English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For March 07-08/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
The Prodigal Son Parable
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke
15/11-32/:”The Lord Jesus says: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger
of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will
belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the
younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he
squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a
severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So
he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent
him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the
pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came
to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and
to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and
I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no
longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ “So
he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father
saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and
kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and
before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”But the father said to
his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe the best one and put it on him; put a
ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it,
and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. ‘Now his elder son was
in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and
dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied,
“Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he
has got him back safe and sound.”Then he became angry and refused to go in. His
father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father,
“Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I
have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat
so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back,
who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for
him!”Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is
mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of
yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on March 07-08/2026
What Do Temptation & the Lost Son Parable Teach Us?/Elias Bejjani/From
2011 Archives
Elias Bejjani/Link to my interview on Al-Hawiya Youtube Channel
The War on Lebanon Continues
The War on Hezbollah-The Iranian Terrorist Proxy Continues
Links for News sites
Link to a video interview with Colonel Charbel Barakat from the "Transparency"
youtube p-latform/
Video link for an interview with Etienne Sakr (Abu Arz) from "Transparency"
website
Abu Arz attacks Palestinians: "Shame on those who wear a Keffiyeh in Lebanon!"
Link to Video Interview with Journalist and Writer Nadim Koteich (Sky News)
“Iran as a regime is finished, and the era of the Supreme Leader’s rule is over.
Yes to the division of Iran.”
Nadim Koteich to Abbas Araghchi/Post on X – March 7, 2026
Video Comment by Nadim Koteich/“The Muslim Brotherhood Are More Dangerous Than
Ballistic Missiles and Drones”
Video link for an interview with writer and director Youssef Y. Al-Khoury from
"Al-Hawiya" website/With the text of Al-Khoury’s article titled "A State of
Words… and a Party of Actions."
Video Link: Interview with former Minister Youssef Salameh from "Al-Hawiya"
website, with the text of a message addressed to President Joseph Aoun
The State of Words… and the Party of Actions/Youssef El. Khoury – Writer and
Director (Free translation from Arabic by: Elias Bejjani)
Open Letter to President Joseph Aoun From Colonel Charbel Barakat: Let us put an
end to the time of retreat, subservience, and waiting.
Israel’s Netanyahu pressures Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah
Over 150 Iranian nationals leave Lebanon including diplomats: Reuters
Israeli defense minister warns Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah or pay 'heavy price'
Israel issues new evacuation orders over strikes in south Lebanon
Israeli strikes on east Lebanon during commando operation killed 41
Hezbollah clashes with Israeli troops who make helicopter landings in east
Lebanon
Save your lives:’ Israeli army orders residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs to
evacuate
Lebanese army holds emergency meeting amid Israeli escalation
Israeli army warns remaining residents of Beirut's southern suburbs to evacuate
Haykal says Israeli troops who staged al-Nabi Sheet raid wore Lebanese Army-like
uniforms
Lebanon reports over 112,000 people in shelters amid ongoing crisis
Israeli army says found no remains of Ron Arad in Lebanon operation
UN coordinator for Lebanon calls for talks with Israel
Israel says eight soldiers wounded near Lebanese border
Norway aid group says Israeli strikes have displaced 300,000 in Lebanon
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on March 07-08/2026
News of the ongoing war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on
the other.
News sits'Links
Israeli army says has conducted 3,400 strikes on Iran since war began
Netanyahu says Israel will carry on Iran war 'with all our force'
Trump says Iran 'will be hit very hard', threatens to expand targets
Trump says only Iran's 'unconditional surrender' can end war
One person killed in Dubai by debris from aerial interception
Cracks emerge in Iran’s leadership as it reels under bombardment
Israel has ‘a systematic plan to eradicate the Iranian regime,’ Netanyahu says
US and Israel are seeking ‘disintegration of Iran,’ Larijani says
Turkey warns against efforts to stir up civil war in Iran
Israel says struck 16 IRGC aircraft at Tehran airport
Iran says it will continue attacking neighboring countries
UAE is in a time of war but is no easy prey, president says
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published on March 07-08/2026
Question: What role does Iran play in the end times?/GotQuestions.org/March
08/2026
The Only Brave Leaders Standing Against Iran's Reign of Terror/Dr. Majid
Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/March 07/2026
The Curious Case of 'Anti-Zionists'/Nils A. Haug//Gatestone Institute/March
06/2026
Iran's New Proxy: Sudan/Robert Williams/Gatestone Institute/March 04/2026
Israel and Somaliland: Size Matters... So Does Location/Lawrence A. Franklin/Gatestone
Institute/March 05/2026
Iran at a Strategic Turning Point/Ahmed Charai/Gatestone Institute/March 03/2026
Bangladesh: Escalating Islamic Extremism and the Exploitation of Ali Khamenei's
Death/Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury/Gatestone Institute/March 4, 2026
The global economic fallout of the US-Israel war on Iran/Cornelia Meyer/Al
arabiya English/March 08/2026
on March 07-08/2026
What Do Temptation & the Lost Son Parable Teach Us?
Elias Bejjani/From 2011 Archives
On the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Maronite Catholic Church reflects on the
Parable of the Lost Son, also known as the Prodigal Son. This powerful parable
illustrates the dangers of temptation, the consequences of sin, and the
boundless mercy of God.
The younger son, driven by selfishness and impulsive desires, fell into the trap
of temptation. He demanded his share of his father’s inheritance and abandoned
his home, seeking pleasure and indulgence in a distant land. However, his
reckless lifestyle led to ruin. He squandered everything and soon found himself
penniless, starving, humiliated, and utterly alone.
In the depths of his suffering, he experienced a moment of clarity—he recognized
his folly and longed for his father’s house. With humility and determination, he
resolved to return, confess his sins, and ask for forgiveness. To his
astonishment, his loving father welcomed him with open arms, rejoicing at his
repentance and restoring him to his rightful place as a son.
This parable serves as a guiding light for repentance and divine forgiveness. It
teaches us that no matter how far we stray, God’s mercy is always within reach.
Our Heavenly Father never abandons us; He patiently waits for our return, ready
to forgive and embrace us with infinite love. The Holy Bible urges us to turn to
God in times of doubt, weakness, hardship, and injustice:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will
be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds,
and to the one who knocks, it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
All we need to do is approach Him with faith, humility, and confidence—He will
answer our prayers.
“Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)
Even when we disobey His teachings and stray from His path, God remains a loving
and compassionate Father. Despite our sins, defiance, and ingratitude, He never
gives up on our salvation. His love for us is so profound that He sacrificed His
only begotten Son, who endured suffering and crucifixion to redeem us. God
carries our burdens and strengthens us against the temptations of evil:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden
is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
God is waiting for our repentance. Let us return to Him with sincere hearts and
seek His forgiveness—before it is too late.
Reading in the Lost Son Parable
The Parable of the Lost Son illustrates sin as a departure from God and the
communion with Him, represented by the Church. It is a detachment from the Giver
in pursuit of His gifts. The younger son exemplifies this by squandering his
share of his father’s wealth in a distant land, forsaking both sonship and
familial bonds.
This parable highlights the devastating consequences of sin—losing the dignity
of sonship and descending into spiritual, moral, and social decay. The son’s
destitution symbolizes this degradation. Repentance begins with self-reflection,
acknowledging one’s wretched state before God, feeling remorse for straying, and
making a firm decision to return. It involves confessing sins, striving to avoid
their causes, and making amends through acts of goodness and mercy—just as the
lost son returned to his father.
At its heart, the parable conveys the boundless mercy of the Heavenly Father,
who eagerly awaits sinners’ return. The father’s joyous reception of his son
echoes the Gospel’s recurring theme: God rejoices over a repentant heart.
The symbols in the parable underscore the blessings of reconciliation:
The lavish robe represents the grace granted at baptism—tarnished by sin but
restored through repentance.
The ring signifies restored sonship, affirming divine faithfulness despite human
failings and sealing the bond of honesty.
The new shoes symbolize the path of righteousness opened to those who return in
repentance.
The feast with the fattened calf reflects the Eucharistic banquet, a symbol of
partaking in the divine sacrifice and communion with the Lord.
The elder son, who resents his brother’s reconciliation, represents those who
fail to grasp its transformative power. One who has not experienced God’s
forgiveness cannot extend it to others. Thus, the Church plays a vital role in
guiding individuals toward reconciliation with God, thereby fostering
reconciliation among people.
Elias Bejjani/Link to my
interview on Al-Hawiya Youtube Channel
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/02/152507/
A scientific, factual, and historical exposé on the reality of the rogue
Hezbollah gang—composed of mercenaries, criminals, and traitors—and the
necessity of deporting its members, leaders, and weaponry to Iran. A
'striptease' exposure of The Lebanese political parties 'corporations,'
politicians, and media figures, as well as many of the clerics and figures
hatched in the incubators of foreign occupations. The interview proposes
solutions to liberate Lebanon from Iranian occupation and the rotten political
and partisan class, without exceptions; for whoever collaborated with the
occupier and accepted being a tool for the slaughter of our people must depart
alongside them.
February 28/2026
The War on Hezbollah-The Iranian Terrorist Proxy Continues
LCCC website
The just war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran and its
proxies—devils, terrorists, drug traffickers, and mafia networks—continues
relentlessly and will not stop before their complete defeat.
To follow the news, below are links to several news websites:
National News Agency (Lebanon)
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
MTV Lebanon
https://www.mtv.com.lb/
Voice of Lebanon
https://www.vdl.me/
Asas Media
https://asasmedia.com/
Naharnet
https://www.naharnet.com/
Al Markazia News Agency
https://almarkazia.com/ar
LBCI (English)
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/en
LBCI (Arabic)
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/ar
Janoubia Website
https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/ar
Kataeb Party Official Website
https://www.kataeb.org
Link to a video interview with Colonel Charbel Barakat
from the "Transparency" youtube p-latform/
March 6, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152577/
The following interview, titled "A Sovereign and Historical Reflection on the
History and Causes of the Palestinian, Syrian, and Iranian Occupations of
Lebanon," was recently featured on the "Transparency" (and Dawayer Online)
platforms.
In this comprehensive military and political testimony, Colonel Barakat provides
an incisive analysis of the factors that led to the erosion of Lebanese
sovereignty:
Historical Context: A deep dive into the 1976 war and the disastrous Cairo
Agreement, which he identifies as the catalyst for the subsequent tragedies in
South Lebanon.
The Chain of Occupations: He outlines the progression from the Palestinian and
Syrian presence to the current Iranian occupation through Hezbollah and its
local proxies.
The Political Class: A blunt assessment of the "misery and Trojanism" of the
official political and partisan class, whose lack of vision allowed Lebanon to
become a regional battlefield.
The Path to Liberation: Despite the current challenges, the Colonel offers
positive expectations for Lebanon’s liberation from Iranian influence,
envisioning a future where Lebanon regains its freedom and enters a phase of
stability and peace with Israel and the rest of the region.
Video link for an interview with Etienne Sakr (Abu Arz) from "Transparency"
website
Abu Arz attacks Palestinians: "Shame on those who wear a Keffiyeh in Lebanon!"
March 06, 2026
[Link:
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152572/]
Introduction to Etienne Sakr (Abu Arz) interview from Transparency website:
In a fiery episode of the program "Politics and People" with media personality
Patricia Samaha, the founder of the Guardians of the Cedars party, Etienne Sakr
(Abu Arz), appears to trigger a series of shocking positions regarding the
future of Lebanon and the region.
Are we facing a new Middle East controlled by Israel? And why does Abu Arz
consider peace with Israel to be the only savior for Lebanon? Sakr speaks with
absolute frankness about the imminent "fall of the Iranian regime," considering
that Hezbollah is nothing but a "cancer" hijacking the Lebanese Shia community.
He also launches a scathing attack on the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian
presence in Lebanon, revealing his vision for the return of the "Guardians of
the Cedars" to the political arena soon.
Timecodes:
00:00 Does Israel control the Middle East? A surprising response from Abu Arz.
02:34 The Iranian regime and playing with fire in the Gulf and Europe.
04:25 Etienne Sakr’s prophecy: The moment of Iran’s collapse and partition.
06:08 Regime change or behavior change? "He who grows up on something, grows old
with it."
06:56 The moment that shocked everyone: Why do we need peace with Israel now?
07:55 A sharp attack on the Palestinian cause: "It does not concern me at all."
09:38 The truth about the Lebanese Army's withdrawal from the South and upcoming
arrangements.
10:45 Terms for ending the war: Permanently preventing the existence of
"Hezbollah."
13:21 Will Etienne Sakr return via Beirut Airport or Ben Gurion?
14:56 "Hezbollah is a cancer".. A call to liberate the Shia community.
16:02 The return of the Guardians of the Cedars: Resetting cadres and centers.
Link to Video Interview with Journalist and Writer Nadim
Koteich (Sky News)
“Iran as a regime is finished, and the era of the Supreme Leader’s rule is over.
Yes to the division of Iran.”
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152593/
“The UAE represents the opposite model to the mullahs’ regime.”
“Israel is a country of the region and it will remain.”
“Why should we broadcast the ‘devilish’ opposing view that says ‘never air it’?”
“The Muslim Brotherhood are more dangerous than ballistic missiles and drones.”
March 7, 2026
Journalist and political commentator Nadim Koteich said that the statements made
by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed carried clear messages both domestically and
internationally, emphasizing that the United Arab Emirates is capable of
protecting itself.
In a broader analysis of the regional escalation, Koteich argued that the
targeting of the UAE reflects a deeper confrontation with the model the country
represents—one of stability, openness, and development. He suggested that what
is unfolding today is essentially a clash between two competing projects in the
Middle East.
Koteich also discussed Iran’s future following the recent military strikes, the
possibility of changes in the nature of the Iranian regime, and the
repercussions of the escalation on Lebanon and the role of Hezbollah, as well as
potential scenarios for the next phase amid continuing regional tensions.
Nadim Koteich to Abbas Araghchi
(Post on X – March 7, 2026)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152593/
Your president has become a laughingstock today—exposed by the real rulers of
Iran: the Revolutionary Guard gang.
This morning he apologized and promised that attacks on the UAE would stop. Yet
the missiles continued. That moment alone—this very contradiction—tells the
entire story of what Iran has become today.
Zero democracy. Zero institutions.
When an elected president publicly makes a promise, only to be immediately
overruled by a force that is supposedly under his command, that is neither a
republic nor a democracy. It is a gang running a puppet show. Your president
himself is nothing more than a public-relations campaign, not a head of state.
A bankrupt ideology.
Forty-seven years of chanting “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” have
translated in reality into 50% of their actual attacks being directed at the UAE—not
Tel Aviv and not Washington. Those slogans were never genuine expressions of
doctrine; they were a marketing campaign. What truly drives the gang in Tehran
is an addiction to influence and plunder, and an obsession with punishing any
Arab country that prospers, develops, and grows without Tehran’s permission.
A disgraceful military power.
Khamenei has turned to ashes. First-tier leadership has been assassinated. Your
militias—from Beirut to Baghdad, from Sana’a to Syria—have retreated or been
systematically dismantled. All of this is due to the deep level of infiltration
eating away at your system. What remains? Drones targeting civilians? That is
not deterrence. That is a defeated boxer throwing random punches on the way back
to the locker room.
Abu Dhabi is under attack tonight not because Iran is strong—but because it is
collapsing.
Zero democracy.
Zero ideology.
Zero military strength.
This is not a state.
It is a gang living through its final chapter.
Video Comment by Nadim Koteich
“The Muslim Brotherhood Are More Dangerous Than Ballistic Missiles and Drones”
(Post on X – March 7, 2026)
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152593/
The UAE was not “obsessed” with the Muslim Brotherhood. It was accurately
anticipating the danger. At moments of crisis, the Brotherhood chose ideology
over their countries, effectively selling them out. They even issued religious
rulings declaring it forbidden to defend one’s homeland.
Video link for an interview with writer and director
Youssef Y. Al-Khoury from "Al-Hawiya" website
With the text of Al-Khoury’s article titled "A State of Words… and a Party of
Actions."
March 07, 2026
[Link:
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152559/]
Al-Hawiya website introduction for the interview with writer and director
Youssef Y. Al-Khoury:
In a "bone-breaking" episode of the program "The Power of Logic" via Al-Hawiya
platform, director and political activist Youssef Al-Khoury releases a set of
shocking positions that exceed the usual Lebanese political ceiling in his
dialogue with media personality Abdul Rahman Derniqa.
Main points of confrontation:
End of the Era: Why is Al-Khoury demanding the immediate resignation of
President Nawaf Salam and Army Commander Rudolf Heikal?
Partition Scenario: The truth about the separation of the South from Lebanon and
the fate of the Shia community in the coming period.
Reconstruction: A provocative legal proposal to confiscate the funds of the
Party's [Hezbollah] supporters to compensate for Lebanon's destruction.
Closing Mouths: Demanding the declaration of a state of emergency and banning
the broadcast of Naim Qassem's speeches on Lebanese screens.
Displaced Persons and Sovereignty: A sharp stance on the internal displacement
file and how the Israeli embarrassed the Lebanese state?
Video Link: Interview with former Minister Youssef Salameh
from "Al-Hawiya" website, with the text of a message addressed to President
Joseph Aoun
March 02, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152566/
Al-Hawiya website introduction for the interview with former Minister Youssef
Salameh
Who rules Lebanon? And how did the Party force the Lebanese to accept "peace"
with Israel to rid ourselves of the destruction?
#MiddleEast #TheIsraeliStrike #TheNorthernWar
In this exceptional episode, we dive deep into the burning Lebanese and regional
scene. Has the game reached its end? Former Minister Youssef Salameh breaks all
taboos and puts the dots on the i's regarding the most dangerous files:
Episode Axes:
The Northern Attacks: Is the Party dragging Lebanon into collective suicide for
the sake of external agendas?
The Iranian Earthquake: Post the American-Israeli strike... has the countdown
for the fall of the regime in Tehran begun?
The Role is Over: How has Washington exhausted Iran's "required" role in the
region, and has the time for change arrived?
Betrayal of Authority: The impotence and complicity of the Lebanese system in
the face of the mini-state’s encroachment upon the State.
The Difficult Choice: Why does Youssef Salameh believe that the Party's
criminality is what pushed the Lebanese to accept the option of peace with
Israel as a lifeline?
The Future of Leadership: The role of the Lebanese Army in the transitional
phase, and where do Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam stand regarding saving the
Republic?
Watch the full analysis that reveals "High Treason" and how Lebanon turned into
an arena for settling regional accounts.
Don't forget to subscribe to the channel and activate the bell to receive
everything new regarding political affairs.
The State of Words… and the Party of Actions
Youssef El. Khoury – Writer and Director (Free translation from
Arabic by: Elias Bejjani)
March 02, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152559/]
For nearly a year and a half, the Lebanese state has been practicing its
favorite pastime: polishing words.
It signs agreements that include disarmament, then trembles before the very word
as if it were forbidden.
It never says “disarmament.” Instead, it says: “weapons must be exclusively in
the hands of the state,” “the state must extend its sovereignty over all its
territory,” or “no weapons except those of the state.” And whenever
embarrassment grows, the rhetoric becomes more elaborate. The action, however,
happens somewhere else.
While the authorities were busy “respecting sensitivities,” Hezbollah’s
Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, openly declared that the weapons will not be
handed over. He did not whisper, and he did not maneuver. He said it plainly. He
even challenged the state on more than one symbolic occasion—such as the
lighting of the Raouché Rock in defiance of the Prime Minister’s decision, in a
scene that looked more like a display of power than a political stance.
Meanwhile, the state has not uttered even once the word it actually signed onto:
disarmament.
The excuses are always ready:
The army is not capable.
The army might split.
The country cannot bear it.
But history shows little mercy for such excuses.
When the army confronted the Palestinian forces in 1973, it achieved decisive
results.
When it fought the battle of Nahr al-Bared, it eliminated an entrenched
terrorist organization.
And when it launched the “Dawn of the Jurds” operation, it ended ISIS’s presence
on the border.
When the army is given a political decision, it fights.
When it is sidelined, it fractures.
That is what happened in 1975, when it was left without a decision—and the
country shattered for fifteen years.
So the problem is not the army. The problem is a leadership unwilling to decide.
Then came the American–Israeli war against Iran.
The Prime Minister stepped forward, betting on the “awareness of the Lebanese
people” not to be dragged into it.
Which Lebanese people?
Those who play with war and peace in this country are not “the people,” but one
party that holds the power to ignite the fire. The message should have been
addressed directly to that party—not to a population that does not possess a
single rocket.
The President also appeared, affirming that the decision of war and peace
belongs to the state. Yet on the very same day, rockets were launched from an
area that the army had reportedly cleared south of the Litani River, while
beginning to implement its plan north of it.
What does that mean?
It means Hezbollah effectively said: I decide.
It means it struck the state’s authority before both domestic and international
audiences.
It means it placed the Lebanese army under suspicion in the eyes of the
international community at a moment when Lebanon is preparing for a conference
to support the army.
It means it ignored calls for “restraint.”
And above all, it means it dragged Lebanon to the brink of a third war with a
militarily superior Israel—after the 2006 war and the 2024 “support war.”
Hezbollah has pushed the state into a crisis of its own making:
It signs agreements but does not implement them.
It issues statements but does not enforce them.
It collects taxes efficiently, yet fails to impose a single sovereign decision.
Even more dangerously, the party has placed the state in direct confrontation
with the United States and Israel, which had already conveyed clear diplomatic
warnings against Lebanese involvement in the regional war. The state thus
appeared like a guarantor without the ability to control what it guarantees.
Today the government issued a belated statement.
It banned Hezbollah’s security and military activities and called on the party
to confine itself to political work. Yet it also hastened to plead with the
international community to stop Israeli strikes on Lebanon—meaning on
Hezbollah—fearing accusations of being “with Israel.”
A late statement.
And in matters of war, delay is not a linguistic detail.
If this were a decisive government, it would have declared a state of emergency.
It would have announced that any party acting outside the state’s decision is
violating the law and committing high treason.
It would have ordered the public prosecutor to investigate anyone dragging the
country into war without legal authorization.
It would have halted any inciting rhetoric supporting the terrorist party and
pushing toward a destructive confrontation.
And it would have made participation in political life conditional upon explicit
commitment to the state’s sole authority—especially in matters of war.
That is how a state acts when it understands that sovereignty is not a slogan
but a decision that must be enforced.
Continuing to play with terminology will save no one. Sovereignty is not
restored through eloquent statements but through clear decisions. A state that
fears the word “disarmament” will never be able to impose “exclusivity.”
And if the authorities are incapable of bearing the responsibility of such
decisions, they should say so plainly—either resign or dismiss those
responsible.
Dismiss Hezbollah’s ministers from the government.
Dismiss the army commander from his post if he refuses to resign.
Remaining in the gray zone is the most dangerous form of paralysis.
Today marks the 146th day after the sixth year since the rebirth of the Phoenix.
Open Letter to President Joseph Aoun From Colonel
Charbel Barakat: Let us put an end to the time of retreat, subservience, and
waiting.
March 02/2026
Your Excellency Mr. President,
In light of the ongoing events that signal the collapse of tyrannical regimes in
the region — and the decline of their power built on exploiting the naivety of
citizens — and at a time when Lebanon has yet to heal from its deep wounds
inflicted by the agents and mercenaries of the Iranian clerical regime, we
witnessed a grave development.
Shortly after the government announced that it had assumed sole authority over
decisions of war and peace, an armed group (Hezbololah) operating outside the
law openly defied the state’s authority by launching rockets and drones,
brazenly claiming responsibility in a public statement issued by its leadership.
These actions were carried out on orders from Tehran, with no regard for
Lebanon’s interests or those of its people.
For half a century, the Lebanese people have endured injustice and suffering
caused by these killers and others like them. Throughout this period, they
prevented the establishment of a sovereign state and a responsible authority
capable of safeguarding national interests and protecting civilians at home and
abroad.
Today, with growing regional and international consensus on the need to
eliminate this destructive force once and for all and to join the promising path
of peace and prosperity, the time has come to act decisively. It is the duty of
the President of the Republic to demonstrate foresight, vision, and courage, and
to take the necessary steps to free Lebanon and its people from the dangers that
threaten them and to prevent the country from once again descending into a
spiral of violence.
Your Excellency, do not allow this historic opportunity to slip away — neither
for yourself nor for the Lebanese people. You are the captain of the ship and
fully aware of the details. You are a graduate of the Commando School and an
institution of loyalty, and your record has not been stained by corruption. You
carry the honor of belonging to a southern town that endured massacres without
betraying the nation or abandoning its duty. Let your position be firm and
visionary — worthy of the great leaders who build nations and advance them
toward progress and leadership.
We therefore await that the government under your leadership take the following
steps:
Declare the organization known as Hezbollah a terrorist entity operating outside
the law.
Prevent its ministers and members of parliament from representing the Lebanese
people.
Declare a state of emergency throughout the country, with all necessary measures
and provisions.
Coordinate with allied forces to secure and control all centers of sabotage and
their operatives, ensuring accountability and preventing further violations — so
that Lebanon, both government and people, may stand as a respected member among
nations shaping the future of the Middle East, rather than remaining a voiceless
subordinate awaiting rescue from those who bring destruction and then living
with the consequences of their actions.
If the Prime Minister and his cabinet are truly determined to free the country
from this ordeal and overcome the current crisis, then such efforts must be
carried out with unity and cohesion, as is happening among other peoples of the
region today. Otherwise, those who fear confronting the forces that have
destroyed homes and institutions, looted the state, and executed foreign agendas
without conscience or accountability should resign.
Furthermore, if any individuals within government institutions or the armed
forces continue to maintain questionable ties with this destructive network and
refuse to change course, they should step aside voluntarily before being removed
by force. Cleaning state institutions is essential. The unity and strength of
authority depend on clarity of decision and the courage to call things by their
proper names. The era of hesitation and manipulation has passed. Let us put an
end to the time of retreat, subservience, and waiting.
Israel’s Netanyahu pressures Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah
LBCI/March 08/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Lebanon’s government on Saturday
to enforce the ceasefire and disarm Hezbollah. “Your responsibility is to
enforce the ceasefire. Your responsibility is to disarm Hezbollah,” Netanyahu
said, warning that if this does not happen, Hezbollah’s actions “will bring
disastrous consequences to Lebanon.”
Over 150 Iranian nationals leave Lebanon including
diplomats: Reuters
LBCI/March 08/2026
More than 150 Iranian nationals, including diplomats and their families, left
Lebanon on Saturday, a senior Lebanese security source told Reuters, after an
Israeli military spokesperson threatened "representatives" of Iran in Lebanon.
The security source said they were being flown to Russia on a Russian plane, and
that another 20 Iranians had left on Friday following the start of a new war
between Hezbollah and Israel. An Israeli military spokesperson on Tuesday told
representatives of the Iranian government "still in Lebanon to leave
immediately before they are targeted."
Israeli defense minister warns Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah
or pay 'heavy price'
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday warned President Joseph Aoun
that Lebanon would pay a "very heavy price" if it fails to disarm Hezbollah.
Addressing the president, Katz said in a statement broadcast on Israeli
television that if "the choice becomes protecting our civilians and the safety
of our soldiers or Lebanon, we will choose to defend our civilians and our
soldiers, and the government of Lebanon and Lebanon will pay a very heavy
price." Israel sent ground troops to Lebanon and conducted many airstrikes on
the country this week after Hezbollah joined its ally Iran in strikes responding
to a U.S.-Israeli attack on the Islamic republic.
Israel issues new evacuation orders over strikes in south
Lebanon
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
Israel's military on Saturday warned residents in a district of Lebanon's Tyre
to evacuate ahead of strikes, and reiterated a demand for people to leave the
area south of the Litani River. The Israeli military said it would "soon strike
military infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization" in
the Zuqaq al-Mafdi area of the southern city of Tyre. In a separate warning a
military spokesman later urged those remaining south of the Litani, an area
covering hundreds of square kilometers, to move north, repeating a call the
military gave on Wednesday. "Strikes are ongoing as the army is operating with
great force in the area," the statement said. "For the sake of your safety you
must leave the area immediately."Many residents of villages in the area had
already fled northwards since the first Israeli warning. Israel sent ground
troops into Lebanon and conducted many air strikes on the country this week
after Hezbollah joined its ally Iran in attacking Israel in retaliation for the
U.S.-Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic. Hezbollah on Saturday warned
residents in a part of northern Israel that it was going to strike the area.
Israeli strikes on east Lebanon during commando operation killed 41
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
The Israeli military's strikes on east Lebanon, where Israeli forces carried out
a commando operation, killed 41 people, the Lebanese health ministry said on
Saturday. "The series of raids launched by the Israeli enemy on the town of al-Nabi
Sheet and surrounding towns in the Baalbek district resulted in a total of 41
citizens killed and 40 others wounded," the ministry said in a statement. A
previous toll had reported 16 killed and 35 wounded.
Hezbollah clashes with Israeli troops who make helicopter landings in east
Lebanon
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
Hezbollah on Saturday said it confronted Israeli troops that infiltrated an east
Lebanon town overnight, with Lebanese authorities reporting at least 16 killed
in Israeli strikes on the area. According to reports, the Israeli troops
excavated a cemetery there in search of the remains of missing Israeli pilot Ron
Arad. In a statement, Hezbollah said its fighters had "observed the infiltration
of four Israeli enemy army helicopters from the Syrian direction". After landing
and disembarking, the advancing troops "were engaged" by a group of Hezbollah
fighters as they reached a cemetery in the town of al-Nabi Sheet, Hezbollah
said.
"The clash escalated after the enemy force was exposed," it added, saying the
Israeli troops launched intense strikes before evacuating. There was no
immediate comment from the Israeli military. An AFP correspondent in the area
heard warplanes and intense gunfire throughout the night.
Lebanon's east, where Hezbollah holds sway, was subjected to heavy Israeli
strikes on Friday, particularly al-Nabi Sheet, which was struck at least 13
times, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA). The Lebanese
health ministry said at least 16 people have been killed in strikes in the area,
with 35 wounded. In a separate statement, Hezbollah said it targeted with
rockets the Israelis' "evacuation area" outside al-Nabi Sheet.Israel has
launched numerous strikes and sent ground troops into Lebanon since Iran-backed
group Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian
supreme leader Ali Khamenei. The al-Nabi Sheet raid would be the deepest Israeli
forces have reached inside Lebanon since special unit troops apprehended
Hezbollah operative Imad Amhaz from the northern city of Batroun in November
2024. NNA also said earlier on Saturday that "clashes are taking place on the
eastern mountain range along the Lebanese-Syrian border ... to repel Israeli
landing attempts."
‘Save your lives:’ Israeli army orders residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs to
evacuate
LBCI/March 08/2026
The Israeli army has issued an emergency alert to residents of Beirut’s southern
suburbs, urging anyone who has not yet left the area to evacuate immediately.
“Save your lives and leave your homes immediately,” the statement said.
Residents were reminded to follow previously issued evacuation instructions. The
statement also warned that ignoring the alerts could put both civilians and
their families at serious risk.
The army said it will notify residents once it is safe to return home.
Lebanese army holds emergency meeting amid Israeli escalation
LBCI/March 08/2026
The meeting began with a minute of silence for soldiers killed in Israeli
attacks, including troops who died early Saturday during what the army described
as a hostile Israeli landing operation in the Khraibeh–Nabi Chit area. Haykal
said the attacking force wore uniforms similar to those of the Lebanese army and
used military vehicles and ambulances resembling those operated by the Islamic
Health Authority. He warned that ongoing Israeli attacks are hindering the
army’s plans and said the current phase is critical for Lebanon’s future,
stressing that the solution requires political and official efforts alongside
the army’s work.
Haykal emphasized that the solution in Lebanon relies on two key factors: first,
compelling Israel to stop its attacks and ongoing violations of Lebanon’s
sovereignty and stability; and second, strengthening the army’s capabilities so
it can carry out its duties during the current and upcoming phases. Regarding
the situation in the south, Haykal noted that the army is operating under
extremely difficult conditions amid escalating Israeli attacks, carrying out
redeployments along the border and repositioning units in the south of the
Litani River as part of broader measures covering forces across the country,
while prioritizing the protection of the institution and its personnel and
monitoring unfolding developments. He added that the army is closely supporting
displaced civilians, providing possible assistance, protecting shelters, and
maintaining security around them through exceptional security measures.
Haykal concluded with an update on the Lebanese-Syrian border, noting that the
army has reinforced its deployment there and continues coordinating with the
relevant Syrian authorities.
Israeli army warns remaining residents of Beirut's southern suburbs to evacuate
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
The Israeli military on Saturday warned the remaining residents of Beirut's
southern suburbs, where Hezbollah holds sway, to evacuate immediately. "Urgent
warning to residents of Beirut's southern suburbs, especially those who have not
yet evacuated the area. We reiterate -- save your lives and evacuate your homes
immediately," Arabic-language spokesman for the military Avichay Adraee said on
X. Tens of thousands of residents have fled the suburbs, known as Dahiyeh in
Arabic, since Israel first issued an evacuation warning on Thursday ahead of its
strikes.
Haykal says Israeli troops who staged al-Nabi Sheet raid
wore Lebanese Army-like uniforms
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
Lebanese Army chief Rodolphe Haykal said Saturday that the Israeli soldiers who
made helicopter landings in east Lebanon wore military uniforms similar to those
of the Lebanese Army and used military vehicles and ambulances similar to those
of the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Authority.Haykal added that Israeli
attacks targeting Lebanon were hindering the implementation of the army's plan
to disarm Hezbollah.
Lebanon reports over 112,000 people in shelters amid
ongoing crisis
LBCI/March 08/2026
Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Sayed, said that 112,525 people
have arrived at 514 official shelters across the country. She added that the
total number of displaced persons registered online through mosa-relief.com has
reached approximately 454,000, highlighting the scale of the ongoing
humanitarian crisis.
Israeli army says found no remains of Ron Arad in Lebanon
operation
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
Israel's military said Saturday it had carried out an operation in east Lebanon
to find remains of airman Ron Arad, but failed to uncover any trace of the
navigator missing since 1986.
"As part of IDF (Israeli army) activities in Lebanon, IDF special forces
operated overnight in an attempt to locate findings related to the missing
navigator Ron Arad. No IDF injuries were reported," the Israeli army said in a
statement. "No findings related to him were located at the search site," it
added.
UN coordinator for Lebanon calls for talks with Israel
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
The United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon on Saturday urged Lebanon and
Israel to enter talks to negotiate an end to hostilities after the outbreak of a
renewed Israel-Hezbollah war. "As bad as things are today, they are set to get
even worse," Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said. "Talks between Lebanon and Israel
can be the game changer needed to save future generations from going, time and
again, through the same nightmare." In December, Lebanese and Israeli civilian
representatives engaged in their first direct talks in decades as part of a
meeting of a committee monitoring the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and
Hezbollah. Lebanon was engulfed by the expanding Middle East war on Monday,
after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel to avenge the death of Iranian supreme
leader Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Israel says eight soldiers wounded near Lebanese border
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
Israel's military said a projectile fired at its territory on Friday wounded
eight soldiers near the Lebanese border. "Earlier today, five IDF soldiers were
severely injured as a result of projectile fire toward Israeli territory near
the Lebanese border," the military said.
"Three additional soldiers were lightly injured in the same incident," it said,
adding that all eight soldiers had been evacuated for medical treatment.The
joint U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran expanded to Lebanon after
militant group Hezbollah launched missiles against Israel in support of its
backer Iran. On Thursday, Israel's military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir
said he had ordered troops to expand the area under his army's control in
southern Lebanon.
Norway aid group says Israeli strikes have displaced
300,000 in Lebanon
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
Aid agency the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said Friday that 300,000 people
in Lebanon had been forced to flee after Israel launched a wave of evacuation
orders and airstrikes. The aid agency also questioned the legality of the
mass-evacuation orders Israel had issued there. The orders cover hundreds of
villages in South Lebanon, as well as villages in the Bekaa region and the
southern suburbs of Beirut, constituting a large area of Lebanese territory. It
added that the number of people who might be displaced could potentially exceed
one million. "Israel's evacuation orders demanding civilians leave multiple
areas of Lebanon raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law,
which prohibits the forcible transfer of civilian populations," the NRC said.
"These orders do not appear to have military justification and provide no
guarantee of safe passage or support for those fleeing and compound the
suffering of hundreds of thousands of families." The organization insisted that
civilians be protected, including those who choose to remain or are not able to
relocate. Lebanon's health ministry said Friday at least 217 people had been
killed and 798 wounded since the start of a new war between Israel and Hezbollah
on Monday. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned Friday that "a humanitarian
disaster is looming" due to mass displacement.
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports
And News published
on March 02-03/2026
News of
the ongoing war between Iran on one side and the US and Israel on the other. The
news is abundant, fragmented, and difficult to keep track of as it evolves
constantly. For those wishing to follow the course of the war, the following are
links to several television channels and newspapers:
Asharq Al-Awsat Newspaper
https://aawsat.com/
National News Agency
https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar
Al Arabiya/Arabic
https://www.alarabiya.net/
Sky News
https://www.youtube.com/@SkyNewsArabia
Nidaa Al Watan
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Markazia
https://www.nidaalwatan.com/
Al Hadath
https://www.youtube.com/@AlHadath
Independent Arabia
https://www.independentarabia.com/
Israeli army says has conducted
3,400 strikes on Iran since war began
AFP/March 08/2026
The Israeli military said Saturday that it had carried out around 3,400 strikes
on Iran since Israel and the United States started the war against Tehran a week
ago.
Military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that roughly 7,500
munitions had been dropped on targets in Iran during the operation.
Separately, Israel's military said Saturday evening that it had begun a new
"wave of strikes" in Tehran.
Netanyahu says Israel will carry on Iran war 'with all our force'
AFP/March 08/2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel would continue
its war with Iran "with all our force," and alongside the United States had
almost total control of Iranian skies after a week of strikes."We have a
systematic plan to eradicate the Iranian regime and achieve many other
objectives," Netanyahu said in a televised address.
Trump says Iran 'will be hit very hard', threatens to expand targets
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to escalate the bombing of Iran on
Saturday as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that he would never
surrender, despite a fresh blitz of U.S. and Israeli air strikes that set a
Tehran airport ablaze. Israel confirmed some of the biggest raids since the
aerial bombardment of Iran began last Saturday, with a military academy, an
underground command center and a missile storage facility named as targets.
Pre-dawn AFP photos showed fire and smoke billowing from Tehran's Mehrabad
International Airport, one of two that serve the capital. "Today Iran will be
hit very hard!" Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform. "Under serious
consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran's bad
behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting
up until this moment in time." Iranian President Pezeshkian struck a defiant
tone in a speech broadcast on state TV in which he appeared to address Trump's
demand on Friday for "unconditional surrender". Iran's enemies "must take their
wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,"
Pezeshkian replied. Iran also hit back on Saturday, demonstrating that it
retains the ability to launch missiles and drones despite the relentless
targeting of its military infrastructure over the last seven days. There were
air raid alerts and explosions heard above Jerusalem as well as Gulf cities
Dubai, Manama and near Riyadh -- where Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic
missile fired at an air base housing U.S. military personnel. The UAE said it
had intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and 119 drones on Saturday, but video
footage showed one projectile crashing into Dubai airport, the world's busiest
for international traffic in usual circumstances.
An explosion took place next to an airport building and parked planes close to a
passing train, mobile phone footage authenticated by AFP showed. Jordan also
accused Iran of "targeting vital installations" inside the country with 119
missiles and drones over the last week, according to military spokesman Mustafa
Hayari. Pezeshkian issued an apology to his Gulf neighbors, which host major
U.S. military bases, saying that they would only be targeted if their
territories were used as launch sites for attacks. Iran's Revolutionary Guards
also said they had fired at the oil tanker Prima in the Gulf as it attempted to
cross the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global shipping that
Iran has effectively closed. Trump in his post referenced Pezeshkian's apology,
saying Iran "has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and
promised that it will not shoot at them anymore.""This promise was only made
because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack," Trump wrote. "Iran is no
longer the 'Bully of the Middle East,' they are, instead, 'THE LOSER OF THE
MIDDLE EAST,' and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely,
completely collapse!"
Human cost
Now entering its second week, the war was sparked by joint Israeli and U.S.
airstrikes last Saturday that killed Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. The
conflict has since widened to war-battered Lebanon, as well as Cyprus in the EU,
Turkey and Azerbaijan -- and reached as far as waters off Sri Lanka where U.S.
forces sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo.Inside Iran, damage to
infrastructure and residential buildings is mounting, while residents of the
capital report growing anxiety and a heavy presence of security forces on the
streets.
"I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced war would understand it," a
terrified 26-year-old teacher told AFP on condition of anonymity. "When you hear
the bombs, you have no idea where they will hit." The Iranian health ministry
put the civilian death toll at 926 on Friday, with around 6,000 injured --
numbers that AFP could not independently verify. Israel has also intensified its
air strikes on Lebanon, repeatedly bombing and ordering the evacuation of
Beirut's densely populated southern suburbs, where the Iran-backed militant
group Hezbollah holds sway. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday
warned Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that his country would pay a "very heavy
price" if it failed to disarm Hezbollah. Israeli commandos also launched an
unsuccessful mission overnight to try to retrieve the remains of a navigator
lost in 1986. Lebanon's health ministry said at least 217 people have been
killed in Israeli air strikes over the last week, while Prime Minister Nawaf
Salam has warned a "humanitarian disaster is looming".The consequences of the
conflict reach far beyond those in the immediate firing line, however. Global
stock markets have slumped, while crude oil prices have surged, with analysts
warning that there appears to be no clear path to ending a conflict that U.S.
and Israeli officials have suggested could last a month or more. Trump, who has
given varying reasons for starting the war, has spurned fresh talks with Tehran,
and said on Truth Social on Friday that "there will be no deal with Iran except
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER".
Defiance
Trump has also promised to help rebuild the country's economy if Tehran installs
someone "acceptable" to him to replace Iran's late supreme leader. Amir Saeid
Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, said the United States would
have no role in selecting Khamenei's successor. "The selection of Iran's
leadership will take place strictly in accordance with our constitutional
procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people, without any foreign
interference," he added. Though Iranian retaliation has been inflicted widely
across the Middle East, US rivals China and Russia have stayed largely out of
the fray despite their ties to the Islamic Republic. Russian President Vladimir
Putin voiced support for an "immediate" ceasefire during a phone call with
Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, the Kremlin said. US Defense
Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States is "not concerned" about reports
that Russia is providing intelligence to Iran on US troop positions and
movements. The war has killed six US service members and Trump is to attend the
return of their bodies at a transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in
Delaware on Saturday.
Trump says only Iran's 'unconditional surrender' can end war
Agence France Presse/March 08/2026
President Donald Trump said Friday that only Iran's "unconditional surrender"
would bring an end to the Middle East war, as Tehran was rocked by some of the
heaviest U.S.-Israeli strikes of the spiralling, week-long conflict. Now in its
seventh day, the war has embroiled nations beyond the region, upended the
world's energy and transport sectors, and brought chaos to even usually peaceful
areas around the Gulf. It has spread to Lebanon, whose prime minister warned of
an impending humanitarian disaster as tens of thousands fled heavy Israeli
strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs. Trump, who has given varying reasons for
starting the war that killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last
weekend, promised to help rebuild the country's economy if Tehran installed an
"acceptable" new leader.
"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," Trump wrote on
his Truth Social platform.
"MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)," he added.
In Tehran, crowds of men and women dressed in black, some carrying Iranian
flags, gathered for the first Friday prayers since the start of the war, online
footage showed.
Several loud explosions sent clouds of black smoke into Tehran's sky, according
to AFP journalists who described the day's strikes as the heaviest yet on the
capital. "It's really very scary," a Tehran businessman who gave his first name
as Robert told AFP. "Checkpoints have been put up in place in the city to
prevent looting and ensure control," the 60-year-old said at the Armenian border
with Iran.
'Additional surprises'
Both Israel and the U.S. warned on Friday they were escalating their attacks on
Iran.
"We have additional surprises ahead which I do not intend to disclose," Israel's
military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said. According to Iran's health
ministry, the U.S. and Israeli strikes on the country have killed 926 people.
Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Friday that 30 percent
of the dead were children. AFP could not independently verify either toll. Iran
has launched missile and drone attacks at Israel and Gulf states since the war
began, with AFP journalists in Tel Aviv reporting hearing several blasts on
Friday. In Israel, at least 10 people have been killed, according to first
responders there.
The U.S military has reported the deaths of six of its personnel.
'We'll sleep on the road' -
The conflict has sucked in Israel's neighbor Lebanon after Tehran's ally
Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel. Israeli air strikes hit sites in
Lebanon's south and east on Friday. There has been widespread destruction in the
southern Beirut suburbs, considered a Hezbollah stronghold and home to an
estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people. AFP correspondents on the ground saw scenes
of panic on Thursday as residents massively fled after an unprecedented Israeli
order to evacuate immediately if they wanted to save their lives. Hundreds of
families milled around on a Beirut beach, left with nowhere to go.
"We'll sleep on the road tonight and God alone knows what will happen to us,"
one man told AFP, declining to give his name. Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf
Salam warned that a "humanitarian disaster is looming" from the displacement. On
Friday, Hezbollah told Israeli residents to evacuate areas within five
kilometers (three miles) of the Lebanese border.
The death toll in Lebanon rose to 217 on Friday, according to the country's
health ministry. Israel's army meanwhile said it had killed more than 70
Hezbollah militants. Iraq, long a proxy battleground between the U.S. and Iran,
has also been dragged into the war. Drones struck an airport and two oil
facilities in southern Iraq on Friday, a security official told AFP.Earlier in
the day, oil prices surged after Kurdish authorities in Iraq said crude
production had been halted by a previous attack.
'Extraordinary mistake' -
The United Nations refugee agency said Friday it had declared the crisis a major
humanitarian emergency, stressing the need for an immediate response. The U.N.'s
rights chief also called for "impartial investigations" after Iran said a strike
on a school that it blamed on the U.S. and Israel killed more than 150 people.
Neither the U.S. nor Israel has said it was behind the strike. U.S. Secretary of
State Marco Rubio said Monday that the Pentagon was investigating. AFP has
neither been able to access the site nor obtain independent confirmation of the
toll. The war has also come under increasing scrutiny in Europe, with Spanish
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calling the US-Israeli strikes an "extraordinary
mistake" and "not in accordance with international law".
European Union chiefs are scheduled to hold talks about the war on Monday.
The war has not spared the rich countries of the Gulf, formerly seen as a
tourist hot spot and a rare Middle East safe haven. Qatar intercepted a drone
attack on a US air base on its territory early Friday, while Saudi Arabia shot
down three drones east of its capital Riyadh.
Thirteen people, seven of them civilians, have been killed in Gulf countries
since the war began, including an 11-year-old girl in Kuwait. New explosions
were heard in the Kuwaiti capital on Friday, an AFP journalist said. The
conflict has also expanded as far afield as the Sri Lankan coast, off of which a
U.S. submarine torpedoed an Iranian frigate, and Azerbaijan, which threatened
retaliation after a drone hit an airport. Nations have scrambled to repatriate
holidaymakers in the Gulf caught up in the fighting, with air traffic severely
limited as missiles and drones dominate the skies above the region. The war has
also hammered global markets and sent crude oil prices soaring by about a fifth
in the week since it erupted, all but blocking shipping in the critical Strait
of Hormuz. A fire broke out on the latest ship to suffer an attack in the Strait
on Friday, Iranian television reported.
One person killed in Dubai by debris from aerial
interception
AFP/March 08/2026
One person was killed in Dubai on Saturday after debris from an "aerial
interception" fell on a vehicle, authorities said, as Iran continued its
retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. "Authorities confirm that debris from an
aerial interception fell onto a vehicle in the Al Barsha area, resulting in the
death of an Asian driver," authorities said without providing additional
details.
Cracks emerge in Iran’s leadership as it reels under
bombardment
Reuters/ 08 March/2026
Iran’s hierarchy is showing signs of fracturing over a war its leaders see as
existential, with angry divisions between hardliners and more pragmatic factions
laid bare by a row over President Masoud Pezeshkian’s promise not to strike Gulf
states.
Fissures within Iran’s ruling elite were long suppressed under the iron rule of
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, but his killing a week ago has allowed them to
spill out into the open as US and Israeli strikes pile pressure on Tehran. The
unrelenting bombardment mortally imperils the Iranian regime and has prompted
its fiercest acolytes, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), to seize a
bigger role in strategy despite a decapitation campaign that has killed many top
commanders.vources close to Iran’s leadership, speaking from inside the country,
told Reuters the strains were starting to show among leading figures still alive
after a series of killings in the US-Israeli strikes. They spoke anonymously due
to the sensitivity of the matter. n a sign of the growing stresses to the
system, clerics are accelerating the appointment of a new supreme leader with a
decision possible on Sunday – though it is far from clear if Khamenei’s
successor will wield enough authority to stamp out factional disputes. While his
son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is seen as a frontrunner backed by the IRGC and his
father’s powerful office, he is untested, junior to most of Iran’s senior
ayatollahs, and has alienated moderates within the system. Other potential
candidates could struggle to uphold the unquestioning obedience of the IRGC
required to maintain discipline within the system. “Wartime tends to clarify
power structures, and in this case the decisive voice is not that of the
civilian leadership but of the IRGC,” said Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the
Middle East Institute.
IRGC angry at Pezeshkian statement
Pezeshkian’s apology to Gulf states for a week-long blitz of their territory –
and his pledge to rein in such attacks – quickly prompted pushback from
hardliners in the IRGC and clerical elite, forcing him into a partial climbdown.
n one of the most open criticisms of Pezeshkian, and a sign of internal
division, hardline cleric and lawmaker Hamid Rasai addressed the president on
social media, saying: “your stance was unprofessional, weak and
unacceptable.”When the president later repeated his earlier statement on social
media, he left out the apology that had so angered the IRGC and other hardliners
– an embarrassing retreat. o be sure, all senior figures within the hierarchy
are steadfast in their commitment to defending the Islamic Republic and its
revolutionary theocracy from US and Israeli attacks, but there are clear splits
over their strategic approach. ran’s leadership has sometimes played up
differences between hardliners and moderates as a tactic in negotiations with
the West, but the dispute over Pezeshkian’s statement on Saturday revealed
genuine divisions, two senior sources said. hardliner close to Khamenei’s
office, which remains a central node in the hierarchy, told Reuters that
Pezeshkian’s comments had angered many senior commanders in the IRGC. Another
senior Iranian source, a moderate former official, said nobody would be able to
fill Khamenei’s shoes, describing the late leader as a formidable strategist who
had led Iran through many difficult periods.
With anxiety increasing in Iran’s top ranks, senior ayatollahs began to publicly
urge that the clerical body responsible for appointing a supreme leader
accelerate its work.“It should expedite the process so that it leads to the
disappointment of the enemy and the preservation of the unity and solidarity of
the nation,” Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani said in a statement carried by the
state-linked Fars news agency.
Strains showing even in top leadership body
In Iran’s unusual system, an elected president, government and parliament are
subservient to a clerically appointed ayatollah who wields ultimate authority as
supreme leader and personally oversees the IRGC and other powerful bodies of
state. s leader for 36 years, Khamenei often played hardline and moderate
factions within the ruling system against each other while retaining the
ultimate say, allowing them to voice disagreements so long as they bowed to his
writ. hen he died, leadership formally passed to a constitutionally mandated
interim council that included Pezeshkian, the clerical head of the judiciary and
another cleric from a hardline body called the Guardian Council. n Khamenei’s
absence, strains are showing even inside that tight body, with the judiciary
chief, noted hardliner Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, saying some regional states
had allowed their territory to be used for attacks.
“Heavy strikes on those targets will continue,” he said, contradicting
Pezeshkian’s more conciliatory statement.Still, even though Khamenei did
sometimes allow moderate or reformist voices to carry the day in disputes with
hardliners, they were usually overruled when the system seemed to come under
threat.
Israel has ‘a systematic plan to eradicate the Iranian
regime,’ Netanyahu says
AFP/08 March/2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel would continue
its war with Iran “with all our force,” and alongside the United States had
gained near-total control of the skies over Tehran after a week of strikes.“We
have a systematic plan to eradicate the Iranian regime and achieve many other
objectives,” Netanyahu said in a televised address. Israel and the United States
launched the war against Iran with strikes on Tehran last Saturday that killed
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Citizens, you are telling me, the government and
our heroic soldiers to continue until victory, and I thank you. I can assure you
that we will continue with all our force,” Netanyahu said. The Israeli leader
said that thanks to the bombing campaign by Israeli and American pilots “we have
gained almost complete control of the airspace” over Iran’s capital. Speaking to
the Iranian people, he said the “moment of truth” was coming as Israel was
seeking to help liberate them from the “yoke of tyranny.” He said that Israel
had managed to “transform the Middle East” and shift the balance of power in the
region.Israel’s military said earlier that it had carried out around 3,400
strikes on Iran during the first week of the war, dropping roughly 7,500
munitions.
US and Israel are seeking ‘disintegration of Iran,’
Larijani says
Al Arabiya English/08 March/202
Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani said on Saturday that the United States and
Israel were seeking to break his country apart.“Their issue was... the
fundamental disintegration of Iran,” said Larijani in a pre-recorded interview
broadcast on state TV. n February 28, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran
that killed its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered a war in the Middle
East. ran responded with drone and missile attacks across the region, including
strikes that have hit neighboring countries that say they are neither involved
in the war nor have permitted warring parties to launch attacks from their
territory.
Larijani said the US was seeking to replicate in Iran a scenario similar to
Venezuela, where interim president Delcy Rodriguez has cooperated with it under
threat of violence after Washington ousted her boss, Nicolas Maduro. I think the
most important problem the Americans have is that they do not understand the
context of West Asia, especially Iran,” said Larijani. Their perception was that
it would be like Venezuela – they would strike, take control and it would be
over – but now they are trapped.”Larijani reiterated warnings against inciting
Iranian Kurds after US President Donald Trump said he backed a Kurdish offensive
in the country. The armed forces had clearly told these groups (Kurds), ‘if you
make a mistake, we will bring you to account’,” he said. ith AFP
Turkey warns against efforts to stir up civil war in Iran
AFP/08 March/2026
Turkey’s foreign minister warned against efforts to stir up a civil war inside
Iran, while cautioning Tehran after NATO intercepted a Turkey-bound ballistic
missile launched from Iran earlier in the week. oreign Minister Hakan Fidan said
any effort to stir up a civil war inside Iran in a bid to bring about regime
change would be a “historic” mistake. We are against all scenarios that aim to
instigate a civil war in Iran, that target ethnic or religious fault lines,”
Fidan told journalists in Istanbul. This is the most dangerous scenario,” he
added. He was speaking after reports that Washington was looking to arm Kurdish
guerrillas to infiltrate Iran, with US President Donald Trump expressing support
for such an offensive. Such a move would raise hackles in Turkey, which has
fought a decades-long bloody conflict with the Kurdish militant PKK, which it is
now seeking to end. idan said he had raised the matter with US Secretary of
State Marco Rubio who had denied any American involvement in such an issue. They
stated they are not involved in such an effort and have no such intention,”
Fidan said after the pair spoke on Wednesday, pointing the finger at Israel’s
“strategy of using Kurdish groups in the region as proxies.” We are openly
warning everyone... against this scenario,” he added.Thisill not only lead to
more suffering and loss of life for innocent civilians in Iran, but it will also
cause millions to be displaced and flee to neighboring countries and beyond,” he
said. “We hope the Kurdish opinion leaders in the region will not make the
mistake of shouldering such a historical responsibility,” he said.“Such a
mistake would never be rectified. “After Iraq and Syria, a long period of
uncertainty, war and turmoil in Iran is not in anyone’s interest,” he said.“Any
internal crisis there would have a ripple effect spreading throughout the
region. That’s why we’re trying to stop it.”
Israel says struck 16 IRGC aircraft at Tehran airport
AFP/08 March/2026
Israel’s military said on Saturday it had struck 16 Iranian aircraft at Tehran’s
Mehrabad International Airport, which it said was a key hub for Iran’s Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). “Overnight, the Israeli Air Force... completed
a broad wave of strikes across Tehran and on military infrastructure located at
the ‘Merabad Airport’ in Tehran,” it said in a statement. “16 aircraft of the
‘Quds Force’ unit of the IRGC were precisely dismantled,” it said, referring to
the branch of the IRGC that oversees its foreign operations. The military
accused the Guards of using Mehrabad International Airport, one of two that
serve the capital, to send cash and weapons to its proxies in the Middle East,
including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. “Also targeted were several Iranian fighter jets
that posed a threat to Israeli Air Force aircraft operating in Iranian
airspace,” the statement added. Earlier on Saturday, Israel’s military said more
than 80 fighter jets completed a wave of strikes on Iranian military sites,
missile launchers and other targets in Tehran and central Iran on the same day.
“Over 80 Israeli Air Force fighter jets... completed an additional wave of
strikes targeting infrastructure belonging to the Iranian terror regime,” the
military said in a statement. In one of the biggest raids announced by Israel
since the regional war began on February 28, the statement said that jets hit a
military academy belonging to the IRGC which “was being used as an emergency
asset.” It said the facility was being used for military operations, making it
“a lawful military objective.”Other targets included an underground command
center and missile storage facility as well as launch sites, “in order to reduce
the scope of fire directed at the territory of the State of Israel,” the
statement said. When Israel joined the United States in a massive wave of
strikes on Iran at the start of the war, the Israeli military said 200 fighter
jets took part in the raids, calling it the largest in the air force’s history.
Iran says it will continue attacking neighboring countries
Al Arabiya English/08 March/2026
Iran’s judiciary chief said on Saturday Tehran would continue targeting regional
neighbors offering its enemies “points... used in aggression against our
country.”“Evidence from Iran’s armed forces shows that the geography of some
countries in the region is openly and covertly at the disposal of the enemy,”
Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei claimed. “The government and other pillars of the
system are in agreement” that “heavy attacks on these targets will continue,” he
added. Mohseni-Ejei is a member of the interim leadership council installed
after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes that
opened the fighting on February 28. Iran has repeatedly targeted its Gulf
neighbors in response to the aerial offensive, with some strikes aimed at
civilian infrastructure. A total of 13 people, seven of them civilians, have
been killed in Gulf countries since the war broke out. One victim, an
11-year-old girl, died in Kuwait after being struck by debris in a residential
neighborhood. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had earlier on Saturday
apologized for Iran’s attacks on its neighbors, promising restraint unless their
territory was used to strike Iran. The Gulf countries have said their territory
has not been used in attacks against Iran, and even before the war began, they
had repeatedly said they would not allow such attacks on their neighbor.
Nevertheless, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that
“as long as American bases exist in the region, countries will not see
peace.”“All officials and people are united on this principle,” he added. With
AFP
UAE is in a time of war but is no easy prey, president says
Al Arabiya English/08 March/2026
The president of the United Arab Emirates said his nation was in a time of war
but was well and added that it was no easy prey, in his first public comments
since Iran began launching drones missiles at the UAE and other countries in the
Middle East. “The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh – we are no easy prey,”
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also ruler of Abu Dhabi, said in
comments, made on Friday when visiting those injured in strikes, aired on Abu
Dhabi TV on Saturday. “We will carry out our duty towards our country, our
people, and our residents who are also part of our family,” he said. The UAE,
which consists of seven emirates including Dubai, would protect everyone in the
country, he said. The UAE “is in a period of war” but “we will emerge stronger,”
he added.
Since February 28, the United States and Israel have been carrying out strikes
against targets in Iran. Tehran has responded with missile and drone attacks
across the region, including strikes that have hit neighboring countries that
say they are neither involved in the war nor have permitted warring parties to
launch attacks from their territory. With Reuters
The Latest
LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on March 02-03/2026
Question: What role
does Iran play in the end times?
GotQuestions.org/March 08/2026
Answer: There are several biblical prophecies of the end times that mention
Iran, called Persia or Elam in the Bible. Given the fact that Iran is often in
the news as a nation seeking armaments (possibly nuclear) and repeatedly issuing
threats against Israel, students of Bible prophecy are taking note. The
conflicts with Israel and the United States in June of 2025 and February of 2026
definitely brought Iran to the forefront of Bible prophecy conversations.
Iran does have a role to play in the end times, but, first, a little history of
Iran and its neighborhood, as it relates to biblical history. Jeremiah
prophesied that Elam, a nation east of Babylon, west of Persia, and south of
Media, would be conquered and then rise to power again (Jeremiah 49:34–39). True
to that prophecy, Babylon conquered Elam in 596 BC. But then Persia, under Cyrus
the Great, took control of that area, and the Elamites and Medes became part of
the Persian Empire. The Medo-Persian Empire ascended to power and conquered
Babylon in 539 BC, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 21:2. This happened during
the time of Daniel (Daniel 5); in fact, Daniel later resided “in the province of
Elam” in Persia (Daniel 8:2). Persia is the setting for the book of Esther and
the first part of Nehemiah.
Alexander the Great’s conquests put an end to Persia as a world power,
fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel 8. In the following centuries, Persia was
ruled by the Seleucids, the Parthians, the Sassanians, the Romans, the
Byzantines, and finally, in AD 636, the Muslims. In 1501, the state of Iran was
founded.
In the New Testament, people from the area of Iran are mentioned indirectly:
“Parthians, Medes and Elamites” were present in Jerusalem on the Day of
Pentecost (Acts 2:9). All three of these people groups were Jews who lived in
the area of ancient Persia, modern-day Iran, and they were present in Jerusalem
to witness the birth of the church.
Iran’s involvement in the end times will be as one of the nations involved in
the battle of Gog and Magog, which probably occurs during the first half of the
tribulation. Ezekiel 38:5 specifically mentions Persia as an ally of Magog/Russia.
Other nations included in this coalition will be Sudan, Turkey, Libya, and
others. This vast army will come against Israel, who at that time will be “a
peaceful and unsuspecting people” (Ezekiel 38:11).
The outcome of this end-times invasion is predicted: God supernaturally
intervenes, and Gog’s coalition is utterly destroyed. “On the mountains of
Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will
give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals” (Ezekiel
39:4–5). Iran, allied with Russia, will think their invasion of Israel is a sure
victory, but God has different plans. In protecting Jerusalem, God will send a
strong message to the world: “I will make known my holy name among my people
Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know
that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel” (Ezekiel 39:7).
The Only Brave Leaders Standing Against Iran's Reign of
Terror
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/March 07/2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22319/standing-against-iran
Entire generations of Iranians have lived under a
state apparatus that treats humanity as expendable; yet for decades, the
international community has not only turned a blind eye; instead, it has
actively funded and enabled this half-century horror show.
While other countries remain silent, hesitant, or complicit through inaction,
the United States and Israel have taken the only path that has a chance of
restoring stability, opening the door to freedom and protecting innocent lives.
Standing against tyranny – not procrastination, appeasement or bribery -- seems
to be the only way to protect civilization. The sooner one disables a tyranny,
the easier it is to defeat it.
Today, as the United States and Israel carry out operations against Iran's
tyranny, they deserve recognition and support. These are the only countries
standing between the world and a state that has terrorized its citizens and the
global community for nearly half a century.
The silence and inaction of so many nations is no longer acceptable. Supporting
these efforts means choosing freedom over despotism, courage over fear, and
justice over complicity.
God bless the United States and Israel -- and President Donald J. Trump and
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- the only brave leaders standing against
this regime of terror. All who care about freedom should align with them at
once.
Entire generations of Iranians have lived under a state apparatus that treats
humanity as expendable; yet for decades, the international community has not
only turned a blind eye; instead, it has actively funded and enabled this
half-century horror show.
For 47 years, the world has endured a regime that has consistently inflicted
terror, suffering, and violence both within its own borders and across the
globe. The Islamic Republic of Iran, since its inception in 1979, has built its
identity around repression, brutality, and the export of radical ideology. Tens
of thousands of its own citizens have been killed, tortured, or imprisoned
simply for voicing dissent or seeking the simple freedoms we take for granted.
The regime has crushed protests, silenced journalists, and employed fear and
intimidation to maintain its grip on power. Entire generations of Iranians have
lived under a state apparatus that treats humanity as expendable; yet for
decades, the international community has not only turned a blind eye; instead,
it has actively funded and enabled this half-century horror show. This is a
regime that embodies terror at every level, a regime whose brutality is
unmatched in modern history, and for far too long, its evil has gone unchecked.
Beyond its borders, Iran has relentlessly exported its ideology of terror.
Through the creation, sponsorship, and support of groups such as Hezbollah,
Hamas, and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen, it has spread death and
instability across the Middle East. These groups have carried out massacres,
kidnappings, and attacks targeting civilians and military personnel alike. The
October massacre against Israel, which claimed the lives of Americans, Israelis,
and countless other innocents, is only one example of the deadly reach of this
regime's proxies. The Houthis in Yemen, emboldened and armed by Tehran, continue
to strike indiscriminately at civilians and infrastructure. Iraqi militias,
funded and trained by Iran, have destabilized Iraq and threatened neighboring
countries.
In every corner of the region, Iran has sown chaos, violence, and fear.
Globally, it remains a source of terrorism, providing funding, intelligence, and
direction to networks that have carried out attacks far beyond the Middle East.
Its influence is not just regional; it is global, and its hand is visible in
countless acts of evil and destruction.
The regime's hostility toward the United States, Israel and the West has been
clear from its founding. From hostage-taking of American citizens during the
early years of the revolution to the assassination of U.S. personnel and attacks
on American troops in Iraq and elsewhere, Iran has made no secret of its mission
to destroy its perceived enemies. American forces have long been targeted by
Iran and its proxies, and the toll has been staggering. In April 1983, a suicide
car bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut killed 63 people, a brutal
demonstration of the regime's willingness to attack diplomats and civilians
alike. Just months later, in October 1983, the Marine barracks in Beirut were
struck in a devastating suicide attack that claimed the lives of 241 U.S.
service personnel—the deadliest single attack against American Marines since the
World War II battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. These attacks were part of a
coordinated campaign of terror orchestrated by Iranian-backed groups, sending a
clear message that the United States and its forces were prime targets. American
lives were taken by its proxy networks, and its agents have plotted and carried
out attacks across the globe. From the very beginning, the regime declared
"Death to America" and "Death to Israel" as central tenets of its ideology. Its
constitution enshrines the export of revolution as a state mission, seeking to
impose an Islamic governance system across the world. The evidence is clear:
this is not a regime capable of reform, compromise, or negotiation. Its mission
is radical, its methods brutal, and its intentions unequivocal. It seeks
domination, not coexistence.
For decades, the world attempted diplomacy, negotiations, and appeasement. Deals
were made, promises were given, and hopes were placed in talks that often
delayed confrontation but never changed behavior. The Obama-era nuclear
agreement, for example, but emboldened the regime. History teaches us that
appeasement does not stop evil; it encourages it, just as Winston Churchill,
warned: "Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile
will eat him last." For decades, nations hesitated, negotiated, and compromised,
hoping the regime would act differently, but the result was only more terror,
more aggression, and more human suffering.
Now, for the first time in decades, truly courageous leadership has emerged in
the presence of U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu. They recognized that only decisive action could halt the
regime's implacable destruction. Military operations have targeted Iran's
military infrastructure, nuclear capabilities, and leadership centers — a
necessary strike against a regime whose ideology will not, and cannot, change.
This is not aggression for its own sake; it is the enforcement of justice
against a state that has long been a global threat. While other countries remain
silent, hesitant, or complicit through inaction, the United States and Israel
have taken the only path that has a chance of restoring stability, opening the
door to freedom and protecting innocent lives.
Iran was actively pursuing nuclear weapons to transform a dangerous regional
power into an unstoppable global threat. Iran's regime was driven by ideology
and fueled by hate. Iran's core beliefs have not changed in almost half a
century, and there is no reason to assume they ever will. This is a regime that
does not value life beyond its own survival and expansionist goals.
The consequences of confronting this evil extend far beyond Iran. Terrorist
groups across the Middle East would lose a sponsor. The largest source of
conflict, instability, and threat to American and Israeli lives would be
removed. Peace and stability, long elusive in the region, would finally have a
chance to take hold. Standing against tyranny -- not procrastination,
appeasement or bribery -- seems to be the only way to protect civilization. The
sooner one confronts the tyranny, the less costly it is for both the citizens
held hostage by despotic leaders and for those determined to preserve a free way
of life.
Europe and other powers have historically sought compromise or neutrality, often
under the cowardly hope that peace can be achieved without confrontation. But
history has proven the opposite: silence in the face of evil is complicity, and
compromise can empower aggressors. The international community needs to
recognize that supporting the United States and Israel in their decisive action
is not aggression; it is the defense of global stability, civilization and human
life. Nations need to stop enabling the regime through hesitation, silence, or
negotiation and join the courageous few who have acted decisively.
Today, as the United States and Israel carry out operations against Iran's
tyranny, they deserve recognition and support. These are the only countries
standing between the world and a state that has terrorized its citizens and the
global community for nearly half a century. Their bravery demonstrates that
peace and security require courage, decisiveness, and moral clarity. The silence
and inaction of so many nations is no longer acceptable. Supporting these
efforts means choosing freedom over despotism, courage over fear, and justice
over complicity.
God bless the United States President Donald J. Trump and Israel's Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- the only brave leaders standing against Iran's
reign of terror. Anyone caring about freedom should align with them at once.
*Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, is a political scientist, Harvard-educated analyst, and
board member of Harvard International Review. He has authored several books on
the US foreign policy. He can be reached at dr.rafizadeh@post.harvard.edu
*Follow Majid Rafizadeh on X (formerly Twitter)
© 2026 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.
The Curious Case of 'Anti-Zionists'
Nils A. Haug//Gatestone Institute/March 07/2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22284/anti-zionists
"Zionism" is basically the right of the Jewish nation to live in its ancestral
home -- the land promised them in millennia past. Nothing more, nothing less.
The safe haven of this tiny piece of land -- roughly 22,000 sq. km., about the
same as the state of New Jersey - is therefore irreversibly important.
Yet, it has become common for others to denigrate Israel's right even to exist.
Israel, like every country, may not be perfect, but in the accusations they make
against it, Israel's enemies feel the need to lie. They accuse Israelis of being
"settlers" or "colonialists," meanwhile managing to block out that, on the
contrary, it was Muslim armies that invaded, conquered, "colonized" and
"settled" much of the planet. Examples, just in the West, include the great
Christian Byzantine Empire, Christian Coptic Egypt, Iberia, Europe, and, in
1974, northern Cyprus, among other victims. France, for instance, was only saved
from the invading Muslim armies by Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732
CE.
Demonizing Israel is, of course, always a useful way for a corrupt or
incompetent ruler to deflect attention from his own failures onto a convenient
decoy. Throughout history, Jews, and most recently, Israel, appear to be
repeatedly recruited for this distinction.
Israel's antagonists, particularly in Europe, appear to be envious that a small
nation, which began with sand, desert and malarial swamps, had the gall to
become an international powerhouse, while they continue to struggle with
economies misguidedly designed to fail, and millions of newcomers apparently
intent on replacing Europe's values with their own.
Israel's denigrators probably ask themselves how those "upstarts" in Israel
could be so innovative and successful while they, the virtuous, so generously
share countless social benefits with needy migrants -- many of whom openly say
they would like to overthrow the elected government and transform Europe into an
Islamic Caliphate.
Despite all odds, for nearly 4,000 years, the Jewish people have survived and
thrived, and notwithstanding wars and relentless attacks from enemies, the Jews
-- who do not wish ill of anyone -- defeated them all to stand stronger than
ever. With courage and brilliance, the determined nation of King David will not
just continue to thrive; they will soar.
"Zionism" is basically the right of the Jewish nation to live in its ancestral
home -- the land promised them in millennia past. Nothing more, nothing less.
The safe haven of this tiny piece of land -- roughly 22,000 sq. km., about the
same as the state of New Jersey - is therefore irreversibly important.
Israel is a spiritual, multi-ethnic, hard-working nation – one founded on nearly
four millennia of persecution, leavened by a divine covenant that imparted an
enduring national and moral identity on its people.
The dramatic events at Mt. Sinai, when the twelve tribes received the Torah with
its 613 laws, established not only religious principles but a collective social
identity coupled with an allocation of land in perpetuity. It was only when
rooted in the promised land itself that the Jewish people could truly become a
nation of destiny. The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob each received a
divine promise of land -- the boundaries of which were surprisingly specific.
Today, while Israel occupies only a small portion of that promised land, this
tiny bit remains central to Jews worldwide. Israel is regarded by the Jewish
nation in general as "holy" land – donated exclusively to the Jews by the
Creator. It is considered a mitzvah – a command – for them to dwell there: "You
shall possess the land," the biblical verse reads, "and dwell in it."
Jewish history and identity -- national, social, and personal -- is inextricably
bound to Eretz Yisrael: the Land of Israel. It is almost beyond comprehension,
therefore, for a Jew to denigrate fellow Jews who support the right of their
people to live in Eretz Yisrael. When people, including Jews, negate the right
of Israel to exist as a state, such an attitude contradicts not only the
fundaments of Judaism, but the core of humanitarian compassion.
"Zionism" is basically the right of the Jewish nation to live in its ancestral
home -- the land promised them in millennia past. Nothing more, nothing less.
The safe haven of this tiny piece of land -- roughly 22,000 sq. km., about the
same as the state of New Jersey - is therefore irreversibly important. The
journalist Caroline Glick framed this view as follows: "It is the resurrection
of strategic independence — of Zionism — that will secure Israel's future for
the next hundred years."
Yet, it has become common for others to denigrate Israel's right even to exist.
In such instances, it has become clear that hostile ideology trumps history,
fundamental principles of faith, and basic humanitarian compassion for those
Jews who seek sanctuary after centuries of pogroms, genocide, blatant
discrimination, prejudice and hatred when their forebears lived among hostile
nations. Can such adversaries even be considered credible? It is obvious they
have lost much acceptability, including the right to speak on behalf of others,
for they have aligned themselves with terrorists and other enemies of Western
civilization.
Sadly, pursuant to October 7, 2023, even some supposedly "Jewish" anti-Zionist
groups such as J Street and New York Jewish Agenda, according to journalist
Jonathan Tobin, "supported the efforts of those who sought to prevent Israel
from attacking Hamas and Iran." The world appears already to have forgotten that
when Jews were pushed into the gas chambers of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka and
other death camps, no one first asked them if they were observant or secular,
leftist or conservative, Orthodox or Reform, Zionist or anti-Zionist.
Writing about Phylisa Wisdom, the left-wing activist whom New York Mayor Zohran
Mamdani appointed to head the city's "Office to Combat Antisemitism," Tobin
remarked that her appointment "symbolizes what has happened to the idea of
'liberal Zionism' in the 21st century."
"If acting and speaking as she has done is what it means to be a liberal Zionist
today, then a real disconnect exists. It's not merely time to realize that the
phrase has lost its original meaning; instead, we must understand that those who
have appropriated that label are neither Zionist nor authentically liberal."
In plain words, they are fake supporters of freedom and justice and should be
considered "fake humanitarians"– meaning, detached from their imaginary core
identity of supposedly embodying virtue, and instead embracing terrorists,
terrorism, and the organizations that espouse and fund them.
Israel, like every country, may not be perfect, but in the accusations they make
against it, Israel's enemies feel the need to lie. They accuse Israelis of being
"settlers" or "colonialists," meanwhile managing to block out that, on the
contrary, it was Muslim armies that invaded, conquered, "colonized" and
"settled" much of the planet. Examples, just in the West, include the great
Christian Byzantine Empire, Christian Coptic Egypt, Iberia, Europe, and, in
1974, northern Cyprus, among other victims. France, for instance, was only saved
from the invading Muslim armies by Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732
CE.
Other lies currently floated include allegations that Israel is a racist or
apartheid state; that Israel occupies stolen land; that Israel oppresses the
Palestinians -- not the Palestinians' own corrupt leaders; that Israel commits
genocide when, in reality, it is Hamas – as declared in its own 1988 Charter --
that explicitly calls for genocide, not just against Israel, but all Jews
(Article 7). The facts all point to the reverse of these allegations. As is to
be expected in the current political climate, however, ideological
misrepresentations evidently override all considerations of accuracy,
objectivity and verifiability.
Demonizing Israel is, of course, always a useful way for a corrupt or
incompetent ruler to deflect attention from his own failures onto a convenient
decoy. Throughout history, Jews, and most recently, Israel, appear to be
repeatedly recruited for this distinction.
American Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz observed:
"In this era of great polarization, politics has replaced ethics and religion.
Whether what you do is right or wrong is no longer relevant; all that matters
now is if it favors the right or the left. Politics has become an
all-encompassing passion; advocates are blind to their own subjectivity."
Within Israel itself, conflicting claims to authentic Jewish identity, and so
representative authority, have long been present. The origins are not difficult
to trace: the left-wing, socialist parties in Israel were a strong force in the
land, even before the re-establishment of Israel as a state in 1948, with
friction between future Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion's socialist Mapai party
and Ze'ev Jabotinsky's conservative "revisionist" party, which eventually
morphed into the ruling Likud party of today.
The discord between "leftist" elites and the conservative "right", largely
corresponding to Ashkenazi Jews who had lived in European lands vs. Sephardi/Mizrachi
Jews who had lived in Arab lands, continues to this day, polarizing society, and
giving the appearance of a weak nation -- in full view of Israel's many
chop-licking enemies. This divide in Israel – for instance, claims by Israelis
for desperately needed judicial reform and leftists who threatened that, if
called up for military reserve duty, they would refuse to serve if the judicial
reform were implemented – may well have been a significant factor in Hamas's
decision to invade Israel on October 7, 2023. History reveals that when a
nation's enemies perceive it to be weak, it becomes vulnerable to attack and
downfall: "A house divided cannot stand."
Israel's antagonists, particularly in Europe, appear to be envious that a small
nation, which began with sand, desert and malarial swamps, had the gall to
become an international powerhouse, while they continue to struggle with
economies misguidedly designed to fail, and millions of newcomers apparently
intent on replacing Europe's values with their own.
Israel's denigrators probably ask themselves how those "upstarts" in Israel
could be so innovative and successful while they, the virtuous, so generously
share countless social benefits with needy migrants -- many of whom openly say
they would like to overthrow the elected government and transform Europe into an
Islamic Caliphate. The animosity and contrariness of prominent individuals and
groups, whether religious or secular, towards Israel has, as intended,
exacerbated Jew-hatred and anti-Zionism. Hatred of Jews, whether in the forms of
anti-Judaism, anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, or whatever one wishes to call it, is
connected to fury at someone else's success. Despite all odds, for nearly 4,000
years, the Jewish people have survived and thrived, and notwithstanding wars and
relentless attacks from enemies, the Jews -- who do not wish ill of anyone --
defeated them all to stand stronger than ever. With courage and brilliance, the
determined nation of King David will not just continue to thrive; they will
soar.
*Nils A. Haug is an author and columnist. A Lawyer by profession, he is member
of the International Bar Association, the National Association of Scholars, the
Academy of Philosophy and Letters. Dr. Haug holds a Ph.D. in Apologetical
Theology and is author of 'Politics, Law, and Disorder in the Garden of Eden –
the Quest for Identity'; and 'Enemies of the Innocent – Life, Truth, and Meaning
in a Dark Age.' His work has been published by First Things Journal, The
American Mind, Quadrant, Minding the Campus, Gatestone Institute, National
Association of Scholars, Jewish Journal, James Wilson Institute (Anchoring
Truths), Jewish News Syndicate, Tribune Juive, Document Danmark, Zwiedzaj Polske,
Schlaglicht Israel, and many others.
© 2026 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.
Iran's New Proxy: Sudan
Robert Williams/Gatestone Institute/March 04/2026
The video reveals something far more troubling: the survival of Iran's
ideological and proxy doctrine inside elements aligned with Sudan's armed
forces.
Sudan's war, unfortunately, is no longer simply a domestic struggle for power.
The war instead has increasingly been intersecting with a broader geopolitical
contest stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea.
The speech captured in the video echoes themes familiar across Iran's regional
network: hostility toward Israel, denunciations of the United States and appeals
framed in Islamist ideological terms.
These narratives are central to what Iran calls the "Axis of Resistance" — a
loose network of movements and militias aligned with Tehran's geopolitical
ambitions.
Tehran's most enduring weapon has never been its army. It has been its doctrine.
Sudan's civil war may now be giving that doctrine a dangerous new battlefield.
The video reveals something far more troubling: the survival of Iran's
ideological and proxy doctrine inside elements aligned with Sudan's armed
forces.
An exclusive video circulating among intelligence sources shows a Sudanese army
officer addressing a crowd during the country's ongoing civil war. In the
speech, he openly threatens Israel and expresses solidarity with Iran against
the United States and its allies.
At first glance, such rhetoric might appear to be the product of wartime
propaganda. It is not. The video reveals something far more troubling: the
survival of Iran's ideological and proxy doctrine inside elements aligned with
Sudan's armed forces. Even as Iran faces economic strain and growing regional
pressure, the strategic model it developed over decades — cultivating
ideological allies and proxy networks — continues to spread.
Sudan's civil war may now be providing fertile ground for its revival.
A Civil War Becoming a Geopolitical Arena
The conflict that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF),
led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces
(RSF), has devastated Sudan. Sudan's war is no longer simply a domestic struggle
for power. The war instead has increasingly been intersecting with a broader
geopolitical contest stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea. As the war
dragged on, Sudan's military leadership sought external partners capable of
providing weapons and strategic support. Iran emerged as one of those partners.
In 2023, after years of estrangement, Sudan restored diplomatic relations with
Iran. Since then, reports have indicated that Iranian drones and other military
technologies have been supplied to Sudan's armed forces to help them regain
battlefield momentum. For Iran, Sudan represents far more than a wartime client.
Sudan occupies critical strategic positions in the Middle East–Africa security
architecture. Its coastline stretches along the Red Sea — one of the most vital
maritime corridors in the world. Nearly 12% of global trade moves through these
waters. Influence along this route would give Iran leverage far beyond Sudan
itself.
The Ideological Dimension
The most revealing aspect of the emerging Sudan–Iran relationship may not be the
weapons transfers. It is the ideological rhetoric appearing within factions
aligned with Sudan's military coalition . The speech captured in the video
echoes themes familiar across Iran's regional network: hostility toward Israel,
denunciations of the United States and appeals framed in Islamist ideological
terms. These narratives are central to what Iran calls the "Axis of Resistance"
— a loose network of movements and militias aligned with Tehran's geopolitical
ambitions. From Hezbollah in Lebanon to Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and
Syria and the Houthi movement in Yemen, Iran has repeatedly demonstrated its
ability to cultivate partners capable of advancing its strategic objectives
without large-scale Iranian military deployment.
This model — the creation of ideological allies embedded within fragile states —
has proven one of Tehran's most effective instruments of influence. Sudan now
risks becoming another node in that network.
Sudan's Historical Role
This possibility is not unprecedented. During the 1990s Sudan served as a hub
for Islamist movements and maintained close military cooperation with Iran under
the regime of Omar al-Bashir. Iranian weapons, training and logistical networks
operated through Sudanese territory during that period. Although Sudan later
distanced itself from Iran in order to rebuild relations with Western and Gulf
governments, the institutional and ideological legacy of those years never
completely disappeared. The current civil war is creating conditions that could
allow those networks to reemerge. As the Sudanese Armed Forces search for
external support in a prolonged conflict, Iran has an opportunity to rebuild
ties with elements inside Sudan's security establishment. The rhetoric now
emerging from figures aligned with the military suggests that this process may
already be underway.
The Red Sea Factor
Sudan's importance is magnified by the growing instability across the Red Sea
region.
Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have already demonstrated their ability to
threaten international shipping, launching attacks on commercial vessels and
disrupting one of the world's most critical trade routes. These attacks
illustrate the broader strategy Iran has pursued across the region: positioning
allied actors along strategic chokepoints capable of pressuring global commerce
and Western security interests. If Sudan were to drift further into Iran's
strategic orbit, Iran could gain influence on both sides of the Red Sea —
through the Houthis in Yemen and potential partners inside Sudan. Such a
development would significantly expand Iran's ability to challenge Western
interests along one of the most vital maritime corridors in the world.
A Strategic Warning
Sudan's civil war is often viewed primarily as a humanitarian catastrophe. That
tragedy is real and immense. The conflict , however, also carries profound
strategic implications.
An Iran-aligned ideological current emerging inside a national army positioned
along the Red Sea would represent a major shift in the region's security
landscape. The video, showing a Sudanese officer praising Iran and threatening
the United States and Israel, should therefore not be dismissed as mere
propaganda. The video may instead be offering a glimpse into the ideological
forces shaping parts of Sudan's military coalition. Iran's power may rise or
fall. Sanctions may weaken its economy. Regional alliances may shift -- but
Tehran's most enduring weapon has never been its army.
It has been its doctrine.
Sudan's civil war may now be giving that doctrine a dangerous new battlefield.
*Robert Williams is based in the United States.
© 2026 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.
Israel and Somaliland: Size Matters... So Does Location
Lawrence A. Franklin/Gatestone Institute/March 05/2026
Israel's initiative in recognizing Somaliland potentially raises the level of
threat from the Houthis, an Iranian-supported terrorist militia that occupies
most of northern Yemen. Somaliland is located directly across from Yemen. The
Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah ("Friends of Allah"), have proven their
durability by having survived many US and Israeli airstrikes. If Somaliland
allows Israel or the US to construct air and naval facilities on its Red Sea
coast, the prevalence of terrorism throughout the Middle East -- including
Houthi aggression against oil and gas shipping -- could enjoy a welcome
revision.
The November 2025 visit to Somaliland by US Africa Command head General Dagvin
Anderson suggests that Washington is also fed up with Houthi terrorist
operations. Possible future joint US-Somaliland military projects could include
an upgrade to the Red Sea deep port of Berbera. Most of the outrage by
international organizations and regional institutions consists of the typical
virtue signaling. The opposition to the recognition of Somaliland by the African
Union may reflect concern that Israel's initiative has set an impertinent
international diplomatic precedent. By contrast, some pro-Western African
states, such as Ethiopia and Kenya, could actually benefit from increased
regional security. Ethiopia, a landlocked northeast African state, might explore
the possibility of lobbying the government to construct a canal across
Somaliland allow Ethiopia access to Red Sea shipping lanes.
Currently, Ethiopia, like Israel itself, is surrounded by hostile Islamic
countries. In Ethiopia's case, it is bounded by Eritrea and Somalia. By allying
with Somaliland, Ethiopia would give its majority Christian people an
opportunity to end their cultural isolation.
Kenya's national sovereignty is also under threat by Islamic terrorist
penetration of its national borders, and the country's pro-Western orientation
is already highlighted by its participation in US-sponsored counterterrorist
operations against Al Shabaab.
If Somaliland allows Israel or the US to construct air and naval facilities on
its Red Sea coast, the prevalence of terrorism throughout the Middle East --
including Houthi aggression against oil and gas shipping -- could enjoy a
welcome revision. Pictured: People gather to celebrate Israel's recognition of
Somaliland's independence in downtown Hargeisa, on December 26, 2025. (Photo by
Farhan Aleli / AFP via Getty Images)
Israel's December 2025 diplomatic recognition of Somaliland as an independent
state may indicate significant improvements in Middle East security.
Somaliland, which originally seceded from Somalia in 1991, had not been granted
diplomatic status by any other member of the United Nations prior to Israel's
recognition.
Israel's initiative in recognizing Somaliland potentially raises the level of
threat from the Houthis, an Iranian-supported terrorist militia that occupies
most of northern Yemen. Somaliland is located directly across from Yemen. The
Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah ("Friends of Allah"), have proven their
durability by having survived many US and Israeli airstrikes. If Somaliland
allows Israel or the US to construct air and naval facilities on its Red Sea
coast, the prevalence of terrorism throughout the Middle East -- including
Houthi aggression against oil and gas shipping -- could enjoy a welcome
revision.
It is certain that any resumption of Houthi drone and missile attacks on Israel
will invite punishing retaliatory IDF attacks from any future Somaliland-based
launch sites.
The November 2025 visit to Somaliland by US Africa Command head General Dagvin
Anderson suggests that Washington is also fed up with Houthi terrorist
operations. Possible future joint US-Somaliland military projects could include
an upgrade to the Red Sea deep port of Berbera. Anderson also toured the Red Sea
port of Boasso in neighboring Somalia's autonomous state of Puntland. High-level
American and Israeli diplomatic and military interests appear to indicate a
joint commitment to protect the region, as well as its vital commercial
checkpoints, such as the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb, a chokepoint at the mouth of
the Red Sea, separating Africa and Asia.
Israel's diplomatic initiative in recognizing Somaliland independence elicited
the expected negative criticism. In Somalia, the most offended party, the
response has been mostly rhetorical. Somalia has long sought to deny the
legitimacy of Somaliland's secession.
Somalia's indignation will most likely not move beyond rhetoric. Somalia is
already under threat from the Islamic terrorist network, al-Shabaab.
Most of the outrage by international organizations and regional institutions
consists of the typical virtue signaling. The opposition to the recognition of
Somaliland by the African Union may reflect concern that Israel's initiative has
set an impertinent international diplomatic precedent.
The Israeli initiative is particularly irksome to African countries that are
merely colonial constructs of ethnically diverse societies, which may feel
threatened by the rise of irredentist violence within their own societies.
By contrast, some pro-Western African states, such as Ethiopia and Kenya, could
actually benefit from increased regional security. Ethiopia, a landlocked
northeast African state, might explore the possibility of lobbying the
government to construct a canal across Somaliland allow Ethiopia access to Red
Sea shipping lanes.
Currently, Ethiopia, like Israel itself, is surrounded by hostile Islamic
countries. In Ethiopia's case, it is bounded by Eritrea and Somalia. By allying
with Somaliland, Ethiopia would give its majority Christian people an
opportunity to end their cultural isolation.
Kenya's national sovereignty is also under threat by Islamic terrorist
penetration of its national borders, and the country's pro-Western orientation
is already highlighted by its participation in US-sponsored counterterrorist
operations against Al Shabaab.
Israel's search for regional allies such as Somaliland serves as a hedge against
any sudden dissolution of the Abraham Accords, a fate not improbable in the
Middle East's mercurial environment. Israel's "small state alliance" model
offers it an alternative to its "eternal alliance" with the US, as there may
exist instances where Washington and Jerusalem's national interests do not fully
coincide.
*Dr. Lawrence A. Franklin was the Iran Desk Officer for Secretary of Defense
Rumsfeld. He also served on active duty with the U.S. Army and as a Colonel in
the Air Force Reserve.
© 2026 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.
Iran at a Strategic Turning Point
Ahmed Charai/Gatestone Institute/March 03/2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22317/iran-strategic-turning-point
Governments confident in their legitimacy do not rely systematically on lethal
repression to preserve authority. Iran's long-term stability — should
responsible leadership emerge — will depend not on ideological rigidity, but on
whether political structures align with the aspirations and capabilities of its
people.
Any future framework must be conditional, sequenced, and compliance-based.
Economic reintegration would need to be phased and benchmark-driven.
Whether or not any single individual ultimately leads that transformation, the
emergence of structured, modernization-oriented leadership is essential if Iran
is to move from confrontation to responsible statehood.
What follows will not be determined by rhetoric but by decisions — in Tehran, by
the Iranian people; in Washington; and across the region. This is not merely a
period of tension; it is a structural test of governance, credibility, and
strategic direction. The objective is the restoration of balance, sovereignty,
and lawful order. Governments confident in their legitimacy do not rely
systematically on lethal repression to preserve authority. Iran's long-term
stability — should responsible leadership emerge — will depend not on
ideological rigidity, but on whether political structures align with the
aspirations and capabilities of its people.For many years, I have argued that a
political system built on internal repression and external confrontation cannot
sustain durable legitimacy or long-term strategic credibility. A state that
governs through fear at home while exporting instability abroad ultimately
confronts the accumulated costs of that contradiction. No system can
indefinitely suppress its society while destabilizing its region without eroding
its own foundations.
For more than four decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has relied on a dual
doctrine: coercion internally and confrontation externally. Domestically,
repression has been institutionalized — imprisonment of journalists, systematic
discrimination against women, suppression of civil protests, and repeated lethal
crackdowns. Externally, the regime projected power through proxy militias,
ideological expansion, and calibrated destabilization, even as its own economy
deteriorated under sanctions, corruption, and structural mismanagement.
Recent coordinated military operations conducted by the United States and Israel
represent more than a tactical development. As Commander in Chief of the U.S.
Armed Forces, President Donald Trump framed the action as a restoration of
credible deterrence and a reassertion of red lines long tested. His message to
the regime was clear: destabilization will no longer be absorbed without
consequence. His message to the Iranian people was equally deliberate — this
confrontation is not with Iran as a nation, but with a governing structure whose
policies have endangered both its citizens and regional stability.
This recalibration alters Tehran's cost-benefit calculus. The strategic gray
zones within which it operated for years are narrowing, and the margin for
escalation without consequence is shrinking. Tehran's response reinforced the
logic of deterrence restoration. Rather than de-escalating, the regime widened
the confrontation, directing attacks toward Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates,
Qatar, and Riyadh. These actions are strategically revealing. A state that
reacts to pressure by striking neighboring countries — many of which have
prioritized economic modernization and regional integration — signals
unpredictability rather than strategic confidence.
Iran's regional posture is now more constrained than at any point in recent
years. Its proxy networks face sustained pressure. Its economy remains
structurally fragile. Its domestic legitimacy has been repeatedly challenged
through nationwide protest movements, during which thousands of Iranians have
been arrested and many killed. The regime's reliance on force to silence dissent
underscores its insecurity, not its strength.
At this critical juncture, clarity of distinction is essential: Iran is not
synonymous with the regime. It is a nation with immense civilizational depth,
significant human capital, and a young, educated population that has repeatedly
demonstrated courage in demanding dignity and accountability. Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Iranian public directly: "You are not
our enemies, and we are not your enemies. We have a common enemy: the murderous
cult of the ayatollahs." He urged members of Iran's security forces to
reconsider their alignment and described this moment as an opportunity to
establish "a new and free Iran." Whatever one's policy preferences, the
strategic importance of this messaging is substantial. It reframes the
confrontation as one between governance models — authoritarian expansionism
versus accountable statehood — rather than between nations. It challenges the
regime's long-standing narrative that external pressure is an attack on Iranian
identity itself. Recent protest movements inside Iran, particularly those led by
women and younger generations, reveal a society that is politically conscious
and dynamic. Governments confident in their legitimacy do not rely
systematically on lethal repression to preserve authority. Iran's long-term
stability — should responsible leadership emerge — will depend not on
ideological rigidity, but on whether political structures align with the
aspirations and capabilities of its people.
Whether change in Iran unfolds gradually or through accelerated transition,
responsible policymakers must consider what a stable reintegration pathway would
require under established regional security principles.
Any future framework must be conditional, sequenced, and compliance-based.
Security normalization would require verifiable commitments: cessation of proxy
warfare, disengagement from non-state armed actors, adherence to maritime
security norms, and transparency in missile doctrine consistent with
international obligations. Participation in regional security dialogue would
follow measurable compliance — not precede it.
Economic reintegration would need to be phased and benchmark-driven. Sanctions
relief or expanded market access would be tied to financial transparency,
anti-corruption enforcement, compliance with global banking standards, and
adherence to non-proliferation commitments. Regional partners and allies that
have aligned themselves with prosperity, integration, and strategic transparency
could provide structured channels for gradual reintegration into trade,
technology, and investment networks.
The United States would anchor this process within a rules-based financial and
legal framework, ensuring predictability, accountability, and adherence to
international norms.
Institutional stabilization would be essential. Any responsible leadership in
Tehran would need to strengthen governance structures, reinforce judicial
independence, and ensure civilian oversight of security institutions.
International engagement, if offered, would be technical and performance-based —
focused on capacity building rather than political engineering.
Encouragingly, voices within the Iranian opposition have increasingly
articulated a vision grounded in constitutional governance, economic
modernization, and reintegration into the international system. Figures such as
Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, who has consistently emphasized
secular statecraft, institutional reform, and peaceful transition, represent
part of a broader movement seeking to align Iran with global norms of
accountable governance. Whether or not any single individual ultimately leads
that transformation, the emergence of structured, modernization-oriented
leadership is essential if Iran is to move from confrontation to responsible
statehood.
Iran now stands at a consequential moment in its modern history. The forces of
deterrence, domestic aspiration, and regional recalibration are converging.
What follows will not be determined by rhetoric but by decisions — in Tehran, by
the Iranian people; in Washington; and across the region. This is not merely a
period of tension; it is a structural test of governance, credibility, and
strategic direction. The objective is the restoration of balance, sovereignty,
and lawful order. The choices made now will shape not only Iran's future, but
the strategic architecture of the Middle East for generations.
Ahmed Charai is the Chairman and CEO of World Herald Tribune, Inc., and the
publisher of the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune, TV Abraham, and Radio Abraham. He
serves on the boards of several prominent institutions, including the Atlantic
Council, the Center for the National Interest, the Foreign Policy Research
Institute, and the International Crisis Group. He is also an International
Councilor and a member of the Advisory Board at the Center for Strategic and
International Studies.
This article originally appeared in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune and is
reprinted here by the kind permission of the author.
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.
Bangladesh: Escalating Islamic Extremism and the
Exploitation of Ali Khamenei's Death
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury/Gatestone Institute/March 4, 2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22316/bangladesh-islamic-extremism
While Jamaat has often participated in electoral politics, its long-term
objective has remained unchanged: the establishment of a theocratic state under
Islamic jurisprudence.
Within hours of the news [of Iranian Supreme Guide Ayatollah Ali Khameni's
elimination].... Jamaat-e-Islami...[s]enior leaders delivered speeches accusing
the United States and Israel of "murder" and calling for mass mobilization.
Even though organizationally separate, the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat have
maintained ideological synergy and periodic cooperation across South Asia and
the Middle East. Both movements frame global politics as a civilizational
struggle between Islamic governance and Western liberalism.
The party's reaction to Khamenei's death therefore aligns with a broader
Brotherhood pattern: portraying Islamist leaders as martyrs, condemning Western
military intervention, and mobilizing street sentiment against perceived
external aggression.
In Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan issued statements condemning the US and
praising Khamenei. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly expressed
condolences, referring to Khamenei as a "martyr," signaling Islamabad's
diplomatic tilt toward Tehran....
In India, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind characterized the US-Israeli strikes as
aggression and described Khamenei in reverential terms.
China's engagement with Islamist political actors is not ideological but
strategic... that Jamaat's anti-American rhetoric may not merely be reactive but
part of a broader geopolitical appraisal.
Historically, some Western policymakers have viewed Islamist parties as
"moderate" alternatives to more violent jihadist factions. However, the
Brotherhood's track record across the Middle East -- from Egypt to Gaza --
illustrates that participation in elections does not necessarily equate to
ideological moderation. Jamaat's present mobilization over Khamenei underscores
that its core worldview remains rooted in a civilizational narrative that
positions the United States as an adversary. Even media outlets such as Al
Jazeera have continued narratives sympathetic to Iran.By framing Khamenei's
death as martyrdom and Western aggression, they reinforce their narrative of
global Islamic victimhood.
The danger lies not only in street protests but in gradual ideological
conditioning. By presenting Iran's theocratic regime as a victim of Western
aggression, Jamaat implicitly legitimizes clerical rule and the fusion of
religion and state power.
The protests over Khamenei's elimination are not merely about Iran. They are
about ideology. For policymakers in Washington, Brussels, and New Delhi, the
lesson should be clear: political Islam movements cannot be evaluated solely
through electoral participation, diplomatic engagement or even promises of
prosperity. Their doctrinal commitments matter. The events unfolding in
Bangladesh demonstrate that beneath tactical flexibility lies an enduring
ideological project -- one that continues to view global politics through the
lens of religious sovereignty and civilizational struggle for global control.
The elimination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israeli
military operation has triggered a predictable wave of outrage against the West
across hardline Islamist networks.
In Bangladesh, however, the reaction has revealed something deeper and more
consequential: the enduring ideological character of Jamaat-e-Islami, not yet
designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States, and its
strategic alignment with transnational Islamist movements such as the Muslim
Brotherhood.
For decades, Jamaat-e-Islami has sought the gradual transformation of Bangladesh
into a Sharia-governed Islamic state. Its founders were directly inspired by the
ideological framework of Abul A'la Maududi, whose writings paralleled and
intersected with the Brotherhood's vision of an Islamic order governed not by
popular sovereignty but by divine law. While Jamaat has often participated in
electoral politics, its long-term objective has remained unchanged: the
establishment of a theocratic state under Islamic jurisprudence.
The events following Khamenei's death have exposed the party's ideological
reflexes. Within hours of the news, Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliated student
wings began organizing protest rallies, funeral prayers (Janaza), and
processions across major cities and university campuses in Bangladesh. Senior
leaders delivered speeches accusing the United States and Israel of "murder" and
calling for mass mobilization.
This was not spontaneous grief. It was ideological theater. The spectacle
extended beyond Sunni Islamist circles. Members of Bangladesh's Shia community
organized a protest procession from the principal Shia religious center in
Dhaka, Hussaini Dalan Imambara. During the march, demonstrators chanted slogans
condemning the United States. The Imambara has historically maintained
connections with Iran's diplomatic mission in Dhaka, underscoring Tehran's
long-standing religious and cultural outreach in Bangladesh.
Such mobilization is consistent with Jamaat's ideological lineage. Although
Bangladesh is a Sunni-majority nation, the party has demonstrated tactical
flexibility in aligning with Shia Iran when strategic interests converge -
particularly in opposing the United States and Israel. Ideological differences
between Sunni Brotherhood movements and Iran's clerical regime have historically
been secondary to shared hostility toward "Western liberalism" and "Zionism".To
understand Jamaat's posture, one must revisit its roots. The Muslim Brotherhood,
founded in Egypt in 1928, articulated a revolutionary doctrine that fused
religion and state power. It rejected secular nationalism and promoted the
restoration of an Islamic polity governed by Sharia. Maududi's Jamaat-e-Islami,
established in British India in 1941, developed a framework parallel to that of
the Muslim Brotherhood, that called for an "Islamic revolution" through gradual
social Islamization and political activism.
Even though organizationally separate, the Muslim Brotherhood and Jamaat have
maintained ideological synergy and periodic cooperation across South Asia and
the Middle East. Both movements frame global politics as a civilizational
struggle between Islamic governance and Western liberalism.
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has never formally renounced this objective. Its
political participation has functioned as a tactical means rather than an
ideological transformation. The party's reaction to Khamenei's death therefore
aligns with a broader Brotherhood pattern: portraying Islamist leaders as
martyrs, condemning Western military intervention, and mobilizing street
sentiment against perceived external aggression. Jamaat's branches in
neighboring countries followed suit.
In Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan issued statements condemning the US and
praising Khamenei. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly expressed
condolences, referring to Khamenei as a "martyr," signaling Islamabad's
diplomatic tilt toward Tehran despite its complex strategic balancing act.
In India, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind characterized the US-Israeli strikes as
aggression and described Khamenei in reverential terms. These synchronized
reactions reflect a transnational ideological network rather than isolated
national responses.
Additionally, after a 2024 upheaval widely described by critics as a "jihadist
coup", Jamaat has reportedly strengthened ties with Beijing. In September 2024,
China's Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, met Jamaat's emir Shafiqur Rahman and
described the party as a "well-organized political force". Subsequent exchange
visits between Jamaat representatives and Chinese counterparts signaled a
deepening relationship.
China's engagement with Islamist political actors is not ideological but
strategic. Beijing's priority is influence and leverage, particularly in regions
of geopolitical competition. For Jamaat, Chinese recognition offers
international legitimacy at a time when relations with Western policymakers
appear uncertain. This evolving alignment suggests that Jamaat's anti-American
rhetoric may not merely be reactive but part of a broader geopolitical
appraisal.
Problematically, weeks before Bangladesh's February 12 general elections, The
Washington Post published a report citing an unverified audio clip suggesting
that Washington preferred Jamaat-e-Islami in power. Although unconfirmed, the
claim fueled speculation about US strategic calculations in South Asia. The
Washington Post's affection towards Islamists is not new. After the elimination
of Khamenei, it affectionately mentions the murderous Iranian mullah as
"avuncular" with "bushy white hair and easy smile". Historically, some Western
policymakers have viewed Islamist parties as "moderate" alternatives to more
violent jihadist factions. However, the Brotherhood's track record across the
Middle East -- from Egypt to Gaza -- illustrates that participation in elections
does not necessarily equate to ideological moderation. Jamaat's present
mobilization over Khamenei underscores that its core worldview remains rooted in
a civilizational narrative that positions the United States as an adversary. The
regional response to the strikes on Iran has also revealed troubling patterns.
Despite decades of Iranian destabilization across the Middle East -- through
proxies such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthi movement -- few Muslim-majority
governments have openly criticized Tehran's actions. Even media outlets such as
Al Jazeera (such as here and here) have continued narratives sympathetic to
Iran.
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement emphasizing stability but
avoided addressing the Iranian people's decades-long repression. Meanwhile,
geopolitical caution appeared to outweigh normative commitments to democratic
transformation.
For Islamist movements like Jamaat-e-Islami, this ambiguity provides rhetorical
space. By framing Khamenei's death as martyrdom and Western aggression, they
reinforce their narrative of global Islamic victimhood.Bangladesh occupies a
sensitive geopolitical position. It is a Muslim-majority democracy with
significant economic ties to the West and strategic importance in the
Indo-Pacific. The convergence of Jamaat-e-Islami with more overtly radical
groups -- including Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Hefazat-e-Islam, and others -- raises
concerns about the normalization of extremist discourse. While these groups
differ in tactics, their shared commitment to Sharia governance creates
ideological continuity.
The danger lies not only in street protests but in gradual ideological
conditioning. By presenting Iran's theocratic regime as a victim of Western
aggression, Jamaat implicitly legitimizes clerical rule and the fusion of
religion and state power.
The protests over Khamenei's elimination are not merely about Iran. They are
about ideology. Jamaat-e-Islami's reaction reflects a worldview shaped by the
Muslim Brotherhood's foundational doctrines: rejection of secular governance,
hostility toward Western liberalism, and aspiration for a Sharia-based order.
Its willingness to align rhetorically with Iran's clerical regime -- despite
sectarian differences -- underscores the primacy of ideological convergence over
theological division. For policymakers in Washington, Brussels, and New Delhi,
the lesson should be clear: political Islam movements cannot be evaluated solely
through electoral participation, diplomatic engagement or even promises of
prosperity. Their doctrinal commitments matter. The events unfolding in
Bangladesh demonstrate that beneath tactical flexibility lies an enduring
ideological project -- one that continues to view global politics through the
lens of religious sovereignty and civilizational struggle for global control.
**Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is an award-winning journalist, writer, and
Editor of the newspaper Blitz. He specializes in counterterrorism and regional
geopolitics. Follow him on X: @Salah_Shoaib
© 2026 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.
The global economic fallout of
the US-Israel war on Iran
Cornelia Meyer/Al arabiya
English/March 08/2026
mic ripple effects of the US-Israel-Iran war will be felt globally for some
time. Energy prices, supply chains, and international transport are all likely
to be affected. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical choke point for oil,
liquefied natural gas, fertilizers, and chemical products, meaning any
disruption there can quickly ripple through global markets. These pressures are
already pushing up shipping costs and commodity prices, adding to inflationary
pressures that will be felt around the world.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major choke point. On February 27, 103 ships
passed the Strait but by March 3 it was only three. Whether the Islamic Republic
of Iran manages to shut down the Strait or not is a moot point. No insurance
company will insure ships and cargo. The US military promises guaranteeing safe
passage. Right now, they are engaged otherwise.
Twenty percent of crude and oil products need to pass the Strait of Hormuz to
reach their markets, as do 20 percent of LNG. The Strait also handles about one
third of fertilizer production.
The Gulf region is one of the major hydrocarbon provinces in the world with
Saudi Arabia Iraq UAE and Iran being the biggest producers. Oil prices were
immediately affected. On midday CET Brent traded at $83.10 /b, up 17percent
percent since the beginning of hostilities and 35 percent since the start of
2026. Bloomberg economics calculated that a 1 percent drop in oil supply will
push prices up by around 4 percent. Their model also predicts that oil could
rise to $108/ barrel if hostilities persist.
Oil and gas prices
Higher oil and gas prices affect Europe, throwing a spanner in the works for the
anaemic growth forecasts for 2026.
Oil is a globally traded commodity, and the interruption of trading routes also
matters to the US. Any inflation rate above 2 percent would obligate the Fed not
to lower interest rates, which could get Kevin Warsh, the nominee for Fed chair
in a bind.
Gas is important too. When Qatar shut its LNG production in Ras Laffan it took
20 percent of global LNG production out of the market, sending European gas
prices up 50 percent. More of the 81 million metric tons of LNG which Qatar
produces go east to Asian markets, resulting in one LNG tanker already having
been diverted from the Atlantic to Asia. Whilst the spike in gas prices cannot
be compared to what followed the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2023, poorer
countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, which rely heavily on LNG imports,
are once again at risk of being pushed out of the market. Wealthier buyers in
Asia and Europe are willing to pay more for supplies, leaving less affordable
cargoes available for lower-income importers, much as happened after the war in
Ukraine began.
China is affected too. Thirty eight percent of all crude going through the
Strait of Hormuz is bound for China. The remainder goes to the rest of Asia
except for 3 percent which goes to Europe. China no longer receives discounted
Iranian oil and around 13 percent of its crude imports came from Iran. However,
China bought crude for storage over much of last year, which gives it a buffer.
There is still Russian oil which China can import albeit now at less discounted
prices. The latest economic growth forecast has been dialled down to 4.5 percent
to 5 percent lowest they have been in decades.
Air travel
Air travel is another chokehold. The Gulf airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and
Etihad have become ever more important for global air passenger and freight
transport Dubai and Doha are major hubs. Dubai is number one for international
passenger transport and number 10 for freight. Qatar ranks as number 11 for
passenger traffic and number eight for cargo.
Numbers of that magnitude have ripple effects throughout air traffic as they
jack up prices.
Last but not least, we should be concerned about food prices and food security:
It is spring in the Northern hemisphere and farmers are preparing to sow the
crop. This is when fertilizers are most needed. Fertilizer prices jumped more
than 25 percent in many geographies. This combined with higher transportation
costs will have a big impact on food inflation. Consumers across the OECD world
will feel it in their pockets. More importantly, the price increases may make
food unaffordable for many in developing countries.
All in all, consumers around the world will feel the economic impact of the
US-Israel war on Iran in their pockets.
X Platform Selected twittes for
March 07/2026