English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For  November 17/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news

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Bible Quotations For today
If you abide in my word, you will truly be my disciples and know the truth, and the truth will make you free.
John 08/31038/Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed in Him, If you abide in my word, you will truly be my disciples and know the truth, and the truth will make you free. They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man. How sayest thou, ‘Ye shall be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Verily, verily I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed, but ye seek to kill Me, because My Word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with My Father, and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.”

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on November 16-17/2025
A Biography of Saint Matthew the Evangelist, Apostle, on the Anniversary of his Annual Feast Day/Elias Bejjani/November 16/ 2025
Hell, its Fire, and Worms Await All Who Have Killed Their Conscience and Lost Their Shame/Elias Bejjani/November 14/2025
Sister of Speaker Berri: Hanadi Mustafa Berri, and the Debauchery and Impudence of Authority
Berri's Envoy in Tehran: "Enough, it's time to neutralize Lebanon"
Marthinous Clinches Bar Association Election Battle
Sa'ar: Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis Seek to Destroy Israel
Martyr in Mansouri... and Israeli Recommendation for War on Lebanon
Michel Issa's first stop as US Ambassador: Tenure begins with private visit to hometown
Adraee: We Thwarted Attempts to Rebuild the Party's Capabilities in Ayta al-Shaab
Fierce Iranian Attack on Central Bank of Lebanon's Monetary Measures: It Has Effectively Relinquished Its Authority and Handed Washington the Master Key
Berri is Very Displeased... And Disarmament is Not an Option!
Ali Hassan Khalil in Iran Inquiring About its Position on Negotiation with Israel
Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria tensions: Israel seeks last-minute changes to Gaza Peace Plan at UN
Lebanese Army: Israel persists in violating sovereignty and targeting UNIFIL in a dangerous escalation
Imad Martinos wins Beirut Bar Association presidency with 2,436 votes
Election results for Beirut Bar Association: Martinos and Bazerly advance to second round
A mild 2.8-magnitude quake felt across Lebanon's Bekaa Valley
Aoun calls for Urgent UN Complaint Against Israel
UNIFIL says Israeli forces fired on them in southern Lebanon
UNIFIL: “We urge the Israeli army to halt any aggressive actions targeting our forces”
Lebanese Army and UNIFIL: Israeli Targeting of Personnel is a Serious Violation
Children of the Ruins: Rebuilding the Soul of South Lebanon/Katia Kahil/This is Beirut/November 16/2025
Syria Hands Over Seventeen Detainees Who Entered by Sea

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on November 16-17/2025
Israeli leader insists there can be no Palestinian state, ahead of UN vote leaving that door open
Israeli leaders voice opposition to Palestinian state before UN Gaza vote
Palestinian killed by Israeli army in West Bank operation
Israeli forces uproot olive trees in Deir Istiya belonging to Palestinian farmers
Iran begins cloud seeding operations as severe drought bites
Iran's foreign minister says the nation is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country
Araghchi says Iran is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country
As regime change nears first year, Syria reopens to world in major diplomatic shift
Syrians, EU officials hold meeting in Damascus
Members of Syria’s security forces, military detained over violence in Sweida
Russia says its forces advance in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region
Zelensky renews calls for more air defense after deadly strike on Kyiv
US military says aircraft carrier now in Caribbean amid tension with Venezuela

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on November 16-17/2025
We are in geopolitics/Charles Elias Chartouni/November 16/2025
Frankly Speaking: What to expect from Saudi crown prince’s US visit/Arab News/November 16, 2025
The key pillars of new era in Saudi-US ties/Hassan Al-Mustafa/Arab News/November 16, 2025
Saudi Arabia at the heart of Trump’s foreign policy/Ray Hanania/Arab News/November 16, 2025

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on November 16-17/2025
A Biography of Saint Matthew the Evangelist, Apostle, on the Anniversary of his Annual Feast Day
Elias Bejjani/November 16/ 2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/149224/
The Feast Days of Saint Matthew in the Eastern and Western Churches
The Western Church (the Vatican) celebrates the Feast of Saint Matthew on September 21 of every year, while the Eastern Churches — including the Maronite Church according to the Synaxarium and the Antiochian tradition — commemorate him on November 16.
Name and Identity
Saint Matthew is one of the Twelve Apostles and one of the four Holy Evangelists. His original name was Levi, son of Alphaeus, but he became known as Matthew, meaning “Gift of the Lord” or “God’s gracious gift.” He likely received this name after joining the disciples of Christ, as a sign of the grace of repentance and salvation granted to him.
From Tax Collector to Disciple: A Call of Radical Transformation
Before his calling, Matthew was a tax collector, working in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee—an occupation despised and rejected in Jewish society.
The Divine Call and the Immediate Change
The Gospel recounts how Jesus passed by Matthew as he sat at the tax booth (Matthew 09:09) and said to him, “Follow Me.”Matthew rose at once, leaving behind everything—wealth, power, and a secure profession—to follow Christ. This immediate response, without hesitation or negotiation, makes him the perfect model of true repentance and total devotion.
Author of the First Gospel: The Gospel of the Kingdom
Ancient Church tradition holds that Saint Matthew composed his Gospel first, around 50–60 A.D., writing originally in Aramaic (or Hebrew) for his own Jewish people in Israel. It was later translated into Greek.
The Core Themes of His Gospel
The Gospel of the Kingdom
Matthew’s chief purpose is to proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth is the long-awaited Messiah.
The Bridge Between the Old and the New Covenants: He cites the Old Testament more than any other Evangelist, often using the phrase: “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets.”
The Teachings of Jesus: Matthew arranged the Lord’s teachings into five major discourses, most notably:
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 05–07): the charter of the New Kingdom.
The Parables (Matthew 13): revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.
His Apostolic Ministry
After the Ascension of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, Saint Matthew carried the Gospel far and wide. Among the regions he evangelized:
Israel and Judea
He began among his own people, explaining how the prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus.
Syria and the Antiochian Regions
From here, his Gospel spread widely—reaching Lebanon, Cyprus, and the Near East.
Mesopotamia
According to Syriac tradition, he preached in Edessa, Nisibis, and Basra.
Persia (modern-day Iran)
He proclaimed the Word of God in territories under the Persian Empire.
Ethiopia
Tradition holds that he was martyred there, after the king Eglion accepted the faith through Matthew’s miracles and teaching.
Saint Matthew’s Relationship to Lebanon
Though no direct evidence confirms that Saint Matthew visited Lebanon personally, his connection to the country is deep and spiritually significant:
1. His Gospel Reached Lebanon Early Through the Church of Antioch
The Antiochian Church—mother of the Lebanese Christians—was the gateway through which the Gospel of Matthew spread to the Lebanese coast and mountains, especially to the early monks of the Holy Valley (Wadi Qadisha).
2. Influence on the Monastic Life of Lebanon
The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount formed the backbone of early monastic teachings.
Thus, Matthew’s Gospel became a primary source for liturgical readings, prayers, and the spiritual life in ancient hermitages of Qannoubine.
3. Numerous Lebanese Churches Honor His Name
This reflects the deep veneration of the Lebanese faithful for the Apostle and his teachings. Among the churches dedicated to him:
Saint Matthew Church — Maronite, Wadi el-Sitt (Chouf)
Saint Matthew Church — Maronite, Kfarnabrakh (Chouf)
Saint Matthew Church — Maronite, Bsharri (Bsharri District)
Saint Matthew Church — Greek Orthodox, Deddeh (Koura)
His Martyrdom and His Ecclesiastical Symbol
Tradition agrees that Saint Matthew sealed his life with a glorious martyrdom in Ethiopia or Persia, where he was pierced by a spear (or sword) while standing at the holy altar, refusing to offer sacrifice to pagan idols and steadfastly confessing Christ.
His Symbol
In Christian iconography, Saint Matthew is represented by a man or an angel with a human face—a symbol drawn from the vision of Ezekiel. He is represented by the man because his Gospel begins with the genealogy of Christ, the Son of Man, emphasizing the humanity of the Savior and His entrance into history.
Spiritual Conclusion: The Apostle of the Kingdom Whose Voice Still Speaks
The Feast of Saint Matthew calls us to reflect upon:
True repentance that transforms every life, no matter the past.
The primacy of the Kingdom, reminding us to place the love of Christ above all earthly riches.
The fidelity of the Gospel, which Matthew wrote with divine inspiration as a guide to the Kingdom of Heaven.
The deep bond between the Lebanese Church and the apostolic, evangelical heritage upon which the early monks built their life of prayer and holiness.
He is the Apostle whose voice still resounds through his Gospel, reminding all believers that the Kingdom begins in the heart, and that the divine call has the power to transform everything.
*The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

Hell, its Fire, and Worms Await All Who Have Killed Their Conscience and Lost Their Shame
Elias Bejjani/November 14/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/11623/
Many people do not fear God; they forget that there is a Day of Judgment in the afterlife, and that there is a hell. They forget that on the Day of Judgment, there will be a line to the left and a line to the right. The line to the left is a stampede straight to hell, and the line to the right leads to God’s heavenly abodes. They forget that hell has a fire that never extinguishes, worms that never rest, and torment that never ceases.
Is it possible that a person, for the sake of money, palaces, power, and authority would numb their conscience, act foolishly, deny God, and walk willingly into the stampede for hell? Yes, of course. When people fall into the temptations of Satan and descend into his pit, all they see is the dust of the earth, its wealth, powers, authority, palaces, hatred, resentment, and revenge. They become slaves to their animalistic instincts.
They kill their conscience, which is the voice of God within them, and they lose all shame. Their tongues—which are also a gift from God—ceases to bear witness to the truth and is transformed into diabolical tongues.
The certainty—the absolute certainty—is that none of us, no matter how great our status, can escape the accounting of the Lord. Those who manage to escape the judiciary of the earth, will never be able to escape the court and Judgment of Heaven.
On the Last Day of Judgment, the torment of those who were given much, the keepers of vows, the straying scribes and Pharisees, and the Iscariots will be the harshest and most severe.
Let us pray that the merciful, loving Lord, would save all those who are caught in temptation, straying, arrogant, shameless, tyrannical, and who killed their conscience. Let us pray that the Almighty will help all those who are preys of Satan’s temptations see his light, repent, perform penance, and return remorsefully, seeking forgiveness, and humbleness.

Sister of Speaker Berri: Hanadi Mustafa Berri, and the Debauchery and Impudence of Authority
Quoting several social media sites/November 16/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/149246/
Hanadi Mustafa Berri manages three core official centers simultaneously, with each center geographically about an hour away (if we factor in traffic congestion).
The three centers are:
Director General of Vocational and Technical Education in Lebanon
Director of Bir Hassan Institute
Director of Dekwaneh Institute
Her appointment is illegal, as her contract is renewed through a committee composed of three third-category employees whom she appoints herself, and not through the Council of Ministers.
She also personally approves her own appointment. She also has a budget for every institute she manages, making her the head of the financial committee, which is appointed by the director of each institute, who is also Hanadi. Hanadi heads a committee she appointed herself to lead.
After its budget goes to the head of the budget (department), it returns to her to approve what has been spent by each institute. Thus, Ya Dara Douri Fina (a phrase meaning the cycle continues, or "the loop is closed on us").
Nabih Berri, even the devil gets a headache from your "films." What is this, O symbol of corruption?
Where are you, His Excellency President Joseph Aoun and His Excellency Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, from the corruption of the "Professor" (a title often given to Nabih Berri)?
(NB: Free translation from Arabic by: Elias Bejjani)

Berri's Envoy in Tehran: "Enough, it's time to neutralize Lebanon"
Marthinous Clinches Bar Association Election Battle
Al-Nidaa Al-Watan/November 17/2025  (Translated from Arabic)
Yesterday, the halls of the Beirut Bar Association witnessed a major professional election battle amidst a high turnout. The contest was waged by the Lebanese Forces and their allies from the Liberal and Socialist parties, along with a large number of independents who did not adhere to the directives of some political parties. The candidate primarily supported by the Lebanese Forces, Emad Marthinous, won, registering a resounding victory over the broad alliance that backed candidate Elias Bazerli. From the morning, it seemed the battle was one to defeat the Forces-backed Marthinous at any cost, evidenced by the competing bloc's composition, which defied any political logic: Hezbollah and the Amal Movement stood alongside the Kataeb Party, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).
The Syndic of Achievements, Not Compromises
After his win, Marthinous stated: "I will be the Syndic of transparency and monthly, not yearly or twelve-year, budgeting. The Syndic of achievements, not compromises. My pledge is that the Bar Association will return to being the conscience of the nation and a resonant voice, not a faint or silent one."The victory of the Druze candidate, Nadim Hamadeh, from Marthinous's list was noted. The failure of any Sunni or Shiite candidate to win was attributed by informed sources to the confusion suffered by Bazerli's list, especially with former Syndic George Greig and the former Kataeb member siding with Marthinous. Furthermore, a large segment of lawyers did not adhere to the list for reasons that included the political stance on the nature of the alliance, which they described as "unnatural," thus funneling votes to the Christian candidates from both lists. It is worth noting that the Bar Council law does not mandate sectarian or confessional distribution of members. Due to the intensity of the competition, the customary confessional balance—which dictates the representation of all sects but is not explicitly written—may be disrupted.
The Confrontation Since 2023
The spark for this confrontation began in 2023, the day Syndic Fadi El Masri won and publicly thanked Elie Bazerli for his support, an early signal of the "successor Syndic's" identity and a continuation of the same political platform that produced his victory. However, 2025 brought a different equation: Emad Marthinous, an independent and active figure, ran, leading the Lebanese Forces to officially open the Bar Association battle. They announced their support for him in a statement from their legal professions department last June, after a series of meetings with him that carried a clear professional and national character, alongside their backing of Elie El Hachach for a seat on the Bar Council. Over months, Marthinous built a wide network of contacts before finally aligning with the Lebanese Forces based on a shared conviction in the need to return the Association to a sovereign-professional approach, away from the political axes that dominated the previous term. The National Liberal Party and a number of independents joined this line. On the eve of the elections, the Forces reiterated their full support for Marthinous and for professors Elias El Hachach (Lebanese Forces), Marwan Jabbour (National Liberals), George Yazbek, and Nadim Hamadeh (supported by the Progressive Socialist Party). They faced a broad alliance comprising the Shiite duo Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), the Kataeb Party, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), and the Future Movement, which joined in supporting Bazerli at the start of the election day. The long election day concluded with the announcement of Emad Marthinous as the Syndic of the Beirut Bar Association, while the most prominent losers were the candidates of the Shiite Duo, the FPM candidate, and the Future Movement candidate.
Political & Diplomatic Developments
Berri's Envoy in Tehran
Parallel to the Bar Association elections, the visit of MP Ali Hassan Khalil, in his capacity as Political Assistant to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, to Tehran made headlines. He met with the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani—who is tasked by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei with following the Lebanese file—and other Iranian officials, foremost among them Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The visit comes at a delicate political moment, particularly after the divergence, even conflict, that emerged between the leaderships of the Amal Movement and Hezbollah regarding the stance on the negotiation proposal, which Berri supported and the "Party" rejected. The same applies to the Egyptian Initiative, which Berri adopted and official Lebanon (via the President) approved, versus the "Party's" clear rejection. The sensitivity of the political scene was amplified after the "Party" sent its well-known message to the three presidents, which strained the atmosphere with Berri. The message was considered by some to be "written in Iranian ink," before the "Party" attempted to contain the situation with a statement that renewed the mandate of the Speaker to manage negotiations on internal and external files. Political circles interpreted this as an attempt to restore the relationship between the two sides before the discussion moved to more sensitive stages.
Berri's Envoy to Confront the Dead End
Prominent political sources informed Al-Nidaa Al-Watan that it is clear that Speaker Berri wants to assess the reality, while Hezbollah is unable to debate Tehran as it is a tool for them. The sources added: "There is no doubt that Speaker Berri is an integral part of the Iranian axis, but he is capable of debating Iran, unlike Hezbollah, which executes its orders, in addition to the division within the 'Party,' as is likely, resulting from the rivalry among its members, which has reached the point of being unable to resolve the required directions."The sources stated that Khalil's visit comes days before the first anniversary of the ceasefire agreement amidst a lack of reconstruction and continued Israeli targeting under a complete blockade. Consequently, there is no horizon under this reality, while Israel prepares for a new war, and the current situation cannot continue in this manner. "Any war Israel goes into will spare no one, not just from Hezbollah but also from Shiites in all other regions of Lebanon."The sources suggested that Berri's envoy went to tell Iran: "Enough, it's time to neutralize Lebanon and pull it out of this cocoon it is in, by having Hezbollah announce the surrender of its weapons." The outcome depends on what Iran will say, as it is aware of all these issues. "Perhaps the answer will be 'we know what must be done and we will continue with the same policy,' based on the belief that Washington will eventually come and negotiate with them, but Washington will not come, and based on Iran's belief that Israel will bargain with it and Hezbollah, but Israel will not do that. Things will continue toward more violence.""Will the visit constitute a turning point to change Iranian policy in Lebanon, or is Iran going ahead with the same policies that will inevitably lead to the great, expanded war, meaning Berri's envoy's visit will not achieve the results Berri sought? The visit is unusual at an unusual time with a clear objective."
Political Cover for Saeed and Iranian/Hezbollah Attack
On another front, Al-Nidaa Al-Watan learned that the steps being taken by the Governor of the Central Bank enjoy political cover from the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister and aim to limit illegal financial operations that affect all groups, thus preventing circumvention. Furthermore, officials confirm the continuation of these steps and their intensification, even if Hezbollah raises the level of its objections. The issue is not only about drying up Hezbollah's funding sources but also about protecting Lebanon's financial reputation and preventing its exposure to the risk of exclusion from the global financial system. In contrast, the newspaper "Tehran Times" attacked the Central Bank of Lebanon's monetary measures, which are primarily aimed at drying up the cash economy relied upon heavily by Hezbollah. The newspaper, affiliated with the regime, wrote: "The Lebanese central bank has effectively relinquished its authority, handing over the master key to Washington while volunteering to monitor its own citizens on behalf of the US Treasury envoys, who spent only a few hours in Beirut before issuing the latest set of financial commandments."In turn, MP Hassan Ezzeddine, a member of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, attacked the "American political and economic pressure on Lebanon and its environment." He warned against the "financial and economic pressures being exerted through restricting transfers and the Al-Qard Al-Hasan institution," considering "these measures target Lebanon and its economy in all its components."
US Ambassador and Congressional Dissatisfaction
Coinciding with the new US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, presenting his credentials today to President Joseph Aoun, Al-Nidaa Al-Watan's Washington correspondent reported growing Congressional dissatisfaction with the Lebanese political and financial elites. Senior Republican lawmakers have urged President Trump to prepare sanctions against these elites, primarily targeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Lawmakers accuse Berri of obstructing parliamentary reform and aligning with Hezbollah to impede the 2026 parliamentary elections. Congressman Darin LaHood, ahead of his meeting with Army Commander Rudolf Heikal, who is visiting Washington this week, stressed the importance of "disarming illegal weapons, especially those of Hezbollah, as a prerequisite for real change."
Saudi Envoy in Beirut
In Beirut, the Saudi envoy tasked with following the Lebanese file, Prince Yazid bin Farhan, arrived yesterday. Upon arrival, he immediately began meetings away from the spotlight, consistent with the quiet approach that Saudi diplomacy has adopted in its handling of the Lebanese file in recent months. The visit holds particular significance as it coincides with the anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which is expected to address a wide range of regional issues, including the Lebanese arena, which is regaining its position in regional and international discussions with growing fears of a renewed expansion of tension in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran.
Official Concerns in the South
On another note, official sources expressed their concern via Al-Nidaa Al-Watan regarding what happened in the South, stressing that it was not a technical error or an unintentional targeting of UNIFIL. "Israel possesses the latest technologies and can accurately pinpoint targets." The sources noted that the incident is a message to the Lebanese state and the international community that no one can stand in its way, and it is proceeding with its strikes despite the President of the Republic declaring Lebanon's readiness for negotiations. Consequently, Israel is planning for the worst, and there is no deterrent against it.
Israeli Army Fires on UNIFIL In the field, Israeli army forces opened fire on United Nations peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon yesterday in an incident the UNIFIL force described as a serious violation. No injuries to UN forces were reported.
Large Saudi Delegation to Washington
On the international scene, eyes are on the anticipated meeting on Tuesday at the White House between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump. He will be accompanied by a huge Saudi delegation, as nearly a thousand people are expected to accompany the Crown Prince to Washington, including almost all ministers of the Saudi government.

Sa'ar: Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis Seek to Destroy Israel
Al-Nidaa Al-Watan / November 17, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar affirmed that "Israel is facing an exceptional situation of threats, with 'terrorist states' controlling territories, and three of them continue to fight Israel with the aim of destroying it: Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen." Sa'ar added that "Israel will not accept the establishment of a Palestinian state considered 'terrorist' in the heart of its territory, at a very short distance from population centers, and under direct topographical control," warning of the dangers of such a situation to Israeli national security.

Martyr in Mansouri... and Israeli Recommendation for War on Lebanon
Agencies/November 16, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
The Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike on a car in the town of Mansouri. Ambulances quickly rushed to the site of the targeting amid reports of casualties. The raid resulted in the death of a martyr, the director of the Mansouri Official School, Mohammed Ali Shweikh.
Concurrently, Israeli media outlets, including Channel 13, indicated that the Israeli army and security establishment had issued a recommendation to the government to launch a military operation against Hezbollah lasting for days. This comes against the backdrop of more maneuvers and training exercises conducted by the Israeli army simulating ground battles against the party. The Israeli army spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, had claimed in a statement published on the "X" platform that forces from the 91st Division "worked during the past week to thwart attempts to rebuild Hezbollah's capabilities in South Lebanon, monitored infrastructure and combat means belonging to the organization, attacked five terrorist targets, and targeted three saboteurs." Adraee clarified that "forces from the 228th Brigade and the 300th Brigade are operating under the command of the 91st Division in the mission of monitoring and destroying terrorist infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah organization in South Lebanon," noting that these operations fall within the framework of "continuous efforts to remove the threat from the borders of the State of Israel." During a "night operation in the village of Ayta al-Shaab in South Lebanon," Adraee mentioned that the 228th Brigade forces "destroyed several buildings used by saboteurs from the Hezbollah organization to carry out terrorist acts, after monitoring recent attempts to renovate and return these sites to service." In the village of Ramyah in South Lebanon, the spokesperson stated that the 300th Brigade forces "carried out a focused activity to destroy combat means, including weapons, Kalashnikov rifles, magazines, and ammunition," confirming that "the operations targeted offensive capabilities used by the organization in the border area." Adraee added that "in addition to these ground operations, the 91st Division forces, in cooperation with the Air Force, attacked five terrorist targets during the past week in several villages in South Lebanon, and targeted three saboteurs from the Hezbollah organization." He concluded by saying that "the presence of this terrorist infrastructure constitutes a violation of the agreement between Israel and Lebanon," asserting that "the Israeli Defense Forces will continue to work to remove any threat to the territories of the State of Israel," in his words.

Michel Issa's first stop as US Ambassador: Tenure begins with private visit to hometown
LBCI/November 16/2025
Michel Issa returned to Lebanon in 2025 not as an expatriate coming home, but as the newly appointed United States ambassador to Beirut.  Ahead of his official meetings with Lebanese officials set for Monday, Issa chose to begin his diplomatic mission with a quiet, personal visit to his hometown of Bsous, which he left in 1978. Away from media cameras and accompanied only by residents of the village, Issa visited the graves of his parents before heading to the old church he had frequented as a child, joined by his two sisters. He later attended Mass at Our Lady of Bsous Church, where he delivered brief remarks to the congregation. The ambassador also met with residents of the town in a gathering attended by members of his extended family. Issa is set to formally begin his diplomatic work on Monday, facing a complex agenda that includes efforts to halt the ongoing war affecting Lebanon, address the question of non-state weapons, and support financial and economic reforms. How he navigates these challenges will define the early chapter of his tenure in Beirut.

Adraee: We Thwarted Attempts to Rebuild the Party's Capabilities in Ayta al-Shaab
Janoubia/ November 16, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
Israeli Army Spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on "X": "Forces from the 228th Brigade and the 300th Brigade, under the command of the 91st Division, are working on the mission of monitoring and destroying the terrorist infrastructure belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah organization in South Lebanon."Adraee added: "During a night operation in the village of Ayta al-Shaab in South Lebanon, the 228th Brigade forces destroyed several buildings used by saboteurs of the terrorist Hezbollah organization to carry out terrorist acts. Attempts to renovate them were recently monitored." He continued: "In the village of Ramyah in South Lebanon, the 300th Brigade forces carried out a focused activity to destroy combat means, including weapons, Kalashnikov rifles, magazines, and ammunition." He said: "In addition, during the past week, the Division's forces, in cooperation with the Air Force, attacked five terrorist targets and neutralized three saboteurs from the terrorist Hezbollah organization in several different villages."He concluded: "The existence of this terrorist infrastructure constitutes a violation of the agreement between Israel and Lebanon, and the Defense Forces will continue to work to remove any threat to the territories of the State of Israel."

Fierce Iranian Attack on Central Bank of Lebanon's Monetary Measures: It Has Effectively Relinquished Its Authority and Handed Washington the Master Key
Al-Markaziya/November 16, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
The newspaper "Tehran Times" attacked the monetary measures taken by the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL), which aim to dry up the cash economy primarily relied upon by Hezbollah. The newspaper, affiliated with the regime, wrote: "The Lebanese central bank has effectively relinquished its authority, handing over the master key to Washington while volunteering to monitor its citizens on behalf of US Treasury envoys who spent only a few hours in Beirut before issuing the latest set of financial commandments."The newspaper considered that, due to BDL's circulars, every teller has turned into a miniature intelligence office. It pointed out that: "Lebanese citizens are now subject to a more stringent, intrusive audit than that imposed by many countries on the Financial Action Task Force's grey list. To recall: even the UAE, a country subject to international review, has never humiliated its populace with such invasive and arbitrary demands." It wrote: "It doesn't matter if any of this genuinely fights money laundering. The political benefit is the message. After all, the issue isn't about a thousand dollars, but about control, dependency, and the quiet normalization of foreign intervention disguised behind the veil of 'compliance'." It concluded: "This is not metaphorical, but literal. An American envoy publicly commissioning the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon as a forward observer in US strategic confrontations is a predictable scene in a country under de facto occupation, where the institutions of the so-called sovereign state function as administrative extensions of the occupying power."

Berri is Very Displeased... And Disarmament is Not an Option!
Al-Markaziya/November 16, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
All negotiation proposals were pending the arrival of US Ambassador Michel Issa in Beirut. With his arrival, the engines are supposed to restart, although Lebanon, despite accepting the principle of negotiation through the mechanism, has not yet received any Israeli response. Issa, who arrived on Friday, participated today in a mass in his hometown of Bsous, and is scheduled to submit a copy of his credentials to Foreign Minister Youssef Rigi on Monday, and then to President Joseph Aoun, to officially begin his duties. Political sources told Al-Jadeed that the Lebanese file is now exclusively in Issa's hands, while US envoy Morgan Ortagus will continue to periodically participate in the mechanism meetings in Naqoura. According to Al-Jadeed's information, Ortagus had told Lebanese figures she met in the US: "Let no one think that Issa will be a lifeboat for some, for American policy is firm and well-known," and Ambassador Issa previously expressed this in his speech before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the disarmament of Hezbollah is not an option but a necessity, because the party and its Iranian sponsor prevent any economic recovery and undermine state sovereignty.
Ambassador Issa will meet on Monday with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, whose visitors revealed to "Al-Jadeed" that Berri had not scheduled an appointment to receive the US Treasury delegation during its visit to Beirut last week, responding to the request by saying: "I don't have time; they can meet with Advisor Ali Hamdan." The reason for this is attributed to Berri's extreme displeasure with the information he received about what transpired in the Treasury delegation's meeting in what he called "MP Fouad Makhzoumi's kitchen," where accusations and threats were launched against him that were sufficient cause not to meet with the delegation.

Ali Hassan Khalil in Iran Inquiring About its Position on Negotiation with Israel
LCCC/November 16, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
News agencies reported that the MP from the Amal Movement is in Iran, sent by Nabih Berri to ascertain the truth of the Iranian position on negotiation with Israel, following the message sent by Hezbollah to Berri, Salam, and Aoun criticizing their proposal for negotiation with Israel.

Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria tensions: Israel seeks last-minute changes to Gaza Peace Plan at UN
LBCI/November 16/2025
Israel is intensifying pressure on the United States in the final hours before a U.N. Security Council vote scheduled for Monday on a proposal concerning Gaza's governance and reconstruction after the war. The core dispute between Israel on one side and Washington, along with the Arab states supporting the proposal on the other, centers on the creation of a "Peace Council" in Gaza. The body would act as an interim governing authority until the Palestinian Authority is fully restructured and able to assume control. Israeli officials argue that this clause effectively reinforces the Palestinian right to self-determination and advances the prospect of a Palestinian state—a position Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly rejects. Netanyahu, facing mounting criticism for not dismissing the plan outright, reiterated before a cabinet meeting that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Tel Aviv is also seeking explicit U.S. backing for what it describes as its right to maintain its presence in Mount Hermon and southern Syria, as a pre-emptive move against any potential demands from President Donald Trump for an Israeli withdrawal.
Alongside the Gaza and Syria tracks, Lebanon remains a top priority for Israel's security establishment, particularly its Northern Command. The Israeli army announced that it is discussing and training for multiple escalation scenarios should diplomatic efforts fail, aiming to conclude any potential confrontation within no more than three weeks of fighting.

Lebanese Army: Israel persists in violating sovereignty and targeting UNIFIL in a dangerous escalation
LBCI/November 16/2025
The Lebanese Army announced that the Israeli forces continue to violate Lebanon’s sovereignty, destabilize the country, and obstruct the full deployment of the army in the south. The statement described these actions as repeated and condemned attacks, the latest of which was Israel’s targeting of a UNIFIL patrol on 16 November 2025. According to the army, these violations pose a serious threat to stability and represent an escalation that cannot be ignored. The army affirmed that it is working in coordination with friendly nations to put an end to the ongoing Israeli violations and breaches, stressing that the situation requires urgent action given the gravity of the escalation.

Imad Martinos wins Beirut Bar Association presidency with 2,436 votes
LBCI/November 16/2025
Imad Martinos, backed by the Lebanese Forces Party, won the presidency of the Beirut Bar Association after securing 2,436 votes in the second round of elections.

Election results for Beirut Bar Association: Martinos and Bazerly advance to second round
LBCI/November 16/2025
The results of the Beirut Bar Association membership elections have been released, revealing the following vote counts:
Imad Martinos: 3010
Elie Bazerly: 2778
Marwan Jabr: 2559
Maurice El Gemayel: 1966
Nadim Hamadeh: 1852
Elie El Hashash: 1798
Georges Yazbek: 1784
Wajih Massaad: 1755
Following the first round, Imad Martinos and Elie Bazarly will move on to compete for the position of Bar Association president in the second round of voting.
However, Massaad announced his withdrawal, leaving the competition between Martinos and Bazerly.

A mild 2.8-magnitude quake felt across Lebanon's Bekaa Valley
LBCI/November 16/2025
Residents of Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley reported feeling a light earthquake on Sunday, according to the Bhannes National Center for Geophysical Research (NCGR). The center confirmed that the tremor measured 2.8 in magnitude and was centered in the city of Zahle.

Aoun calls for Urgent UN Complaint Against Israel
This is Beirut/November 16/2025
President Joseph Aoun has asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Youssef Raji, to instruct Lebanon’s permanent mission to the United Nations to file an urgent complaint with the Security Council against Israel, which has begun building a concrete wall along Lebanon’s southern border that extends beyond the Blue Line drawn after the Israeli withdrawal in 2000. Aoun also requested that the complaint be accompanied by UN reports refuting Israel’s denial of the construction. These reports confirm that the concrete barrier erected by the Israeli army prevents residents of the South from accessing more than 4,000 square meters of Lebanese land. International reports further state that UNIFIL has notified Israel of its obligation to dismantle the wall, stressing that Israel’s continued presence on Lebanese territory and the construction works it is carrying out there constitute a violation of Security Council Resolution 1701, as well as an infringement of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

UNIFIL says Israeli forces fired on them in southern Lebanon
AFP/16 November/2025
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Sunday that Israeli soldiers had shot at its peacekeepers from a tank near an army position in the country’s south. UNIFIL has been working with the Lebanese army to consolidate a truce between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah reached last November. “This morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired on UNIFIL peacekeepers from a Merkava tank from near a position Israel has established in Lebanese territory,” the peacekeepers said in a statement, adding heavy machine gun rounds hit about five meters from their personnel. The force said the peacekeepers were able to “leave safely thirty minutes later” after the tank withdrew inside the Israeli position. Israel’s military said it had not intended to shoot towards United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, saying its forces mistook them for “suspects” and fired warning shots. “After a review, it was determined that the suspects were UN soldiers who were conducting a patrol in the area and were classified as suspects due to poor weather conditions,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement, adding: “No deliberate fire was directed toward UNIFIL soldiers.”UNIFIL said the shooting “represents a serious violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701,” which ended a 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and also formed the basis of last November’s truce. That ceasefire sought to end more than a year of hostilities between the parties that broke out after the start of the Gaza war. Under the deal, Israel was to withdraw its forces from south Lebanon, but it has kept them at five areas it deems strategic.It has also kept up regular strikes on Lebanon, mainly saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives. Sunday’s incident was not the first in which UNIFIL accused Israel of endangering its peacekeepers. “Yet again, we call on the IDF to cease any aggressive behavior and attacks on or near peacekeepers,” the force said.

UNIFIL: “We urge the Israeli army to halt any aggressive actions targeting our forces”
This is Beirut/November 16/2025
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a statement saying that, this morning, an Israeli army Merkava tank opened fire on UNIFIL peacekeepers near a site that Israel has established inside Lebanese territory. According to the statement, heavy machine-gun fire struck near the peacekeepers, landing about five meters away, as they were moving on foot and were forced to take cover in the area. Through UNIFIL’s liaison channels, the peacekeepers called on the Israeli Defense Forces to immediately cease fire. They were able to withdraw safely thirty minutes later, once the Merkava tank had pulled back inside the Israeli position. Fortunately, no one was injured. UNIFIL stressed that this incident constitutes a serious violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. “Once again, we urge the Israeli Defense Forces to stop any aggressive actions or attacks targeting peacekeeping troops or occurring near them. Our forces are working to support efforts aimed at restoring stability — a goal that both Israel and Lebanon say they are seeking,” the statement concluded. The Israeli military, for its part, stated in a communiqué that “no deliberate fire was directed toward UNIFIL soldiers,” adding that “the incident is under examination.”It further noted that “after a review, it was determined that the individuals in question were UN soldiers who were conducting a patrol in the area and were classified as suspects due to poor weather conditions.”

Lebanese Army and UNIFIL: Israeli Targeting of Personnel is a Serious Violation
Al Modon/November 16, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
After a series of repeated Israeli aggressions against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the recent period—from targeting the vicinity of its headquarters in Naqoura and injuring a number of peacekeepers in October 2024, to an attack by "Merkava" tanks on one of its sites in Ramyah that wounded several of its personnel, and finally to a bomb dropped from a drone near its position in Kfarkila and the crash of an unarmed Israeli drone over the mission's headquarters in Naqoura last month—South Lebanon recorded a new episode today in the series of targeting peacekeeping forces.
UNIFIL announced that "an Israeli army Merkava tank fired this morning at UNIFIL peacekeepers near a position established by Israel inside Lebanese territory," noting that "heavy machine gun fire struck an area about five meters from the peacekeepers, who were walking on foot and were forced to take cover."In a statement, UNIFIL explained that "through its communication channels, the peacekeepers requested the Israeli army to cease fire, and they were able to safely leave after thirty minutes, when the Merkava tank withdrew into the Israeli army position," pointing out that "fortunately, no one was harmed."
UNIFIL stressed that "this incident is a serious violation of Security Council Resolution 1701," renewing its appeal to the Israeli army to "cease any hostile acts or attacks targeting or occurring near peacekeepers, who are working to support efforts to return to stability, which both Israel and Lebanon claim they seek to achieve." The UNIFIL spokesperson stated in a press release that the situation in South Lebanon is very fragile and there are 10,000 violations, most of which are from the Israeli side. For its part, the Lebanese Army Command, Directorate of Orientation, announced in a statement that "the Israeli enemy insists on its violations of Lebanese sovereignty, which causes destabilization in Lebanon and impedes the completion of the army's deployment in the South," pointing out that "the latest of these condemned attacks was the targeting of a patrol of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, on 16/11/2025." The Command clarified that it "is working in coordination with friendly countries to put an end to the continuous violations and breaches by the Israeli enemy," stressing that these practices "require immediate action, as they represent a dangerous escalation" that threatens stability in the South and across all Lebanese territories.The Israeli army claimed in a statement: "We did not fire toward UNIFIL soldiers in South Lebanon and the matter is being handled through official channels." It added: "We fired toward suspects today at Hamamis Hill in South Lebanon, and it later turned out that they belonged to the United Nations. Upon examining the incident, it became clear that the two suspects were two soldiers from the United Nations forces (UNIFIL) who were on patrol in the field, and they were classified as suspects due to poor weather conditions. The incident is under investigation."
In other Israeli aggressions, Israeli army forces fired illuminating flares over the plains of Khiam. The forces also threw 3 sound bombs toward the vicinity of a number of residents of the town of Al-Dhaira during their visit there. The Israeli army announced that it is discussing and training on several options for escalation in case diplomatic efforts fail, which would allow it to decisively end the battle in a war not exceeding three weeks.

Children of the Ruins: Rebuilding the Soul of South Lebanon
Katia Kahil/This is Beirut/November 16/2025
One year after the bombings that ravaged southern Lebanon, the villages are slowly rebuilding. Walls are repainted, schools have reopened, yet behind the desks, young hearts remain fragile. The children of this region carry a silent trauma, born from the roar of bombs, sleepless nights, and constant fear. Where the sirens have fallen silent, the memories continue to scream.
The Invisible Trauma
Sam, 10, still trembles at the sound of an airplane overhead. “I can’t sleep anymore,” he admits in a barely audible voice. Outside a public school in Marjayoun, nine-year-old Lena tightly clutches her backpack. “She hasn’t properly slept for months,” says her mother. “At night, she wakes up screaming that a plane is coming.” Psychologists point to clear signs of post-traumatic stress: recurring nightmares, hypervigilance, and panic attacks. In the classroom, this shows as difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, and sometimes unexplained aggression. “They startle at the slightest noise, tense up when a door slams,” explains Hiba, a teacher in Khiam. “Some refuse to sit by the windows; others ask if the school has a shelter.” A place meant to be a refuge, the school has instead become a space of constant anxiety.
Scars on the Body, Wounds in the Soul
To the invisible pain is added the suffering of the battered bodies. Some children in southern Lebanon still bear the physical marks of war: shrapnel wounds, burns, amputated limbs. “Kamal, 11, lost a leg during a bombing,” says the principal of his school. The eyes of these children reveal early fatigue and a maturity forced upon them too soon. “Physical pain constantly triggers memories of danger,” explains Rania, a psychologist. “The body becomes a permanent reminder of the war, making psychological recovery even more complex.” Here, rehabilitation goes beyond medical treatment: it is a journey of reconciling with oneself, relearning movement, play, and the ability to trust again.
The Wounded Language of Childhood
In the schoolyards, war creeps even into play. Children reenact bombings, mimic drones, and build cardboard shelters. “When they argue, they say, ‘I’m going to bomb you, I’ll send a drone,’” recalls Nahida, principal of a school in Marjayoun. “It’s not out of aggression; the war has simply seeped into their language.”Play, meant to be liberating, has becomes a reflection of trauma. Their imagination is haunted by the same images: pockmarked houses, airplanes, smoke. “They act out evacuations,” says Samira, a teacher at Marjayoun National College. “One group hides while the other plays rescuers.”This repeated play is more than entertainment. It becomes a way to confront fear, understand it, and regain a sense of control. Trauma does not stop at emotions. It invades learning. Concentration falters, memory weakens, and unusual aggression appears. “Some students withdraw into themselves while others become irritable,” explains Fouad, a math teacher in Taybeh. “School becomes a new battlefield within the mind and heart.”
Fragmented Childhood, Shattered Anchors
War has not only destroyed homes; it has torn families apart. Displacement, exile, and loss have shattered the emotional foundations that children depend on. “The children we welcome here have lost everything: their homes, their toys, sometimes even their friends,” says Fadia, a school psychologist. Maya, a teacher in Shebaa, witnesses the same distress. “Many children have lost a parent or live apart from their extended families. They arrive with a sense of abandonment, without any stable anchors.”
Without this emotional grounding, healthy development becomes a struggle. “Some children still draw their father, even if he has died,” says Randa, a psychologist in Marjayoun. Prolonged separations blur the line between reality and imagination. “Children create a parallel world to fill the void,” she explains. “It is a survival strategy for their emotions.”
School, the Last Bastion of Reconstruction
In the face of such loss, schools have become healing spaces. With the support of local and international NGOs, programs offering psychological support have been established, including talking workshops, art therapy, and group activities. “Our goal is to restore a sense of safety and help children express their emotions,” explains Fouad, an educational coordinator. According to UNICEF, more than 10,000 children in southern Lebanon have received emergency psychological support. Studies show that 60% display signs of emotional distress, and one-third show symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
“School has become a place of reconstruction,” emphasizes Najwa, a school psychologist. “Here, children regain their footing, feel safe, and rediscover the possibility of dreaming again.”
From Fear to Light
In the schoolyards, laughter is slowly returning. The roar of bombs has been replaced by the shouts and giggles of children. War may have stolen their childhood, but it has not dimmed their inner light. For Soha, a school principal in Mays al-Jabal, peace is not measured by ceasefires. “Peace begins when they dare to laugh, play, and dream. When they feel truly safe,” she says.These children of the aftermath, bearing invisible wounds, are learning every day to rebuild their world. In their drawings, their words, and their rediscovered laughter, the promise of a generation shines. Despite everything, they choose life.

Syria Hands Over Seventeen Detainees Who Entered by Sea
Al Modon/November 16, 2025 (Translated from Arabic)
Syria handed over seventeen Lebanese citizens to the competent Lebanese authorities after they were detained by the Internal Security Branch in the Tartus Governorate for illegally entering Syrian territorial waters using three boats, according to the SANA agency. The agency clarified that the boats were spotted by Syrian Coast Guard patrols, which immediately rushed to verify their identity and the reasons for their entry. After inspection, it was found that they were designated for fishing, before legal procedures were completed and the group was handed over to the Lebanese side through the competent authorities.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on November 16-17/2025
Israeli leader insists there can be no Palestinian state, ahead of UN vote leaving that door open
Melanie Lidman/AP/November 16, 2025
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed to oppose any attempt to establish a Palestinian state, a day before the U.N. Security Council will vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution on Gaza that leaves the door open to Palestinian independence. Netanyahu has long ruled out Palestinian independence, asserting that creating a Palestinian state would reward Hamas and eventually lead to an even larger Hamas-run state on Israel’s borders. But as the U.S. attempts to push forward with its Gaza ceasefire proposal, he faces heavy international pressure to show flexibility. The Security Council is expected to vote on a U.S. proposal for a U.N. mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza despite opposition from Russia, China and some Arab countries. The U.S., under pressure from countries expected to contribute troops to the force, revised the resolution with stronger language about Palestinian self-determination. It now says that President Donald Trump’s plan may create a “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood. A rival Russian proposal uses even stronger language in favor of Palestinian statehood. The creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel is seen internationally as the only realistic way to resolve the conflict for the long term. Netanyahu's hard-line governing partners have urged him to take a tough stand on the calls for Palestinian independence. Speaking to his Cabinet, Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel’s opposition to a Palestinian state has “not changed one bit.”The Israeli leader added that he has been staving off any advances toward a Palestinian state for decades, and is not threatened by external or internal pressure. “I do not need affirmations, tweets, or lectures from anyone,” he said. That pressure increased during the war in Gaza. In September, after the U.K., Australia and Canada formally recognized a Palestinian state, Netanyahu blasted the countries for proffering a “prize” to Hamas. Netanyahu on Sunday also noted that Trump's plan calls for Gaza to be demilitarized and Hamas to be disarmed. “Either this will happen the easy way or it will happen the hard way,” he said.
Settler attacks on the rise in the West Bank
The Israeli leader also made his first public comments about a surge in attacks by Jewish settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, saying the violence was the work of a small minority. Palestinians and human rights groups say the violence has been widespread and accused the government of turning a blind eye. Palestinian health officials said Sunday a 19-year-old Palestinian man was killed by Israeli military fire. He was the seventh person to be killed in the West Bank in the past two weeks by Israeli fire. The spike in violence has been accompanied by a surge in settler attacks. The Israeli military said it was operating in Nablus, in the northern West Bank, early Sunday when the man hurled an explosive device at the soldiers, who fired in response and killed him. In addition to Sunday’s clashes, the Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank said six teenagers — aged 15 to 17 — were shot and killed by Israeli fire in four separate incidents over the past two weeks. On Sunday, Netanyahu cast settler violence as the work of a few extremists. But Palestinians and rights groups say the settler violence is carried out by settlers with impunity from Israel’s far-right government. Settler leaders and their allies hold top positions in Netanyahu's government, including the Cabinet ministers who oversee the national police force and West Bank settlement policies. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week said there’s concern that the events in the West Bank “could undermine what we’re doing in Gaza.” U.N. Human Rights Commissioner spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan has said the U.N. recorded more than 260 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank in October, more than in any month since 2006.
*Melanie Lidman, The Associated Press

Israeli leaders voice opposition to Palestinian state before UN Gaza vote
AFP/16 November/2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his government underscored their opposition to a Palestinian state ahead of a UN Security Council vote Monday on a resolution endorsing a US-backed Gaza peace plan. The draft resolution would follow up on the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas brokered by US President Donald Trump, giving the council’s blessing for a transitional administration and a temporary international security force in the devastated territory. Unlike previous drafts, the latest version of the resolution mentions a possible future Palestinian state, which the Israeli government is vehemently against. “Our opposition to a Palestinian state on any territory has not changed,” Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting on Sunday. Netanyahu had come in for criticism from coalition members, including far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who had accused him of failing to respond to a recent wave of recognition of Palestinian statehood by Western countries. “Formulate immediately an appropriate and decisive response that will make it clear to the entire world -- no Palestinian state will ever arise on the lands of our homeland,” Smotrich urged Netanyahu on X. The premier replied Sunday that he did “not need affirmations, tweets, or lectures from anyone.”Other ministers likewise expressed their opposition to Palestinian statehood, though none explicitly referred to the resolution. “Israel’s policy is clear: no Palestinian state will be established,” Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X Sunday. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also said on X that the country would “not agree to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Land of Israel.”Far-right firebrand and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir went even further, calling the Palestinian identity an “invention.” The Security Council resolution would effectively usher in the second phase of the US-backed deal reached last month, which brought about a ceasefire after two years of war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The first phase has seen the release of the last 20 living Israeli hostages and nearly all of the 28 dead captives held by Palestinian militants. In exchange, Israel has freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and returned 330 bodies.

Palestinian killed by Israeli army in West Bank operation
AFP/16 November/2025
The Israeli military said Sunday it had killed one person overnight during an operation in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, with the Palestinian health ministry reporting a teenager had been shot dead. “Overnight (Sunday), IDF reserve soldiers... conducted an operational activity in the area of Nablus during which a terrorist hurled an explosive device towards the soldiers,” the military said in a brief statement. “The soldiers responded with fire and eliminated the terrorist. No IDF injuries were reported.”The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said: “Hassan Ahmed Jamil Moussa (19 years old) was killed last night by fire from the occupation forces in the Askar refugee camp.”The Askar camp for Palestinian refugees is at the eastern end of Nablus, in the northern West Bank. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. Majed Abu Kishk, the head of the Askar services committee, said the teenager was shot at around midnight during a raid on the camp. He was detained by the Israeli forces and when he was handed over to the Palestinian ambulance services, “he was already dead.” Violence in the Palestinian territory has soared since the Hamas attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war in October 2023. At least 1,006 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers since the war started, according to the Palestinian health ministry. During the same period, 43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank, according to official Israeli figures.

Israeli forces uproot olive trees in Deir Istiya belonging to Palestinian farmers
Arab News/November 16, 2025
LONDON: Israeli forces uprooted several olive trees near the Palestinian town of Deir Istiya in the central West Bank province of Salfit on Sunday. Ibrahim Hamad, head of the Agricultural Directorate in the Salfit Governorate, told news agency WAFA that the Israeli forces uprooted around 135 olive trees, each over 7 years old, belonging to three Palestinian farmers. He added that the attack is part of an ongoing series of violations against agricultural land in the Qana Valley area. Since May, Israeli forces and settlers have carried out a total of 2,350 attacks against Palestinians, their crops, and their properties, according to a report issued by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission in October. The Israeli army was responsible for 1,584 attacks, while settlers carried out 766, mainly in the occupied West Bank’s Ramallah and Al-Bireh (542 incidents), Nablus (412), and Hebron (401), according to the report. These attacks involved physical assaults, uprooting trees, burning fields, blocking olive pickers, seizing properties, and demolishing homes and agricultural structures. Thousands of Palestinian families who depend on harvesting olive trees for their livelihoods have faced increasing attacks since late 2023 from settlers, entry restrictions to their fields imposed by soldiers, and land confiscations. Last week, Israeli forces issued two military orders to uproot olive trees and confiscate land for a security fence in the eastern part of the Palestinian city of Qalqilya, located in the northern West Bank.

Iran begins cloud seeding operations as severe drought bites
AFP/November 16, 2025
TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have launched cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall as the country faces its worst drought in decades, state media reported. “Today, a cloud seeding flight was conducted in the Urmia Lake basin for the first time in the current water year,” which begins in September, the official IRNA news agency said late Saturday. Urmia, in the northwest, is Iran’s largest lake, but has largely dried out and turned into a vast salt bed due to drought. IRNA added that further operations would be carried out in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan. Cloud seeding involves spraying particles such as silver iodide and salt into clouds from aircraft to trigger rain. Last year, Iran announced it had developed its own technology for the practice. On Saturday, IRNA reported that rain had fallen in Ilam, Kermanshah, Kurdistan and Lorestan in the west, as well as in the northwestern West Azerbaijan province.
It quoted the country’s meteorological organization as saying rainfall had decreased by about 89 percent this year compared with the long-term average. “We are currently experiencing the driest autumn the country has experienced in 50 years,” it added. State media has shown footage of snow falling on the Tochal mountain and ski resort, located in the Tehran area on the Alborz range, for the first time this year. Iran, a largely arid country, has for years suffered chronic dry spells and heat waves expected to worsen with climate change. Rainfall in the capital Tehran has been at its lowest level in a century, according to local officials, and half of Iran’s provinces have not seen a drop of rain in months. Water levels at reservoirs supplying many provinces have fallen to record lows. Earlier this month, President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that without rain before winter, Tehran could face evacuation, though he did not elaborate.
Other countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, have also used cloud seeding to artificially produce rain.

Iran's foreign minister says the nation is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country
Jon Gambrell/AP/November 16, 2025
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that Tehran is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country, trying to signal to the West that it remains open to potential negotiations over its atomic program. Answering a question from an Associated Press journalist visiting Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered the most direct response yet from the Iranian government regarding its nuclear program following Israel and the United States' bombing of its enrichment sites in June during a 12-day war. “There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran. All of our facilities are under the safeguards and monitoring” of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Araghchi said. “There is no enrichment right now because our facilities — our enrichment facilities — have been attacked.”
Iran says it is threatened over accessing bombed sites
Asked what it would take for Iran to continue negotiations with the U.S. and others, Araghchi said Iran's message on its nuclear program remains "clear.”“Iran’s right for enrichment, for peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable," the foreign minister continued. “We have this right, and we continue to exercise that, and we hope that the international community, including the United States, recognize our rights and understand that this is an inalienable right of Iran. And we would never give up our rights.”Iran’s government issued a three-day visa for the AP reporter to attend a summit alongside journalists from major British outlets and other media. Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, also attended the summit and told the gathering that Tehran had been threatened over potentially accessing the bombed enrichment sites. Satellite pictures analyzed by the AP since the attack show that Iran has not done any major work at the sites at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. “Our security situation hasn’t yet changed. If you watch the news, you see that every day we are being threatened with another attack,” Eslami said. “Every day we are told if you touch anything, you’ll be attacked.”
Iran had been enriching uranium up to 60% purity — a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels — after U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers in 2018. Tehran long has maintained its atomic program is peaceful, though the West and the IAEA say Iran had an organized nuclear weapons program until 2003. European nations also pushed through a measure to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran over the nuclear program in September. The IAEA's Board of Governors is set to meet this week and could vote on a new resolution targeting Iran over its failure to cooperate fully with the agency. But Araghchi left open the possibility of further negotiations with the U.S. should Washington's demands change. He told journalists at the summit that the U.S. administration's approach does not suggest they are ready for “equal, fair negotiations to reach mutual interests.”"What we have seen from the Americans so far has actually been an effort to dictate their demands, which are maximalist and excessive. We see no chance for dialogue in the face of such demands.”
Iran summit decries ‘aggression’
Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies, affiliated with the country’s Foreign Ministry, hosted the summit. Titled “International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Self-Defense,” the conference included papers by Iranian political analysts offering Tehran’s view of the 12-day war in June, many seizing on comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praising Israel for having done the “dirty work” in launching its attack. “Iran’s defensive response was remarkable, inspiring, historic and above all, pure,” wrote Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour, an international relations professor. “How can one possibly compare Israel’s dirty deeds to the noble and clean actions of the Iranian nation?”Images of children killed by Israel during the war lined the walkway outside the summit, held inside the Martyr General Qassem Soleimani Building, named for the Revolutionary Guard expeditionary leader killed by a U.S. drone strike in 2020. But Iran finds itself in a difficult moment after the war. Israel decimated the country’s air defense systems, potentially leaving the door open to further airstrikes as tensions remain high over the nuclear program. Meanwhile, economic pressures and societal change continue to challenge Iran’s Shiite theocracy, which so far has held off on making decisions about whether to enforce its mandatory hijab laws or raise the price of government-subsidized gasoline, both of which have sparked nationwide protests in the past.

Araghchi says Iran is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country
The Associated Press/16 November/2025
Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday said that Tehran is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country. Answering a question from an Associated Press journalist visiting Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered the most direct response yet from the Iranian government regarding its nuclear program following Israel and the United States’ bombing its enrichment sites in June. n“There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran. All of our facilities are under the safeguards and monitoring” of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Araghchi said. “There is no enrichment right now because our facilities — our enrichment facilities — have been attacked.”Asked what it would take for Iran to continue negotiations with the US and others, Araghchi said that Iran’s message on its nuclear program remains “clear.”“Iran’s right for enrichment, for peaceful use of nuclear technology, including enrichment, is undeniable,” the foreign minister continued. “We have this right and we continue to exercise that and we hope that the international community, including the United States, recognize our rights and understand that this is an inalienable right of Iran and we would never give up our rights.”Iran’s government issued a three-day visa for the AP reporter to attend a summit alongside other journalists from major British outlets and other media. Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies, affiliated with the country’s Foreign Ministry, hosted the summit. Titled “International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Self-Defense,” the conference included papers by Iranian political analysts offering Tehran’s view of the 12-day war in June, many seizing on comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praising Israel for having done the “dirty work” in launching its attack. “Iran’s defensive response was remarkable, inspiring, historic and above all, pure,” wrote Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour, an international relations professor. “How can one possibly compare Israel’s dirty deeds to the noble and clean actions of the Iranian nation?”Images of children killed by Israel during the war lined the walkway outside the summit, held inside the Martyr General Qassem Soleimani Building, named for the Revolutionary Guard expeditionary leader killed by a US drone strike in 2020. But Iran finds itself in a difficult moment after the war. Israel decimated the country’s air defense systems, potentially leaving the door open to further airstrikes as tensions remain high over Tehran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, economic pressures and societal change continues to challenge Iran’s Shia theocracy, which so far has held off on making decisions on whether to enforce its mandatory hijab laws or raise the price of government-subsidized gasoline, both of which have sparked nationwide protests in the past.

As regime change nears first year, Syria reopens to world in major diplomatic shift
Saad Hamidi, Al Arabiya English/16 November/2025
For Syrians, 2025 has been marked by a remarkable change in the country’s history, representing a transition from fifty years of international isolation to active diplomatic engagement, most notably with the Western world. This pivotal development was set in motion in December 2024, when Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, once a proscribed terrorist organization by both the US and the UK, seized control of Damascus and the People’s Palace – the final nail in the coffin of the al-Assad era. HTS’ leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa – formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani – became Syria’s president, appointing several close associates to government positions, including Asaad al-Shaibani as foreign minister. HTS and other armed groups have since been dissolved, with many of their members integrated into the newly formed Syrian transitional government, which now leads the country.
A Syria with ‘no enemies’
As we approach the one-year anniversary of Syria’s regime change, the country finds itself in a diplomatic orbit where bilateral relations with Western nations are flourishing – a prospect that had long seemed unattainable. Right in the middle of this orbit stands Foreign Minister al-Shaibani, who – in November alone – travelled from the White House in Washington, DC, to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London, and is scheduled to visit China later in the month. He navigates these diplomatic journeys seeking to rally support for the new Syrian transitional government. His agenda stretches from promoting economic cooperation and investment in the country to advocating for the removal of sanctions imposed by Western nations during the al-Assad era. Assuring those who are doubtful, former Syrian ambassador to the UK Sami Khiyami told Al Arabiya English that the current administration in Damascus is committed to building a future for Syria that has ‘’no enemies,” highlighting its active diplomatic engagement. Ahead of al-Shaibani’s London visit, Khiyami added that the foreign minister will ‘’express the administration’s true hopes and plans.”
‘Historic opportunity’
On Wednesday, al-Shaibani arrived in London, marking the first formal visit by an official from the new Syrian government to the UK. Sources, however, speculate that he may have made an unofficial trip to the British capital in September, reportedly taking part in talks with an Israeli delegation led by former Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and mediated by US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack. Al-Shaibani landed in London with a busy schedule, heading directly to a private, invitation-only meeting with members of the British-Syrian community at the Intercontinental hotel. Similar events were also held in both Washington, DC, and New York when the foreign minister, accompanied by President al-Sharaa, visited the United States on two separate occasions this year. These community meetings – central to the foreign ministry’s diplomatic mission – aim to strengthen ties between the Syrian diaspora and their homeland, further supporting the administration’s efforts of rebuilding the country after years of conflict and international isolation. Simon Collis, former British ambassador to Syria, told Al Arabiya English that al-Shaibani’s first official visit to London was “an important step toward re-establishing the bilateral relationship.”On the morning after his arrival, al-Shaibani attended the “raising the flag” ceremony at the long-closed Syrian embassy in London. The foreign minister himself raised the flag over the Syrian diplomatic mission – a symbolic gesture that signaled two things: first, the official re-opening of the embassy; and second, the improving relationship between the two nations and the clear progress made since last December. The foreign minister attended a panel discussion later that day held at Chatham House, a London-based think-tank. Speaking at the event, he described his meeting with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, as ‘’successful,” adding that the relationship between the two nations is ‘’a friendship that is deep on the humanitarian and economic level.’’He emphasized that it is now the responsibility of both governments to ‘’utilize the historic opportunity in Syria.’’British Syrian relations were restored in July this year, when David Lammy, the British foreign secretary at the time, made a visit to Damascus to meet with President al-Sharaa. That said, this was not the first engagement between the two countries following al-Assad’s removal; the British director for Middle East Affairs in the FCDO visited Damascus shortly after the regime change, on December 21, 2024. Britain initially severed its bilateral ties with Syria in 2012 in response to the al-Assad regime’s violent crackdown on dissent. That year, the British embassy in Damascus closed, and the following year, the Syrian embassy in London also shut down. Throughout 2025, UK foreign policy toward Syria focused on easing sanctions as part of its efforts to expand bilateral ties with the current administration.
Notably, in March, the UK removed sanctions on the Syrian defense and interior ministries, and the next month, lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian financial bodies previously used to fund the al-Assad regime’s operations. In October, the UK removed HTS from its list of proscribed terrorist organizations – a move London said “will mean closer engagement with the new Syrian government.” More recently, sanctions on President al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab were also lifted.

Syrians, EU officials hold meeting in Damascus
AP/November 16, 2025
DAMASCUS: Representatives of Syria’s civil society held open discussions in Damascus in the presence of officials from the EU and the government.  They touched on sensitive topics, including sectarian tensions and ethnic divisions. The EU-organized meetings known as “The Day of Dialogue” are the first to be held in Damascus after taking place in past years Brussels. Saturday’s meetings came nearly a year after the fall of the 54-year Assad family rule in Syria in early December. The meetings that used to take place within the framework of the Brussels Conferences were mostly boycotted by then-President Bashar Assad’s government.  The EU said Saturday’s meetings were organized in cooperation with Syrian civil society and the Syrian authorities. “The meeting that used to be held to talk about Syria is now being held in Syria,” Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani said in a speech at the opening session held at a conference center in the southern outskirts of Damascus. Al-Shibani added that Saturday’s meetings represent “a solid partnership with the civil society and our partners in the EU.”Michael Ohnmacht, chargé d’affaires of the EU delegation to Syria, said 500 people from Syria’s different religious and ethnic groups took part in the meetings and “this is something very positive.” “This is what we hope for Syria’s future, to see this inclusive state which will be a state in the form of all its citizens,” Ohnmacht said. Social Affairs Minister Hind Kabawat said: “Today’s dialogue is the beginning of change, and rebuilding Syria only happens through partnership based on respect between the state and civil society.” During one of the sessions on transitional justice and the fate of the missing, Syrians demanded answers on issues still pending, such as more than 130,000 people who went missing under Assad’s rule, while an ethnic Kurd spoke about state discrimination they have faced for decades. Mazen Darwish, a Syrian lawyer and one of the country’s most prominent activists who was repeatedly jailed in Syria before he went into exile years ago, said no one regrets the fall of the Assad family rule. “Today we have an opportunity in Syria and we have to take advantage of it,” Darwish said.

Members of Syria’s security forces, military detained over violence in Sweida
Al Arabiya English/Associated Press/16 November/2025
Members of Syria’s security and military services have been detained as part of an investigation into sectarian violence in the southern province of Sweida in July that left hundreds of people dead, investigators said Sunday. The head of a Syrian committee investigating the violence in Sweida held a news conference in the capital, Damascus, to talk about progress made but did not release a death toll, saying this will come in the final report that is expected by the end of the year. In mid-July, armed groups affiliated with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri clashed with local Bedouin clans, spurring intervention by government forces. Hundreds of civilians were killed. Judge Hatem Naasan, head of the investigative committee, said they have listened to people affected by the violence, including “witnesses and victims.”“We have achieved positive results,” Naasan told reporters in Damascus adding that members of security services and the military “who were proven to have committed violations based on investigations of the committee and videos posted on social media platforms” have been detained. He did not say how many were held, adding that after they were questioned they were referred to judicial authorities.
“Videos posted on social media clearly showed faces and they were detained by the authorities concerned,” Naasan said. He said security members were detained by the interior ministry while members of the military are being held by the defense ministry. Videos surfaced online showing armed men killing Druze civilians kneeling in public squares and shaving the mustaches off elderly men in an act of humiliation. Naasan downplayed suggestions that foreign fighters took part in the violence in Sweida. He said that some foreign fighters were detained and questioned, adding they acted on their own by entering the city and none of them were members of the Syrian armed or security forces. “What became clear to us is that some foreign fighters randomly and individually entered the city of Sweida,” Naasan said. Most of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria, with the rest in Lebanon, Israel and the Golan Heights which Israel seized from Syria in 1967 and later annexed.

Russia says its forces advance in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region
Reuters/16 November /2025
Russia said on Sunday its forces had moved forward sharply in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, taking two settlements as part of a major push aimed at taking control of the entire Zaporizhzhia region. With a smaller army than Russia’s, Ukraine has been grappling with how to bolster defenses in the Donetsk region while keeping the rest of the front stable under intense artillery and drone attack from highly mobile Russian units. Since advancing into the Dnipropetrovsk region in late June, Russian forces have been pushing there and in the neighboring Zaporizhzhia region where they have moved forward along a relatively broad front by at least 30 km (19 miles) over the past six weeks, according to pro-Ukrainian maps. Russia’s defense ministry said its forces had taken Rivnopillya, which puts the southern town of Huliaipole in danger of being the target of Russian pincer movements. It said Russian forces had also taken Mala Tokmachka, just 9 km (6 miles) from Orikhiv. “It is difficult to overestimate the importance of this village for the defense of Orikhiv,” said Yuri Podolyaka, one of Russia’s top war bloggers, adding that Mala Tokmachka was essentially “the gateway to Orikhiv.”There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Ukraine’s top general said last week that fighting had worsened on parts of the Zaporizhzhia front including around the town of Huliaipole. Separately last week, Kyiv’s military said its troops had fallen back from several villages in the area. Ukrainian soldiers and commanders say they do not have enough troops to hold many defensive positions, despite thousands of drones flying above the battlefield which make advances by either side costly. Russia controls about 19 percent of Ukraine, or 115,476 square km, up just one percentage point from two years ago. Moscow wants to gain control of all of the Donbas, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as the whole of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Russia says it controls about 75 percent of the Zaporizhzhia region which means Ukraine still holds about 7,000 square km there, including the city of Zaporizhzhia, which had a pre-war population of over 700,000 people.

Zelensky renews calls for more air defense after deadly strike on Kyiv
Agence France Presse/16 November /2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his plea for more air-defense systems a day after Russian strikes on Kyiv killed seven people. His latest comments came after Russian missiles struck apartment blocks across the Ukrainian capital Friday. Russia's invasion has dragged on for nearly four years, with diplomatic efforts to end the war failing, and fears are growing for the country's energy security ahead of a fourth winter of war. Ukraine said Russian attacks had killed four people in its southern region Saturday. "Ukraine needs support that saves lives: more air-defense systems, more protective capabilities and greater resolve from our partners," Zelensky said on social media. Earlier, officials had said the death toll from Friday's attack on Kyiv had risen to seven after an elderly woman died in hospital. Zelensky said one of the victims was Nataliia Khodemnchuk, the wife of an operator at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant who died during the 1986 nuclear disaster. "Nearly four decades later, Nataliia was killed in a new tragedy caused once again by the Kremlin," he said. Other victims of the attack included a couple in their 70s and a 62-year-old. Ukraine also said Saturday it had attacked a Russian oil refinery near Moscow. The Ukrainian army said on social media it had hit a refinery in the Ryazan region near Moscow. The strike, it said, was "part of efforts to reduce the enemy's ability to launch missile and bomb strikes". Ukraine has regularly staged missile and drone attacks inside Russia throughout the Kremlin's invasion since 2022. Ryazan governor Pavel Malkov said Russian air defenses had shot down 25 Ukrainian drones over the region during the night. "Falling debris caused a fire on the premises of one enterprise" but there had been no casualties, Malkov said on Telegram.

US military says aircraft carrier now in Caribbean amid tension with Venezuela
AFP/16 November ,2025/
The US military announced on Sunday that an aircraft carrier strike group had arrived in the Caribbean, greatly expanding the presence of American forces near Venezuela. US President Donald Trump has ordered a troop buildup in the Caribbean as part of an anti-drug trafficking initiative, but speculation has abounded that Washington may be contemplating military intervention against Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which oversees American forces in Latin America and the Caribbean, had previously said that the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group had entered its area of responsibility. On Sunday, it announced in a statement that the strike group had entered the Caribbean Sea, saying the move follows Trump’s “directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland.”The strike group includes the most advanced US aircraft carrier, two guided-missile destroyers, and other support vessels and aircraft. It joins several warships already in the Caribbean, with the deployment dubbed “Operation Southern Spear.”Since launching the anti-trafficking military campaign in September, US forces have killed at least 80 people accused of ferrying drugs in international waters, according to an AFP tally of publicly released figures. The United States has released no details to back up its claims that the people targeted – in both the Caribbean and eastern Pacific – in the 20 strikes were actually traffickers. Experts say the deaths amount to extrajudicial killings even if they target known traffickers. Caracas meanwhile views the military buildup as an explicit threat. The United States does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president and has issued a $50 million bounty for his capture to face charges of leading a drug cartel. Amid reports that Trump held meetings with military advisors on potential options for Venezuela, the US president on Friday told reporters he had “sort of” made up his mind on the issue. “I can’t tell you what it is, but we made a lot of progress with Venezuela in terms of stopping drugs from pouring in,” he said aboard Air Force One. He had previously said in a CBS News interview that he doubted the United States would go to war with Venezuela, but that he believed Maduro’s days were numbered. The US military has also been stepping up its presence in Trinidad and Tobago, an archipelago just off Venezuela’s coast. US and Trinidadian forces were due Sunday to begin joint training exercises for the second time in less than a month. On Saturday, Maduro blasted the drills as “irresponsible.”

The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on November 16-17/2025
We are in geopolitics
Charles Elias Chartouni/November 16/2025
Political issues in the Middle East are geopolitical issues first, all others are derivative expressions. There is no need to treat issues of governance and institutional reforms as sui-generis issues when they are instrumentalized by power policies for destabilization purposes. It is enough to summarize the cases in Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza or Syria to realize that we are facing power rivalries between regional actors who use state-made drills to promote their mutant geostrategic interests. Methodological disputes are irrelevant to the extent that these states have never been able to develop a clean consistency that enables them to position themselves as independent actors on the international stage. Rather, we are dealing with state ersatz who serve as operational platforms for proxy wars. Lebanon is unable to rehabilitate its state stature as the policy of Shiite domination calls the country’s national legitimacy, the national pact and the systemic balances of the political regime into question. Which is natural to fake the political game and move its center of gravity to the side of geostrategic rivalries that use it. Hezbollah does not make it a mystery by emulating the Lebanese state in negotiations with the Israeli state. He declares himself ready for all concessions in exchange for a admitted degrading of the Lebanese State, he moves from the cooperation of the Lebanese state to its statutory devaluation. The whole political game today revolves around these statutory ambivalences and their domestic and regional implications. The question at the moment is the viability of this perverse game and its implications on civil peace and strategic and security issues. Israel is far from relying on Hezbollah’s hypothetical commitments, and accommodating to the broken Lebanese political scene to the struggles of regional influence that will deliberately overturn it. Otherwise, Lebanese state fiction is collapsing in favor of wild conflicts of interest, Islamic domination policies in their competing versions. It is impossible to compose with the Iranian revenge policy that intends to resurrect the subversion dynamics from the sanctification of a Lebanon fully subject to its power policy. Hezbollah being only the mediator of the Iranian power policy. We have all the ingredients of a civil war in gestation and institutionalized chaos. Illusions of a hypothetical pacification with Israel do not need to be tested, they have already been on fire. The elections in Iraq begin with a double discredit, the deficit in the electoral college that reaches about half of the voters

Frankly Speaking: What to expect from Saudi crown prince’s US visit
Arab News/November 16, 2025
Former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia says relationship between the two countries “can be as diverse as the Saudi economy is becoming” Michael Ratney discusses defense treaty and unpacks Gaza’s reconstruction and security challenges
RIYADH: As anticipation builds for what is being dubbed a truly historic meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump in Washington, a veteran American diplomat with decades of experience across the Middle East says opportunities for cooperation and expansion of the Saudi-US partnership are increasing. “The nature of our relationship can be as diverse as the Saudi economy is becoming,” Michael Ratney, who served as the US ambassador to Saudi Arabia from April 2023 to January 2025, said during an appearance on “Frankly Speaking,” the weekly Arab News current affairs show. According to Ratney, Saudi-US relations can no longer be reduced to a simple oil-for-defense formula; instead, the partnership reflects new economic realities and expanding areas of cooperation.
“I think once upon a time, oil and defense really dominated the relationship. And the big change was really Saudi’s decision to start diversifying its economy,” he said. “And that created huge opportunities for cooperation with the US, particularly with the US companies.”That shift began in earnest on April 25, 2016, when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced Vision 2030, a national strategy aimed at transforming Saudi Arabia into a more balanced, competitive and resilient economy.
Within that vision, Ratney said, sectors widely seen as “US brands,” including artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and arts and culture, are growing rapidly.
“Look at where Saudi’s ambitions are, advanced technology, for example, and emerging tech and artificial intelligence,” he told Katie Jensen, the host of “Frankly Speaking.”
“It’s kind of a US brand, right? It’s where US industry has huge advantages and where there’s opportunities for partnership with Saudi Arabia that wants to invest and develop very, very quickly.” “People don’t realize Saudi Arabia, one of the largest oil producers in the world, is also one of the largest investors in renewable energy — wind, solar, and I think eventually nuclear, again areas where the United States has technological advantage and opportunity for partnership.”
Similarly, arts and culture, though historically a small part of the Saudi economy, now represents another major growth area, according to him.
“This has never been a huge sector of the Saudi economy, but as the cultural sector opens up, as Saudi has been trying to develop its own film industry,” he said.
In the wide-ranging interview, Ratney outlined his expectations for the Saudi crown prince’s Washington visit; addressed lingering questions about the value of US alliances, particularly after the Israeli and Iranian strikes on Qatar and the regional fallout from the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack and Israel’s onslaught on Gaza; and dismissed claims that cultural and entertainment events being staged in Saudi Arabia are merely a publicity stunt. Drawing on years of visits to the Kingdom and first-hand experience observing its social transformation, Ratney recently wrote a Wall Street Journal column defending Saudi Arabia’s right to host major entertainment events. The opinion piece, published on Oct. 23 and titled “Saudis Just Want to Have Fun,” dismissed claims that concerts and comedy festivals are staged merely for international public relations.
In September and October, Riyadh hosted a comedy festival at Boulevard City that drew large, diverse crowds and featured international comedians including Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall, Kevin Hart, Russell Peters and Omid Djalili. Saudi Arabia has also been hosting frequent live music concerts featuring both global and regional artists.
Explaining his position, Ratney said: “Having seen, as I said in that article, a front-row seat for some of these events … whether it’s concerts or sporting events, things that 10 or 15 years ago were just inconceivable in Saudi Arabia — and when you’re sitting in the audience, what do you see? “You’re surrounded by Saudis who are just overjoyed with the experience. And for some reason, people overseas, particularly in the West, I know the United States in particular, looked at them and assumed that the Saudis must be doing this in order to satisfy foreign public opinion.”Ratney added that when he sat among Saudi audiences, he noticed that “the last thing I think they cared about was foreign public opinion. They cared about having fun, living a normal life.”
He called it “somewhat patronizing” that some foreign critics see these events only through the lens of PR. “If it was a public relations campaign, it didn’t really work because you still had the same critics, right?”
Ratney applauded the Kingdom for “bringing fun and entertainment and recreation to a country that never really had it,” adding that Gulf states “do things in a big way. They get the biggest names and the biggest events, and, you know, more power to them. It’s a fun event.”Returning to the Saudi crown prince’s upcoming Washington visit, Ratney said he expects it to be productive, noting that several discussions underway began during President Joe Biden’s administration.
“I think some of the things that are being discussed and under negotiation now, as I understand it, are things that began in the Biden administration, some of which were actually a part of the broader discussion about normalization,” he said.
He outlined three likely focus areas, the first of which is a defense agreement. “I don’t think we’re in a place where we could see a defense treaty that would require ratification by the US Senate. But I think some sort of a defense agreement that helps cement and bolster US-Saudi military cooperation is probably in the cards.”Second is emerging technology, particularly AI. “The Saudis obviously have huge ambitions in the area of artificial intelligence,” he said. “What they want are predictable and reliable supplies of US tech, particularly the most advanced chips to essentially fuel their AI ambitions. And I think they’d like to see some agreement on that.”He said the third area is, indeed, energy. “The Saudis are big investors in renewable energy. I think they see a piece of that as nuclear. And I believe they’re going to want some sort of an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation between the US and Saudi Arabia.”However, the question of normalization with Israel, once seen as a cornerstone of a broader Saudi-US deal, is “off the table for now,” according to Ratney, who previously served as the charge d'affaires of the US Embassy in Israel.
“For the moment, the Saudis have made very clear that they couldn’t move ahead with the normalization deal with Israel, as long as the Israeli Defense Forces are in Gaza, and as long as the Israeli government hasn’t committed to a pathway for statehood for the Palestinians,” Ratney said. The war in Gaza has killed at least 69,000 Palestinians, according to the local health authority, and devastated the enclave, wiping out entire cities and towns. Despite a tenuous US-brokered ceasefire since Oct. 10, sporadic deadly Israeli strikes continue and aid flows remain inadequate. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said it will not normalize relations with Israel without an established Palestinian state and an end to the Gaza war.
Ratney explained that before Oct. 7, 2023, Riyadh and Washington had “embarked on these discussions about normalization between Saudi and Israel, and that would have brought with it a defense treaty between Saudi Arabia and the United States and a number of other elements.” But the Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza were a “hinge point in the region,” he said. Although negotiations never stopped, he noted that Saudi Arabia’s ability to move forward with normalization shifted.
“Those negotiations were well in train,” he said. “October 7 really changed a lot in the region, changed the atmosphere in the region and changed the ability of a country like Saudi Arabia to move ahead with a relationship with Israel.
“The negotiations in some ways never stopped, but the Saudi ability to move ahead with it was pretty clearly in a different place. Now we’re back in a new administration.
“I don’t doubt that President Trump would like to continue where that negotiation left off and eventually see a normalization deal … between Israel and Saudi Arabia. But I think we’re essentially in the same place with respect to Gaza. Things are still pretty tense, although we have a ceasefire. And I think it’s going to be some time before we get back to that particular negotiation.”
Regional tensions deepened in September when Israel carried out an airstrike in Qatar’s capital, Doha, targeting senior Hamas leaders — its first operation in a Gulf state. The strike unsettled Gulf partners and complicated diplomatic efforts.
President Trump issued an executive order after the strike on Qatar, which hosts the US Central Command’s Al-Udeid Air Base. And although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized, critics argue the order is not enough to reassure Gulf partners, who now seek a permanent, legally binding US security guarantee.Ratney said that desire for predictability is longstanding among Gulf partners. “The Israeli strike on Doha kind of cemented that view,” he said.
“The thing that they want, I think the Qataris want, the Emiratis, the Saudis, others want, is predictability in their relationship with the United States, their security in many cases.
“They see great value in a defense partnership with the United States. They understand the threats that they face in the region from Iran, terrorism and so forth,” he added. “So, I think what they need is predictability. And I think that Israeli strike on Doha really cemented that view.”
He agreed that the executive order “doesn’t have the legal import of a treaty and theoretically could die with this administration,” adding that “all of our Gulf partners, the Saudis included, want something that will transcend an individual administration.”
The Israeli strike came just weeks after Iran also struck Qatari territory. On June 23, Iran launched a missile strike purportedly on Al-Udeid in retaliation for US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities the previous day.
Asked whether allowing a major US partner to be hit twice in one summer undermined Washington’s credibility, Ratney suggested that it did not make Gulf states rethink the strategic value of their ties with the US, but it did reinforce Gulf demands for clarity.
“I don’t think it undermines the fundamental nature of having a US defense partnership,” he said. “But what it did do is make clear to all of our Gulf partners that they want certitude, they want clarity. They want to know what expectations they should have with respect to the United States.”
“And that’s why the Qataris wanted some sort of (assurance), even an executive order. I think the Saudis would like as strong an agreement as they could get. It just reminded them that when things go bad, when something really unusual or shocking happens, they want to know where the United States stands.”
Asked why President Joe Biden, despite being warned about potential Israeli war crimes, stopped short of applying political pressure on Israel, Ratney said: “President Biden had very strong views about the need for the US to stand by its Israeli partner, and that’s what he did.
“At the same time, he had strong views about the need to end the conflict and release the hostages and reach a ceasefire in Gaza. I don’t doubt that he did the best he could to try to balance those two objectives, ending the war and getting the hostages out, standing by our partner, but also hopefully finding some path out of that conflict, so that it doesn’t resume and there’s some sort of a political settlement ultimately.”
In his interview with host Katie Jensen, Ratney outlined his expectations for the Saudi crown prince’s Washington visit this week. (AN Photo)
Ratney, who served under President Biden, gives credit to President Trump for pressing Netanyahu to accept the October 10 ceasefire in Gaza.
“President Trump expressed frustration with the war continuing for many, many months, although he never stopped his support for Israel. He made clear that he was frustrated with the fact that the war had ground on for so long,” he said.
“And he was finally willing and able to put pressure on the Israeli prime minister in kind of a remarkable way and got to the point where the Israeli prime minister accepted a ceasefire. And that ceasefire eventually got the hostages out.”
Under the first phase of the ceasefire deal, Hamas freed all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages and 25 out of 28 deceased ones. In exchange, Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza. Ratney stressed that during the ceasefire, two priorities are critical: reconstruction and security. “We’re still just at the phase of providing humanitarian aid and encouraging others to do so,” he said, noting that reconstruction “requires obviously tens and tens of billions of dollars of aid and requires frankly a more stable security environment.” He added: “The other piece is related to that, and that’s the call for an international stabilization force.“Some kind of a security presence that’s going to ensure that Hamas doesn’t remain a threat either to the Gazan people or to Israel, and that whatever happens there, humanitarian aid, distribution, reconstruction assistance can proceed in a secure environment. “What those two things have in common is they both need international support. And I know the administration has talked about Arab or Muslim states contributing to a stabilization force. I know they’ve spoken about Gulf states, particularly wealthy Gulf states, contributing to reconstruction.”Ratney believes “all of that is theoretically possible, but far more difficult than I think a lot of people realize.”“Reconstruction assistance, sure, but I don’t think wealthy Gulf states want to be saddled entirely with the bill,” he said. “I do think they would participate in some sort of a coherent international effort geared toward rehabilitating Gaza. But what they don’t want to do is look at the destruction that’s been wrought and say it’s up to them to now pay for it.”As for guarantees that Israel will not continue military action in Gaza, particularly if reconstruction efforts take place, Ratney called it “a big piece” of the proposed plan.
“Nobody wants to pay to rebuild buildings that only get destroyed once again if conflict breaks out again,” he said. “That’s why the stabilization force is so important so that it’s not simply warring parties that have a monopoly on violence inside of Gaza right now.”
Moving on to Syria, Ratney said interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, who took office after his group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham led a rebel offensive in December that ended longtime dictator Bashar Assad’s rule, is saying and doing all the right things.
Al-Sharaa visited the White House earlier this week, the first Syrian head of state to do so since 1946. His trip came as President Donald Trump and Congress considered permanently lifting sanctions on Syria.
“From my perspective, he seems to be doing the right things. He took power in an extraordinarily chaotic situation,” Ratney said.
“I don’t doubt that if you’re a Druze Syrian or Christian Syrian or Alawite Syrian, you have grave trepidation about this, given some of the things that he said and some of the people in his circle. But, for the moment, he seems to be taking the responsibility seriously.” “Honestly, better that we engage him and work with him rather than try to ostracize him further. “So, lifting sanctions, is absolutely the right thing to do. Engaging him internationally and giving him that kind of support is the right thing to do. But it’s fair to say that a lot of members of his own country’s population are still anxious about the direction they’re going to go.”Turning to Syria’s neighbor Lebanon, Ratney said the crisis-stricken country also needs more engagement. “It’s certainly no surprise that someone would look at the country and observe weak central institutions dominated now for decades by Hezbollah,” he said. “Now is an opportunity perhaps to strengthen those institutions.”Israel’s major escalation in Lebanon last September and October significantly weakened the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, decapitating its leadership, killing nearly 5,000 fighters, and dismantling much of its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
“Hezbollah is at a historic weak point both militarily and politically,” Ratney said. “So rather than continue to try to ostracize them and take steps to weaken them further, maybe better to try to look at those central institutions, including the presidency under President Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese armed forces, which the Lebanese across the sectarian divide have looked at as credible national institutions.
“How can we strengthen those? And, at the same time, give those institutions the power to assert control over the entirety of the territory, not just the capital, including areas eventually where Hezbollah has long dominated. The only way you do that is with support and engagement, not by ostracizing further.”

The key pillars of new era in Saudi-US ties
Hassan Al-Mustafa/Arab News/November 16, 2025
Periodically, I find myself exploring the US State Department’s archival records — a treasure trove of documentation that illuminates Washington’s approach to international relationships. One particular file, Document 109, dated June 5, 1974, at 5:15 p.m., captures a pivotal Washington encounter between King Fahd, who was then serving as Saudi Arabia’s second deputy prime minister, and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Also joined by veteran diplomat Mohammed Ibrahim Masoud and other officials, the meeting would prove foundational.
Historians of bilateral relations recognize this gathering as the bedrock upon which numerous subsequent economic and military initiatives were constructed. According to the declassified record, Kissinger declared: “It is our firm view that a strong Saudi Arabia is in the interest of the United States and will contribute to peace and stability in the area. The United States would never be indifferent to any threat to the Kingdom from the north or the south. We look with favor on Saudi Arabia’s playing a stabilizing role in the Gulf. We count on it to play that role. In your meetings at the Defense Department tomorrow, you will find your requests are well received.” King Fahd emphasized that “it is nowhere in our policy that we will aggress. We need stability in the area,” while insisting that “we should review our military and civil interests.” He characterized producing “good, tangible results in our common interest” as the core objective of his visit to Washington. During the same exchange, Kissinger told his distinguished Saudi counterpart: “Your visit is of signal importance, not only to the United States but to our relations with the entire Arab world. I am sure you will find the president (Richard Nixon) expressing the same sentiments.” He added: “As you are our oldest friend in the Arab world, it is right that we should make our first new special effort with Saudi Arabia. It can be an example to all other Arab countries as well.”This 51-year-old Saudi-American conversation has fresh relevance as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares for his visit to the US and face-to-face discussions with President Donald Trump this week. Preparatory working-level exchanges between both governments have already begun laying the groundwork for the agenda, priority issues and prospective agreements.
The crown prince’s upcoming trip echoes King Fahd’s historic visit, with both marking watershed moments in Saudi-American ties. This is particularly the case today against the backdrop of the Middle East’s transformation since Oct. 7, 2023. Riyadh’s energetic diplomatic initiatives pursuing peace and regional equilibrium reflect the Kingdom’s understanding that domestic advancement and its Vision 2030 objectives fundamentally depend on regional security.
The Kingdom aims to transform its economic relationship with the US beyond the dated ‘oil-for-security’ paradigm.
Recent weeks have witnessed numerous high-level bilateral visits, most prominently Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman’s US trip last week. He posted on X: “I met with the US secretary of state, incoming national security adviser, secretary of defense and special envoy for the Middle East. Our discussions encompassed Saudi-American relations, the dimensions of the strategic partnership between our nations, and the evolving regional and international situations.”This diplomatic activity unfolds amid negotiations establishing a mutual defense framework between the countries — potentially beginning with American commitments or executive orders before maturing into a legally enforceable treaty. At the same time, Riyadh is pursuing access to cutting-edge military technology to modernize its defense infrastructure, including the acquisition of F-35 fighter aircraft. Recent events underscore the imperative nature of this objective: the Israeli-Iranian military confrontation, the Iranian and Israeli attacks on Doha, and persistent threats from armed militias and terrorist networks. These security challenges necessitate the construction of comprehensive Saudi defense capabilities, alongside enhanced cooperation with Washington through joint exercises, intelligence sharing and information exchange. Military considerations interweave with investment priorities. The Kingdom aims to transform the economic relationship beyond the dated “oil-for-security” paradigm toward sophisticated, diversified engagement — particularly as the Public Investment Fund implements an ambitious strategy targeting the technology, artificial intelligence and renewable energy sectors, while expanding its American market presence. PIF Gov. Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s frequent US visits to negotiate major corporate partnerships reflect this strategic recalibration.
Economic imperatives directly intersect with Middle Eastern political and security dynamics. The Saudi leadership maintains that sustainable development requires resolving the region’s fundamental conflicts through a just, comprehensive peace. Consequently, Riyadh demands the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, categorically refusing normalization with Tel Aviv without an unequivocal Israeli commitment to Palestinian statehood. Globally, this engagement underscores the enduring significance of Saudi-US relations and Riyadh’s diplomatic sophistication — particularly as the Kingdom cultivates substantial partnerships with China, Russia and other major powers. This exemplifies balanced diplomacy’s value: diversifying partnerships while preserving traditional alliances and advancing national interests without generating destabilizing friction with other stakeholders.
• 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

Saudi Arabia at the heart of Trump’s foreign policy
Ray Hanania/Arab News/November 16, 2025
Nearly every American President since Richard Nixon in 1974 has visited Saudi Arabia either to avoid regional conflicts or to reinforce bilateral relations in foreign and economic policy. Nixon visited out of necessity early in his second term as president in the wake of the oil embargo imposed by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries following the 1973 Arab-Israeli conflict. But none of them have made the Kingdom more of a foundation of America’s foreign and economic policies than President Donald Trump — a significance that cannot be taken for granted. In 2017, Saudi Arabia became the first foreign country Trump visited after he was sworn in as president. He became the first president to choose the Kingdom as the destination for their first international trip. The visit to Riyadh took place on May 20, 2017, 120 days after his inauguration, making it the earliest any president had visited Saudi Arabia. His predecessor, Barack Obama, visited Saudi Arabia in June 2009, 135 days after being sworn into office. For other presidents like George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and even Jimmy Carter, who achieved the first peace accord between Israel and an Arab country (Egypt), their first trips to Saudi Arabia were taken years into their administrations, reacting to issues rather than seeking to initiate change. Trump reemphasized the importance of Saudi Arabia by returning in May this year, again only months after being sworn into office for his second term. Trump chose to use this trip as an unprecedented platform to announce his foreign policy initiatives from Riyadh, rather than in Washington. His visits and their timing are monumental in signaling the important role Saudi Arabia plays in Trump’s foreign and economic policy visions. Trump’s May visit underscored the Kingdom’s stature and role in promoting regional stability, while reflecting the shared commitment of both leaderships to strengthen their strategic partnership.During his two-day visit, Trump made several significant announcements, including a $600 billion pledge from Saudi Arabia to invest in the US in energy, infrastructure, defense, critical minerals and technology.
Trump touted the memorandums of understanding signed on the trip as the foundations to strengthen America’s economic status, industries and manufacturing, while creating American jobs. The agreements included Saudi company DataVolt committing $20 billion in US investment for artificial intelligence data centers, while US firms like Google, Oracle, AMD and Uber committed $80 billion in cross-border investments.
He also announced a $142 billion deal for defense sales covering the Kingdom’s space exploration capabilities, missile defense, maritime and coastal security, and modernization of its border and land forces. Trump touted this as the largest defense sale agreement in US history.
Unprecedentedly, Trump chose to announce his foreign policy initiatives from Riyadh, rather than in Washington. Trump’s visit deepened the economic, energy and security ties between the two nations. Observers noted that it represented a pivotal shift toward “transactional diplomacy” that involved investment and business growth, rather than simply being based on ideology or foreign policy. For Trump, the agreements contributed to him delivering on his campaign promise to restore America’s faltering economy. And they will help Saudi Arabia diversify its economy away from a reliance on oil, as set out in Vision 2030, which was announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016. Trump has been a key partner in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its transition away from oil, while the Kingdom has masterfully nurtured the relationship, recognizing the important role America plays worldwide.
The relationship has strengthened international respect for Saudi Arabia and the many changes that have taken place under Vision 2030, giving it global visibility. It has also provided a foundation for the Kingdom to expand internationally in many other areas.
In September, Saudi Arabia sponsored the high-profile boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford, under the leadership of General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh. After that fight, the World Wrestling Entertainment company announced that it plans to hold its WrestleMania 43 event in Saudi Arabia in 2027. The Kingdom has also become a growing tourist destination, with the expansion of tourist visa programs allowing visitors to explore ancient sites like AlUla, natural landscapes and many modern attractions, all while understanding Arab cultural traditions.
The changes have helped to confront and change the many negative and inaccurate stereotypes not just of Saudi Arabia but the wider Arab and Muslim worlds, especially regarding the role of women in society. Breaking down those stereotypes has helped the Kingdom improve its relations and understandings with the West. The crown prince’s visit to the White House will showcase many of the changes that have taken place in Saudi Arabia, not just in terms of business but also sports. Most importantly, it will reinforce the Kingdom’s role in international relations.
• Ray Hanania is an award-winning former Chicago City Hall political reporter and columnist. He can be reached on his personal website at www.Hanania.com. X: @RayHanania

Selected Face Book & X tweets for November 15/2025 

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