English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For  November 19/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news

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Bible Quotations For today
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him
John 08:40-48/As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.”“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on November 18-19/2025
One cannot give what does not have, and all the world’s Viagra is useless with the emasculated./Elias Bejjani/November 18/ 2025
A Biography of Saint Matthew the Evangelist, Apostle, on the Anniversary of his Annual Feast Day/Elias Bejjani/November 16/ 2025
Video Link for an Interview from with Engineer Tom Harb
Aoun: Hezbollah ended but deserves decent end, Larijani left meeting 'agitated'
Haykal's visit to US cancelled as senators lash out at Lebanon army
Lebanese army chief’s visit to US axed amid increasing calls to disarm Hezbollah
One killed in Israeli drone strike on car in Bint Jbeil
Two Soldiers Killed During an Army Operation in Baalbeck
Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon kills 13 people, Lebanese ministry says
After the Airstrike on Ain al-Hilweh… A Statement from Hamas
Graham Criticizes the Lebanese Army… U.S. Embassy Announces Cancellation of Haikal’s Visit to Washington
Israeli officials say no war on Lebanon in meetings with envoys
Iran tells Berri Hezbollah's stances are electoral
U.S. Cancels Meetings With Lebanon’s Army Chief After Controversial Statement
Beirut 1 investor conference starts at Seaside Arena
Papal Visit Funding: Where Does Lebanon Stand?
UNIFIL Begins Withdrawal as Europe Weighs Replacement Force

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on November 18-19/2025
Trump: ‘Honor’ to host ‘good friend’ Saudi crown prince at the White House/Ephrem Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia’s MBS at White House
US, Saudi Arabia sign ‘landmark agreements’ during MBS-Trump White House talks
MBS says normalization with Israel hinges on ‘clear path’ to Palestinian state
Saudi Crown Prince promises $1 trillion investment in US
Palestine welcomes UN resolution as key step toward recognition of statehood
One killed, three wounded in West Bank stabbing attack
Israel says US plan for Gaza to deliver 'peace and prosperity'
US-E3 draft resolution at IAEA board demands swift cooperation from Iran
Syrian-Swedish man admits planned attack against Stockholm festival
WHO to lose a quarter of its workforce by mid-2026, document shows
Iraq's PM Sudani joins majority bloc in parliament
Spanish PM announces $710 million in military aid for Ukraine
Ukraine hits targets in Russia with US-supplied ATACMS missiles, military says
Syria opens first public trial over deadly coastal violence

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on November 18-19/2025
Islamic State–linked activity on the rise in Israel and the West Bank/Joe Truzman/FDD's Long War Journal/November 18/ 2025
What Washington Should Demand From Riyadh Before Providing the F-35/Bradley Bowman & Justin Leopold-Cohen/Real Clear Defense/November 18/ 2025
Does Al Jazeera Collaborate With Hamas?/Toby Dershowitz & Asher Boiskin/FDD/November 18/2025
US Military Dominance Is the Backbone of Prosperity/Saeed Ghasseminejad/The National Interest/November 18/2025
'What Radical Islam Would Seemingly Like to Extend to the West': A Conversation with Alain Destexhe/Gatestone Institute./November 18, 2025
Turkey Is Thwarting Trump's Attempts to Disarm Hamas, Achieve Peace in the Middle East/Con Coughlin/Gatestone Institute./November 18/2025
Why Most Arab Countries Do Not Want Palestinians/Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/November 18/2025
Where Will Sudan's 'Third Genocide' Lead Next?/Amb. Alberto M. Fernandez/Sudan | MEMRI Daily Brief No. 866/November 18/ 2025
Saudi-US alliance under MBS: A blueprint for regional and global stability/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Al Arabiya English/18 November/2025
Why Normalization with Israel Will Revive Saudi Arabia/Hussain Abdul-Hussain/This Is Beirut/November 18/2025
Selected Face Book & X tweets for November 18/2025

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on November 18-19/2025
One cannot give what does not have, and all the world’s Viagra is useless with the emasculated.
Elias Bejjani/November 18/ 2025
Ninety-nine percent of Lebanon’s rulers, Owners Of the so called political leaders, MPs, media outlets, and journalists are products of the occupiers’ incubators… and therefore, their paralysis cannot be cured.

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

Video Link for an Interview from with Engineer Tom Harb Focusing on the background and reasons behind the severe and angry US measures taken regarding Army Commander Rudolf Heikel’s visit, and demands his dismissal.
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/11/149318/
Has the honeymoon between Washington and the Lebanese Army ended?
Transparency Youtube Platform/November 18, 2025
Lebanese and American political and media circles are ablaze following the sudden decision to cancel the Army Commander’s anticipated visit to Washington, and the cancellation of the official reception ceremony. Has the American message become clear: the problem is no longer only with Hezbollah, but with the Army itself?
In a concise and decisive episode of “Politics and People,” Patricia Samaha hosts Mr. Tom Harb, Director of the American Middle East Democracy Alliance (AMEDA), to provide exclusive and serious details about what transpired behind the scenes in the American capital. Harb reveals that the decision is cumulative and comes after a “shock” due to the stances of the Lebanese military leadership, which Americans view as biased and not serious in confronting Iranian influence.
Tom Harb explicitly confirms: The Lebanese Army leadership has fallen in the eyes of the Americans. He calls on the Lebanese government to hold an emergency meeting to consider the “resignation or dismissal of the Army Commander” as the “sole and official correction” to save Lebanon’s relationship with the United States. He warns that military aid may be frozen, and the “Bagger Act” project, which conditions US support on a deadline for disarming Hezbollah, may be activated. Has Lebanon truly entered a state of American security isolation? And what are the new conditions Washington will impose to save the military institution?
Interview Details
00:00:00 – Introduction and details of the Army Commander’s visit cancellation.
00:00:50 – Washington’s message: The problem is no longer just with Hezbollah but with the Army itself.
00:01:25 – Senator Lindsey Graham and Ms. Ernest’s response: Investments are not yielding results.
00:02:45 – Accumulation of errors: Why does Washington consider the military leadership deficient?
00:04:17 – Warning from the Trump administration: No wordplay with Americans.
00:05:01 – (The Moment of Disclosure): A list of Lebanese Army officers sympathetic to Hezbollah.
00:05:51 – (The Pivotal Point): Will the Lebanese government request the Army Commander’s dismissal?
00:06:40 – American Security Isolation: What should the Lebanese government do now?
00:07:33 – (The Only Correction): The Army Commander’s resignation is a condition for resuming the relationship.
00:08:21 – The “Bagger Act” project: Linking aid to the disarmament of Hezbollah.
00:09:37 – “Rudolf Heikel has fallen in the eyes of the Americans and must be replaced.”
00:10:09 – House Searches: The Army and Hezbollah are equivocating.
00:11:20 – Any political alignment against Israel will be met with a cut in support.
00:12:45 – Details of the embassy reception cancellation and how the message was delivered.

Aoun: Hezbollah ended but deserves decent end, Larijani left meeting 'agitated'
Naharnet/November 18/2025
President Joseph Aoun said that Hezbollah's military wing has ended and that all the group wants now is a "decent" end. The President had many times called for dialogue with Hezbollah and has been known to have a soft approach to the group's disarmament. "They come to me knowing this (that they have ended militarily) but they are keen on securing an honorable end and a decent exit. This is exactly what we are striving to achieve, away from populist speeches prevailing in the country ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections," Aoun told Tuesday the Asas Media news portal, although he later expressed his commitment to disarm the group and expand the state's authority to all of Lebanon. "The state will have absolute control over the south and everywhere else. It will impose its authority upon every patch of land," Aoun vowed. "He who thinks otherwise is delusional."Aoun said he told Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani "very harsh" words that disturbed him. "I told him that the Shiites of Lebanon are my responsibility not his and he left agitated. He later requested an appointment but I did not receive him.""The Shiites are tired. They have been suffering for forty years without a horizon," Aoun said, quoting Sayyed Moussa al-Sadr who once said that Lebanon would be the first to defend Palestine when everyone else participates in that, but will not fight alone.

Haykal's visit to US cancelled as senators lash out at Lebanon army
Naharnet/November 18/2025
A scheduled visit of Army chief Rodolphe Haykal to the U.S. was cancelled amid tensions between the army and Washington. Media reports said some of Haykal's meetings were cancelled, prompting him to cancel the visit.U.S. sources told LBCI that Washington hopes to reschedule Haykal's visit once "the necessary reforms" begin to move forward. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham posted Monday on the X platform that the Lebanese Armed Forces are not "a very good investment for America." He criticized Haykal in the post, saying that "it is clear that the Lebanese Chief Head of Defense -- because of a reference to Israel as the enemy and his weak almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah -- is a giant setback for efforts to move Lebanon forward."Another senator said that Haykal is "shamefully directing blame at Israel" instead of seizing the opportunity to free Lebanon "from Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists".These posts came after the Lebanese Army condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanon and accused it of violating Lebanon's sovereignty and obstructing the deployment of the army in south Lebanon. The army was tasked by the government to disarm Hezbollah, under American pressure. The army says it is implementing the plan but that strikes on south Lebanon are obstructing its deployment. A ceasefire monitoring committee chaired by the U.S. has been reportedly pressuring the army to search private homes in south Lebanon for weapons, a request that the army refused to do.On Monday, Speaker Nabih Berri said the ceasefire committee is monitoring and accusing the army instead of condemning Israel's violations. Israel has kept up its attacks on south and east Lebanon and is occupying five "strategic" hills in the south, despite the ceasefire reached in November last year.

Lebanese army chief’s visit to US axed amid increasing calls to disarm Hezbollah
Ghinwa Obeid/Al Arabiya English/18 November/2025
A planned visit to the United States by Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal was canceled at the last minute, local media reported Tuesday. The move is seen as reflecting growing US frustration with Lebanon’s efforts to curb Hezbollah. Haykal, who was scheduled to meet with senior American officials and garner support for the Lebanese army, will no longer travel to the US after several important meetings were reportedly canceled. A reception ceremony to welcome Haykal, planned to be held at the Lebanese embassy in the US on Tuesday, has also been reportedly postponed.
Some local Lebanese media suggested that a recent statement by the Lebanese army contributed to the decision to cancel Haykal’s visit. The statement in question is dated Sunday November 16, after the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) accused Israeli forces of firing at peacekeepers from a Merkava tank from near a position Israel has established in Lebanese territory. “The Israeli army insists on violating Lebanese sovereignty, destabilizing Lebanon’s stability and obstructing the Lebanese army’s deployment in the south,” the army statement read. “The army command affirms that it is working, in coordination with friendly countries, to put an end to the continued violations and breaches by the Israeli enemy, which require immediate action as they represent a dangerous escalation.”Washington, according to reports, was dissatisfied with the statement that blames Israel rather than criticizing Hezbollah’s role along the south Lebanon border. The Lebanese army has long been seen as a significant and essential player by the US, which has over the years offered support to the military institution to counter Hezbollah’s growing military capabilities. Most recently in October, the Trump administration approved over $200 million in funds for the army and the Internal Security Forces (ISF). However, US Senator Lindsey Graham on Monday offered some strong words. “It is clear that the Lebanese Chief Head of Defense -- because of a reference to Israel as the enemy and his weak almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah -- is a giant setback for efforts to move Lebanon forward,” Graham said in a post on X as a response to another post by Senator Joni Ernst, who shared the army statement. “This combination makes the Lebanese Armed Forces not a very good investment for America,” Graham added. “Disappointed by this statement from the Lebanese army,” Ernst said referring to the November 16 statement. “The LAF are a strategic partner, and — as I discussed with the CHOD in August — Israel has given Lebanon a real opportunity to free itself from Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists. Instead of seizing that opportunity and working together to disarm Hezbollah, the CHOD is shamefully directing blame at Israel,” she said. Ernst was among a group of US officials who visited Lebanon in August. The US and Israel have been pressuring the Lebanese government to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which has been weakened in a war with Israel and amid fears of renewed Israeli action. The US has recently upped its pressure on Lebanon to completely cut off sources of Hezbollah funding, mainly from the group’s primary supporter, Iran. In November last year, Lebanon and Israel agreed to a ceasefire to end more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which broke out after the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

One killed in Israeli drone strike on car in Bint Jbeil
Naharnet/November 18/2025
An Israeli drone targeted Tuesday a car in the southern town of Bint Jbeil, killing one person. The national News Agency said the strike killed Ali Sheaito, who works at the Union of Municipalities of Bint Jbeil. Despite a ceasefire reached in November last year, Israel has kept up its attacks on south and east Lebanon and is occupying five "strategic" hills in the south.

Two Soldiers Killed During an Army Operation in Baalbeck
This is Beirut/November 18/2025
Two soldiers were killed and three others wounded during clashes with wanted individuals on Thursday in the Charawneh neighborhood of Baalbeck, the Army Command announced in a statement. According to the army, a unit deployed in the area to carry out a series of raids came under heavy fire, prompting an exchange involving gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. “During the exchange of fire, the wanted citizen (H.A.J.), who was among those who opened fire on the army, was wounded and later succumbed to his injuries. He was considered one of the most dangerous individuals, wanted for various crimes, including firing at army patrols on multiple occasions – acts that resulted in the death of four soldiers and the injury of an officer – as well as kidnapping, theft, armed robbery, and drug trafficking,” the army stated.
“During the raid, a large quantity of drugs, weapons, and military ammunition was seized. The seized items were handed over to the competent authorities, and efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining individuals involved,” the text added.

Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon kills 13 people, Lebanese ministry says
AP/November 18, 2025
SIDON, Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed 13 people and wounded several others, state media and government officials said. It was the deadliest strike on Lebanon since a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war a year ago. The drone strike hit a car in the parking lot of a mosque in the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp on the outskirts of the coastal city of Sidon, the state-run National News Agency said. The Lebanese Health Ministry said 13 people were killed and several others wounded in the airstrike, without giving further details. Hamas fighters in the area prevented journalists from reaching the scene, as ambulances rushed to evacuate the wounded and the dead. The Israeli military said it struck a Hamas training compound that was being used to prepare an attack against Israel and its army. It added that the Israeli army would continue to act against Hamas wherever the group operates.Hamas condemned the attack in a statement saying the strike hit a sports playground and denying that it was a training compound. Over the past two years, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have killed scores of officials from the militant Hezbollah group as well as Palestinian factions such as Hamas. Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the group’s military wing, was killed in a drone strike on a southern suburb of Beirut on Jan. 2, 2024. Several other Hamas officials have been killed in strikes since then. Hamas led the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. That sparked Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip that killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. A day after the Israel-Hamas war started, Hezbollah began firing rockets toward Israeli posts along the border. Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in Lebanon, and the two sides became locked in an escalating conflict that became a full-blown war in late September 2024. That war, the most recent of several conflicts involving Hezbollah over the past four decades, killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians, and caused an estimated $11 billion worth of destruction, according to the World Bank. In Israel, 127 people died, including 80 soldiers. The war ended in late November 2024 with a US-brokered ceasefire. Since then, Israel has carried out scores of airstrikes in Lebanon, saying that Hezbollah is trying to rebuild its capabilities. Lebanon’s Health Ministry has reported more than 270 people killed and around 850 wounded by Israeli military actions since the ceasefire.

After the Airstrike on Ain al-Hilweh… A Statement from Hamas
Nidaa al-Watan – November 18, 2025
The Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas issued a statement saying:
“In response to last night’s ‘Israeli aggression’ that targeted the Ain al-Hilweh camp and committed a ‘horrific massacre’ that resulted in a number of civilian martyrs and several wounded, we affirm the following: We condemn and reject the ‘Israeli aggression’ that targeted a densely populated civilian area near a mosque, considering it a brutal attack on our defenseless Palestinian people and on Lebanese sovereignty. This assault on the Ain al-Hilweh camp is a continuation of Israel’s attacks on our people in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as its ongoing aggression against Lebanon. The Israeli army’s claims and allegations that the targeted location was a ‘training compound belonging to the movement’ are pure fabrication and lies intended to justify its ‘criminal aggression’ and to incite against the camps and our Palestinian people. There are no military installations in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon. Hamas confirms that the targeted site was an open sports field frequented by young boys from the camp, well-known to all its residents, and that those who were struck were a group of youths who happened to be in the field at the moment of the attack. The Israeli army bears full responsibility for this ‘heinous crime’ against our Palestinian people and against our sister state, Lebanon. We pray for mercy upon our righteous martyrs, ask God to grant patience and solace to their families, and wish the wounded a speedy recovery.”

Graham Criticizes the Lebanese Army… U.S. Embassy Announces Cancellation of Haikal’s Visit to Washington
Nidaa al-Watan – November 18, 2025
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated on his account on the “X” platform that Lebanese Army Commander Rudolf Haikal’s labeling of Israel as “the enemy,” along with his almost nonexistent efforts to disarm Hezbollah, “constitutes a major setback to efforts aimed at moving Lebanon forward.” He added that “this combination makes the Lebanese Army a poor investment for the United States.”Coinciding with this position, the Lebanese Army Commander’s scheduled visit to Washington—planned for today, Tuesday—was cancelled. Sources indicated that the immediate reason for the cancellation was American objection to the army’s recent statement holding Israel responsible and portraying it as the problem, without placing any blame on Hezbollah. Additionally, the official reception that was planned for Haikal at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington was also canceled.

Israeli officials say no war on Lebanon in meetings with envoys
Naharnet/November 18/2025
A senior Arab official has told Lebanese officials that all the Israeli reports about an escalation or broad war on Lebanon are fabricated and baseless. According to al-Joumhouria newspaper, the Arab official said the Israeli officials’ public statements against Lebanon are not being reflected in closed-door meetings they are holding with international envoys, in which they are stressing that “there will be no broad war on the northern front.”“Accordingly, Lebanon is not the target of an imminent Israeli war, and the target is Iran and the major threat it represents to Israel, in addition to the Houthis in Yemen. This is the only matter that is alarming Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, and the priority for them is securing the circumstances, capabilities and all factors that they believe would enable them to strike these two targets and end their threat to Israel,” the Arab official added.

Iran tells Berri Hezbollah's stances are electoral
Naharnet/November 18/2025
Speaker Nabih Berri has received new messages indicating that Tehran does not intend to escalate in Lebanon and that Hezbollah’s latest stances are related to the Lebanese political life, the PSP’s al-Anbaa news portal reported on Tuesday. Hezbollah’s new positions are linked to “the need of each group to mobilize its supporters until the final course of the parliamentary elections becomes clear,” seeing us the upcoming polls will “reflect the sizes of the domestic forces and the balances of the coming political period,” Tehran was quoted as telling Berri. Berri’s political aide MP Ali Hassan Khalil had visited Tehran in recent days where he met with Iranian Supreme National Security Council chief Ali Larijani, Shoura Council Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.“The situation in the South was the focus of discussions,” media reports said.

U.S. Cancels Meetings With Lebanon’s Army Chief After Controversial Statement
Now Lebanon/November 18/2025
WASHINGTON — The U.S. canceled all scheduled meetings for Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal on Tuesday — including a planned reception hosted by the Lebanese Embassy — after the Army issued a statement blaming Israel alone for recent border escalation without mentioning Hezbollah.
Why it matters:
The incident has triggered rare, open frustration in Washington toward the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), long considered one of the last functional institutions in Lebanon and a major recipient of U.S. military aid. The episode now threatens to place future support under direct political scrutiny. Members of Congress — including Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Joni Ernst — blasted the LAF statement as evidence of “political weakness” and “appeasement of Hezbollah.” Graham went further, calling the LAF “a bad investment for the United States.”
Driving the news:
The U.S. Embassy informed the Lebanese delegation late Monday that all meetings were canceled, citing congressional anger toward the Army’s unwillingness to acknowledge Hezbollah’s role in the border clashes. A diplomatic reception in honor of Gen. Haykal at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington was also abruptly called off. The file has now moved to the desk of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is tying the continuation of U.S. military assistance to the Army’s future public positions — especially regarding border security and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Behind the scenes:
U.S. officials have grown increasingly exasperated with what they see as Lebanon’s “strategic ambiguity” — a polite formula for avoiding any confrontation with Hezbollah.
The latest Army statement, they say, “crossed a line” because it echoed Hezbollah’s narrative almost verbatim. Congressional Republicans — already skeptical about aid to Lebanon — saw the statement as proof that the LAF is constrained, politically neutered, or unwilling to challenge the group that dominates Lebanon’s security landscape.
Big picture:
Lebanon’s political class and state institutions continue to perform a delicate — and often self-defeating — balancing act, trying to maintain international support while refusing to confront or even name Hezbollah in public policies. This approach, U.S. officials argue, has become untenable:
The Lebanese state routinely asks for Western support while outsourcing war and peace decisions to an armed non-state actor. Successive governments talk reform, sovereignty, and border control, yet none are willing to challenge Hezbollah’s monopoly over conflict and escalation. The LAF leadership has adopted the same hedging posture — avoiding explicit references to Hezbollah in official documents to “preserve internal stability,” a tactic Washington increasingly sees as cowardice disguised as caution.
Between the lines:
This moment crystallizes a long-brewing question in Washington:
Why should the U.S. continue funding a state that refuses to act like one?
The message from the Hill and the State Department is blunt:
Aid will not continue if Lebanon chooses ambiguity over sovereignty.
What’s next:
Rubio’s office is preparing a review of all Lebanon-related assistance programs. Officials say the LAF will be expected to:
Maintain strict neutrality in border incidents,
Issue balanced statements that reflect on-the-ground realities, and
Demonstrate at least minimal institutional independence from Hezbollah.
If not, congressional leaders may move to freeze or significantly reduce military assistance, a step they have long considered but never fully executed.
The bottom line:
Lebanon’s leadership has perfected the art of ambiguity — but this time, Washington is calling its bluff. The United States is signaling that Lebanon cannot expect international support while subcontracting national defense to Hezbollah and hiding behind euphemisms.
The era of strategic vagueness may be coming to an end — and Beirut has only itself to blame.

Beirut 1 investor conference starts at Seaside Arena
Naharnet/November 18/2025
Government and business leaders and investors, mainly from Arab nations, gathered Tuesday at the Beirut Seaside Arena in an investor conference organized by the Lebanese government. The conference brings together the private sector, the Lebanese diaspora, and international partners, as the country tries to rebuild itself after an unprecedented economic crisis and a war with Israel that did not completely stop despite a ceasefire reached in November last year. A senior Saudi official had announced last week that his country plans to imminently bolster commercial ties with Lebanon after Lebanese authorities demonstrated efficacy curbing drug smuggling to the kingdom over the past months. "We welcome everybody, especially our Saudi brothers," President joseph Aoun said at the conference. "Beirut has missed them."

Papal Visit Funding: Where Does Lebanon Stand?
Natasha Metni Torbey/This is Beirut/November 18/2025
With less than two weeks to go before Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon at the end of the month, preparations have entered their final stage. Roger Zaccar, head of the visit’s financial committee, told This is Beirut that nearly 80% of the required funds have already been secured, with the remaining 20% are still needed to complete the program. While the exact budget has not been officially disclosed, it is said to be in line with other papal visits and roughly matches the cost of Benedict XVI’s 2012 trip to Lebanon, estimated at around $5 million, well within a reasonable range for an event of this scale.
The Committee’s Formation: An Institutional and Ecclesiastical Framework
The organization of the visit is built on a clearly defined structure established as soon as the Pope officially accepted the invitation. Following the invitation from the Lebanese state and Bkerke, the Assembly of Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon promptly formed a dedicated committee, chaired by Mgr. Michel Aoun, to oversee all preparations. The committee coordinates every aspect of the visit, including protocol, religious ceremonies, security, logistics, and relations with the Apostolic Nunciature. Within this framework, an independent financial committee, led by Zaccar, was created to guarantee full transparency in fund management. The committee works in close collaboration with the Presidency, relevant ministries, the Apostolic Nunciature, and various ecclesiastical authorities.
How Are the Expenses Allocated?
For Pope Leo XIV’s visit, scheduled from November 30 to December 2, the Lebanese state is covering part of the organization through its public institutions. The Internal Security Forces (ISF), the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and the Ministry of Interior will provide close protection, secure key sites, escort the papal procession, and manage control measures. The Ministry of Public Works has financed road resurfacing, painting, and signage along the routes the procession will take. The Presidency is also heavily involved, overseeing the official airport reception, preparations at the presidential palace, and the organization of the major Mass in downtown Beirut. The Vatican covers all expenses related to the Pope’s travel, including the plane, the papal delegation, technical teams, official vehicles, internal security, and institutional communications. The remaining costs, including temporary infrastructure, preparation of gathering spaces, logistics for the different stages of the visit, transportation for the faithful, equipment, and volunteer mobilization, are handled by the Lebanese financial committee. This is where most of the residual funding need remains.
Where Do the Funds Come From?
The financial committee entirely relies on voluntary donations from Lebanese patrons, members of the diaspora, and private individuals. A dedicated bank account has been established to channel contributions, allowing anyone who wishes to support the event to directly do so. “We have already secured around 80% of the required funds, but the remaining 20% is still needed. Every contribution counts, and the doors are always open,” Zaccar told This is Beirut. Zaccar added that if an exceptional surplus were to arise, which is not the case at this stage, the unused funds would be redirected to educational and charitable institutions affiliated with the clergy.
A Strong Commitment to Transparency
In a country where trust in financial management is limited, transparency has become a top priority. “All donations go directly into the official bank account without intermediaries, and each contributor receives a receipt. At the end of the papal visit, we will publish a full financial report detailing all funds received and spent,” explained Zaccar. Expenses are tracked in real time through an internal digital platform, ensuring continuous oversight and minimizing any risk of misuse. This approach is designed to address early criticisms, which have largely focused on the cost of a papal visit in a country facing a severe crisis. Zaccar calmly responds, “The Lebanese deserve for their country to present its best image. A papal visit is an event of immense historical and spiritual significance. The funds we receive are exclusively used for this purpose and, in most cases, would not have been allocated to humanitarian or social projects.”
Allegations of excessive spending are also mitigated by international comparisons. Papal visits elsewhere, particularly in Western Europe, often cost significantly more. In Lebanon, the bulk of the budget is devoted to logistics, temporary infrastructure, and transportation for the faithful coming from across the country.
A National Endeavor
Beyond the numbers, the visit carries profound political, moral, and symbolic significance. More than 25,000 people will be mobilized during the major gatherings, including volunteers, technical teams, security personnel, and pastoral coordinators. For Lebanon, battered by years of economic and institutional crises, the Pope’s visit offers a rare opportunity to come together and provide the country with a moment of hope and light. “Which other event today has the power to bring together Lebanese of all faiths? Pope Leo XIV comes for everyone. This is far more than a visit: it is a message and a moment of national unity,” emphasizes Zaccar. The remaining challenge is securing the final 20% of the budget. However, preparations have never paused. The operation continues around the clock, driven by a single guiding principle: to give Lebanon the most remarkable papal visit possible at a time when every ray of hope counts.

UNIFIL Begins Withdrawal as Europe Weighs Replacement Force
Bassam Abou Zeid/This is Beirut/November 18/2025
No one can predict what southern Lebanon will look like after UNIFIL withdraws at the end of 2026. Will Lebanon have succeeded in disarming Hezbollah? Will it be able to fully control the south, particularly the area south of the Litani River? And what role will the international presence play in the region?
UNIFIL has already begun reducing its personnel and scaling back operations, both in anticipation of its mandate ending in 2026 and due to budget cuts. Yet it continues its military work, which may prove to be its most effective phase to date. The post-“Support Operation” environment in southern Lebanon has allowed UNIFIL, since its deployment south of the Litani in 1978, greater freedom of movement. This has enabled the force to uncover military infrastructure and seize weapons from Hezbollah, tasks that were previously off-limits when the group maintained installations just meters from UNIFIL positions. The presence of the Mechanism has also enhanced the effectiveness of these operations. As part of the downsizing, departing UNIFIL military units will not be replaced as they were in the past. The UNIFIL naval force will also reduce its operations, personnel, and ships starting in December. UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardile said that, due to global United Nations budget cuts, the redeployment of peacekeeping personnel to their home countries has already begun and will continue over the coming weeks. Observers report that UNIFIL has begun its withdrawal and caution that Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement remain only partially implemented. There is no guarantee they will be fully enforced by the end of 2026 unless Hezbollah is disarmed, either politically or militarily, and Lebanon and Israel reach an agreement that provides a sustainable solution. Such an agreement could include security arrangements allowing for the presence of foreign forces south of the Litani. Analysts note that the 1949 armistice between Lebanon and Israel, which established the presence of international observers, can no longer effectively regulate the current situation. In response, France and other European countries have begun promoting the idea of a European force in southern Litani. This force would be established under a European mandate, smaller than UNIFIL, and deployed in specific areas along the Lebanese-Israeli border. The proposal remains at the discussion stage, as its implementation requires consultations with the United States, Israel, and Lebanon. Its deployment would require approval from all parties, particularly since Israel, in the absence of an agreement with Lebanon, must retain the freedom to conduct military operations. Meanwhile, Hezbollah is likely to perceive the force as an adversary guarding Israel’s borders and obstructing its objective of liberating Palestine.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on November 18-19/2025
Trump: ‘Honor’ to host ‘good friend’ Saudi crown prince at the White House
Ephrem Kossaify/Arab News/November 18, 2025
WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia is increasing its commitment to invest $600 billion in the US economy to up to $1 trillion, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. The crown prince said Saudi collaboration with the US was creating real opportunities in artificial intelligence and that the relationship between the two countries is essential. He also acknowledged joint work in the fight against terrorism. “We can announce that we are going to increase that $600 billion to almost $1 trillion for investment,” the crown prince said during a press briefing in the Oval Office. President Trump asked him to confirm the figure, to which the crown prince replied: “Definitely.”Earlier in the day, the Saudi crown prince and prime minister touched down in Washington DC to a lavish welcome, marking his first official visit to the US since 2018 and the first formal encounter between him and President Trump since the latter’s visit to the Kingdom in May. The atmosphere around the White House was one of grand spectacle, signaling the deep personal and strategic ties the two men have fostered. The crown prince’s visit is being seen as reaffirmation of an enduring partnership, which is being buttressed by a raft of deals in defense, nuclear energy and high-technology. During the press briefing, President Trump lavished praise on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling him “a good friend for a long time” and saying that it was “an honor” to have him at the White House. He described Saudi Arabia as a strong ally and important partner as he paid his respects to King Salman. Tuesday’s events included a fly-by, a gun salute, and a gala dinner organized by First Lady Melania Trump to honor the Saudi crown prince, attended by Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi side Al-Nassr. Tuesday’s events in Washington included a fly-by, a gun salute, and a gala dinner. (Supplied) Speaking on the nature of the visit, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday: “We’re more than meeting … We’re honoring Saudi Arabia, the crown prince.”
At the heart of the bilateral discussions lies a mutual drive to strengthen the Saudi military’s capabilities and its strategy of economic diversification. The most significant defense deal on the table is sale of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets, which in the Middle East are currently only owned by Israel.
Despite objections reportedly voiced by Israeli officials, President Trump has made it clear he intends to proceed with the sale. “As far as I’m concerned, I think they are both at a level where they should get top of the line F-35s,” President Trump said in his remarks on Tuesday. The push to sell this highly coveted jet to Saudi Arabia therefore represents a strategic shift in US arms export policy to the region.
Alongside the F-35s, deals on advanced air and missile defense systems are also expected to enhance the Kingdom’s security capabilities. Another key announcement is a deal on a framework for civilian nuclear cooperation. During Tuesday’s press briefing, Trump indicated he would sign a deal with the Saudi crown prince on such a framework. US media reports have said President Trump is considering giving assurances to Saudi Arabia that define the scope of US military protection, especially following the Sept. 9, Israeli strikes on Qatar, which since 2022 has enjoyed the status of a “major non-NATO ally.”A presidential assurance, although not the equivalent of a comprehensive defense agreement ratified by Congress, would underscore the personal commitment of the current administration. A key topic on the agenda is the question of normalization of Saudi relations with Israel — a move the US sees as essential to a wider Middle East peace deal following the war in Gaza. In his first term, Trump helped forge commercial and diplomatic ties between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco, and the UAE through an effort dubbed the Abraham Accords. Speaking in the Oval Office, the crown prince said the Kingdom wanted to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, but first needed a “clear path” to Palestinian statehood to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The atmosphere around the visit and the meeting in the White House Oval Office was one of grand spectacle, signaling the deep personal and strategic ties the two men have fostered. (SPA)“We want to be part of the Abraham Accords. But we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of two-state solution,” he said. “We’re going to work on that, to be sure that we can prepare the right situation as soon as possible,” he added.Saudi Arabia is the home of two of Islam’s holy sanctuaries, Makkah and Madinah, making it central to the Islamic world and deeply invested in regional stability and Palestinian issues. The Saudi government has maintained that a clear path toward Palestinian statehood must first be established before normalizing relations with Israel can be considered.
Asked by Arab News’ Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas where he believes the bilateral relationship is heading and how it fits into the bigger picture of the Kingdom’s strategic vision, the crown prince said the next chapter would bring huge opportunities. “I don’t think it is a relationship that we can replace, from the Saudi side or the American side,” the crown prince responded. “It is a critical relationship for our political tent, our economic tent, for our security, our military, for many things, and being there for nine decades. “And the opportunities that we have today — it’s huge — and we’re seeing if that’s going to get deeper in the next few decades. And what we are having today and tomorrow with President Trump, it’s really a huge new chapter in this relationship that will add value to both of us.”The crown prince’s visit is heavily focused on economics and the ongoing efforts to reshape the Saudi economy. Saudi Arabia launched Vision 2030 almost a decade ago to diversify its economy away from oil by investing in sectors like culture, sports, technology and tourism. A substantial component of the economic dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the US centers on cutting-edge technology. This economic push will be spotlighted at a major investment summit at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday. The event is slated to include the heads of major Saudi and American corporations, including Salesforce, Qualcomm, Pfizer, the Cleveland Clinic, Chevron and Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s national energy company.This forum is expected to be the venue for the announcement of even more deals.

Trump welcomes Saudi Arabia’s MBS at White House
Al Arabiya English/18 November/2025
US President Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an extraordinary White House reception on Tuesday with American fighter jets flying over as they met.Marking his first White House visit in more than seven years, MBS was greeted with a lavish display of pomp and ceremony presided over by Trump on the South Lawn, complete with a military honor guard, a cannon salute and a flyover by US warplanes. Talks between the two leaders are expected to advance security ties, civil nuclear cooperation and multibillion-dollar business deals with the Kingdom.
The meeting underscores a key relationship – between the world’s biggest economy and the top oil exporter – that Trump has made a high priority in his second term. Trump greeted the Crown Prince with a smile and a handshake on the red carpet, while dozens of military personnel lined the perimeter. The limousine was escorted up the South Drive by a US Army mounted honor guard. The two leaders then looked skyward as fighter jets roared overhead, before Trump led his guest inside. Before sitting down for talks, the two leaders chatted amiably as Trump gave MBS a tour of presidential portraits lining the wall outside the Oval Office. During a day of White House diplomacy, MBS will hold talks with Trump in the Oval Office, have lunch in the Cabinet Room and attend a formal black-tie dinner in the evening. US and Saudi flags festooned lamp posts in front of the White House. Trump expects to build on a $600 billion Saudi investment pledge made during his visit to the Kingdom in May, which will include the announcement of dozens of targeted projects, a senior US administration official said. The US and Saudi Arabia were ready to strike deals on Tuesday for defense sales, enhanced cooperation on civil nuclear energy and a multibillion-dollar investment in US artificial intelligence infrastructure, the official said on condition of anonymity. Trump told reporters on Monday, “We’ll be selling” F-35s to Saudi Arabia. This would be the first US sale of the fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and mark a significant policy shift. The deal could alter the military balance in the Middle East and test Washington’s definition of maintaining what the US has termed Israel’s “qualitative military edge.” Until now, Israel has been the only country in the Middle East to have the F-35. Beyond military equipment, the Saudi leader is seeking new security guarantees. Most experts expect Trump to issue an executive order creating the kind of defense pact he recently gave to Qatar. With Reuters

US, Saudi Arabia sign ‘landmark agreements’ during MBS-Trump White House talks
Al Arabiya English/19 November/2025
Saudi Arabia and the United States signed several “landmark bilateral agreements” on Tuesday during a White House meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington announced. “A significant day for Saudi-US relations. HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Trump held a summit meeting where a number of landmark bilateral agreements were signed,” Princess Reema bin Bandar wrote on X. She added that the agreements “will spur investment into both countries, generate job opportunities for Saudis and Americans, and reinforce our shared commitment to regional and global security.”Earlier on Tuesday, the Crown Prince met with Trump at the White House, where he announced that Saudi Arabia would increase its investments in the United States to $1 trillion. Trump, meanwhile, said Saudi Arabia would acquire F-35 fighter jets “pretty similar” to those operated by Israel, and confirmed that Washington had reached a new defense deal with the Kingdom. He also said he could envision a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia.

MBS says normalization with Israel hinges on ‘clear path’ to Palestinian state
Al Arabiya English/18 November/2025
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Tuesday his country wanted to normalize relations with Israel through US President Donald Trump’s Abraham Accords, but first needed a “clear path” to Palestinian statehood. “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords. But we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of two-state solution,” MBS said in the Oval Office alongside Trump. “We’re going to work on that, to be sure that we can prepare the right situation as soon as possible,” he added. “We want peace for the Israelis. We want peace for the Palestinians… We want them to coexist peacefully in the region, and we will do our best to reach that date.”Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stated that it would normalize relation with Israel without a Palestinian state. During the same meeting, MBS said Saudi Arabia Kingdom will increase investments in the US to $1 trillion. Trump, for his part, said Saudi Arabia will get F-35 fighter jets that are “pretty similar” to those that Israel possesses, calling both countries great allies. He added that the US has reached a defense deal with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Crown Prince promises $1 trillion investment in US
Al Arabiya English/18 November/2025
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Tuesday during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office that the Kingdom will increase investments in the United States to $1 trillion. “I believe, Mr. President, today and tomorrow, we’re going to announce that we are going to increase that 600 billion to almost $1 trillion investment, real investment and real opportunity by details in many areas,” MBS told Trump during a press conference in the Oval Office. This was in response to the US president suggesting he would convince the Crown Prince to increase the Kingdom’s investment. “I want to thank you because you’ve agreed to invest $600 billion into the United States, and because he’s my friend, he might make it a trillion, but I’m gonna have to work on him,” Trump said. The president confirmed Saudi Arabia will get F-35 fighter jets that are “pretty similar” to those that Israel possesses, calling both countries great allies. He added that the US has reached a defense deal with Saudi Arabia. He also said that he can see a civilian nuclear deal happening with Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, MBS said Saudi Arabia wants to make peace with Israel, but only if there is a clear path toward a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestine welcomes UN resolution as key step toward recognition of statehood
Arab News/November 18, 2025
DUBAI: The State of Palestine on Tuesday welcomed the UN Security Council’s adoption of a US-drafted resolution on Gaza, saying it reaffirms the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and an independent state. It described the resolution as an important step toward securing a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid. In a statement, Palestinian officials urged the immediate implementation of the resolution, stressing the need to restore normal life in Gaza, protect civilians, prevent displacement and secure the full withdrawal of Israeli forces.
They said the resolution must also support reconstruction efforts, safeguard the two-state solution and stop any attempt at annexation. The State of Palestine expressed readiness to work with the US administration, Security Council members, Arab and Islamic countries, the European Union, the United Nations and all partners involved in the New York Declaration. Officials said such cooperation is essential to ending the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, while advancing a political path toward a just and lasting peace based on international law and the two-state framework.
Reaffirming its commitment to national unity, the State of Palestine said it stands prepared to assume full responsibilities in the Gaza Strip as part of a unified Palestinian state. The statement also conveyed appreciation to countries that have pledged support for efforts to end the occupation and achieve Palestinian freedom and independence, calling the resolution an important step toward regional and global peace and stability.

One killed, three wounded in West Bank stabbing attack
Associated Press/November 18, 2025
One person was killed and three were wounded in a ramming and stabbing attack in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, Israeli emergency services said. Paramedics and an army medical force "established the death of a man aged 30 with a stab wound and referred three injured people" to two Jerusalem hospitals, Magen David Adom (MADA), the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, said in a statement.

Israel says US plan for Gaza to deliver 'peace and prosperity'
Associated Press/November 18, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday applauded the United Nations' approval of the Trump administration’s blueprint to secure and govern Gaza, while Hamas rejected the plan as a foreign instrument of control. The resolution that passed the U.N. Security Council on Monday authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security in war-devastated Gaza, approves a transitional authority called the Board of Peace to be overseen by President Donald Trump and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state. “We believe that President Trump‘s plan will lead to peace and prosperity because it insists upon full demilitarization, disarmament and the deradicalization of Gaza,” Netanyahu’s office wrote on X Tuesday. The resolution provides a wide mandate for the international force, including overseeing the borders, providing security and demilitarizing Gaza. Authorization for the board and force expire at the end of 2027.
Hamas rejects plan
The U.S. plan calls for the stabilization force to ensure "the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups.” It authorizes the force “to use all necessary measures to carry out its mandate” in compliance with international law, which is U.N. language for the use of military force. Hamas said Monday that the force's mandate including disarmament “strips it of its neutrality, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favor of the occupation.” It said the resolution did not “meet the level of our Palestinian people’s political and humanitarian demands and rights." Hamas demanded that any international force be under U.N. supervision, deploy only at Gaza’s borders to monitor the ceasefire and operate exclusively with Palestinian institutions.
Palestinian Authority welcomes resolution after statehood is included
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the resolution and said it was ready to immediately implement it on the ground. It said it would cooperate with the U.S., the U.N., and other Arab and European states. Palestinians largely view the PA, which governs semiautonomous zones in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as weak and corrupt. The authority's security coordination with Israel is extremely unpopular, and many Palestinians see it as a subcontractor of the occupation. The U.N. vote came about following nearly two weeks of negotiations, when Arab nations and the Palestinians pressed the United States to strengthen language about Palestinian self-determination. The proposal still gives no timeline or guarantee for an independent state, only saying it’s possible after advances in the reconstruction of Gaza and reforms of the Palestinian Authority. The U.S. revised the resolution to say that after those steps, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”“The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence,” it adds.
Resolution gains support from Muslim-majority and Arab countries
A key to the resolution’s adoption was support from Arab and other Muslim nations that had been critical for the ceasefire and potentially could contribute to the international force. The U.S. mission to the United Nations distributed a joint statement Friday with Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey calling for “swift adoption” of the U.S. proposal. Both Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, and Turkey said they would work toward a two-state solution, which Netanyahu has opposed. Turkish officials have previously said Turkey is ready to contribute to an international force in Gaza despite Israeli opposition to a Turkish presence. The vote shores up hopes that Gaza’s fragile ceasefire will be maintained following a war set off by Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people. Israel’s offensive has killed over 69,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority are women and children. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Tuesday that the international community needed to “work together to take forward the 20 point plan and to turn it into a just and lasting peace.” Cooper called for “urgent action to open all the crossings, lift restrictions and flood Gaza with aid.”
What else the US proposal says
Trump said the members of the Board of Peace will be named in the coming weeks, along with “many more exciting announcements.”The plan calls for the stabilization troops to secure Gaza border areas, along with a Palestinian police force that they have trained and vetted. The force will coordinate with other countries to secure the flow of humanitarian assistance, and should closely consult and cooperate with neighboring Egypt and Israel. As the international force establishes control, the resolution says Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza “based on standards, milestones, and time frames linked to demilitarization.” These must be agreed to by the stabilization force, Israeli forces, the U.S. and the guarantors of the ceasefire, it says.

US-E3 draft resolution at IAEA board demands swift cooperation from Iran
Reuters/19 November/2025
The US and Europe’s top three powers have submitted a draft resolution to this week’s meeting of the UN atomic watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors demanding answers and access from Iran over its bombed nuclear sites and enriched uranium stock.
“Iran must ... provide the (International Atomic Energy) Agency without delay with precise information on nuclear material accountancy and safeguarded nuclear facilities in Iran, and grant the Agency all access it requires to verify this information,” read the draft submitted on Tuesday, which diplomats said is highly likely to be passed.

Syrian-Swedish man admits planned attack against Stockholm festival
AFP/18 November/2025
An 18-year-old man on trial for plotting a terrorist attack admitted on Tuesday to planning a bombing at a large cultural festival in Stockholm, his lawyer said. The man, who holds dual Swedish and Syrian citizenship, had sworn loyalty to ISIS several times, according to the prosecution. Lawyer Johan Akermark told AFP his client had pleaded guilty to charges of planning a terrorist crime and planning serious crimes involving flammable and explosive goods.The young man was also facing charges, alongside a 17-year-old who was also a Syrian-Swedish dual citizen, of attempted murder in Germany in August 2024. Akermark told AFP his client denied the attempted murder charge. He has however pleaded guilty to participating in a terrorist group, as well as a charge of training for terrorism. The trial began last week, but the first part of proceedings dealt with the charges of attempted murder and participation in a terrorist group. According to prosecutors, the planning of the bombing took place between August 2024 and February 2025. Deputy chief prosecutor Henrik Olin told a press conference in early November that investigators had begun tracking the suspect in the latter half of 2024. Olin said the investigation had “prevented a serious terrorist attack in Sweden.”Prosecutors say the defendant intended to carry out an attack at a park in central Stockholm using “weapons and or explosives in the name of [ISIS],” according to the charge sheet. The attack was supposed to have been carried out during the Stockholm Culture Festival in August this year. Prosecutors also said the defendant had recorded a “martyr video” meant to be published after the event. He was arrested in Stockholm on February 11 and has been in custody since. The trial is expected to last until November 26.

WHO to lose a quarter of its workforce by mid-2026, document shows
Reuters/18 November/2025
The World Health Organization said its workforce would shrink by about a quarter - or over 2,000 jobs - by the middle of next year as it seeks to implement reforms after its top donor, the United States, announced its departure. The WHO projects that its workforce will shrink by 2,371 posts by June 2026 due to job cuts as well as retirements and departures, according to a presentation set to be shown to its member states on Wednesday. The slides also showed that the Geneva-based body has a $1.06 billion hole in its 2026-2027 budget, or nearly a quarter of the total required, down from an estimated $1.7 billion in May. The WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Iraq's PM Sudani joins majority bloc in parliament
Agence France Presse/November 18, 2025
Iraq's incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Tuesday he had joined the country's main Shiite alliance, the majority bloc that will nominate the next premier. The move by Sudani, who is seeking a second term as prime minister, gives the Coordination Framework alliance of Shiite factions an outright majority of 175 seats in the 329-seat chamber. During a conference in the northern city of Duhok, Sudani said his alliance "the Reconstruction and Development coalition is part of the Coordination Framework, which has decided to form the largest bloc". He added that seeking a second term "is not about personal ambition, but about fulfilling his responsibility to see through the mission". During his first term Sudani had pursued policies vowing reconstruction and stability in Iraq. He added that talks will begin among key parties about naming the new premier, speaker and president. By convention in Iraq, a Shiite Muslim holds the post of prime minister, a Sunni is parliament speaker, and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd. On Monday, the Coordination Framework alliance announced that it had formed the majority bloc, which would ultimately nominate the next prime minister. Brought to power three years ago by the Framework, Sudani's own list secured 46 seats in the chamber. Joining the Coordination Framework does not guarantee Sudani a second term. Long-term powerbrokers within the Coordination Framework worry that he has amassed too much power during his first term, making some reluctant to allow him to keep his seat. Within the Coordination Framework, whose members have varying ties to Iran, some individual groups also scored well, with some winning more seats than in the previous parliament. Post-election talks between Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties in Iraq usually last for months, with constitutional deadlines frequently missed. But as Iraq has recently regained some stability after decades of war, key parties hope to reach a full package deal -- premier, speaker and president -- before the new parliament convenes in January.

Spanish PM announces $710 million in military aid for Ukraine
AFP/November 19, 2025
MADRID: Spain will give Ukraine a fresh military aid package worth 615 million euros ($710 million) to help it fight Russia’s invasion, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Tuesday. Speaking at a Madrid press conference alongside visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Sanchez said around 300 million euros will go toward “new defense equipment.”“Your fight is ours,” Sanchez said, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “neo-imperialism” aims to “weaken the European project and everything it stands for.”The announcement came after the leaders signed several bilateral agreements, including measures to combat Russian disinformation.Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tens of thousands of people — both civilians and soldiers — have died, and millions have been displaced, leaving large swathes of the country devastated. Earlier on Tuesday, Sanchez and Zelensky visited Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum to view Pablo Picasso’s anti-war masterpiece “Guernica.”In April 2022, just weeks after Russia’s invasion, Zelensky compared it to the 1937 bombing of Guernica, a small Basque town attacked by Nazi warplanes in support of Franco’s troops during the Spanish Civil War. Zelensky, who visited Paris on Monday, is scheduled to travel to Turkiye on Wednesday for renewed peace talks involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Ukraine hits targets in Russia with US-supplied ATACMS missiles, military says
Reuters/18 November/2025
Ukraine’s military said on Tuesday it had attacked military targets in Russia with US-supplied ATACMS missiles, calling it a “significant development.” Ukraine has not previously stated openly that it uses the advanced US-provided ballistic missile systems on targets inside Russia, although the restriction on doing so was lifted by the outgoing Biden administration a year ago.“The use of long-range strike capabilities, including systems such as ATACMS, will continue,” the military general staff said in a statement on Tuesday. Kyiv received the systems in 2023 but was initially restricted to using them only on its own territories, nearly a fifth of which are occupied by Russia. Joe Biden, who was US president at the time, lifted those restrictions in November 2024, a move which was initially criticized by his successor Donald Trump. Ukraine has requested US-made Tomahawk missiles that have a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), saying these will help bring Russia to the negotiating table. Although Trump initially pondered the idea of selling them to Kyiv, in November he said he was “not really” considering the move.

Syria opens first public trial over deadly coastal violence
Associated Press/November 18, 2025
The first trial was opened on Tuesday of some of the hundreds of suspects linked to deadly clashes in Syria's coastal provinces earlier this year that quickly spiraled into sectarian attacks. State media reported that 14 people were brought to Aleppo's Palace of Justice following a monthslong, government-led investigation into the violence in March involving government forces and supporters of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. The investigating committee referred 563 suspects to the judiciary. Seven of the defendants in the court were Assad loyalists, while the other seven were members of the new government's security forces. The trial follows pressure from the public and the international community for the country's new rulers to commit to judicial reform after decades under the autocratic rule of the Assad dynasty. Despite initial reports by the state media that charges could quickly be brought against the defendants, the judge adjourned the session and rescheduled the next hearing for December. Charges against the suspects could include sedition, inciting civil war, attacking security forces, murder, looting and leading armed gangs, according to state media. The judge was heard during the televised proceedings asking the defendants if they were military or civilian. One suspect, an Assad loyalist, was accused of taking part in an ambush on government forces and trying to hide the weapons used. During questioning by the judge of a suspect from the Syrian security forces accused of a targeted killing, a video showing the alleged killing was submitted as evidence. The suspect claimed the video was fabricated and denied killing anyone. "But you're clearly visible in the video, showing you killing the person who is kneeling down," the judge said. Relatives of some of the defendants attended the hearing. Ayman Bakkour told The Associated Press that his son, a member of the the government's 82nd Division military unit, has been held in custody for at least seven months. "My son was arrested for violations in the coast," Bakkour, from Idlib province, said outside the courthouse. "There were clashes there and he took a video that accidentally went viral. He's now being prosecuted."Given the scale of the violence and the number of suspects, it is unclear how long the proceedings will take. The clashes in March erupted after armed groups aligned with Assad ambushed the new government's security forces. A counteroffensive then spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks and the massacre of hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority, to which Assad belongs and who largely live along the coast.The attacks on the Alawite community mounted pressure on interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Since coming to power in December, his government has scrambled to step out from diplomatic isolation and convince the U.S. to drop crippling sanctions and boost trade to rebuild the war-torn country. The government's investigating committee in July concluded that over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed during several days of sectarian violence. But the inquiry said there was no evidence that Syria's new military leaders had ordered attacks on the Alawite community. A United Nations probe, however, found that violence targeting civilians by government-aligned factions had been "widespread and systematic."The U.N. commission said that during the violence homes in Alawite-majority areas were raided and civilians were asked "whether they were Sunni or Alawite." It said: "Alawite men and boys were then taken away to be executed."

The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on November 18-19/2025
Islamic State–linked activity on the rise in Israel and the West Bank
Joe Truzman/FDD's Long War Journal/November 18/ 2025
On November 14, the Shin Bet intelligence agency and the Israel Police arrested four residents of East Jerusalem’s Beit Safafa neighborhood on charges of having ties to the Islamic State and planning terrorist attacks against Jews. According to the agency, the four suspects purchased weapons to prepare for “the great war at the end of days” against Jews. The arrest on these charges is not an isolated incident. FDD’s Long War Journal has noted a growing pattern of Arab residents of Israel and the West Bank plotting attacks against Jews, either on behalf of the Islamic State or after being inspired by the group’s ideology. Two days before the arrest of the four Beit Safafa residents, authorities charged an 18-year-old Israeli Arab from the “triangle region of Arab towns east of Netanya” who had been taken into custody by law enforcement last month for planning to carry out an attack inspired by the Islamic State. The suspect was reported to have sought information on how to manufacture explosives and had communicated with Islamic State operatives abroad.
On September 30, the Shin Bet and the Israel Police announced that, “in recent weeks,” they had arrested Issa Maadi, an Israeli Arab from Acre who planned to attack Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers with an improved explosive device at a bus stop on behalf of the Islamic State, Ynet reported.
The September Ynet report noted that since the start of the year, the Shin Bet had detained 42 Israeli Arabs who identified with the Islamic State.
In May, The Jerusalem Post also reported that Israel’s defense establishment warned of a sharp rise in involvement by Israeli Arabs in the Islamic State and armed Palestinian factions operating in the northern West Bank. The Shin Bet said it had uncovered and arrested more than 15 cells since the beginning of the year, most of them composed of Israeli Arabs who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Officials said the arrests reflected a growing trend of terrorist activity driven by online radicalization.
A senior defense official said that most of the new Islamic State-linked groups consist of teenagers and young adults and represent one of two main channels of emerging activity identified in recent months, Ynet reported.
Jews have not been the only potential victims of suspects associated with the Islamic State. In April 2024, the Palestinian Authority dismantled an Islamic State cell in the northern West Bank that reportedly planned to target the Palestinian Authority’s headquarters in the territory. Palestinian forces discovered a car bomb and several mortar shells in the cell’s possession.
While Israeli authorities have successfully thwarted planned attacks by suspects who had been inspired by or pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, some plots have been successfully carried out. One of the most notable acts in recent years was perpetrated by Ayman and Khaled Ighbariya in Hadera in northern Israel. On March 27, 2022, the jihadists gunned down two police officers and wounded 12 people before they were shot dead by law enforcement. Taken together, the arrests in East Jerusalem, the Triangle, and Acre, along with other Islamic State–linked cases, point to a steady uptick in jihadist activity across Israel and the West Bank. While the Islamic State has explicitly called on followers to carry out attacks against Jews, some of the recent plots were inspired by the group rather than directed by it.
Most of the planned attacks have been disrupted by Israeli authorities, but security officials caution that online radicalization will continue to drive the threat.
Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East.
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2025/11/islamic-state-linked-activity-on-the-rise-in-israel-and-the-west-bank.php
Read in FDD's Long War Journal

What Washington Should Demand From Riyadh Before Providing the F-35
Bradley Bowman & Justin Leopold-Cohen/Real Clear Defense/November 18/ 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is coming to Washington on Tuesday — and he has a wish list. Near the top of that list is Washington’s approval for Riyadh to procure up to 48 F-35 aircraft.
Saudi Arabia is an important American security partner, and increased defense security cooperation with Riyadh can advance American interests and support efforts to build a regional security architecture that more effectively deters and defeats aggression. Washington, however, before providing Riyadh with the F-35, should address concerns related to China, follow the law, and demand that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel.
To be sure, the Saudi Air Force already boasts an impressive quantity of advanced fighters, including F-15 variants, Eurofighter Typhoons, and British Panavia Tornado IDSs. Saudi Arabia’s F-15 fleet includes dozens of F-15SAs, one of the most advanced versions currently available. It features an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and can also carry a greater quantity and variety of weapons compared to older versions of the F-15.
Nonetheless, the increased difficulties of detecting the 5th-generation F-35 compared to 4th-generation aircraft, as well as the F-35’s formidable sensors and networking capabilities, would substantially improve the capability and capacity of the Saudi Air Force. In short, the F-35 can operate more effectively in hostile environments featuring advanced enemy air defenses, but F-15s can carry more munitions. That can be a potent combination as Israel demonstrated during the 12-Day War with Iran, especially when combined with the employment of drones.
So, it is easy to see why Saudi Arabia wants the F-35. But what should Washington expect in return?
Washington should first expect that Saudi Arabia is committed to protecting the F-35’s technology and has an appropriate relationship with China, America’s foremost adversary, which is preparing for a potential war with the United States in the Pacific.
The United States cannot permit key technologies associated with the F-35 to find their way to Beijing. That would endanger American forces, not to mention 19 F-35 partner nations, that will rely on the F-35 for decades to come.
Riyadh would be wise to study how concerns regarding China played a major role in preventing the United Arab Emirates from acquiring the F-35. When it comes to relations with Beijing, Riyadh should not be held to a lower standard than Abu Dhabi.
While Riyadh’s representatives often say the right thing about China, some issues and questions need to be resolved.
“Pentagon officials who have studied the deal have expressed fears that F-35 technology could be compromised through Chinese espionage or China’s security partnership with Saudi Arabia,” according to a November 13 report by The New York Times. That same report said that China is helping Saudi Arabia acquire, build, and operate ballistic missiles. Unfortunately, concerns related to Riyadh and Beijing do not stop there.
Riyadh conducted the Blue Sword-4 naval exercise with China in October. The exercise last month, which followed an earlier iteration in September 2023, was designed to “strengthen military cooperation between the two sides and to exchange expertise to raise combat readiness,” according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It is safe to assume that most decision makers in Washington believe partners worth trusting with the F-35 do not conduct military exercises with China.
If Riyadh fully remedies its current relationship with China and offers assurances that Washington can trust related to the F-35, the deal could perhaps move forward without endangering American security. However, it is important that Congress ensure that the law is followed. That should include the statutory requirements related to Israel’s qualitative military edge (QME), codified in section 36(h) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S. Code § 2776(h)). Ensuring Israel’s QME is not optional, it is the law.
Some might respond that there is near zero chance of hostility Saudi Arabia between Israel in the short term. That is thankfully true — but irrelevant.
The statute wisely makes no distinction regarding the current political disposition or policies of any other country in the Middle East. That is prudent because history and Middle East politics caution that leaders and policies can change quickly, so it is smart to focus on military capabilities.
That is why the law requires Washington to examine 1) “Israel’s capacity to address the improved capabilities” regardless of the country in question and 2) ask and address how the sale would alter the “strategic and tactical balance in the region, including relative capabilities [emphasis added].”
There is no way to provide Saudi Arabia with America’s most advanced fighter jet without reducing Israel’s relative military advantages vis-a-vis Saudi Arabia. That does not necessarily mean that Washington should refuse to provide Saudi Arabia with the F-35, but it does mean that steps must be taken in that case to strengthen Israel’s capabilities even further to maintain its security and relative military edge, as American interests and the law require.
It is also worth noting that the law requires that Israel be able to counter and defeat any “individual state or possible coalition of states.” In that spirit, Washington must consider Turkey given its military capabilities and actions in the Middle East, not to mention Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s hostility toward Israel, regardless of whether one considers Ankara technically subject to the current QME statute.
Riyadh should satisfactorily address concerns related to China. Washington must also follow the law and take the necessary additional steps in advance to ensure Israel maintains its relative military edge. But there is still one more consideration: It makes no sense to transfer America’s most advanced fighter jet to any country in the Middle East that refuses to normalize relations with Israel, America’s most capable and important ally in the Middle East. To be sure, Riyadh was close to normalization before the October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, and the kingdom will likely need to see progress in Gaza and on the 20-point Gaza Peace Plan before the crown prince is willing to normalize relations with Israel. Regardless, Washington should explicitly make clear up front that the first F-35 will not be delivered until Saudi Arabia normalizes relations with Israel.
It would be national security malpractice — and would unnecessarily undercut President Trump’s leverage — to demand anything less.
The crown prince will have a wish list when he arrives in Washington. How America responds will have significant ramifications for the region and U.S. national security interests. Bradley Bowman is senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Military and Political Power, where Justin Leopold-Cohen is a senior research analyst.
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2025/11/17/what_washington_should_demand_from_riyadh_before_providing_the_f-35_1147777.html#google_vignette
Read in Real Clear Defense

Does Al Jazeera Collaborate With Hamas?
Toby Dershowitz & Asher Boiskin/FDD/November 18/2025
Al Jazeera’s leadership shake-up has been in the headlines. Will its new executives direct the Qatari state-funded media arm to cease its cozy relationship with Hamas? Allegations have been swirling that the royal family’s soft power news outlet is not merely reporting what Hamas says but is actively collaborating with the terrorist organization.
Al Jazeera sells its content to major wire services like AP and Reuters. Al Jazeera has resource-sharing agreements that allow outlets like CNN to access Al Jazeera’s footage and Al Jazeera to use CNN’s news feed. Al Jazeera also has arrangements with BBC, France 24, and The Guardian that enable them to use Al Jazeera’s video footage and reports. Other media outlets, including Deutsche Welle and Euronews, have direct syndication arrangements, allowing them to use Al Jazeera’s content without intermediaries. Credible reports indicate that Al Jazeera’s ties to Hamas extend well beyond journalism. Evidence points to coordination between the Qatari network and Hamas terrorists, raising serious reputational and policy questions for Al Jazeera and for media or corporate partners that cooperate with it.
Reporters Working for Both Al Jazeera and Hamas
Six Al Jazeera journalists simultaneously worked for Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), according to evidence seized by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that has been made public. Three have since been killed in Gaza. At any credible outlet, concurrently working for a U.S.-designated terrorist organization would result in immediate dismissal. Not so with Al Jazeera. The absence of accountability speaks volumes. Some of these journalists reportedly participated in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault, joining the terrorists who breached and burned Israeli kibbutzim near Gaza, massacring nearly 1,200 and kidnapping 250 others. Media and corporate partners should have immediately paused collaboration with Al Jazeera until a credible internal investigation was conducted. But it appears that no such credible investigation occurred. Instead, the network issued denials that its reporters were working with Hamas.
Al Jazeera’s Role in Hamas’s October 7 Plan
The New York Times reported that Hamas’s October 7 massacre involved a detailed media strategy. This appeared to include a role for Al Jazeera, which aired prerecorded messages from Hamas commanders during the attack to inspire Arabs outside of Gaza to join in the fighting. Al Jazeera’s reported collaboration as part of Hamas’s media strategy was not some innocuous business deal. Documents seized by the IDF reveal the terror group sought to ignite uprisings among Palestinians in the West Bank, Israeli Arabs, and Iranian proxies like Hezbollah on Israel’s northern border. One seized memo from 2023 stated that “two or three operations in which an entire neighborhood, kibbutz, or something similar will be burned” must occur to galvanize others.
There could be no credible denial about what was taking place. Hamas actively sought to broadcast its atrocities. Intercepts show that around 10 a.m. on October 7, a Hamas battalion commander, Abu Mohammed, ordered his fighters to “start setting homes on fire,” shouting “Burn, burn” and “I want the whole kibbutz in flames.”
Another six-page handwritten plan attributed to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar directed militants to “stomp on the heads of soldiers,” shoot them “at point-blank range,” and “slaughter some with knives.”Commanders repeated and executed these orders in real time. “Slit their throats,” one said. “Kill everyone on the road. Kill everyone you encounter.” Another instructed, “Take a lot of hostages.” According to a podcast featuring Ronen Bergman, a coauthor of the New York Times piece, Hamas wanted to showcase its “success” by showing Israelis dying, homes burning, and tanks exploding to convince allies that the destruction of Israel could be achieved. Al Jazeera’s role was to spread this message, airing prerecorded communications from Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, who proclaimed: “The day has come when anyone who has a gun should take it out. Now is the time. If you do not have a gun, take up your cleaver, axe, Molotov cocktail, truck, tractor, or car.”Bergman explained that these speeches were “coordinated” and “perfectly synchronized” with Al Jazeera’s broadcasts. A Hamas commander named Abu al-Baraa, according to intercepted communications, told Hamas terrorists invading Israel: “Document the scenes of horror, now, and broadcast them on TV channels to the whole world. Slaughter them. End the children of Israel.”During and after the attack, Al Jazeera broadcast footage of the massacre while also airing Hamas’s messages, essentially serving as the group’s propaganda arm.
Throughout the war, Al Jazeera aired exclusive footage from Hamas tunnels, portraying the terrorist group as resilient rather than exposing its use of civilian areas for terror operations. It’s telling that Al Jazeera’s coverage portrayed Hamas as winning, while the network refrained from any criticism of the terrorist group’s leadership, tactics, hoarding of humanitarian aid, or harm done to Gazans for starting the war. Internal Hamas communications dated before October 7 also show that the group instructed Al Jazeera to use specific terminology and limit visuals of failed rocket launches that fell inside Gaza. Al Jazeera reportedly complied with these instructions.
Direct Dial: Hamas’s Line Into Al Jazeera
Evidence found by the IDF and analyzed by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center reveals that Hamas and Al Jazeera maintained a structured communications pipeline throughout the Israel-Hamas war. The captured Hamas documents show the creation of a “secure phone line” — referred to as the “Al Jazeera phone” — linking Hamas’s military operations room in Gaza directly to “Al Jazeera’s management offices in Doha.” The line reportedly allowed Hamas to “control coverage in real time” by transmitting instructions on which events to air, what terminology to use, and which images to suppress.
Additional documents revealed that Hamas operatives sent media directives to Al Jazeera’s newsroom with detailed guidance on editorial framing. One 2022 memo urged the network to “minimize” images from a failed rocket launch that killed Gazan civilians and to avoid using the term “massacre” to refer to the event. A subsequent Hamas media directive requested that Al Jazeera journalists coordinate with the movement’s “military media unit” before broadcasting material about the PIJ, ensuring consistency with Hamas’s narratives. The Meir Amit Center described this pattern of coordination as “neither random nor isolated but systematic, organized and continuous.”
Why the Journalism World Should be Alarmed
Those who partner and collaborate with Al Jazeera cannot dismiss these findings as mere considerations. Continued cooperation with a network that coordinates with Hamas carries reputational, ethical, and potentially legal consequences. The same scrutiny applied to financial institutions accused of directly or indirectly supporting terror should extend to media entities that amplify or assist it.
**Toby Dershowitz is a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where Asher Boiskin is an intern. Follow them on X @TobyDersh and @asherboiskin.

US Military Dominance Is the Backbone of Prosperity
Saeed Ghasseminejad/The National Interest/November 18/2025
The US social contract depends on sufficient deterrence and stability in the external world.
Excerpt
Calls to cash out the Pentagon to fund domestic promises miss a basic point: credible US power is itself a kitchen-table policy. It keeps trade lanes open, market access possible, money cheap, and breakthrough technologies moving into American factories. It gives the United States leverage at the negotiating table, turning security guarantees into bargaining power that opens foreign markets to American companies. When those pillars wobble, grocery bills, mortgage rates, net worth, and payrolls move the wrong way.
Start with trade corridors, the maritime, undersea, orbital, and digital arteries through which goods, energy, data, and payments flow. When those arteries are threatened, costs jump quickly. Rerouted ships mean longer voyages, tighter schedules, and higher war-risk insurance. Those line items don’t stay on spreadsheets; they migrate to the checkout aisle and the small-business cash-flow statement. The inflation pass-through from freight costs is real and lagged: protecting lanes today cushions prices a year from now. The same logic applies to energy chokepoints. Disruptions at narrow straits ripple into US fuel prices and freight rates even when cargoes are bound for other continents. Securing chokepoints is not charity for allies; it is price-stability work for American households.
The cost of money also depends on credibility. Historically, military dominance makes one’s currency dominant. The dollar’s central role in global finance reflects confidence in US power and institutions. Investors pay a safety and liquidity premium for Treasuries, which provides a convenience yield that lowers Washington’s borrowing costs and, by extension, mortgages, auto loans, municipal bonds, and small-business credit. Let that premium erode, through doubts about US power, payment rails, settlement continuity, or cyber resilience, and Americans pay first and monthly.
Then there is technology. Mission-driven budgets pulled the internet’s precursor across the commercialization gap and built the global positioning system that undergirds logistics, agriculture, and finance. Today’s frontier, resilient space systems, secure communications, AI-enabling hardware, advanced materials, and energy storage, will not scale on press releases. It will scale when procurement demands performance, sets technical targets, and places patient orders that make domestic production economical.
Saeed Ghasseminejad is a senior adviser for Iran and financial economics at FDD, specializing in Iran’s economy, financial markets, sanctions, and illicit finance.
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/us-military-dominance-is-the-backbone-of-prosperity
Read in The National Interest

'What Radical Islam Would Seemingly Like to Extend to the West': A Conversation with Alain Destexhe
Gatestone Institute./November 18, 2025
In the Middle East, the attempts at "crimes against humanity," for more than 70 years, have been targeted at Jews. Defending oneself by responding after a major massacre is not a genocide. If you do not want your people killed, do not attack your neighbor. The October 7, 2023 massacre, if Lebanon and Iran had joined in, was probably intended as a genocide.
Israel has found itself swarmed for the past two years on seven fronts: Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Iran. That looks more like a genocide.
As for Gaza, there is no genocide: there is no intention from Israel to exterminate the Palestinians, even though there are, obviously, civilian casualties. What is targeted is the destruction of a terrorist group, Hamas, and its fighters.
[T]here exists, in a part of Islam, a fierce hostility towards the West. When Muslims become the majority in a society, it undergoes profound transformation. Other citizens — Christians, secularists, or others — then become, in a way, second-class tolerated citizens, dhimmis.
What the terrorists did to Israel on October 7, 2023, is just part of what radical Islam would seemingly like to extend to the West. They do not have the means to do so at the moment, but if they had, I am convinced they would act accordingly. In this regard, we are extremely naïve to think that this will not happen. For Europe, this prospect remains distant, but demographic upheavals could accelerate the threat.
[T]he crux of the problem lies in the idea of submission — Islam means "submission" to Allah and His Word, as stated in the Quran and the Hadiths. From there, the sacred text is no longer up for discussion. Whatever one may say, this text is quite harsh: the will to convert the entire world to Islam, apostasy punishable by death, Jews and Christians presented as dhimmis, "tolerated," second-class citizens, or as people to be fined or converted.
[A] majority of Muslims can always say: "it's written in the Quran" — meaning said by the Almighty, like the Ten Commandments in the Bible — and consider that any other reading must therefore be erroneous... Apostasy is central and regarded as punishable by death.
The European left regrets the "good old days" of the Labor Party — Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, etc. — which coincided with the dominance of social democracy both in Europe and in Israel. It was this group that brought Israel the Oslo Accords, which only succeeded in legitimizing the Palestinian Authority and its ongoing "pay-for-slay" terrorism.... It seems these circles have never accepted that the Israeli majority has turned away from the "peace now" narrative put forth by Rabin and Peres, or that it has rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, although since the attacks of October 7, 2023, the idea of a Palestinian state next to Israel appears over for everyone.
Netanyahu... is, objectively, a major statesman. He... led the country in a simultaneous confrontation with several actors—Iran, Hezbollah, Syria, the Houthis from Yemen, Hamas.... Netanyahu's track record at the helm of Israel remains positive and remarkable.
What is fundamentally reproached about Netanyahu is having tolerated Qatar's financing of Hamas — those planes filled with cash, transiting through Israel, ended up in the pockets of the movement. Netanyahu made a misjudgment — he is not the only one—in thinking that at some point Hamas would choose peace, the development of Gaza, and renounce the war against Israel.... it was a bet that turned out to be lost. It was a mistake because Hamas used that money to prepare and wage war. But no one really protested, certainly not even the EU, which was aware that Hamas received funds from Qatar.
Gaza could resemble Tel Aviv.... But Hamas chose war and the misery of the Palestinian people, fully knowing that Israel would retaliate.
[A]fter 77 years, [the Palestinians] are no longer refugees; it is the UN that perpetuates this myth.
So I do not blame Netanyahu at all for October 7. The major failure was that of Israeli intelligence — reputed to be excellent — which saw nothing coming. The problem is having mistakenly believed, in hindsight, that Hamas could be appeased. This obviously does not make Netanyahu responsible for the attacks of October 7. That accusation is absurd.
I spent a total of twelve years at Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in various roles, and I am sad at what MSF has become. In Gaza, MSF is working with a totalitarian organization. Hamas controls Gaza. Working in Gaza means working with — and under the control of — Hamas. Therefore, in my view, Doctors Without Borders has become complicit with Hamas throughout the war and should have withdrawn, stating: "We do not operate alongside a totalitarian movement and regime."
[Doctors Without Borders-MSF] cover for everything Hamas does. The organization not only condones the diversion of humanitarian aid but also the conduct of the war. All Doctors Without Borders' posts on X, regarding the conflict, targets Israel, I have not seen one clear call for the release of hostages. However, the release of the hostages was key to ending the conflict: the war would have stopped much earlier if Hamas had agreed to release them. Doctors Without Borders did not ask for this because the organization operates under Hamas's control: calling for the release of hostages would have risked confronting them.
Among the "new Asian tigers" (excluding Australia and New Zealand), Taiwan possesses the most advanced democracy: a free press, regular elections, and, since 2000, political alternation.... Taiwan actually ranks alongside European countries in democratic assessments. Supporting Taiwan and its 23 million inhabitants is therefore a geopolitical, strategic, and democratic imperative.
[A]ccess to Belgian nationality was particularly easy: three years of residence — two for refugees — with few requirements for linguistic, cultural, or economic integration. All of this has produced a spectacular demographic transformation of the country... Today, statistics show that our capital is one of the three most crime-ridden cities in Europe.
Belgium — although primarily Brussels — serves as a laboratory for what Europe might face tomorrow: drug trafficking, insecurity, a weakened state, electoral clientelism, deterioration of public services, widespread dissatisfaction, housing shortages, political impotence ...
In politics, I act like a doctor. I start by making a diagnosis: here, population change. Then I propose a treatment: here, measures such as drastically reducing family reunification and asylum.... In Brussels, demographic evolution is practically irreversible, especially since the Belgian middle classes continue to leave the city: this situation is only amplifying.
Alain Destexhe (MD), an honorary senator in Belgium, is a former secretary general of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), former president of the International Crisis Group, and former president of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank & IMF. He has written 15 books on Belgian politics and international issues, including Rwanda and Genocide in the Twentieth Century. He is a regular contributor to Gatestone, Le Figaro and several media outlets in France. He also practices medicine overseas and in France.
Canlorbe: As someone who studied the genocide in Rwanda, would you say that a genocide is also underway in Gaza?
Destexhe: A genocide targets a particular group — ethnic, racial, or religious. We can speak of genocide in Rwanda because the extermination targeted the Tutsis as a group. Certainly, some Hutu opponents were also killed, but they were not targeted as members of a group.
The legal definition of genocide is probably secondary. What matters is the political definition and the historical signification: the extermination of a group. In the Middle East, the attempts at "crimes against humanity," for more than 70 years, have been targeted at Jews. Defending oneself by responding after a major massacre is not a genocide. If you do not want your people killed, do not attack your neighbor. The October 7, 2023 massacre, if Lebanon and Iran had joined in, was probably intended as a genocide. Israel has found itself swarmed for the past two years on seven fronts: Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Iran. That looks more like a genocide. In Rwanda, all Tutsis — men, women and children — had to be killed; when Hutu political opponents were targeted, their wives and children were spared. They were killed by other Hutus as political opponents, not like the Tutsis for their supposed ethnicity.
As for Gaza, there is no genocide: there is no intention from Israel to exterminate the Palestinians, and women and children are not specifically targeted, even though there are, obviously, civilian casualties. What is targeted is the destruction of a terrorist group, Hamas, and its fighters. With the Tutsis in Rwanda, genocide is absolutely undeniable; in the case of Gaza, the accusation is totally unfounded.
Canlorbe: Are you concerned that the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 is a preview of what awaits Europeans?
Destexhe: Yes: there exists, in a part of Islam, a fierce hostility towards the West. When Muslims become the majority in a society, it undergoes profound transformation. Other citizens — Christians, secularists, or others — then become, in a way, second-class tolerated citizens, dhimmis.
We even see this in relatively open countries such as Malaysia or Indonesia, where it is no longer so simple today not to be Muslim. These are places where Islam tends to assert itself through sharia, the Islamic legal code, even if it is not officially applied in the country.
Between Islamist fanaticism — that of Hamas, among others — and the West, Israel occupies a particular place in this region of the world. What the terrorists did to Israel on October 7, is just part of what radical Islam would seemingly like to extend to the West. They do not have the means to do so at the moment, but if they had, I am convinced they would act accordingly. In this regard, we are extremely naïve to think that this will not happen. For Europe, this prospect remains distant, but demographic upheavals could accelerate the threat.
Canlorbe: Is Islam really at fault in the hatred that Islamists express towards the West? Or does religion simply serve as a pretext to legitimate a certain slant?
Destexhe: Hard to say. I am neither an anthropologist, nor a psychologist, nor a sociologist. But yes, I believe there is what René Girard called "mimetic desire," a wish to copy others. Overall, the populations of Belgian origin remain more affluent, as they benefit from a century of wealth accumulation: Belgian prosperity was not created overnight, it is the result of previous generations, of workers, entrepreneurs, and economic actors who enabled the prosperity of the West.
Thus, a form of jealousy or envy might arise: an immigrant who arrives without having participated in this construction benefits from social allowances but remains, on average, less wealthy than others. Yes, I believe there is a mimetic element at play here. That is why the left constantly talks about "taxing the rich": "I want what you have, so you should give it to me."
Canlorbe: You raised the correlation between the ethnic composition of the 2025 graduating class of the Faculty of Law at the Free University of Brussels and the decision of that graduating class to choose Rima Hassan, a French jurist and politician of Palestinian origin who has proposed a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as their sponsor. Do you see in this tribute to Hassan a sign of radicalism or capitulation?
Destexhe: The reality is more complex. In the choice of Rima Hassan as class sponsor, two factors came into play. The Arab-Muslim students — to put it simply — are now extremely numerous. There seems to be an Arab-Muslim circle comprising about 8,000 members out of around 30,000 students: that is considerable. This component appears to have played a role in the choice of the graduating class.
The radicalized European "far-left" also appears to have had an influence — it is even likely that they initiated the choice of Hassan. Overall, this choice looks as if it resulted from the conjunction of this far-left and the now very numerous Arab-Muslim students at the university.
Canlorbe: Regarding these currents of Islam, which are open to interpretation and doubt, why do they prosper so little in Western universities?
Destexhe: Those seem to be minority currents that are sometimes persecuted by the dominant Islamic currents. I fundamentally believe that the crux of the problem lies in the idea of submission — Islam means "submission" to Allah and His Word, as stated in the Quran and the Hadiths. From there, the sacred text is no longer up for discussion. Whatever one may say, this text is quite harsh: the will to convert the entire world to Islam, apostasy punishable by death, Jews and Christians presented as dhimmis, "tolerated," second-class citizens, or as people to be fined or converted. There is, in the very text of the Quran, a totalitarian aspect.
Thus, a majority of Muslims can always say: "it's written in the Quran" — meaning said by the Almighty, like the Ten Commandments in the Bible — and consider that any other reading must therefore be erroneous. It appears to me that what poses problem is the totalizing nature of the text. Since it is not permissible in the Muslim world to contest — or even to discuss — the Quran, one always returns to the letter. Apostasy is central and regarded as punishable by death. One might reply that, in practice, the implementation differs according to Muslim people; yet, for those who refer to it literally, "it is written," thus it is The Truth.
Canlorbe: How do you explain the hostility that most Belgian or French media have towards Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu? It is said that Trump forced Netanyahu's hand to reach the peace agreement and the release of the last remaining hostages still alive.
Destexhe: I must say that this discourse leaves me perplexed. To what extent could Netanyahu have been "forced"? After all, he also wanted the hostages released, subscribed to the Trump plan and had an interest in trying to conclude the war—even though it does not seem over.
With Israel, there always has to be a "bad guy". The European left regrets the "good old days" of the Labor Party—Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, etc.—which coincided with the dominance of social democracy both in Europe and in Israel. It was this group that brought Israel the Oslo Accords, which only succeeded in legitimizing the Palestinian Authority and its ongoing "pay-for-slay" terrorism. For the past twenty to thirty years in Israel, Likud has become, almost continuously, the leading party in the country. Therefore, because Likud embodies the Israeli right, it is despised by the media and the Western "left" and designated as the scapegoat. It seems these circles have never accepted that the Israeli majority has turned away from the "peace now" narrative put forth by Rabin and Peres, or that it has rejected the idea of a Palestinian state, although since the attacks of October 7, 2023, the idea of a Palestinian state next to Israel appears over for everyone.
In this context, Netanyahu takes on the role of the "villain", while he is, objectively, a major statesman. He holds the record for longevity as Israeli Prime Minister, and he recently led the country in a simultaneous confrontation with several actors—Iran, Hezbollah, Syria, the Houthis from Yemen, Hamas. Even if nothing is truly over in Lebanon or with Hamas, and the Houthis retain a capacity to cause harm, Netanyahu's track record at the helm of Israel remains positive and remarkable.
Canlorbe: What do you say in response to the discourse that assigns responsibility for October 7 to Netanyahu?
Destexhe: That is, forgive my expression, pure bullshit. What is fundamentally reproached about Netanyahu is having tolerated Qatar's financing of Hamas—those planes filled with cash, transiting through Israel, ended up in the pockets of the movement. Netanyahu made a misjudgment—he is not the only one—in thinking that at some point Hamas would choose peace, the development of Gaza, and renounce the war against Israel. That was a mistake, period. However, this does not mean that the policy of financial injections into Gaza was intrinsically bad: it was a bet that turned out to be lost. It was a mistake because Hamas used that money to prepare and wage war. But no one really protested, certainly not even the EU, which was aware that Hamas received funds from Qatar.
I have been to Gaza twice, a long time ago. Gaza could resemble Tel Aviv. The territory is large enough, there is water, agricultural potential, and access to the sea. With peace, recognition of the State of Israel, and massive investments, Gaza could become prosperous. Saying that "Gaza could be Singapore" is not absurd; at the very least, let's say Tel Aviv. Two million inhabitants is not insurmountable. But Hamas chose war and the misery of the Palestinian people, fully knowing that Israel would retaliate.
In Gaza, the maps of the region only show one Palestinian state: Israel was not included. In reality, Palestinians, not just Hamas, have never admitted the existence of the State of Israel. The PLO continues to claim the right of return for "refugee" Palestinians to the lands of 1948, which would mean the end of the State of Israel. By the way, after 77 years, they are no longer refugees; it is the UN that perpetuates this myth.
So I do not blame Netanyahu at all for October 7. The major failure was that of Israeli intelligence—reputed to be excellent—which saw nothing coming. The problem is having mistakenly believed, in hindsight, that Hamas could be appeased. This obviously does not make Netanyahu responsible for the attacks of October 7. That accusation is absurd.
Canlorbe: What is your assessment of how Doctors Without Borders [MSF, Médecins Sans Frontières] engages with Hamas in the context of its humanitarian interventions in Gaza?
Destexhe: I spent a total of twelve years at Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in various roles, and I am sad at what MSF has become. In Gaza, MSF is working with a totalitarian organization. Hamas controls Gaza. Working in Gaza means working with—and under the control of—Hamas. Therefore, in my view, Doctors Without Borders has become complicit with Hamas throughout the war and should have withdrawn, stating: "We do not operate alongside a totalitarian movement and regime."
This complicity of Doctors Without Borders is inexplicable — perhaps a serious mistake that calls into question the charter of neutrality and impartiality of Doctors Without Borders. Furthermore, Doctors Without Borders' presence did not appear essential on the ground: many Arab or Muslim organizations—Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, other countries in the region — could send doctors, nurses, and supplies. Muslim countries are eager to help the people of Gaza. Doctors Without Borders's added value is zero: others could do the job. Not only has the organization found itself, willingly or not, in a situation of complicity with Hamas, but it has also endorsed the idea of a "genocide." It has echoed, almost word for word, the campaign we led in 1994 in Rwanda — "You don't stop a genocide with doctors" — a slogan I still saw displayed recently at Doctors Without Borders's headquarters in Brussels.
Doctors Without Borders seems to have shifted from a neutral and independent humanitarian organization to a leftist activist organization. Gaza has not been the first signal; there were also the rescue operations in the Mediterranean, which fuel the engine of illegal immigration. Desperate people know that NGOs, including Doctors Without Borders, will pick them up at sea; despite the tragedies, the crossing remains perceived as possible, and indeed is still possible. Doctors Without Borders thus contributes to this flow towards Europe—and this is, in my view, sad and regrettable.
It is difficult, however, to take on Doctors Without Borders: it is a sacred cow in the West. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate—which I also received, as a member of Doctors Without Borders—the organization enjoys such prestige that neither the media nor even right-wing parties dare to criticize it. The role of Hamas's accomplice that Doctors Without Borders has played in this affair has, in my opinion, not been sufficiently highlighted.
Canlorbe: Can we accuse Doctors Without Borders of covering for Hamas when it diverts humanitarian aid?
Destexhe: Yes, of course: MSF cover for everything Hamas does. The organization not only condones the diversion of humanitarian aid but also the conduct of the war. All Doctors Without Borders' posts on X regarding the conflict target Israel, I have not seen one clear call for the release of hostages. However, the release of the hostages was key to ending the conflict: the war would have stopped much earlier if Hamas had agreed to release them. Doctors Without Borders did not ask for this because the organization operates under Hamas's control: calling for the release of hostages would have risked confronting them.
We must not forget that the Doctors Without Borders staff in Gaza is predominantly Palestinian. In a report written at the end of 2023, we showed that Doctors Without Borders members in Gaza actually celebrated the attack on October 7 and that many of them posted messages on Facebook applauding Hamas that day. Therefore, this is not just a problem of diversion of aid: it is a global complicity with what happened, and above all, an incomprehensible refusal—in my eyes—to insist on the decisive element that the release of hostages represented. They could have said: "Stop bombing civilians and release the hostages." But no, that requirement was never emphasized. This is very serious. Unfortunately, the few criticisms—including mine—have been little publicized. Overall, if Doctors Without Borders's image has not been tarnished by this affair, so they will not change.
Canlorbe: Do Doctors Without Borders or other similar organizations, in your opinion, care about all persecuted or allegedly persecuted populations? Or do they, so to speak, offer humanitarian aid à la carte, which would sidestep, for example, the Uyghurs?
Destexhe: The problem is that you first need access to the ground to be able to denounce a situation. The organization seems not to have access in China. Doctors Without Borders's communication about Gaza is much more significant than about crises that are perhaps more serious but much less publicized, such as in Yemen or Sudan. "Palestine" has always held a special place for NGOs and the left.
Canlorbe: Are you sympathetic to Trump's efforts to get Russia and Ukraine to conclude a peace agreement?
Destexhe: It is an old, wise principle in foreign policy, dear to Kissinger and Nixon, that The United States should never have as an enemy more than one nuclear power at a time. With the war in Ukraine, particularly under the Biden administration, a solid alliance has formed between Moscow and Beijing. The West, accordingly, is now in potential geopolitical confrontation with two nuclear powers. So, yes, I am sympathetic to Trump's efforts to get a "deal" for peace in Ukraine and, from there, restore good relations between Washington and Moscow and break the alliance that has formed between Moscow and Beijing. The task, admittedly, is extremely difficult: the Russo-Chinese axis is now quite solid—although perhaps not definitive, considering a long common border, diverging demographics, and interests.
Canlorbe: According to you, the security and sovereignty of Taiwan are of utmost importance for the West. Could you elaborate on this subject?
Destexhe: The annexation of the island by mainland China would be a serious setback for the United States, destabilize the entire Pacific region, and undermine the trust of America's allies. In reality, in 1895, after the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Taiwan became a Japanese colony. From 1895 to 1945, and then, from 1949 until today, Beijing has exercised no effective control over the island.
That the 23 million inhabitants of Taiwan are treated as pariahs in international representation—without an embassy in the classic sense, without a seat at the UN, and even deprived of normal participation in the work of the World Health Organization (WHO)—constitutes a major anomaly. Among the "new Asian tigers" (excluding Australia and New Zealand), Taiwan possesses the most advanced democracy: a free press, regular elections, and, since 2000, political alternation (the first direct presidential elections took place in 1996). Taiwan actually ranks alongside European countries in democratic assessments. Supporting Taiwan and its 23 million inhabitants is therefore a geopolitical, strategic, and democratic imperative.
Taiwan is a stable state that renounced acquiring nuclear weapons in the 1970s. If Taiwan—hypothetically—had them today, Beijing's policy would obviously be affected, and there would likely be no risk of invasion, according to the logic of "deterrence from the weak to the strong," which General de Gaulle favored for France.
Canlorbe: How do you assess the attitude of Belgium's current Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, on the Ukrainian issue? It seems that De Wever, ever since his term began in February 2025, has repeatedly assured Zelensky of his support while committing to Trump to dedicate 5% of Belgium's GDP to defense spending. De Wever recently expressed, nonetheless, his opposition to the idea of using frozen Russian assets in Belgium to finance Ukraine.
Destexhe: I do not know what Bart De Wever thinks personally about the Ukrainian issue, but there is a constant: Belgium does not take positions that deviate from the European or Atlantic consensus because it derives significant economic advantages from hosting both the NATO headquarters and that of the European Union. In other words, its room for maneuver remains limited: it will always align with the consensus of the European Union and NATO, without distinguishing itself. In reality, Bart De Wever aligns with this line because he has little choice.
On the issue of frozen assets, De Wever is completely right. This seizure would be illegal. Even President Roosevelt did not seize Japanese assets in the United States during World War II. The European Union is desperate because it does not have the money to finance Ukraine, and the United States no longer wants to do so. Hence this proposal to seize Russian assets. But these are primarily held in Belgium. So it is Belgium alone that would suffer an incredible shock with the withdrawal of billions in investment from Belgium—it could be regarded as a lack of confidence in the Belgian banking system. Other European countries are much less affected and, tellingly, they do not propose to seize Russian assets in their own countries! Belgium could potentially be exposed as having to reimburse the amount of the confiscated sums, and confidence in the euro would risk being permanently shaken. That proposal is simply madness, but there is nothing surprising coming from the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen.
Canlorbe: Brussels, which was sung about by Rimbaud and Verhaeren, now evokes less poetry. How would you summarize what has happened to the Belgian capital?
Destexhe: It is painful for the inhabitants. A few years ago, Donald Trump caused a scandal by calling Brussels a "hellhole." In the early 2000s, Belgium—and much of Europe—adopted a series of disastrous laws that led to uncontrolled migration flows, particularly from Muslim countries. First, tens of thousands of people were admitted, creating a powerful incentive to come to Belgium. Then came an extremely permissive family reunification policy: it was possible to bring in one's ancestors—parents and, in fact, grandparents—as well as children from a previous marriage. This welcome mat was compounded by one of the most lenient asylum policies in Europe: obtaining status of a political refugee was relatively simple, even based on false documents and hard-to-verify humanitarian arguments. Finally, access to Belgian nationality was particularly easy: three years of residence—two for refugees—with few requirements for linguistic, cultural, or economic integration. All of this has produced a spectacular demographic transformation of the country.
Regarding urban cleanliness, I also see a cultural dimension. Not all neighborhoods have the same problems. I often go to Rwanda; Kigali is cleaner than Brussels, so it is also a question of political will.
Canlorbe: Does justice play its role in the face of assaults, attacks, and shootings?
Destexhe: There is a certain "culture of excuse," as we say in French: blaming others, avoiding responsibility, finding social roots to violence. Belgium also suffers from a lack of effective judicial tools. Unlike France, there is no immediate appearance before a judge. As a result, several months, even years, can go by between an assault and a judgment. This is a major problem because the penalty loses its effectiveness as an example. Added to this problem are prison overcrowding and insufficient prison places. In a small, densely populated country, it is difficult to build new prisons: local residents often oppose them. The result: crime is exploding in Brussels, particularly related to drug trafficking. Additionally, a situation that was once non-existent—weekly shootings—has emerged in just a few years. In Brussels, in many aspects, a general laxity has settled in. Just as there are "failed states," Brussels is becoming a "failed city" or a "narco city". In 2013, I wrote a small book, Brussels, A Clockwork Orange. The media mocked it. Today, statistics show that our capital is one of the three most crime-ridden cities in Europe.
Canlorbe: Regarding restoring order in Brussels, would you support a measure equivalent to Trump's decision to send the National Guard to Washington, Los Angeles, or Portland?
Destexhe: No, I do not believe in such a miracle. The army could, of course, restore a certain calm in some neighborhoods, but the problem is deeper and structural. Fundamentally, it would not change much: the drift has gone too far, and with the current demographic composition of Brussels and its political fragmentation, it would be very difficult to turn back.
Canlorbe: Could you elaborate on the situation in Mayotte, a French island in the Indian Ocean, where you worked as a doctor and which you describe in your book Mayotte: How Immigration Destroys a Society (2025) as being at the forefront of the harms caused by uncontrolled immigration?
Destexhe: Mayotte is a French department, the department being the administrative division of France; it is the 101st, the most recent since 2011. The island has an estimated immigrant population of nearly 50%. Immigration is out of control and exploding there. The Mahoran society—French—is profoundly shaken: a climate of generalized insecurity has overtaken the place. At sunset, around 6:30 PM, the streets empty out, including in the capital, which becomes deserted—a condition that had never happened before. Public services are overwhelmed in the name of the principle of equal access: healthcare and education are offered under the same conditions to Mahorans and immigrants, leading to the saturation of health facilities and a degrading quality of services for Mahorans. Schools face the same pressure: a fourteen-year-old adolescent who arrives from Comoros or Madagascar without speaking French is placed in a class with peers his age, which lowers the overall level and places demands on the teacher to support those who are struggling. The administration is also inundated: laws—urban planning, environmental protection, turtle protection, and so on—are poorly enforced due to a lack of resources and the scale of the situation. Probably nothing can be resolved without a radical halt to migration flows. Mayotte thus experiences a harmful triptych: generalized lack of security, dislocation of cultural harmony, and exponentially deteriorating public services (healthcare, education, administration).
What I observed in Mayotte seems, to varying degrees, already at work in Belgium. When the proportion of immigrants becomes too high, the quality of education and healthcare decreases for locals. In Brussels, for example, hospitals see thousands of patients of foreign origin, most of whom have not contributed to social security. In a saturated public system, waiting times lengthen: sometimes one has to wait more than a year, to get an appointment with a specialist. This deterioration is a consequence of mass immigration that is rarely discussed. For the Belgians, the quality of public services declines. In a way, Mayotte played the role of a forerunner for what awaits us. The trend already exists, in Brussels as in certain French cities.
Canlorbe: Can we say that Wallonia—and, broadly, Belgium—are, in a way similar to Mayotte, a laboratory for leftist policies that are destroying Western Europe?
Destexhe: Absolutely. Belgium—although primarily Brussels—serves as a laboratory for what Europe might face tomorrow: drug trafficking, insecurity, a weakened state, electoral clientelism, deterioration of public services, widespread dissatisfaction, housing shortages, political impotence ... All indicators show that in Brussels the national cohesion is eroding. The myth of a "Brussels citizen" who no longer exists is perpetuated: Moroccan, Turkish, Pakistani, French, Italian, Polish communities coexist along with the people of Belgian origin, who now represent only 23% of the population. Politics has been reduced to catering to fragmented communities based on religion and on national origin (Turks, Moroccans, ...) and its corollary, client-ism. During elections, Turkish candidates, for example, scour the voter lists, identify Turkish names, and target only those voters.
What do I have in common, for instance, with a Muslim woman who lives according to strict religious norms, does not work, speaks little or no French—and has never contributed to social security? This is another major issue: in hospitals, courts, and school appointments, we see people arriving with translators, due to a lack of proficiency in a national language. When looking for electoral assessors or jurors for criminal trials, many are disqualified because they do not speak either French or Dutch. Ultimately, what do we truly share with these people even if we have the same papers and political and social rights?
There was, for me, an extremely revealing moment that the Belgian media ignored. During a Belgium-Morocco match, won by Morocco, Brussels was filled that evening with Belgian-Moroccans, most of whom had dual nationality, who were celebrating Morocco's victory loudly. That evening, it was evident to everyone that they felt more Moroccan than Belgian. Normally, having lived for a long time, or even having been born in Belgium, they should have felt both Belgian and Moroccan; clearly, that was not the case.
Canlorbe: Regarding the Turks settled in Belgium, particularly in Brussels, do they live according to the secular morals advocated by Atatürk for his people? Or do they, on average, turn towards Islamism?
Destexhe: They are increasingly turning towards Islamism because they remain much more Turkish than Belgian. It is as simple as that. Atatürk's secularism is increasingly belonging to the past, even though much of Turkish society has tried to resist Islamization. The secular policies of Atatürk persist in part of the population, but the original identity remains a major factor of belonging: a Turk will (almost) always be more Turkish than Belgian, a Moroccan more Moroccan than Belgian.
During Turkish elections, for instance, Turks in Belgium are more likely to support Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party [AK Party] than are voters living in Turkey, with a gap of about 10 to 20 points in favor of Erdoğan at each election. This practice also exists in France, but it is even more pronounced in Belgium—seemingly striking evidence of the primacy of original identity.
Canlorbe: Do you still hope that Belgium will recover in the long term?
Destexhe: In politics, I act like a doctor. I start by making a diagnosis: here, population change. Then I propose a treatment: here, measures such as drastically reducing family reunification and asylum. Can we still mitigate the population change even with such strong measures? In Brussels, demographic evolution is practically irreversible, especially since the Belgian middle classes continue to leave the city: this situation is only amplifying. I still have some hope for Wallonia and Flanders.
© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.

Turkey Is Thwarting Trump's Attempts to Disarm Hamas, Achieve Peace in the Middle East
Con Coughlin/Gatestone Institute./November 18/2025
[W]ith both Turkey and Qatar, two countries that support Hamas's hardline Islamist agenda, seeking to play a more prominent role in Gaza's future development, the prospect of persuading Hamas to disarm and relinquish control appears even more remote.
King Abdullah II of Jordan tried to warn Trump, also at the end of October: "[W]e hope that it is peacekeeping, because if it's peace enforcing, nobody will want to touch that.... If we're running around Gaza on patrol with weapons, that's not a situation that any country would like to get involved in."
Trump's radical plan to transform Gaza's political landscape -- especially his focus on disarming Hamas -- could come unstuck, though, if pro-Hamas states such as Turkey and Qatar have any involvement in the territory's future administration.
Turkey's desire for Hamas to be reconciled with the PA completely contradicts a key requirement of Trump's peace plan, which demands that the terror group not only disarms, but ends its political involvement in Gaza. If implemented, any Turkish involvement in Trump's efforts to end the Gaza conflict would simply offer Hamas a lifeline, one that would enable it to maintain its terrorist agenda.
The Trump administration may be tempted to believe that Turkey's involvement in the issue is crucial if a settlement in Gaza is to be reached. The administration must also understand, however, that any Turkish involvement will completely undermine Trump's stated objective of forcing the terrorist organisation to disarm if there is to be any hope of a lasting peace in the Middle East.
[W]ith both Turkey and Qatar, two countries that support Hamas's hardline Islamist agenda, seeking to play a more prominent role in Gaza's future development, the prospect of persuading Hamas to disarm and relinquish control appears even more remote. Attempts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to play a key role in plans to form an "international security force" for Gaza pose a serious threat to US President Donald J. Trump's efforts to disarm Hamas terrorists and augur poorly for his efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. A key requirement of Trump's 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict is for Hamas to disarm and end its malign control of the Gaza Strip. Only then will negotiations begin on finding a lasting ceasefire agreement and rebuilding the enclave for an enduring peace after two years of brutal conflict.
Trump has made clear his commitment to removing Hamas from Gaza even if, as is currently the case, the Islamist terror group shows no sign of complying with the terms of Trump's peace plan. In comments made soon after the first stage of the US-sponsored ceasefire took hold in Gaza, Trump threatened to disarm Hamas "violently" if it did not fully comply with his terms. If Hamas failed to disarm within "a reasonable period of time" then "we will disarm them", the president warned.
Yet, rather than showing any inclination to relinquish its grip over Gaza, Hamas has instead used the ceasefire to reassert its control over parts of Gaza by deploying thousands of its "security" officials and carrying out summary executions in public of its political opponents. Now, with both Turkey and Qatar, two countries that support Hamas's hardline Islamist agenda, seeking to play a more prominent role in Gaza's future development, the prospect of persuading Hamas to disarm and relinquish control appears even more remote. As part of Trump's attempts to end hostilities in Gaza, he is planning to create a multinational force drawn from a number of Muslim countries, to maintain order in the area while negotiations on its future take place.
While details on how the force will be expected to operate in Gaza remain vague, there is a general expectation that one of its duties will be to disarm terrorist groups such as Hamas. Speaking in Israel last month, US Vice President JD Vance said that the force would "take the lead on disarming Hamas", although he conceded that the task of disarming Hamas was "going to take some time and it's going to depend a lot on the composition of that force."
King Abdullah II of Jordan tried to warn Trump, also at the end of October:
"[W]e hope that it is peacekeeping, because if it's peace enforcing, nobody will want to touch that.... If we're running around Gaza on patrol with weapons, that's not a situation that any country would like to get involved in."Bringing Hamas's two-decade-long rule over Gaza is deemed vital to securing the its long-term stability. While significantly enhancing Israel's security along its southern border, it would liberate Palestinian civilians from the Islamist terror group's oppressive rule. Trump's radical plan to transform Gaza's political landscape -- especially his focus on disarming Hamas -- could come unstuck, though, if pro-Hamas states such as Turkey and Qatar have any involvement in the territory's future administration. Erdogan has already declared his intention to be a key player in Gaza's future development by offering to commit 2,000 Turkish troops to Trump's proposed stabilisation force, an offer that has been unequivocally rejected by Israel. Responding to Ankara's offer, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated explicitly, "There will be no Turkish boots on the ground."
Israel's firm opposition to the presence of Turkish troops in Gaza stems from the dramatic deterioration in relations between Jerusalem and Ankara since Hamas carried out the October 7, 2023 invasion of Israel. Erdogan responded by praising Hamas, suspending trade with Israel, closing Turkish airspace to Israeli planes.
Erdogan, who is trying to replace Qatar as Hamas's main intermediary in negotiations with the US, has accused Israel of crimes against humanity and recently issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials -- including Netanyahu -- alleging "genocide" in Gaza.
Erdogan has long stated that "Jerusalem is our city." As recently as last month, Erdogan was talking with his officials about attacking Israel.
"No one can save it [Israel] now..." Erdogan said on October 6.
"It must be disciplined with war... War and power should make Israel kneel... However 'extreme' it looks, a Turkey-Israel war will absolutely happen... Israel's life is over.... Jerusalem will be saved! Israel will have no choice but to kneel in front of Turkey. This is the only way for it to live.... In the mind of the man who opened Hagia Sophia after 86 years, there is a settled plan to liberate Jerusalem and settle the account of 1917."
Despite vehement Israeli objections, Erdogan is hoping that his good relations with Trump will persuade the US president to dismiss Israel's concerns and allow Turkey to play a central role in future talks on Gaza's future. If Trump allows this to happen, it could seriously undermine his attempts to disarm Hamas and achieve peace. Rather than ending the terrorist group's involvement in Gaza, Ankara is calling for Hamas to work together with the Palestinian Authority to form a new administration for the territory.
Erdogan has also been seeking F-35 jets from the United States. For what might he be intending to use them? Congress has wisely prohibited the deal so long as Turkey possesses Russia's S-400 air and missile defence system.
Erdogan's determination to play a prominent role in discussions on Gaza's future -- including Trump's plan for creating a multinational stabilisation force -- was very much in evidence at a summit of Muslim leaders he hosted in Istanbul this month. The summit was attended by representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia, which have indicated a willingness to support the Gaza force.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters after the conference that the Turks wanted to see a "swift internal Palestinian reconciliation" between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA), headed by Mahmoud Abbas. Fidan argued that such reconciliation would "enhance Palestine's representation in the international community."
Turkey's desire for Hamas to be reconciled with the PA completely contradicts a key requirement of Trump's peace plan, which demands that the terror group not only disarms, but ends its political involvement in Gaza. If implemented, any Turkish involvement in Trump's efforts to end the Gaza conflict would simply offer Hamas a lifeline, one that would enable it to maintain its terrorist agenda.
The Trump administration may be tempted to believe that Turkey's involvement in the issue is crucial if a settlement in Gaza is to be reached. The administration must also understand, however, that any Turkish involvement will completely undermine Trump's stated objective of forcing the terrorist organisation to disarm if there is to be any hope of a lasting peace in the Middle East.
*Con Coughlin is the Telegraph's Defence and Foreign Affairs Editor and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at Gatestone Institute.
© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.

Why Most Arab Countries Do Not Want Palestinians
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/November 18/2025
[C]ountries such as Jordan and Lebanon had extremely negative experiences with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other Palestinian armed groups who were trying to overthrow or destabilize their governments (Black September in Jordan in 1970 and the Lebanese Civil War 1975-1990).
Arab leaders often make strong statements, issue condemnations of Israeli actions, and attend high-profile summits that express solidarity with the Palestinians. Their gestures, however -- apart from Iran and Qatar -- are often not matched by decisive steps...
The refusal of the Arab countries to absorb Palestinians (including the ex-prisoners) is... proof why it would be a mistake to rely on the Arab countries to help rebuild and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
US President Donald J. Trump, who seems to be pinning his hopes on the Arabs to assist in funding and establishing a new government as well as deploying an international force in the Gaza Strip, needs to bear in mind that most of the Arab heads of state and regimes actually do not care about the Palestinians.
By now, most Arab heads of state see Palestinians as having caused immeasurable harm wherever they have gone and as having rewarded with treachery whoever stretched out a hand to them. For the Arab leaders, the Palestinian issue is just another tool to advance their own political objectives, shore up their own popular support at home, or unite various factions against a common enemy.
Most Arab leaders, in short, will continue to pretend that they are eager to help the US administration with its efforts to implement Trump's 20-point plan for peace in the Gaza Strip. In reality, the Arabs will continue to do their utmost to stay away from the Palestinians -- apart from helping them to regroup in the Gaza Strip.
US President Donald J. Trump, who seems to be pinning his hopes on the Arabs to assist in funding and establishing a new government as well as deploying an international force in the Gaza Strip, needs to bear in mind that most of the Arab heads of state and regimes actually do not care about the Palestinians.
Dozens of Palestinians released by Israel as part of last month's ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas have complained that "no Arab country has agreed to receive us."
According to reports in Arab media outlets, 145 Palestinians who arrived in the Egyptian capital of Cairo upon their release from Israeli prison "did not find any Arab or Islamic country willing to host them." Most of the ex-prisoners were serving one or more life terms for deadly terrorist attacks on Israelis over the past few decades. Many are affiliated with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Mahmoud Abbas's ruling Fatah faction. The Arab countries have offered no official explanation as to why they refuse to host the released prisoners. Some Arab leaders, especially neighboring countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon, are apparently concerned that the prisoners, who spent time in Israeli prison for carrying out terror attacks, would pose a threat to their security and political stability. They recall that countries such as Jordan and Lebanon had extremely negative experiences with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other Palestinian armed groups who were trying to overthrow or destabilize their governments (Black September in Jordan in 1970 and the Lebanese Civil War 1975-1990).
Several Arab countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have banned the Muslim Brotherhood and designated it as a terrorist organization. Hamas proudly describes itself as "one of the wings of Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine." Some of these Arab countries correctly do not see much difference between terrorists belonging to Hamas, the Iran-backed PIJ, or Fatah.
The refusal of the Arabs to receive their Palestinian brothers should not come as a surprise. For decades, most of the Arab countries that regularly offer verbal support for the Palestinians have failed to provide substantive action to achieve it. This lip service is often seen as a way for the Arab leaders to appease their own people, many of whom seem to be more sympathetic toward the Palestinians than to their own governments.
Arab leaders often make strong statements, issue condemnations of Israeli actions, and attend high-profile summits that express solidarity with the Palestinians. Their gestures, however -- apart from Iran and Qatar -- are often not matched by decisive steps, much to the disappointment of the Palestinians who view the lack of support from their Arab brothers as a form of betrayal.
Most of the Arabs turned their back on the Palestinians after the First Gulf War in 1990. Then, Palestinians came out in support of Saddam Hussein's Iraq invasion and occupation of Kuwait -- which for years had provided the Palestinians with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual aid. After Kuwait was liberated, the tiny oil-rich sheikhdom and other Gulf states expelled hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, accusing them of biting the hand that fed them. Most Arab countries have also denied or restricted citizenship for Palestinians. These countries have cited reasons such as the desire for a Palestinian "right of return" to former homes inside Israel. While Jordan has granted citizenship to many Palestinians, other countries, such as Lebanon and Syria, have imposed restrictions on their employment and movement, barring them from desirable housing and job opportunities.
Palestinian political activist Ali Abu Rizeq commented:
"The reports circulating about Arab countries refusing to receive the released [Palestinian] prisoners on their soil are unfortunately true and extremely painful... The Arab stance indicates a new level of decline and deterioration that has afflicted the Arab political system, as a whole. So far, no country other than Turkey and Malaysia has received Palestinian prisoners."
Dr. Fayez Abu Shamala, a Palestinian academic and former mayor of the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, lashed out at the Arab countries for refusing to host the released prisoners:
"The Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli prisons cannot find a single Arab country willing to receive them, as if they [the ex-prisoners] have become a virus of pain that would spread in their countries."
Mohammed Arafat, a social media activist from the Gaza Strip, wrote on X: "It is truly regrettable, indeed shameful. Where is Arab solidarity? Where is chivalry?"
The refusal of the Arab countries to absorb Palestinians (including the ex-prisoners) is not only another sign of hypocrisy but also proof why it would be a mistake to rely on the Arab countries to help rebuild and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
US President Donald J. Trump, who seems to be pinning his hopes on the Arabs to assist in funding and establishing a new government as well as deploying an international force in the Gaza Strip, needs to bear in mind that most of the Arab heads of state and regimes actually do not care about the Palestinians.
By now, most Arab heads of state see Palestinians as having caused immeasurable harm wherever they have gone and as having rewarded with treachery whoever stretched out a hand to them.
For the Arab leaders, the Palestinian issue is just another tool to advance their own political objectives, shore up their own popular support at home, or unite various factions against a common enemy.
Trump might be reminded that earlier this year, several key Arab countries such as Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, "firmly" rejected his plan to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Most Arab leaders, in short, will continue to pretend that they are eager to help the US administration with its efforts to implement Trump's 20-point plan for peace in the Gaza Strip. In reality, the Arabs will continue to do their utmost to stay away from the Palestinians -- apart from helping them to regroup in the Gaza Strip.
*Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.
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© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.

Where Will Sudan's 'Third Genocide' Lead Next?
Amb. Alberto M. Fernandez/Sudan | MEMRI Daily Brief No. 866/November 18/ 2025
There are mercifully few modern nation states that have endured a mass killing bad enough to be called a genocide. But there is a country that has endured such a type of killing not once or twice but three times. That country is Sudan, and all three were inflicted by Sudanese on Sudanese.
There were repeated calls back in the day that the Sudan government's cruel war against South Sudanese (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) was genocidal.[1] A similar description was used to describe the war (2003-2019) waged by the Khartoum regime, using both SAF and RSF, against rebel groups and the civilian population in Darfur.[2]
The world, and policymakers, have recently been sensitized to the slaughter in Sudan when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured in late October 2025 the major Darfur city of El Fasher from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).[3] SAF seems to have negotiated some sort of withdrawal from the town with the RSF, ending a brutal 18-month siege.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians remained once SAF fled El Fasher and RSF killed thousands of them – one credible account speaks of 7,000 civilians killed but no one actually knows. And while many have been killed directly by RSF, based on perceived tribal or political affiliation or mere bloodlust, many others will have succumbed indirectly to hunger, poverty, and despair. The living, those that made it to SAF-controlled or rebel (SLA-Abdul Wahid) territory or have been left alone by RSF, are in poor condition. This would be Sudan's third genocide.
Sudan is the world's worst humanitarian crisis and has been so even when global headlines focused only on Gaza or Ukraine. Perhaps 150-200,000 have been killed in the war, about 13 million Sudanese have been displaced internally or fled to foreign countries, and more than half the country's population (24.6 million) is experiencing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above).[4]
Sudan has been at war for most of its history since independence in 1955. All of Sudan's wars were internal ones, waged by rebel groups against Khartoum or by the Khartoum regime against regions along the periphery, against marginalized and often "non-Arab" populations. Ethnicity has been a factor, one of several, in every one of Sudan's wars.[5] The civil war that started in April 2023 between RSF and SAF is different in scope because it has not only raged in the periphery, in regions like Darfur but because much of it took place in the country's heartland, in Khartoum and the Nile Valley, causing unprecedented damage to the country's already stressed economy and infrastructure.
Since the fall of El Fasher, the media and political pressure has been, understandably, on the RSF, its bloody actions and the extensive support the force reportedly receives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[6] Many Sudanese believe that without the UAE, the RSF would be easily defeated by SAF, which now describes its former long-time partner in crime as "terrorists." SAF, which now is larger than the RSF, is armed or supported by a variety of states, including Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Qatar, and Eritrea. And while much has been made of the cruel siege the RSF imposed on El Fasher, SAF has simultaneously waged a similar hunger war against the rebel-held Nuba Mountains region, SAF has committed these war crimes against the Nuba, on and off, for decades.[7]
The latest plan to end the war, if there is a plan, seems to be to pressure the UAE to stop supporting its client RSF.[8] Or to pressure both sides to accept a humanitarian ceasefire (SAF is resistant to negotiate with RSF and RSF negotiates in bad faith).[9] Both sides still dream and work for military victory in the days ahead and are gearing up for further conflict.[10] Both sides are looking for new weapons, reinforcements and new allies wherever they can find them while maneuvering for advantage, for securing a winning edge.[11] We do not know who will win on the battlefield, but we already know who the loser is: the Sudanese people.[12]
The past genocidal conflicts in Sudan ended at the negotiating table. Those that say that the RSF is more "genocidal" than SAF are right. But only as a matter of degree. There is nothing that the RSF is doing now against the civilian population – mass murder, rape, looting on a wide scale – that it did not already do in the past, with the army, with SAF, and now against SAF. SAF rule today is more controlled, less chaotic – the more orderly rule of the mafia over that of a crude street gang of thugs – than that of the RSF although the two seem evenly matched in terms of actual combat.
While both still dream of ultimate victory, both groups seem to have backed themselves into a corner. RSF has been so brutal and so out of control that it is almost impossible to see it as any kind of stable force in Sudan's future. Because of its crimes, it is despised by many Sudanese who are – rightly – skeptical of SAF and all its works. But RSF, and the Arab tribes who form its core, also know what awaits them should they lose. They will be exterminated or forced to flee the country (a process that could destabilize other countries in the African Sahel) and likely face international tribunals. They are fighting for survival.
SAF has sold its followers on a vision of total victory that is hard to back off from. Some kind of peace conference that rehabilitates RSF or a de facto division of Sudan would be seen as akin to treason by SAF's enthusiastic supporters, it would be a betrayal of SAF's entire narrative and identity since 1955. For them, SAF is Sudan.[13]
The next stage seems relatively clear. An attempt by both sides at a knockout blow in Kordofan, a region (376,000 square kilometers) larger than the entire Federal Republic of Germany (356,000 square kilometers). RSF will try to take key SAF strongholds – El Obeid, Babanusa, Dilling, Kadugli – in the region and, at least, force a draw and partition. But this is fluid desert conflict across vast distances with multiple frontlines. Both victories and defeats can be fleeting.
SAF will look to hold on and is trying to trap RSF in Kordofan while eventually opening another front somewhere in RSF's rear in Darfur and strengthening its command of the air (dented by RSF's use of drones). Rather than merely controlling territory, SAF seeks to destroy piecemeal RSF offensive formations.[14] RSF's best – most maneuverable and capable – core forces are rather small.
Reportedly, the UAE (for RSF) and Egypt and Turkey (for SAF) have assured their respectively clients that they will do all they can to ensure that they are not defeated.[15] The war is escalating at least one more time before the international community tries, however weakly, to force an end.[16] Winter is prime fighting weather in Sudan and winter has arrived.
*Alberto M. Fernandez is Vice President of MEMRI.
[1] Persecutionproject.savethenuba.com/general/million-dead-counting-president, September 1, 2011.
[2] Icc-cpi.int/darfur
[3] Newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-fall-of-el-fasher, November 7, 2025.
[4] Theglobeandmail.com/world/article-sudan-war-displaced-aid-agencies-humanitarian-crisis-rsf-el-fasher, November 13, 2025.
[5] X.com/AyinSudan/status/1988269064997757210, November 11, 2025.
[6] Foreignaffairs.com/sudan/terror-returns-darfur, November 6, 2025.
[7] Telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/sudan-war-famine-nuba-malnutrition-starvation-conflict/?msockid=106e9c3bff4c6dc012f993e7fe1e6c65, February 14, 2025.
[8] Bbc.com/news/articles/c17p1nwy7q8o, November 14, 2025.
[9] Sudantribune.com/article/307268
[10] Ncmes.org/4346, June 2, 2025.
[11] Alrewayaalola.net/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d9%88%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%a8%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%b6%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d8%b5%d8%b1-%d9%88%d8%a3%d8%af%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d9%8a%d8%a7, October 27, 2025.
[12] Apnews.com/article/sudan-war-rsf-army-famine-children-killings-213e8d787c40ddcb5a62679c0377ede2, July 25, 2025.
[13] Siyasatarabiya.dohainstitute.org/ar/issue071/Pages/art04.aspx, November 2024.
[14] Asdaasudania.com/17/70879, November 17, 2025.
[15] 3ayin.com/en/elfasher-5-, November 14, 2025.
[16] Brookings.edu/articles/sudans-deadly-divide-the-rsf-and-safs-reign-of-terror/

Saudi-US alliance under MBS: A blueprint for regional and global stability
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Al Arabiya English/18 November/2025
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) of Saudi Arabia is making a highly significant visit to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump. This visit is not merely ceremonial; it represents a deepening of one of the most consequential partnerships in the modern Middle East. Both the United States and Saudi Arabia hold extraordinary influence in regional and global affairs, and under MBS’s leadership, the Kingdom has increasingly positioned itself as a proactive agent of diplomacy, stability, and economic development. This meeting underscores the mutual interest of both nations in promoting peace, security, and prosperity, not just in the Middle East but across the globe. Saudi Arabia has, under MBS, emerged as a regional mediator and stabilizing force, playing a constructive role in some of the Middle East’s most intractable crises. For instance, the Kingdom has been actively engaged in efforts to reduce the intensity of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, leveraging its influence to facilitate dialogue between rival factions and support ceasefire agreements. These efforts are emblematic of a broader Saudi approach that prioritizes negotiation and humanitarian considerations alongside strategic interests. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has signaled readiness to contribute to the recovery and reconstruction of Syria, seeking to support stabilization efforts while fostering regional development. These initiatives demonstrate that the Kingdom, traditionally viewed primarily as an oil powerhouse, is increasingly functioning as a diplomatic force for peace – one that aligns closely with US interests in regional security and humanitarian stability.
Beyond crisis mediation, Saudi Arabia under MBS has also focused on strengthening security architecture across the region. The Kingdom has taken proactive measures to counter destabilizing influences, whether through diplomatic pressure, strategic partnerships, or direct engagement in regional security issues. Its involvement in Lebanon, Palestine, and broader Gulf affairs highlights a commitment to shaping a more stable Middle East.
The Washington visit provides an opportunity for the United States to solidify this alignment, transforming it into a coordinated framework of regional peacekeeping, crisis management, and strategic deterrence. By combining American technological and military advantages with Saudi regional influence and leadership, the two nations can form a highly effective partnership capable of addressing both immediate and long-term security challenges.
One of the most compelling aspects of Saudi Arabia under MBS is the Kingdom’s emerging role as a model of diplomacy and international engagement. Rather than merely following US direction, Riyadh is increasingly demonstrating independent strategic vision.
MBS’s leadership has emphasized proactive negotiation, forward-looking economic policies, and innovative approaches to international challenges. The Kingdom’s efforts in Sudan, Syria, and other regional crises reflect a deliberate strategy to act as a trusted mediator, earning credibility not only with Western powers but also with countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
This dual role – as a regional power and as a bridge between competing interests – positions Saudi Arabia as an essential partner for the United States, one whose influence can be leveraged to stabilize hotspots and foster constructive international dialogue.
The US-Saudi partnership also extends to areas of technological, industrial, and defense collaboration, which are crucial for the next stage of both nations’ strategic ambitions.
The United States and Saudi Arabia can enhance cooperation in defense, security, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology sectors, creating a foundation for mutual innovation and protection. The potential sale of F-35 stealth aircraft and other cutting-edge military equipment is not merely a transactional deal but a step toward interoperable security frameworks that allow both nations to respond rapidly to threats and operate cohesively in complex conflict scenarios.
In parallel, joint investment in AI, cloud computing, and high-tech infrastructure presents opportunities to cultivate economic interdependence while advancing technological modernization. These collaborative projects reinforce the strategic depth of the partnership, demonstrating that it is rooted not only in immediate security concerns but also in long-term technological and economic growth.
The strategic importance of this partnership cannot be overstated. By working together, the United States and Saudi Arabia under MBS have the potential to shape a stable, secure, and prosperous Middle East, with far-reaching implications for global peace and economic growth. Saudi Arabia’s evolving diplomatic posture, combined with its regional credibility and economic clout, allows the US to advance its strategic objectives more effectively. In turn, American technological, military, and institutional strengths provide Riyadh with the tools necessary to maximize its role as a stabilizing force. Together, the two nations exemplify a model of power exercised responsibly, anchored in cooperation, and guided by long-term vision.
In conclusion, MBS’s Washington visit marks a pivotal moment for US-Saudi relations. It is a demonstration of what can be achieved when two powerful nations align not only strategically but also diplomatically. The United States can capitalize on Saudi Arabia’s role under MBS to promote peace and security, while both nations can continue to strengthen cooperation in defense, technology, and economic development. This partnership is not just a bilateral arrangement; it is a blueprint for regional and global stability, a forward-looking collaboration that leverages the strengths of each nation to address the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. By deepening this partnership, both the United States and Saudi Arabia are poised to play an increasingly influential role in shaping a more secure, prosperous, and peaceful world.

Why Normalization with Israel Will Revive Saudi Arabia
Hussain Abdul-Hussain/This Is Beirut/November 18/2025
Saudi Arabia risks irrelevance by tying its future to the failed Palestinian cause.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly losing regional relevance, with Sunni rivals Qatar and Turkey encroaching on its traditional leadership roles. The Kingdom’s economy remains mired in second gear, unable to transition from oil dependency to a knowledge-based model. Riyadh’s repeated promises of financial windfalls to the U.S. now appear to be unfulfilled pledges. No country stands to gain more from immediate, unconditional normalization with Israel than Saudi Arabia, both in terms of regional influence and economic diversification. Yet Riyadh clings to the outdated “land for peace” framework—first offered by Israel in 1967 and long since abandoned by Jerusalem—despite Saudi irrelevance in today’s geopolitical reality. Riyadh continues to follow an antiquated playbook: rely on oil revenues, dangle economic incentives before global powers, and insist on “peace for a Palestinian state,” or more recently, a mere “pathway to statehood.” This stance persists even as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Hamas fail to agree on basic governance issues—such as allowing a non-partisan technocratic committee to manage post-war Gaza—let alone a pathway to anything.
But without governance capabilities, there is no number of concessions that Israel can offer to secure a pathway to anything Palestinian.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has become one of Saudi Arabia’s most transformative leaders. He directly addressed three longstanding U.S. concerns in the post-9/11 era: an aging leadership, unclear succession, and excessive deference to Islamist radicals. At 29, as defense minister, MBS decisively dismantled domestic Islamist extremism. He secured a clear line of succession—becoming the first grandson of the kingdom’s founder, Abdulaziz, with a real chance of becoming king—and launched Vision 2030 to pivot the economy toward knowledge, innovation, and services.
This required ending Saudi regional problems, including normalizing ties with Israel, opening airspace to all, including Israeli flights, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a central node in global trade corridors like the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), which also includes the Jewish state. MBS also replaced decades of defensive pacifism with proactive security policies, taking military action against Houthi threats in Yemen.
Then came October 7, 2023. Hamas’s massacre of 1,200 Israelis triggered a devastating two-year war that derailed Saudi-Israeli normalization. Riyadh further retreated from several policies:
When Israel confronted Iran—long a Saudi strategic interest—Riyadh remained neutral and publicly condemned Israeli actions.
At U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace summit in Egypt, Saudi Arabia was conspicuously absent from the table, where the U.S., Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar sat.
In Syria, Riyadh backed new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa just weeks after hosting Bashar al-Assad at the Arab Summit, indicating that the Saudis do not have a clear plan for the country. The jury is still out on Sharaa.
In Lebanon, after sidelining the Hariri family and aligning solely with Christian leader Samir Geagea, Saudi Arabia watched Qatar and Turkey dominate the 2025 municipal elections in Sunni-populated areas. Scrambling to recover, Riyadh revived ties with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and courted Assad-aligned Sunni figures like Faisal Karami—clear signs of lost influence over Lebanon’s Sunni community, historically a Saudi stronghold.
Qatar is now helping fund the Lebanese Armed Forces and wields unprecedented sway in Washington. Turkey asserts its leadership across the Arab world. Saudi Arabia, once the region’s preeminent Sunni power, now occupies the back seat—watching others shape outcomes it can no longer control.
Even in dealing with the Palestinians, Riyadh clings to the discredited PLO, long after the international community abandoned one of the most corrupt and ineffective organizations in modern history. Just as PLO leaders now watch their fate being decided on television, Saudi Arabia, too, risks irrelevance by tying its future to a failed cause.
The $600 billion investment pledge that Riyadh has dangled since Trump’s first term has lost leverage. With Saudi GDP per capita now ranking fourth in the GCC and globally behind Slovenia, Riyadh must break from convention. A bold declaration of full and unconditional normalization with Israel would upend the regional order. It would outmaneuver Turkey—which maintains diplomatic ties with Israel—and Qatar, which engages Israel informally but refuses formal relations.
Saudi normalization with Israel would unlock high-tech partnerships, aviation routes, and trade corridors, accelerating Vision 2030 and restoring Saudi centrality.
MBS once championed “Saudi First.” Reviving that vision means cutting loose the Palestinian anchor, embracing Israel without preconditions, and reclaiming regional dominance—the way Saudi Arabia did from 1945 to 2005.
If MBS fails to act, his Tuesday meeting with Trump at the White House will be just another photo opportunity. But if he seizes this moment, Saudi Arabia can reclaim its throne—not through oil but through bold, forward-looking leadership.

Selected Face Book & X tweets for November 18/2025 
U.S. Embassy Beirut
U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss U.S.-Lebanese bilateral relations. Ambassador Issa reiterated U.S. support for the government of Lebanon reasserting authority over all of Lebanon, for the benefit of all its citizens.

Charles Elias Chartouni
Senator Joni Ernst Statement:
Disappointed by this statement from @LebArmyOfficial.
The LAF are a strategic partner, and — as I discussed with the CHOD in August — Israel has given Lebanon a real opportunity to free itself from Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists. Instead of seizing that opportunity and working together to disarm Hezbollah, the CHOD is shamefully directing blame at Israel.

Lindsey Graham
It is clear that the Lebanese Chief Head of Defense -- because of a reference to Israel as the enemy and his weak almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah -- is a giant setback for efforts to move Lebanon forward. This combination makes the Lebanese Armed Forces not a very good investment for America.

Joni Ernst
@SenJoniErnst
Disappointed by this statement from
@LebArmyOfficial/The LAF are a strategic partner, and — as I discussed with the CHOD in August — Israel has given Lebanon a real opportunity to free itself from Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists. Instead of seizing that opportunity and working together to disarm Hezbollah, the CHOD is shamefully directing blame at Israel.

Tom Harb
Thank you, Senator Lindsey Graham, for taking notice of the Lebanese army’s behavior and the Lebanese government’s unwillingness to take action against Hezbollah and to implement UNSCR 1559—instead just blaming Israel. You have made the right decision by canceling the meeting with the head of the Lebanese army, General Rodolphe Haykal. Our tax money must provide a return on investment in Lebanon. Hopefully, President Joseph Aoun will read the Trump administration very well and replace the head of the army with someone willing to get the job done soon!

charles chartouni
It’s over with these jerks in power. We are in a true crisis of legitimacy. This country is disintegrating.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
After suffering in Washington, where his handpicked Lebanese Armed Forces commander General Haykal had all his meetings cancelled and was forced to return prematurely to Beirut, Lebanon’s President Aoun is now trying to patch things up with America by leaking statements that Hezbollah is militarily finished and that he stood up to Iran when it raised the issue of Lebanon’s Shia.The problem is, no one believes Aoun anymore. Instead of Lebanon dismantling Hezbollah, the pro-Iran militia is quickly rebuilding its capabilities to restore pre-war levels. Aoun needs far more than words to win America back. If he fails, Israel might intensify its maintenance airstrikes starting next year, and the strikes could continue indefinitely, keeping the country at war and the economy depressed. Now is the time for true leadership in disarming Hezbollah. If Aoun fails, he will spend the remaining five years of his term irrelevant.

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Yup. And mind you, no one invested in Lebanon State and military more than Sen. Graham but the Lebanese don’t seem to be willing to help themselves, always whine and blame Israel for their unwillingness to do anything (and this incompetence started in 2000 after unilateral Israeli withdrawal).

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