN-patrolled buffer zone that separates the countries' forces and
has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria. Damascus has not retaliated. "We do
not want Syria to enter a new war, and Syria is not currently in a position to
threaten any party, including Israel," said Shaibani. He said the negotiations
underway were focused on "reaching a security agreement that does not undermine
the 1974 agreement (cementing a ceasefire with Israel) and does not legitimise
any new reality that Israel might impose in the south".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Iran vows to rebuild nuclear sites as Oman pushes for
diplomatic talks
The Arab Weekly/November 02/2025
Iran said on Sunday that it would rebuild nuclear sites damaged by Israeli and
US strikes “stronger than before,” as mediator Oman urged Tehran and Washington
to revive stalled diplomacy. US President Donald Trump has said the strikes
obliterated Iran’s nuclear programme, but the full extent of the actual damage
remains unknown. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a visit to the
country’s nuclear organisation, said Tehran “will build (the destroyed sites)
stronger than before.”“By destroying buildings … we will not be set back,” he
said in a video posted to his official website, adding that Iranian scientists
still had the necessary nuclear know-how. Pezeshkian did not elaborate. In
similar remarks in February before the strikes, he said Tehran would rebuild its
sites if they came under attack. Israel launched an
unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran in June, kicking off a 12-day war
that saw it target nuclear and military facilities, as well as residential
areas, and kill many top scientists. Iran retaliated with ballistic missile
barrages aimed at Israeli cities. Iranian Foreign
Minister Abbas Araghchi said in July, after the United States announced a halt
in fighting, that the damage in Iran was “serious and severe.”
Pezeshkian’s comments came as Oman, Iran’s traditional intermediary, urged the
two countries on Saturday to resume talks. “We want to return to the
negotiations between Iran (and) the United States,” Omani Foreign Minister Badr
Albusaidi said at the IISS Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain. Iranian
government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said Sunday that Tehran “has received
messages” on resuming diplomacy, without providing further details. Oman hosted
five rounds of US-Iran talks this year. Just three days before the sixth round,
Israel launched its strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran has since
faced the return of UN sanctions after Britain, Germany and France triggered the
“snapback” mechanism over Tehran’s alleged non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear
deal.
Will China-Iran ties help foster a 'new Asia'? Envoy sees
rebalance in region
South China Morning Post/South China Morning Post/November 2, 2025
China and Iran should strengthen "wise and balanced" cooperation to jointly
counter modern challenges and shape a new world against unilateralism and
hegemony, according to Tehran's top envoy in Beijing. Describing ties with China
"decisive" to regional peace, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told a gathering of
students and researchers that the strategic partnership between the two
countries had gone beyond a bilateral level and could improve the roles of Asian
countries in global decision-making. "From a strategic perspective, the
Iran-China relationship is part of a larger process of the rise of a new Asia,"
Fazli said through a translator in Beijing on Tuesday.
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"In this Asia, independent nations with ancient civilisations are redefining
their roles in the global order. In other words, the strategic bond between
Tehran and Beijing transcends ordinary economic and diplomatic ties. It is a
geopolitical connection that will contribute to the rebalancing of power in
Asia's future."
The intense geopolitical rivalry between Beijing and Washington has prompted
speculation that China may step up its backing of Tehran to ensure its strategic
interest in the Middle East. Closer ties between the two nations have been aided
by the 12-day war in June when Israel - briefly joined by the US - launched a
broad air campaign against Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities and military
leadership. At the event, hosted by the Chongyang
Institute for Financial Studies, a think tank with Renmin University of China,
Fazli stressed Iran's strategic positions in energy and transport.
Sitting at the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia, Iran
borders the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, while it also
controls the Strait of Hormuz. This is a key transit point for trade routes
between Asia and Europe, meaning the country could play a crucial role in the
Belt and Road Initiative, the Iranian diplomat said.
At the same time, Iran's abundant energy reserves could also help Beijing
strengthen its energy security, he added. According to the US Energy Information
Administration, Iran now ranks as the world's third-largest oil and
second-largest natural gas reserve holder in 2023. "[This] combined with China's
role as a major economic and technological power in East Asia, creates the
foundation for a partnership that can deepen connections between East and West
Asia through wise and balanced cooperation," Fazli said. Such cooperation - in
infrastructure, energy, transport and emerging technologies - was "poised to
reshape the future of regional interaction", he said. "At a time when certain
foreign powers are seeking to destabilise West Asia through interventionist
policies and unilateral sanctions, the Iran-China partnership, built on mutual
respect, multilateralism and peaceful development, offers a unique and
constructive model for the region," he said.
Sadr confirms boycott, casting shadow over Iraq’s
November elections
The Arab Weekly/November 02/2025
Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Sunday ruled out any possibility of his
influential movement taking part in the parliamentary elections scheduled for
November 11, a vote already facing the threat of low turnout amid declining
public trust in politicians. The absence of Sadr’s nationalist Shia movement
from the polls had become a foregone conclusion since he barred his followers
from running as candidates. But until recently, there had been faint hopes that
he might still allow his supporters to cast their votes for what he might call
“the lesser evil” among the contenders, to prevent the election from failing. A
new statement on X, however, dashed those hopes. “I know for certain that the
decision to boycott is difficult and painful for many,” Sadr said in his post.
“But the homeland is too precious to be sold to the corrupt and the
dependent.”The comment carried an implicit justification for a stance that
reflects Sadr’s awareness of potential accusations that he is undermining the
political process and threatening a system dominated by Shia parties, among
which his own movement has long been a key player. It also suggests concern that
he could be blamed for thwarting the electoral process essential to renewing
Shia-led governance structures. The sixth
parliamentary elections are due to take place next week, electing a new
329-member legislature for a four-year term. Sadr’s nationalist Shia bloc will
be the most prominent absentee, having chosen to neither field candidates nor
participate in the vote.
Iraq is currently in the midst of intensive preparations for the election, a
central component of its political system, which determines the renewal of
governing institutions including parliament, the cabinet and the presidency. The
authorities have allocated generous budgets, logistics, and personnel to ensure
smooth proceedings. Organisational and procedural frameworks are in place, but
success remains dependent on how competing political forces and candidates
conduct themselves, and whether they abide by the law while avoiding illicit
tactics to win votes. These include the use of money, political influence, and
even weapons by certain armed factions whose civilian affiliates are contesting
seats. Media reports suggest such practices are already surfacing, as in
previous elections.
Uniquely, the success of the November election will hinge on voter turnout amid
widespread public anger and disillusionment toward politicians and those in
power, including sitting members of parliament. Years of economic hardship,
social tension, and environmental crises have eroded faith in the democratic
process. Sadr’s decision to boycott, and his call on supporters to do the same,
has deepened expectations of low participation. His movement, which commands the
loyalty of millions, has been a dominant force in Iraq’s post-2003 politics. The
current parliament has been marked by weak legislative and oversight
performance, suffering major credibility blows that further eroded public
confidence in the country’s democratic experiment. Lawmakers and political blocs
spent much of their time embroiled in procedural disputes, including the nearly
year-long impasse over electing a new parliamentary speaker to replace Mohammed
al-Halbousi, who was removed from office for politically-motivated reasons that
were later given a legal form. The post was eventually filled by Mahmoud
al-Mashhadani in late 2024, a full year after Halbousi’s dismissal in November
2023, following heated confrontations, walkouts, and even physical altercations
under the parliamentary dome. As is common in Iraq’s political process, the
deadlock ended with backroom deals, political bargaining, and mutual
concessions. The legislative record of the current parliament has been meagre,
with only a limited number of bills passed, some of them minor and of little
impact on citizens’ lives, others criticised for deepening divisions within
society. These include designating the Eid al-Ghadir religious holiday,
celebrated only by Shias, as a national day, and approving a personal status law
widely condemned by rights advocates as a “legal scandal” for rolling back
women’s and children’s rights. Sadr’s decision to
boycott the elections, which he described as “difficult,” is seen as a
politically-charged reaction to his lost opportunity in the last vote to fulfil
his long-standing ambition of leading the government. His bloc had come close to
securing that goal after the October 2021 elections, winning a large number of
seats and positioning itself to form the cabinet. However, he was ultimately
blocked by other powerful figures within Iraq’s Shia political establishment,
who quickly united with Sunni and Kurdish factions to prevent him from taking
control of the executive branch, effectively denying him the chance to govern.
Since then, Sadr has taken a sharply critical stance toward the political
system, though stopping short of calling for its overthrow. His rhetoric has
instead focused on denouncing the ruling elite for political deviation,
financial corruption and what he describes as moral and even religious decay.
Nigeria urges Trump meeting after military action threat
AFP/02 November/2025
Nigeria on Sunday suggested a meeting between its president and US counterpart
Donald Trump, after the US leader threatened military action over what he
described as a threat to Nigerian Christians by extremists. In an explosive
post, Trump said on social media on Saturday that he asked the Pentagon to map
out a possible plan of attack in Nigeria, one day after warning that
Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Africa’s most populous
country. Nigeria, which is almost evenly divided between a Muslim-majority north
and a largely Christian south, is embroiled in numerous conflicts that experts
say have killed both Christians and Muslims without distinction. In his post,
Trump said that if Nigeria does not stem the killings, the United States will
attack and “it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs
attack our CHERISHED Christians.”Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s
spokesman Daniel Bwala told AFP on Sunday that “Nigeria is US’s partner in the
global fight against terrorism. When leaders meet there would be better
outcomes.”“Nigeria welcomes US support to fight terrorism as long as it respects
our territorial integrity,” he said. “We do not see the (Trump’s social media
post) in the literal sense,” he said.“We know that Donald Trump has his own
style of communication,” he said, suggesting the post was a way to “force a
sit-down between the two leaders so they can iron out a common front to fight
their insecurity.”Earlier Bwala had suggested in a post on X that the two
leaders could meet soon. “As for the differences as to whether terrorists in
Nigeria target only Christians or in fact all faiths and no faiths, the
differences if they exist, would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders
when they meet in the coming days, either in State House or White House.”Bwala,
who was speaking on the phone from Washington, declined to disclose details of
any potential meeting. Trump posted on Friday, without evidence, that “thousands
of Christians are being killed (and) Radical Islamists are responsible for this
mass slaughter.” Nigeria has denied that Christians have been targeted by
extremist attacks more than other faiths. “The characterization of Nigeria as
religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said on
social media Saturday.
Trump says Xi is aware of ‘consequences’ if China invades
Taiwan
AP/November 02/2025
President Donald Trump said Xi Jinping understands the consequences if China
invades Taiwan, while refusing to specifically say the United States would
defend the island, according to an extract of a CBS News interview broadcast
Sunday. Trump said Taiwan “never even came up as a
subject” when he met the Chinese president in South Korea on Thursday for their
first face-to-face meeting in six years. Asked on CBS’s “60 Minutes” whether he
would order US forces into action if China moved militarily on Taiwan, Trump
said: “You’ll find out if it happens, and he understands the answer to that.”But
Trump declined to spell out what he meant in the interview conducted Friday at
his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, adding: “I can’t give away my secrets. The
other side knows.”The US president claimed that Xi and those close to him had
“openly said” that “‘we would never do anything while President Trump is
president,’ because they know the consequences.”China claims self-governing
Taiwan as its territory. Under longstanding policy, the United States recognizes
only Beijing but provides weapons for the island’s self-defense.
The issue continues to provoke tensions, which Trump and Xi appeared to
have avoided at their summit, focusing instead on easing the trade war between
Washington and Beijing.
The Latest
English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources
on
November 02-03/2025
'Innocent People Cowardly Killed': The Persecution of Christians,
September 2025
Raymond Ibrahim/Gatestone Institute./November 02/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/148817/
These atrocities are just part of a continuing wave of attacks by the Islamic
State Mozambique (IS-M), which has been active in northern Mozambique since
2017, killing an estimated 1,800 Christians and displacing more than half a
million people. The militants ... establish roadblocks to intercept travelers,
particularly Christians, who are charged "tolls" ranging from $150 to $460 to
continue their journeys. IS-M continues to demand that Christians convert to
Islam, submit to IS authority and pay jizya ("tribute"), or face death. —
Barnabas Aid, September 14, 2025, Mozambique.
Organized by army officers and officials, these gatherings are presented to the
public as "reconciliation," but Christian survivors call them diversions
"designed to mask atrocities, shield perpetrators, and convince foreign
diplomats that progress is being made... They told us to forgive and move
forward, but they never asked who committed the killings. They only wanted
photographs of us sitting together in the hall, so they could show Abuja and the
U.S. embassy that peace has been restored." — A farmer whose brother was killed,
persecution.org, September 3, 2025, Nigeria.
Human rights advocates say such kidnappings are common. Girls as young as 10 are
abducted, converted, and raped under the guise of Islamic marriage, while courts
routinely ignore evidence of age. The case highlights Pakistan's failure to
enforce child protection laws, while, under sharia law, Islamic authorities
oppose raising the marriage age.
"These are not teachers. The government has hired clerics to preach Islam
instead of teaching." — A grandmother, persecution.org, September 24,
2025, Pakistan
"When even NGOs (non-governmental organisations) want to distribute food, the
category of people who will receive this relief is controlled by Government. So,
Government in these places doesn't give it to minorities. Often Christians here
have been told: 'Unless you leave your Christianity, no food for you'.... For a
long time now, they're eating animal feed and grass. No wheat, no rice, nothing
can get in. And, unfortunately now, no medicine – if you have just the flu it
can kill you." — Local church leader, GB News, September 17, 2025, Sudan.
"This is another tragic example of how Pakistan's blasphemy laws are being
misused. Thousands of innocent people are languishing in prisons under false
charges, and many have been murdered by vigilantes before trial. Social media is
increasingly weaponized to settle personal scores and inflame communal tensions.
Urgent reforms are needed to protect minorities and prevent abuse of Section
295-C [mandatory death penalty for blasphemy]." —Nasir Saeed, director of the
Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement UK, September 24, 2025, Pakistan.
[A] Christian pastor was denied access to a chapel at Dallas-Fort Worth
International Airport because Muslims were using it and unwilling to share their
space with an infidel.... The chapel is dedicated to honoring U.S. military
service members.... "Welcome to America, where we promote the Islam faith over
all else in the name of inclusion," wrote one commentator — and shared similar
experiences from other airports, raising broader concerns for Christians and
others about access to public chapels. — September 27, 2025, United States of
America.
Mount Sinai, the site where Moses received the Ten Commandments, is under threat
from a state-backed luxury resort project that locals warn will irreparably
disfigure one of the world's most sacred Judeo-Christian landmarks. The Great
Transfiguration Project reportedly aims to build five hotels, hundreds of
villas, a 1.4-acre visitors' center, and a shopping complex within the St.
Catherine Protectorate, home to the 6th-century St. Catherine's Monastery and
countless ancient biblical sites. "I call it the Grand Disfiguration Project,"
said John Grainger, the former manager of a European Union project to develop
the area.... While the government frames the project as a "gift to the world,"
locals and preservationists see it as an aggressive, top-down imposition,
enforced by extensive security surveillance, that disrespects centuries of
religious tradition and the sacredness of one of the Bible's most hallowed
sites. Any Egyptian who dares speak up is clamped down on by an intricate and
omnipresent security network. In the words of Ben Hoffler, a British travel
writer and former resident of St. Catherine, "If they say anything about it,
they get a knock on the door [from Egyptian security services]. The secret
police in St. Catherine monitor everything so closely — phone calls, we've had
spyware on telephones. They follow people literally in the street. I've been
followed many times." — The New York Post, September 11, 2025.
A Christian pastor recently was denied access to a chapel at Dallas-Fort Worth
International Airport because Muslims were using it and unwilling to share their
space with an infidel
The following are among the abuses and murders inflicted on Christians by
Muslims throughout the month of September 2025.
The Muslim Slaughter of Christians
Democratic Republic of the Congo: On Sept. 9, right before dawn, Muslim
terrorists of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked and slaughtered more
than 70 Christians gathered for a wake. What was meant to be a night of mourning
for a deceased loved one became a bloodbath. Men, women and children were gunned
down. After the carnage, the jihadists torched homes, trucks and motorcycles,
leaving families without shelter or possessions. "That's how they operate,
that's how they act," a local administrator said:
"You know, it's a terrorist group [the ADF]. And like all terrorist groups,
their objective is often to instill fear in order to force the population to
join their movement. That's why they behave this way."
Rev. Samuel Kambale disclosed the religious motive:
"Our people are being slaughtered simply because they refuse to abandon their
faith and their homes... We cry for justice...."
Separately, on Sept. 23, the Islamic terrorists targeted several Christian
villages, killing at least six and setting many homes on fire. Had a local youth
self-defense force known as Wazalendo not mobilized immediately, the carnage
could have been worse: "This resistance helped to limit the damage," said a
local.
"If the Wazalendo had not acted quickly, the number of deaths would have been
much higher. Still, the fear remains, because the rebels can strike again at any
time, and people no longer feel safe even in their own homes."
Mozambique: According to a Sept. 17 report, Muslim militants slaughtered another
17 Christians in Cabo Delgado Province, and, during the preceding three weeks,
torched countless homes. These atrocities are just part of a continuing wave of
attacks by the Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M), which has been active in
northern Mozambique since 2017, killing an estimated 1,800 Christians and
displacing more than half a million people. The militants have also been
targeting humanitarian relief. They establish roadblocks to intercept travelers,
particularly Christians, who are charged "tolls" ranging from $150 to $460 to
continue their journeys. IS-M continues to demand that Christians convert to
Islam, submit to IS authority and pay jizya ("tribute"), or face death.
Nigeria: On Sunday morning, Sept. 7, armed Muslim herdsmen attacked Wakeh, a
Christian village. They killed at least nine and wounded eight. Survivors said
that the terrorists came on motorcycles and on foot, shouting "Allahu Akbar,"
Islam's war-cry; firing indiscriminately and torching homes. Mary Audu, who
escaped with a wounded leg, recalled: "They called us infidels and said we
should leave the land. I thought I would die there."
According to a Sept. 3 report, after more attacks, Christian youth leaders in
Plateau and Kaduna accused the Nigerian government of enabling these attacks on
Christians through staged "peace meetings" that conceal Fulani militia violence.
Organized by army officers and officials, these gatherings are presented to the
public as "reconciliation," but Christian survivors call them diversions
"designed to mask atrocities, shield perpetrators, and convince foreign
diplomats that progress is being made." A few quotes from protesting Christian
survivors and displaced victims include:
"They told us to forgive and move forward," said a farmer, whose brother was
killed. "But they never asked who committed the killings. They only wanted
photographs of us sitting together in the hall, so they could show Abuja and the
U.S. embassy that peace has been restored."
"When we said Fulani militias attacked us, they told us to stop spreading hate
speech," Mary Dauda said. "But we saw their faces. Some of the same men were
seated across from us in the so-called peace meeting."
"The soldiers said they would help us rebuild," said Daniel of his destroyed
village. "Instead, they took pictures of us with the attackers and left. Until
today, our village is empty."
"They tell the international community there is peace," said Rachel. "But in
reality, we are refugees in our own land."
"They call it peace," said an anonymous displaced farmer. "But for us, it is
silence."
The report adds that more than 4,000 Christians have been slaughtered, and tens
of thousands displaced, since just January 2025.
Niger: On Monday, Sept. 16, jihadist gunmen on motorcycles attacked Christian
villages in the Tillaberi region and killed 22 villagers. Most of those
murdered—15 Christians—were shot at a baptismal ceremony. Afterwards the
terrorists moved to the village outskirts and killed seven more. Local
media described the massacre as a "gruesome death toll of 22 innocent people
cowardly killed without reason or justification."
France: On Sept. 10, the same day as US free-speech activist Charlie Kirk was
murdered, Ashur Sarnaya, a 45-year-old disabled Iraqi Christian who had fled
ISIS persecution in 2014, was fatally stabbed outside his Lyon apartment while
livestreaming a testimony of his faith on TikTok. Ashur, an Assyrian who needed
a wheelchair, had lived quietly with his sister for more than a decade in
France, and was widely known for his kindness and faith. Witnesses said that the
Muslim attacker, dressed in black, appeared to be waiting for him and stabbed
him in the neck before fleeing. A Muslim suspect from Algeria, after evading
capture for weeks, was arrested in Italy on Oct. 2. He was apprehended under a
European arrest warrant for premeditated murder linked to Sarnaya's religion.
The attack sparked outrage and renewed a debate on the protection of Christians
in France, where anti-Christian incidents increased 13% in the first half of
2025. Observers warn that vulnerable religious minorities continue to face
growing threats even in countries, such as in Europe, long considered safe
havens for refugees from Islamic persecution.
Uganda: On Sept. 1, a Muslim high school student, Akram Kairoki, stabbed to
death his 19-year-old brother, Shafiki Wasike, a day after he converted to
Christianity. The assault occurred at Mbale High School. "Why should my brother
stab me"—a classmate heard the apostate lament as he bled to death—"I have done
nothing wrong to him. It is only changing my faith and joining the Christian
faith." During the teenager's funeral, which was conducted by the pastor who led
him to Christ, "family and clan members refused to touch the body, saying Wasike
had become an infidel."
Pakistan: On Sunday, Sept 7, Afzal Masih, a 44-year-old Catholic from Lahore,
was shot dead and his cousin Harris Tariq Masih seriously wounded while
traveling to the annual Feast of the Nativity of Mary shrine in Mariamabad,
Punjab Province. The attack occurred in two stages: first, three Muslim men on
motorcycles sexually harassed Christian female passengers in the van, physically
assaulted Afzal when he intervened, and verbally abused the Christians with
curses and the pejorative term "Chuhra." Later, at a gas station, the assailants
returned armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and shot Afzal in the neck and
Harris in the arm. According to Kashif Nemat, of the Good Samaritan Society:
"This incident is clearly an act of persecution on the basis of the victim's
religious identity. The other passengers who witnessed the gruesome attack on
Afzal and Harris told us that they had covered their van with posters of the
pilgrimage and cross signs which clearly identified them as Christians. Afzal
had only stopped the assailants from teasing the women passengers, which
offended them to the extent that they not only tortured him but returned with
guns to kill him."
The police registered a case against Muhammad Waqas of Farooqabad and two
unidentified accomplices, but no arrests were made. Afzal Masih, a rickshaw
driver, leaves behind a now financially destitute widow and four children.
Abduction, Rape, and Harassment of Christian Girls
Pakistan: According to a Sept. 3 report, a Christian father has been trying to
recover his 13-year-old daughter, Maria Shahbaz, since July 31, when she was
abducted by a 30-year-old Muslim man named Ahmed, forcibly converted to Islam,
and married. Despite filing a First Information Report, the court accepted
Maria's coerced statement claiming she married of her "own free will" and was
18. Her father, Shahbaz Masih, insists the court is denying reality:
"I'm still in disbelief that the magistrate admitted her claim that she was 18
years old, whereas her physical appearance also doesn't support her claim."
Human rights advocates say such kidnappings are common. Girls as young as 10 are
abducted, converted, and raped under the guise of Islamic marriage, while courts
routinely ignore evidence of age. The case highlights Pakistan's failure to
enforce child protection laws, while, under sharia law, Islamic authorities
oppose raising the marriage age.
Separately, according to a Sept. 24 report, Maryam Hadayat, a fourth-grade
Christian student, regularly endures harassment from her Muslim classmates. "My
fellows abuse my religion," Maryam said. "They say Christianity is not a good
religion and that I should convert to Islam." Despite repeated complaints to her
teachers, no action has been taken. When her grandmother intervened, the teacher
promised to "look into the matter" but immediately scolded Maryam and threatened
her with expulsion if she spoke of it again at home. The report adds that
Christian children throughout Pakistan face similar systemic discrimination.
Teachers often preach Islam, denounce the Bible as "corrupted," mock the
Trinity, and pressure students to convert. "These are not teachers," stated the
girl's grandmother. "The government has hired clerics to preach Islam instead of
teaching." Muslim students reinforce this Islamic supremacist attitude by
refusing to eat or drink with Christian classmates unless framed as a
"privilege" for the lowly infidels.
Egypt: According to a Sept. 24 report, a 16-year-old Christian girl, Maryam, was
pressured by her public high school to wear the Islamic hijab headcover, despite
her faith. "You can't come with your hair like that," the school
principal told her on her first day. "It's shameful. You have to come tomorrow
wearing a scarf." When Maryam refused, insisting, "but I'm Christian and not
supposed to wear the hijab," teachers and classmates began to ostracize her.
"When I entered school without the scarf, everyone was shocked and looked at me
as if I were naked," she said. "I feel like I'm getting into a fight defending
my freedom." Maryam dreams of attending university "with my hair spread over my
shoulders, without anyone looking at me in a way that bothers me." Such is the
quiet Islamization of Egypt's public schools.
General Muslim Persecution of Christians
Sudan: According to a Sept. 17 report, "Christians have been told either to
renounce their faith or face starvation under a campaign of brutal Islamist
repression." This ultimatum comes in the midst of an ongoing civil war between
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Mohamed Hamdan
Dagalo's Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has already claimed the lives
of approximately 150,000 Christians and has displaced 15 million more. RSF
fighters reportedly target those fleeing violence in El Fasher, often abducting,
torturing, or demanding ransom from captives. Christians under SAF control are
also vulnerable. Multiple churches in Khartoum have been demolished, Christians
arrested without explanation, and relief aid is frequently withheld. According
to the report:
"Neither side is sympathetic to Christians, and the conflict has given Islamist
extremists more opportunity to target them. Christians are also experiencing
exceptional hardship in the hunger crisis because local communities discriminate
against them and won't give them support."
A local church leader added:
"When even NGOs (non-governmental organisations) want to distribute food, the
category of people who will receive this relief is controlled by Government. So,
Government in these places doesn't give it to minorities. Often Christians here
have been told: 'Unless you leave your Christianity, no food for you'.... For a
long time now, they're eating animal feed and grass. No wheat, no rice, nothing
can get in. And, unfortunately now, no medicine – if you have just the flu it
can kill you. We are just always asking God to have mercy on us."
Turkey: According to a Sept. 5 report, violence and intimidation against
Christians escalated last year, culminating with attacks on Salvation Church
buildings. In January, a man fired at the Eskişehir Salvation Church while it
was empty; by year's end, another assailant shot at a Salvation Church
association building in Istanbul. Witnesses reported him shouting:
"We will not allow you to brainwash our Muslim youth! Oh, infidels, you will be
defeated and swept up into hell!"
Pastor Ramazan Arkan of Antalya Evangelical Churches testified before the 58th
Human Rights Council:
"Turkish churches face many difficulties and much discrimination, and
unfortunately, when we have tried to address those issues with the Turkish
authorities, we have most often been ignored because Christians are the
religious minority in Turkey."
Foreign missionaries are also targeted. Residence permits are withheld or not
renewed, and many missionaries are labeled security risks. Christians face
online threats, harassment, and social isolation.
Iran: According to a Sept. 17 report, Mehran Shamloui, a Christian convert, has
been denied a retrial by the Iranian Supreme Court and is currently serving a
10-year, 8-month sentence in the infamous Evin Prison. Arrested in 2024 for
participating in a house church, he was charged with "propaganda contrary to
Islamic law" and "membership in groups opposing the state." After briefly
posting bail, Shamloui fled from Iran to Turkey but was deported from there in
July 2025. Iran's laws criminalize sharing the Christian faith and owning Farsi
Bibles. The report adds that persecution intensified in 2024, with dozens of
Christians imprisoned for peacefully practicing their faith.
Pakistan: According to a Sept. 24 report, another young Christian man, Asher
Bhatti, is facing a fabricated blasphemy case. Muhammad Umair, a local bookstore
owner, filed a complaint alleging that a Facebook profile named "Aserbhatti"
posted derogatory content about the Islamic prophet Muhammad and added that the
Christian had commented on the posts, inciting hatred against Muslims. Under
Pakistan's blasphemy laws, Bhatti, if convicted, could face the death penalty or
life imprisonment. Discussing the case, one human rights activist, Nasir
Saeed, said:
"This is another tragic example of how Pakistan's blasphemy laws are being
misused. Thousands of innocent people are languishing in prisons under false
charges, and many have been murdered by vigilantes before trial. Social media is
increasingly weaponized to settle personal scores and inflame communal tensions.
Urgent reforms are needed to protect minorities and prevent abuse of Section
295-C [mandatory death penalty for blasphemy]."
Separately, a Christian pastor, Zafar Bhatti, according to a Sept. 22 report,
has been languishing in prison for 13 years over two "blasphemous" text messages
he insists he never sent. Convicted under the Muslim nation's blasphemy laws,
the pastor has spent more than a decade awaiting justice while courts repeatedly
delay his appeal. At a recent hearing, one advocate questioned how such a long
sentence could stand "without any forensic proof." Proceedings nevertheless
continue to stall as the complainant's lawyers invent excuses or skip hearings.
Finally, on Sept. 2, Christians in Jaranwala ended a 17-day sit-in protest,
demanding justice for the Aug. 2023 Muslim attacks that torched and destroyed 25
churches and 85 homes in the wake of false blasphemy accusations against
Christians. The protest was prompted by government inaction: of the 5,213 Muslim
suspects arrested, most were released or remained at large, while courts
acquitted the others despite strong evidence. The Muslim attackers, fueled by
false blasphemy claims, reflect a pattern of religiously-motivated violence
targeting Christians, exacerbated by police negligence, the report notes: "The
state should know that we will not rest until we get justice," one female
protester said.
United States: According to a Sept. 27 report, a Christian pastor was denied
access to a chapel at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport because Muslims
were using it and unwilling to share their space with an infidel. Tom Ascol, a
Southern Baptist pastor, was visiting the family of Voddie Baucham, another
pastor, who recently died. Hearing an announcement that the Meadows Chapel was
open to all for prayer, Ascol went to join a service, apparently hoping at least
to hear Scripture read. Instead, he was denied entrance while other Muslims
prostrated themselves atop prayer rugs on the chapel floor. In a social media
post Ascol wrote,
"They blocked my way in the inner room. A man who had offered a loud prayer, not
the Imam, said I could come in if I took my shoes off. I refused. He would not
let me walk in. I did not want to create a scene a[nd] I left. Muslim prayer
rugs lined the floors."
The chapel is dedicated to honoring U.S. military service members. The
report notes that dozens of online commenters expressed outrage— "Welcome to
America, where we promote the Islam faith over all else in the name of
inclusion," wrote one—and shared similar experiences from other airports,
raising broader concerns for Christians and others about access to public
chapels.
Muslim Attacks on and Discrimination against Christian Churches
Indonesia: On Sept. 2, officials in Karanganyar Regency halted construction of
the Immanuel Christian Church (GKIM) and the Holyland Bukit Doa religious
tourism compound after pressure from local Muslims. The suspension cited fears
of social conflict, despite the project having a valid construction permit. As
an added pretext, government officials and council members, noting that the
compound resembled a "mini-Jerusalem" rather than a simple church, claimed that
the project exceeded its original permi. Several local Muslim organizations
opposed the project. One issued a video of a Muslim figure saying,
"We call on Muslims everywhere to reject this project because it will be a
religious disaster for the future of the Muslim community, our children and
grandchildren."
In a separate incident, in late September 2025, during Sunday services, a
Protestant congregation in Tangerang Regency faced repeated attacks from Muslim
groups. On September 14 and 21, at least 20 Muslims stormed shop-houses used as
places of worship by the Bethel Indonesia Church, and forcibly dispersed the
congregants. Videos circulated online show attackers shouting that the church
lacked proper permits, threatening residents, and attempting to revoke the
identity cards of whoever supported the congregation. "You cannot hold
[Christian] activities here," one man is heard shouting. "Go worship somewhere
else, but not here." The report adds that such attacks reflect a broader pattern
of anti-Christian intolerance in Indonesia, where regulatory mechanisms are
often weaponized to block Christian worship. Approval processes require local
resident consent, can take years, and are frequently undermined by Muslim
extremist pressure. In 2024 alone, data from the Setara Institute documented 260
incidents and 402 violations of religious freedom.
Egypt: According to a Sept. 11 report, Mount Sinai, the site where Moses
received the Ten Commandments, is under threat from a state-backed luxury resort
project that locals warn will irreparably disfigure one of the world's most
sacred Judeo-Christian landmarks. The Great Transfiguration Project reportedly
aims to build five hotels, hundreds of villas, a 1.4-acre visitors' center, and
a shopping complex within the St. Catherine Protectorate, home to the
6th-century St. Catherine's Monastery and countless ancient biblical sites. "I
call it the Grand Disfiguration Project," said John Grainger, the former manager
of a European Union project to develop the area. The project has especially
provoked an outcry from the Greek Orthodox Church, which oversees St.
Catherine's Monastery. The Church has condemned an Egyptian court ruling that
effectively expropriated monastery lands by calling them an existential threat
to Orthodoxy and Hellenic heritage. Observers stress that Egypt's actions show a
disturbing disregard for a site central to Jewish and Christian faiths. While
the government frames the project as a "gift to the world," locals and
preservationists see it as an aggressive, top-down imposition, enforced by
extensive security surveillance, that disrespects centuries of religious
tradition and the sacredness of one of the Bible's most hallowed sites. Any
Egyptian who dares speak up is clamped down on by an intricate and omnipresent
security network. In the words of Ben Hoffler, a British travel writer and
former resident of St. Catherine,
"If they say anything about it, they get a knock on the door [from Egyptian
security services]. The secret police in St. Catherine monitor everything so
closely — phone calls, we've had spyware on telephones. They follow people
literally in the street. I've been followed many times."
Sudan: On Sept. 3, Islamic forces attempted to seize the Evangelical School of
Sudan in Omdurman, even as hundreds of displaced Christians were sheltering
there. Three men linked to an Islamic business interest group forcibly entered
the campus, threatened the residents, and, warning that they could take the
facility by force, broke into the headmaster's office. The school, owned by the
Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC), has been repeatedly targeted since
the Bashir regime, with previous raids resulting in the deaths and injuries of
church elders trying to defend the community.
Raymond Ibrahim, author of Defenders of the West, Sword and Scimitar, Crucified
Again, and The Al Qaeda Reader, is the Distinguished Senior Shillman Fellow at
the Gatestone Institute and the Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East
Forum.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22030/persecution-of-christians-september
© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
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or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Trump policies spur economic anxiety in US Republican heartland: ‘Tariffs are
affecting everything’
Stephen Starr in Jeffersonville, Ohio/The Guardian/November 02/2025
For decades, a line of storefronts in Jeffersonville, Ohio, a town of 1,200
people 40 minutes south-west of Columbus, lay empty. But now locals are hard at
work renovating the downtown and paving streets in anticipation of a potential
economic boom fueled by a huge new electric vehicle battery manufacturing
plant.Two miles south of Jeffersonville, Korean and Japanese companies LG Energy
Solution and Honda are in the midst of sinking $3.5bn into a facility that is
expected to begin production in the coming months. Hundreds of people have been
employed in the construction of the plant, and more than 525 people have been
hired to work in engineering and other manufacturing roles at the facility. In
total, about 2,200 people are expected to be employed on a site that, until
several years ago, was open farmland. A host of Trump
administration policies – tariff measures and the end of clean vehicle tax
credits worth thousands of dollars to car buyers – are causing multinational
manufacturing companies to consider pausing hundreds of millions of dollars in
future investments, a move that would hit small, majority-Republican towns such
as Jeffersonville especially hard. Moreover, a raid by
ICE immigration officers on a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Ellabell, a small town
in south-east Georgia in September that saw more than 300 South Korean workers
detained and sent home has sent shock waves through places like Jeffersonville
and the C-suites of international companies alike.
“The construction process has been slowing down. My fear is that the whole thing
is going to stop, and we’re left with just unfinished concrete out there,” says
Amy Wright, a Fayette county resident, of the under-construction battery plant.
“What’s more, a lot of the people hired to do the construction of the
plant are not locals. They are from out-of-state; I’ve met them at the
gym.”While in last year’s presidential election, 77% of voters in Fayette county
backed Trump, recent polls suggest his popularity in rural America has taken a
nosedive. One poll suggests that his approval rating
among rural Americans has slipped from 59% in August to 47% in October. Others
chart his net approval rating in states he won in last year’s presidential
election – Ohio, Michigan and Indiana – in negative territory by as much as 18.9
points. Wright says her son, who works for a local company that supplies Honda
with parts, recently received notice that a prior promise of overtime work was
being rescinded. She says she believes Honda is reeling in spending due to US
government policies.
“Tariffs are affecting everything,” says Wright.
What’s happening in Jeffersonville is being mirrored across the midwest.
In Kentucky, Michigan and elsewhere, global giants Toyota and Stellantis have
spent billions of dollars in small communities, much of which came in the form
of clean energy tax breaks from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction
Act of 2022.
Toyota’s biggest production facility on the planet is in a small Kentucky town
called Georgetown, where the company employs more than 10,000 people and has
invested $11bn in the local economy since the late 1980s. These workers churn
out nearly half a million vehicles and hundreds of thousands of engines every
year. However, in August Toyota warned that it faced a $9.5bn financial hit to
it and its suppliers due to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, the
largest estimate of any automotive manufacturer. In July, Kentucky’s governor,
Andy Beshear, said Trump’s tariffs were undermining investments in the state
such as Toyota’s, calling them “chaos”. Sixty-three per cent of voters in
Georgetown’s Scott county backed Trump in last year’s presidential election.
Last April, Stellantis laid off 900 workers at locations across the
midwest due to Trump’s tariffs. In Indiana, one of the largest employers in the
state, the Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche is reportedly considering pulling
out of $50bn worth of investment in the coming years if Trump follows through on
his executive order to target companies that don’t reduce drug prices. “No
[manufacturer] wanted to alienate customers, but those days are past. So, the
bulk of tariff price increases will hit in the coming months. This matters,
because factory employment is a major share of rural counties in the midwest –
about 30% in Indiana, and similar in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin,”
says Michael Hicks, an economist and professor at Ball State University in
Indiana.
“These things will clearly have a political effect, but my hunch is not fully
for several months. Overlaying all this is the risk of a significant [economic]
downturn, where tariffs combine with a financial bubble that would surely hit
rural – red – communities very hard.”
Still, others believe that the tariffs will benefit small American towns in the
long run. “Toyota is doing fine and I don’t see
[tariffs] as being a big hurt for us here in Georgetown,” says Robert Linder,
co-owner of the Porch restaurant that’s situated a mile north of the huge
facility, and who worked at the plant for 29 years. In April, Toyota suggested
it might move more vehicle production to Georgetown to beat the tariffs, though
that move could be years in the making. Sales of Toyota brands in the US have
been growing this year, with the company thus far eating the cost of tariffs
rather than passing it on to consumers.
“They just announced a $10bn investment in the United States for more Toyota
plants. If Toyota was worried about [tariffs] they wouldn’t be expanding,” says
Linder. Recent reports, however, suggest the $10bn figure referred to previously
announced investments.
However, large multinationals have a track record of announcing major projects
only for reality to play out in a very different way.
In Wisconsin, the Taiwanese tech company Foxconn claimed it would spend $10bn on
a facility outside the town of Mount Pleasant. Instead, local taxpayers today
find themselves on the hook for $1.2bn spent on highways, attorneys and other
infrastructure for a facility that has never transpired. In Arizona, the Taiwan
Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), backed directly by Trump, has been
plagued with lawsuits related to safety and other issues, and missed project
deadlines following promises to become a major employer of local talent. Despite
Ohio’s governor, Mike DeWine, recently claiming there was no need to worry about
the future of the LG-Honda battery plant, on 28 October, Honda announced it was
reducing production at plants across Ohio due to a semiconductor chip shortage.
While more than two dozen jobs are available at the Jeffersonville site,
according to the LG-Honda plant’s hiring website, it’s a far cry from the more
than 2,000 positions cited by officials previously. For Amy Wright, policies
coming out of the White House are having a clear effect on residents of rural
Ohio. As an organizer of four local No Kings protests against Trump’s policies
she’s noticed a change in the people who are coming to the rallies.
“We’ve had more and more people who have voted for [Trump] show up and
say: ‘This is not good, this is not what we voted for,’” she says.
Path to Mideast peace lies in investment — not brute
force
Hassan Al-Mustafa/Arab News/November 03, 2025
I was in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, last week for the ninth Future Investment
Initiative Forum. The event brought together around 600 speakers who
participated in 250 sessions, a testament to the city’s dynamism and the
distinguished caliber of its guests, who were not confined to one place. They
were not only present in the halls of the forum, but also in the restaurants,
cafes, public spaces, and shopping centers. Despite most of the participants’
busy schedules, the fast changes taking place in Riyadh compelled them to
explore the current events and observe the details of daily life, services, and
Saudi social culture. These are not mere side details; they are vital for anyone
seeking to invest in Saudi Arabia, to build a broader, more comprehensive
picture. I was invited to dinner with a group of
friends and Saudi figures with expertise and knowledge of economic and political
affairs. Among us were several guests from the forum, including a senior
official in the International Monetary Fund, who spoke about the pivotal role
Saudi Arabia plays in the Middle East today, and how it has become a hub for
growth and development seekers.
With extensive connections and vast experience, the guest did not speak from an
emotional standpoint or seek to flatter his Saudi audience. Instead, he
articulated his vision based on observation and political analysis, citing clear
examples of the Syrian Arab Republic, which, in its efforts to recover, return
to the Arab fold, and resolve its issues with the US, chose Saudi Arabia,
recognizing Riyadh’s capacity to exert a positive influence on regional
politics. And indeed, according to the guest, that is what transpired.
This account can be seen as indicative of the importance of the forum, years
after its inception in 2017, and how today it has become a landmark in the
Kingdom’s transformation, linking economy, politics and diplomacy, as well as
security.
The deals concluded by the forum amounted to $60 billion, adding to more than
$250 billion in agreements signed over the past nine years. These figures should
not be viewed merely as financial indicators; rather, they embody a Saudi vision
that treats investment as a tool to promote regional stability, expand influence
through economic cooperation — not through brute force, warfare, and the
coercion of Middle Eastern countries, as Israel does.
Within this political context, the FII forum emerged as an active diplomatic
platform, using the economy as an effective tool to push the participants toward
cooperation and integration, and to make bilateral and multilateral partnerships
a safety net that mitigates the negative repercussions of wars and crises, while
promoting a culture of dialogue in place of the confrontational logic that has
burdened the region for decades.
Saudi Arabia has become a hub for growth.
In this context, Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa took part in a panel
discussion attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announcing that “the
Kingdom has become an economic compass for investors, thanks to its vision and
stability.” This is a clear sign of Damascus’ reintegration into regional
economic diplomacy under Saudi auspices. Another
notable event coinciding with the forum was Syria’s official recognition of the
state of Kosovo, during a trilateral meeting that brought together the crown
prince, Al-Sharaa and Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani. This recognition, warmly
welcomed by Riyadh, carried political significance extending beyond bilateral
relations between Damascus and Pristina. It reflected the Kingdom’s use of its
economic and diplomatic tools to construct a network of interests stretching
from the Middle East to the Balkans, anchored in the principle of “stability
through development.” This is underscored by Osmani’s statement that “Kosovo
will not be a new arena of conflict, but a partner in peace and investment.”
Anyone who followed the discussions at the FII forum, along with the parallel
dialogues, and links all this to the broad changes in the Middle East, will see
that Riyadh is aware of the profound risks facing the region. Its aim is to
bring together politicians, economists and executive leaders to be a force for
good, not for evil and tyranny. The increase in
foreign direct investment to $31.7 billion in 2024, along with the rise in the
contribution of nonoil sectors to 56 percent of gross domestic product, confirm
that the transformation from a rentier economy to a productive one has become a
reality today in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is seeking to present its regional
development model directly linked to its foreign policy rooted in what might be
called “quiet power.” This approach emphasizes the creation of a financial and
investment network that fosters practical balance among nations, reduces the
potential for escalation and puts an end to the senseless wars which have
destroyed several states, as seen in Gaza and Lebanon.
The vision behind the forum reflects an understanding that stability cannot be
secured through security alliances alone, but rather through an open economic
environment capable of engaging everyone. This explains why the forum brought
together figures from a diverse political and economic spectrum, and included
green energy, modern technologies, and artificial intelligence on the agenda as
pillars of sustainable development. Saudi Arabia seeks to invest in these fields
and train and qualify its national cadres to realize the goals of Saudi Vision
2030, which requires a less tense regional environment.
**Hassan Al-Mustafa is a Saudi writer and researcher interested in
Islamic movements, the development of religious discourse, and the relationship
between Gulf Cooperation Council states and Iran. X: @Halmustafa
Without major reform, Iraq’s elections will count for
little
Talmiz Ahmad/Arab News/November 02/2025
Elections on Nov. 11 to the Iraqi Council of Representatives will mark two
decades of the country’s electoral process. So far, five elections have been
held since 2005, but from a high of an 80 percent turnout in that year, voter
participation fell to a low of 43 percent in 2021. The irony is that amid
popular disenchantment with the electoral exercises, there is considerable
excitement and competition among the politicians vying for public office.
This year there are nearly 8,000 candidates for the 329-member council,
including about 2,250 women. Thirty-one coalitions are in the fray, along with
38 political parties and another 75 independent candidates. The coalitions are
based on ethno-sectarian identities.
The process of forming a government is time-consuming. After the elections, the
coalitions expand their support in the council by shaping alliances across
sectarian and ethnic groups. Delays are inevitable. An acting president invites
the head of the largest alliance to form the government. When the council
convenes, the members need to elect a speaker and two deputy speakers by
absolute majority.
After the speaker is elected, there are discussions to select the president,
who, after selection, has 15 days to appoint the prime minister. Following this,
the prime minister has 30 days to obtain a vote of confidence in his program.
Every step in this process is fraught with extensive delays, as venal
politicians negotiate for lucrative positions and patronage in exchange for
their vote. A Chatham House report says that since 2005, the period from voting
to the formation of a government has averaged 224 days.
Already, in the run-up to the elections, each group has witnessed internecine
violence and clashes between rivals. Some of the most dangerous fighting has
taken place between family members within the Patriot Union of Kurdistan that
rules in Sulaymaniyah. Again, within the Shiite coalition, former Prime Minister
Nouri Al-Maliki has accused the incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani
of “promoting normalization with Israel,” compelling the latter to assert that
he was instrumental in ensuring that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
did not attend the Sharm El-Sheikh peace conclave on Gaza.
The greatest source of uncertainty in the complex mosaic of Iraqi politics is
Moqtada Al-Sadr. Last year, he set up a new outfit, the National Shiite
Movement, signaling his return to politics after his boycott in 2022. However,
describing the political order as corrupt, he has distanced himself from the
forthcoming elections.Claiming that the people are in grave danger, Al-Sadr has
highlighted the country’s drought, pollution, inferior education, bad economy,
and poor electricity services. His calculation could be to await the election
results, and if the formation of a government is protracted, project himself as
Iraq’s savior and seek power. Iraq’s election process
is also taking place in a difficult regional environment. Al-Sudani’s balanced
approach between the US and Iran is now being challenged by Washington.
Following the hammer-blows recently delivered to Iran’s military capabilities
and its regional alliance system, the US is seeking the disarming of the
pro-Iran militia that are part of the Popular Mobilization Forces, said to
number about 240,000 fighters. The US has already designated many of these
militia as foreign terrorist organizations.
The Iraqi order is in need of major overhaul. Though
the disarming of these cadres has not yet been implemented, the Iraqi government
has taken no action on a proposal to promote the status of the PMF chief, which
would have made him a member of the country’s apex security body.
Again, contrary to the earlier understanding that all US troops in Iraq would be
relocated to Irbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government,
Al-Sudani has now agreed that a few hundred American military advisers will
remain in the Ain Al-Asad base in Anbar province to monitor Daesh’s possible
resurgence. There are expectations that, after elections, US pressures on the
government will increase.
Not that Iran has given up. There have been regular meetings of senior Iraqi and
Iranian security officials and political leaders, with Iraq assuring Iran about
its commitment to ensuring the latter’s security, while Iran is pushing for the
revival of the Shalamcheh-Basra railway project, which would promote trade,
pilgrim movement, and tourism. Turkiye is seeking to
retain its influence among Iraqi leaders by increasing water supply from the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers, thus addressing a major source of anxiety in Iraq.
The electoral competitions in Iraq are largely confined to the political elite
and have little resonance among the masses. The latter continue to experience
exclusion and privation, with 78 percent of the population having living
standards from low to average, a shrinking agricultural economy due to arable
land desertification and primitive irrigation practices, and water scarcity due
to reduced precipitation and disputes with upstream neighboring states.
As Chatham House commentator Renad Mansour has pointed out, the Iraqi
elite “has traded reform for order,” but this is an order that is founded on
rampant corruption among the privileged as they freely distribute state
resources among themselves and spare little for services, employment, and
national development. The two-decade-old Iraqi order
is now in need of major overhaul. Without serious reform, any leader could
easily revive the protest movements of 2019 and plunge Iraq once again into an
orgy of violence and destruction.
*Talmiz Ahmad is a former Indian diplomat.
The great disconnect: Will AI kill the firm?
Sami Mahroum/Arab News/November 03, 2025
Almost everywhere, debates about artificial intelligence remain narrowly
focused, indeed almost fixated, on its impact on employment and return on
investment. Which jobs will disappear? Which skills will endure? Are current
valuations justified? These questions, while important, overlook a deeper issue:
whether firms — the institutions that have organized economic life for the past
two centuries — will themselves survive in their current form in the wake of AI.
It is worth remembering that the firm is not a natural feature of economic life.
It emerged in the 16th century, as merchants sought new ways to manage the vast
distances and uncertainties of global trade. To meet those challenges, the
Muscovy Company was formed in 1555 under Britain’s Queen Mary, to be followed by
the more famous British and Dutch East India Companies. These joint stock
companies pioneered a new model: pooling capital from hundreds of investors and
building bureaucracies capable of managing years-long projects. Through
accounting, auditing, and hierarchy, they created an architecture of trust that
made large-scale collaboration among strangers possible.
The Industrial Revolution carried this organizational logic into a new era.
Steam, steel, and telegraphy demanded centralized corporate command. By the
early 20th century, Henry Ford had perfected the model with the moving assembly
line, fusing mechanical precision with social discipline: repetitive tasks,
specialized roles, and standardized output. The factory transformed the worker
into a key component of the corporate machine.
In the mid-20th century, Toyota’s production system redefined the firm once
again. Lean manufacturing and just-in-time logistics replaced rigidity with
responsiveness, empowering workers on the factory floor. The firm became less
like a machine and more like an information network — the last major evolution
of the corporate model. The firm thrived because it
addressed four fundamental constraints: information scarcity, high transaction
costs, the need for supervision, and the aggregation of capital. As the Nobel
laureate economist Ronald Coase explained in his 1937 essay “The Nature of the
Firm,” companies exist because markets are costly to use. Firms enable people to
cooperate under long-term contractual arrangements rather than through one-off
transactions.
Oliver Williamson, awarded the Nobel Prize in 2009, expanded the theory of the
firm in his 1975 book “Markets and Hierarchies.” Firms, he suggested, exist
because humans are imperfect: We cannot foresee every contingency when making
deals (bounded rationality), and we sometimes put our own interests first
(opportunism). These flaws become especially acute when investments are highly
specialized. To avoid endless bargaining and renegotiation, firms rely on
managers to make decisions and enforce them.
Agentic AI can now design reliable agreements that are automatically enforced by
smart contracts, while cloud services make knowledge and assets instantly
shareable. With the coordination problems that once justified corporate
hierarchies seemingly solved by computer code, firms’ traditional rationale is
beginning to fade. In his recent book “How Progress
Ends,” the University of Oxford economic historian Carl Benedikt Frey identifies
a deep structural tension running through economic history. Modern economies, he
writes, have always balanced the search for new ideas (exploration) and the
scaling and refinement of what already exists (exploitation). Exploration
thrives in open, experimental environments, while exploitation depends on
structure, discipline, and hierarchy.
The 20th century perfected the art of building firms; the 21st century will test
our ability to live without them.
This tension, Frey argues, has shaped every phase of economic development.
During the industrial age, the firm became the quintessential vehicle for
exploitation. Yet those same institutions, he warns, have become barriers to
progress: When structures designed for exploitation dominate, they suppress the
exploratory capacities societies need to adapt. Over time, efficiency hardens
into inertia, and progress stalls — not because ideas run out, but because
institutions built for the old economy resist the logic of the new.
At its core, the firm is a mechanism for coordinating people, capital, and
knowledge through habits that eventually solidify into routines. Management’s
role has always been to make those routines more efficient and scalable, and
that is where most AI investment is focused today: automating what already
exists.
Today, two related developments are testing firms’ capacity to absorb all the
surplus they generate. The first is the collapse of the boundary between
exploration and exploitation. Historically, these were sequential: Researchers
discovered ideas in labs, and firms deployed them through established processes.
AI is dissolving that division across a growing range of domains. In drug
discovery, for example, algorithms simultaneously search for new molecules and
model how they can be produced at scale. In software engineering, generative
models write, test, and debug code in a continuous loop. And in marketing, AI
systems design, test, and optimize campaigns in real time, erasing the line
between research and execution. What once required contracting out — research
and development, production, operations — can now unfold within a single,
integrated system.
The second development is the expansion of human capability. As AI technologies
advance, they push the boundaries of what people can imagine, create, and
achieve. Consider how generative AI models can assist in writing a research
paper, turning a rough draft into a coherent, integrated whole by deepening the
reasoning, adding nuance, and refining the prose. Similarly, an engineer can use
AI tools to prototype systems that once required large teams, while a single
analyst can perform the kind of work that demanded entire departments.
The combined effect of these developments is to generate more ideas, more
initiatives, and more problem-solving energy bubbling up from within
organizations than their hierarchical structures were built to absorb. When the
same tools that generate discoveries can also act on them, and when AI-augmented
employees move faster than managers can coordinate, the firm’s architecture of
control begins to look more like an obstacle than an advantage. As AI enhances
both human and machine agency, established firms find it increasingly difficult
to contain the value they create. The result of this internal overload is not
greater efficiency, but entropy. That is the AI
adoption paradox: The more capable an organization becomes through AI, the
harder it becomes to manage the human potential it unleashes. In a seminal 1990
paper, Wesley Cohen of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Daniel
Levinthal of the University of Pennsylvania defined a firm’s absorptive capacity
as its ability to recognize, absorb, and apply new external knowledge. Building
on their work, Shaker Zahra of the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School and
Gerard George of Georgetown University later reframed the concept as a dynamic,
multi-level capability linking individual cognition to collective routines.
But when AI accelerates the pace of individual learning and decision-making
beyond what organizations can handle, that balance collapses. As individuals
evolve faster than the mechanisms built to coordinate them are able to adapt,
absorptive capacity becomes internally misaligned. The routines that once
translated learning into organizational capability are eroded, creating a crisis
of coordination. Put differently, the surplus has shifted from what firms make
to what individuals can do. And the same dynamic is playing out across
societies, as customers, suppliers, and regulators all acquire new adaptive
capacities of their own. There are plenty of
cautionary tales. Kodak invented digital photography but failed to foresee a
world in which everyone became a photographer. While its strength lay in film
technology and distribution, its governance structure remained calibrated to an
era in which images were rare and costly to produce.
Nokia, once the world’s largest cellphone manufacturer, dominated hardware, but
missed the shift to digital platforms that redefined value as coordination
rather than production. The video rental chain Blockbuster collapsed when
streaming emerged, its business model unable to adapt to an era in which control
over time and access had moved from corporations to consumers. Each of these
failures can be attributed to the same underlying weakness: The inability to
reconfigure internal hierarchies once the sources of external agency had
shifted.
Other firms, meanwhile, fell prey to portfolio paralysis. The Dutch electronics
conglomerate Philips had become so sprawling by the 1980s that no coherent
strategy could unite its numerous divisions, which ranged from light bulbs to
semiconductors. Despite continuous innovation, strategic coherence broke down;
each unit excelled on its own terms, but they pulled the company in different
directions. Philips’ German rival, Siemens, grappled with similar tensions as it
tried to reconcile its industrial heritage with its expanding digital
businesses. In both cases, the failure was one of coordination: Subsidiaries
generated more value than the managerial hierarchies of Philips and Siemens
could recognize or direct. Public institutions are not
immune to these disruptions; the questions that once haunted Kodak and Philips
confront ministries, universities, and foundations struggling to govern
abundance. Research funding agencies, for example, are being inundated with
AI-assisted grant applications. Machine-generated proposals have surged,
upending traditional evaluation processes and overwhelming committees accustomed
to slow, deliberative peer review. The challenge is no longer one of
administrative efficiency but of institutional cognition. Can institutions built
for a slower epistemic pace remain fit for purpose at a time when ideas evolve
at machine speed?
That is the essence of the AI surplus paradox: When potential and initiative
outpace an organization’s ability to govern them, success becomes a source of
instability. Rather than facing a shortage of intelligence or skill, firms now
contend with an abundance of untapped capacity. Managing that overflow requires
moving decision-making closer to where insights emerge, so that those best
positioned to act can do so without delay or bureaucratic friction.
Consulting partnerships provide a useful model. Partners operate with a high
degree of autonomy within a shared infrastructure of trust, reputation, and
financial accountability. They allocate resources directly, without waiting for
managerial approval, and are rewarded for turning insight into client value.
To thrive in the AI era, firms will need to embrace a similar design:
distributed authority grounded in shared infrastructure — a networked federation
where alignment is maintained not through hierarchy but through transparent data
flows and carefully calibrated incentives. The architecture of the firm must
evolve from its current command-and-control model to one that orchestrates and
empowers. Firms that master this transition will turn the AI surplus into a
strategic advantage.
As exploration and exploitation become a single process, discovery and execution
no longer occur sequentially but within the same continuous cycle of sensing,
learning, and acting. In this emerging order, the economy organizes itself
through information flows rather than chains of command.
To make sense of this shift, we need a language that explains how agency is
shared across human and machine systems. Actor-network theory offers exactly
that. While traditional network theory treats people and systems as distinct
entities that connect, actor-network theory argues that agency — the capacity to
act and produce outcomes — emerges from the network that connects them.
Together, a doctor using diagnostic software, a nurse relying on real-time
patient data, and an algorithm learning from patterns constitute a single agent
whose capabilities are distributed across all three participants.
AI makes such integration seamless. When people and their AI counterparts think,
execute, and create together, they become a coherent economic actor whose agency
is shared between human and machine. Reproduce these relationships across
thousands of hybrid participants, and the result is a true actor-network.
Actor-network theory can be traced back to the French philosopher Bruno
Latour, who introduced the concept in his 1987 book “Science in Action” and
expanded it in his 2005 book “Reassembling the Social.” Latour regarded agency
as inherently distributed, emerging from the interplay between systems, people,
and technologies. Viewed through this lens, the AI
economy appears not as a hierarchy, but as an ecosystem in which humans and
their agents transact with one another more efficiently than through a firm. As
steady jobs and lifelong careers give way to purpose-driven projects, capital
will follow problems, not companies. Governments, for their part, will regulate
digital protocols and tax the exchanges where value is created rather than the
profits companies report.
While such a transformation may sound promising, something vital will be lost.
The firm, after all, once provided more than a paycheck; it offered community
and a sense of belonging. Its decline may bring new freedoms, but also a deep
longing for connection.
As agency becomes distributed between humans and AI models, a new kind of
economic actor is beginning to emerge: the agent boss. According to Microsoft
executive Jared Spataro, the agent boss is “someone who builds, delegates to,
and manages agents to amplify their impact and take control of their career in
the age of AI.” Spataro’s observation captures a
fundamental shift in the locus of economic agency. The agent boss is an
individual who becomes economically coherent through augmentation. Neither a
contractor offering labor nor an employee bound by corporate hierarchy, the
agent boss is a micro-entrepreneur whose “startup” is a partnership between the
self and a constellation of AI agents. Together, they form an economic unit that
is more capable than a human or a machine alone, yet free of organizational
overhead.
Unlike traditional employees, who function as interchangeable units of labor,
agent bosses own their relationship with their AI agents. Able to move fluidly
between clients and collaborators, they build a career made up of distinct
projects, each requiring different human and machine collaborators and producing
verifiable results. These agent-boss networks may
consist of only a few people and a fleet of AI agents, all working across time
zones and dispersing once a certain goal is achieved. A climate analyst in
Nairobi, a designer in Lisbon, and a developer in Singapore might collaborate
for a month on tackling a climate-adaptation problem, leaving behind data, code,
and insights for others to build on. Freelancers on platforms like Upwork are
already moving in this direction, describing themselves not as contractors but
as “agent orchestrators” because they manage a fleet of large language models,
toolchains, and databases.
To be sure, distributed networks already exist. Wikipedia and Linux, after all,
have thrived for decades on global collaboration. But these commons-based models
rely on institutional redistribution of value. By contrast, the agent-network
model enables the individual to capture and own the value they create, including
their code and data, rather than ceding it to organizational intermediaries.
The Latourian economy departs from the networked society described by
sociologists Manuel Castells, formerly Spain’s minister of universities, and
Saskia Sassen of Columbia University. In “The Rise of the Network Society”
(1996), Castells traced the global flows of capital and information that
reconfigured industrial hierarchies. Sassen, in “The Global City” (1991) and
“Territory, Authority, Rights” (2006), showed how those same flows concentrated
power in cities like New York and London. Taken together, their work highlighted
the unequal effects of global connectivity: Major transnational hubs have grown
increasingly dominant, while peripheral countries function as consumers or
low-value nodes.
In the Latourian economy, by contrast, the actor creates the network, not the
other way around. Connections are loose, situational, and temporary, sustained
by shared goals rather than centralized infrastructures. The Latourian economy
decentralizes both flows and structures: Each actor builds and maintains their
own network, assembling human and machine collaborators for as long as needed.
By making digital tools lighter, cheaper, and more widely distributed, the
Latourian economy enables anyone with a laptop and an Internet connection to
access capabilities once reserved for research labs and multinational companies.
A small design studio in Accra can now train an LLM, deliver data-driven
services, or collaborate with clients in Sao Paulo. Value creation is no longer
a function of owning factories, patents, or physical distribution networks;
instead, it rests on one’s ability to orchestrate knowledge flows.
Even so, while the Latourian economy redistributes capability, it remains
unclear whether it also redistributes power. AI certainly has the potential to
narrow longstanding divides, but its impact will depend less on technology
itself than on how access, credit, and governance are built into value-producing
networks.
Three concerns loom large. First, why would large firms not simply use AI to
bolster their existing advantages? They almost certainly will. But as firms
become increasingly augmented by AI, their internal dynamics may shift.
Authority could be delegated, algorithms could replace layers of management, and
capabilities could be redistributed across divisions. In the process, large
firms may become more like holding companies for actor-networks than traditional
corporations.
The AI economy appears not as a hierarchy, but as an ecosystem in which humans
and their agents transact with one another more efficiently than through a firm.
Second, distributed systems still struggle with coordination problems that
demand hierarchy, since complex projects require both collaboration and aligned
incentives. But AI helps mitigate this by reducing the need for intermediaries.
Open-source projects already demonstrate that large, distributed teams can work
together effectively on complex technical challenges. Linux and Kubernetes, both
products of open collaboration and decentralized governance, are prime examples.
Instead of disappearing, the firm could evolve into an ecosystem of loosely
affiliated networks.
Third, because fragmentation can undermine efficiency and coherence, an economy
of millions of agent-bosses risks devolving into a patchwork of self-contained
initiatives. While the firm once solved this by enforcing shared priorities, an
actor-network economy relies on autonomous actors tackling shared challenges.
That model works when feedback loops are tight, but falters when timelines grow
longer. As problems unfold over decades, sustained coordination becomes
exceedingly difficult.
When Coase asked in 1937 why firms exist, his answer was transaction costs. That
logic defined the bureaucratic age, but in a world of AI systems and agent
networks, where costs are approaching zero, it no longer holds. Bureaucracy now
appears in algorithmic form, encoded into protocols and digital governance
systems that automate what managers once enforced.
Against this backdrop, Coase’s question takes on new urgency. For most of the
20th century, corporate hierarchy proved more effective than markets at
coordinating economic behavior. As AI-augmented markets begin to handle tasks
that used to require managerial oversight, the answer is less clear-cut. Still,
traditional hierarchies may be better suited for certain kinds of work,
especially long-term capital ventures and heavily regulated industries.
Frey warns that progress falters when the structures built to exploit innovation
cannot evolve as quickly as the forces that explore it. The actor-network
economy may offer a remedy, not by eliminating hierarchy altogether, but by
making it the exception rather than the rule. In a world where exploration and
exploitation happen within the same distributed loops, the old divide between
discovery and delivery collapses. But the answer to Frey’s paradox lies in a
mixed economy rather than uniform actor-networks. While some problems may still
require hierarchical organization, it should be applied deliberately, not
assumed by default. As the conditions that previously
made the firm necessary dissolve, its survival may depend on unlearning.
Research on organizational learning suggests that knowing how to let go is as
important as absorptive capacity. In the age of AI, that may be the firm’s last
defense. Since no organization can absorb every new source of agency, it must
decide what to outsource, spin off, or abandon. The future of organizational
learning may rest as much on strategic forgetting as on knowledge accumulation.
The firm’s replacements will be shaped by our collective choices. Can we design
legal systems that empower agent bosses, or will we confine them within
regulatory frameworks built for employees? Can we create tax systems capable of
governing distributed value creation? And can we develop new forms of social
insurance and belonging? What’s certain is that the
firm is about to change, and its role in our lives will change with it. We
already know actor-networks can organize economic life; the real question is
whether they can preserve the sense of equity, coherence, and shared purpose
that defined the modern corporation. The 20th century perfected the art of
building firms; the 21st century will test our ability to live without them.
*Sami Mahroum, founder of Spark X, previously held posts at INSEAD, the OECD,
and Nesta. ©Project Syndicate
Selected X Tweets For November 02/2025
Dr Walid Phares
The Lebanese by themselves can free 70% of Lebanon now (or as of
next week). Leave Hezbollah in the remaining 30% for now to "complete" their war
with Israel. Do not interfere.
Then when it's over sign a peace treaty and enter the #AbrahamAccords. Why does
Lebanon chain its neck to Hezb. Leave them in theirs urban zone and set yourself
free.
Dr Walid Phares
Lebanon is not a failed people — it is a failed state, a failed system,
alignment, identity, and collective leadership. It must be rebuilt from the
ground up to truly represent the Lebanese people and to give current and future
generations the chance to live normal, secure, and fulfilling lives."
Dr. Karim Basha
Lebanon’s problem is structural, not societal. The people have proven their
talent and resilience; what failed is the political order, institutions, and the
logic of power that governs them. Real recovery requires a rebuild based on rule
of law, one authority over force, and leadership accountable to citizens rather
than sects. The task isn’t cosmetic reform — it’s constructing a state that
finally matches the potential of its people and secures a normal, dignified
future for the next generation.
Brigitte Gabriel
Lebanon was a majority Christian nation when I was a little girl. Sometimes it
doesn't take more than one generation to destroy a country. We have to protect
the United States.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
#Hezbollah chief praises #Lebanon Prez Aoun for instructing Lebanese Armed
Forces (LAF) to counter any Israeli incursion but not to disarm the militia.
When Hezbollah praises you, you should know you're on the wrong side.
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
#Lebanon Prez Aoun spills the beans, saying his country was willing to engage in
direct negotiations with #Israel, but that the Jewish state refused to
negotiate.
If we are to speculate, Israel refused telling the Lebanese this: Finish up the
Cessation of Hostilities we agreed on in Nov. 2024 by disarming #Hezbollah, and
Jerusalem will be happy to talk to Beirut, directly, over any topic the Lebanese
please. Aoun, Speaker Berri, and Salam clearly want to use negotiations to
relieve pressure on them for disarming Hezbollah. If one asks Lebanese state:
"Have you disarmed Hezbollah yet per your Nov. 2024 pledge?" The Lebanese state
can say: "We're still negotiating with Israel."
Ambassador Tom Barrack
https://x.com/i/status/1984656452611375584
“Don’t confuse efforts with results” for @POTUS
means take bold action. Bold action will create momentum, and momentum will
bypass the decades and decades of rust we’ve had on diplomatic cadence in the
Middle East.
Pope Leo XIV
With great sorrow I am following the tragic news coming from
#Sudan. Indiscriminate violence against women and children, attacks on unarmed
civilians, and serious obstacles to humanitarian aid are causing unbearable
suffering. May we #PrayTogether that the Lord may receive the deceased with his
embrace, strengthen those who are suffering, and move the hearts of those
responsible. I renew my heartfelt appeal to all parties involved to agree to a
ceasefire and to urgently open humanitarian corridors. Finally, I call on the
international community to act with determination and generosity.