English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News
& Editorials
For March 16/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Jesus Cures The Man With Unclean Spirit
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 05/01-20/They
came to the other side of the lake, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he
had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean
spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any
more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and
chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces;
and no one had the strength to subdue him.Night and day among the tombs and on
the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he
saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at
the top of his voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High
God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.’ For he had said to him, ‘Come out
of the man, you unclean spirit!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He
replied, ‘My name is Legion; for we are many.’ He begged him earnestly not to
send them out of the country.Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was
feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us into the swine; let us
enter them.’So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and
entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the
steep bank into the lake, and were drowned in the lake. The swineherds ran off
and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was
that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there,
clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they
were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the
swine reported it.Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. As
he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged
him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to
your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy
he has shown you.’And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how
much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on March 15-16/2026
The Healing Miracle of the Paralytic & The Power of Praying for Others/Elias
Bejjani/March 15/2025
The Martyrs of Ain Ebel: George, Elie, and Shadi to the Heavenly Mansions Where
there is no pain, nor sorrow, but life everlasting/Elias Bejjani/March 12, 2026
Video-Link for an interview in English with USA Senator Ted Cruz: Trump’s Iran
Strategy Is Making America Safer/CBN News/March 15/2026
Lebanon, Israel Near First Round of Negotiations
Israeli Foreign Minister Says No Plans for Talks with Lebanese Govt
Israeli foreign minister denies reports of Lebanon talks, interceptor shortages
Israel says no direct talks planned with Lebanon to stop the war
Report: Dermer met officials in KSA over new agreement in Lebanon
Report: Mediated talks explore path to bring Lebanon into Abraham Accords
Qmati: French initiative born dead, normalization a major sin
At least four killed in overnight Israeli strikes in al-Qatrani, Sidon suburb
Conflict with Lebanon and Iran tests Israel’s military readiness and diplomacy
UN force in Lebanon says peacekeepers fired upon 'likely by non-state armed
groups'
Ansar municipality orders temporary evacuation amid safety concerns
Lebanon says 850 killed in two weeks of Israel-Hezbollah war
Hezbollah says fired 'advanced missile' at Israeli air base south of Tel Aviv
At Least Four Killed in Overnight Israeli Strikes in Lebanon
Israeli Ground Incursions in South Lebanon Shift Hezbollah’s Combat Priorities
Syria Foils Weapons Smuggling Attempt Near Lebanese Border
South Lebanon’s Communities: ‘The Arabs of 26?’/Mustafa Fahs/Asharq Al-Awsat/March
15/2026
Patriarch Al-Rahi:
We support the decision of our people in the South who reject war and seek life
in their land with dignity and peace for all.
Metropolitan Audi during the Sunday of the Veneration of
the Cross: How many Lebanese carry the crosses of poverty, anxiety over the
future, wars, destruction, displacement, loss of loved ones, and fear for the
nation?
The War on Hezbollah-The Iranian Terrorist Proxy Continues/LCCC website
Links for important news websites
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous
Reports And News published
on March 15-16/2026
Pope
Renews Appeal for Peace in Middle East
Trump warns of more strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, pressures allies on Strait
of Hormuz
Trump Says US Not Ready to Agree Deal to End Iran War
Iran Guards Vow to 'Pursue and Kill' Israeli Premier Netanyahu
Iran arrests 500 accused of giving information to enemies, police chief says
Iran announces 60 percent minimum wage hike: local media
Iran FM sees no reason for talks after Trump says it wants deal
Viewed from Kuwait, Iran has crossed the Gulf’s red line/Dr. Bashayer Al-Majed/Arab
News/March 16/2026
GCC ministers thank the UK for solidarity with Gulf countries amid Iranian
attacks
Iran Arrests 20 People Accused of Being Informants to Israel
Gulf Defenses Destroy 12 Ballistic Missiles, 50 Drones as 3 Soldiers Wounded in
Kuwait
Israel Approves Emergency Military Funding as Iran War Rages
Israeli forces kill 16 people in Gaza and the West Bank, medics say
Hospital Officials Say an Israeli Strike Killed 4 in Gaza, Including a Child and
His Pregnant Mother
Palestinian Ministry Says Israeli Troops Kill 2 Children, Parents in West Bank
Al-Hamidawi: Iran’s Elusive Man in Iraq
Iraq Warns of Strikes Near Prison Housing ISIS Detainees
UK Says Vital to 'De-escalate' Middle East War
Russia is Supplying Iran with Shahed Drones, Zelenskiy Says
American Flag Raised at US Embassy in Venezuela for the 1st Time since 2019
South Korea 'Closely Monitoring' Trump Call to Send Warships to Hormuz
The War on Hezbollah-The Iranian Terrorist Proxy Continues/LCCC website
Links for important news websites
Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources published
on March 15-16/2026
'Trump
Derangement Syndrome': The Danger of Hatred Clouding Perception/Dr. Majid
Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/March 14/2026
Trump's Iran War Ending Xi Jinping's 'China Dream'/Gordon G. Chang/Gatestone
Institute/March 15/2026
Hormuz in the Spotlight/Jumah Boukleb/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
Why Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen to succeed his father/Hassan Al-Mustafa/Arab
News/March 15, 2026
Infrastructure investment the key to China’s growth/Yu Yongding?arab News/March
15, 2026
Gulf states’ cashless vision is a smart economic bet/Arnab Neil Sengupta/Arab
News/March 15, 2026
The false narratives of war and the strategic patience of Gulf states/Dr.
Ishtiaq Ahmad/Arab News/March 15/2026
X Platform Selected twittes for March 15/2026
on March 15-16/2026
The Healing Miracle of the Paralytic & The Power of Praying for Others
Elias Bejjani/March 15/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/73457/
On the fifth Sunday of Lent, Catholic Maronites reflect with great reverence on
the Gospel of Saint Mark (2:1-12), which recounts The Healing Miracle of the
Paralytic. This powerful miracle underscores the immense value of intercession,
affirming that prayers and supplications for others are faith-driven acts that
Almighty God attentively hears and graciously answers.
Notably, the paralytic man in this Gospel passage did not personally seek Jesus'
help, nor did he ask for healing, forgiveness, or mercy. Many theologians
believe that Jesus frequently preached in Capernaum’s synagogue, the very town
where this man lived, yet he remained distant—lacking faith, hope, and spiritual
awareness. He did not believe that the Lord could cure him.
What makes this miracle particularly remarkable is the unwavering faith of the
paralytic’s friends, relatives, or perhaps some of Jesus' disciples. They were
convinced that if Jesus merely touched him, the man who had been crippled for 38
years would be healed. Their deep faith and determination compelled four of them
to carry him on a mat to the house where Jesus was preaching. When they could
not break through the crowd, they climbed onto the roof, made an opening, and
lowered the paralytic before Jesus, pleading for his healing.
Moved by their faith, Jesus first forgave the man’s sins: "Son, your sins are
forgiven." Only afterward did He heal his body, commanding: "Arise, take up your
bed, and walk."
Like the scribes in the Gospel, many today question why Jesus prioritized the
forgiveness of sins over physical healing. His divine wisdom reveals that sin is
the true death, leading to eternal suffering in Hell. Sin cripples the soul,
destroys faith and hope, erodes morals and values, and numbs the conscience,
separating individuals from God. Jesus sought to restore the man’s soul before
curing his body, teaching an eternal truth: "For what does it profit a man to
gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36-37).
Our merciful God never turns away those who seek Him in faith and humility. He
listens with boundless love and responds in His divine wisdom, time, and
manner:" 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)
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing
praises. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And
the prayer of faith will heal the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him
up." (James 5:15)
Within this divine context of mercy and intercession, prayers for others—whether
they are living or deceased, loved ones or enemies, relatives or strangers—are
acts of faith and compassion. God listens and responds because He never abandons
His children, provided they turn to Him with sincere repentance and trust.
Numerous biblical passages demonstrate God’s acceptance of prayers offered on
behalf of others:
Jesus healed the Centurion’s servant at the request of the Centurion, not the
servant himself. (Matthew 8:5-13)
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in response to the pleas of his sisters, Mary
and Martha. (John 11:1-44)
Praying for others—whether family, friends, strangers, or even nations—reflects
faith, love, and hope. Almighty God, as a loving and merciful Father, hears
these prayers and answers them according to His divine wisdom, which often
transcends human understanding:
"Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)
God is always waiting for us, His children, to seek His mercy—whether for
ourselves or for others. He never leaves us alone. Moreover, it is our duty of
faith to extend a helping hand to those who cannot pray for themselves—the lost,
the suffering, the unconscious, and the paralyzed. This spirit of intercession
is why we also pray to the Virgin Mary and the Saints—not as objects of worship,
but as intercessors who bring our pleas before the Lord.
O Lord, grant us the grace of faith, hope, wisdom, and patience.Help us to be
loving, humble, and compassionate. Guide us on the path of righteousness May we
stand with the just on the Day of Judgment.God sees and hears us always—let us
live in reverence to Him in all we think, say, and do.
N.B: The above piece was first published in 2012/It Is Republished with minor
changes
The Martyrs of Ain Ebel: George, Elie, and Shadi to the
Heavenly Mansions Where there is no pain, nor sorrow, but life everlasting
Elias Bejjani/March 12, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152739/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2MiQS010DY
“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job
01:21)
In the solemnity of faith, and with a grief that constricts the sovereign hearts
pulsating with the love of Lebanon, we bid farewell today to a new constellation
of the Martyrs of the Cedars—martyrs of steadfastness, heroism, and faith. They
have watered with their pure blood the sacred soil of Southern Lebanon; the land
blessed by the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother Mary, which
witnessed the majesty of His first miracle in Cana of Lebanon, where He turned
water into wine to herald the joy of the Kingdom.
An Elegy of Martyrdom and Resilience: From Alma al-Shaab to Ain Ebel.
How grievous it is to depart from heroes in the prime of their giving, yet our
solace lies in the truth that they are “Children of Light” who rejected the
darkness. Days ago, we were afflicted by the martyrdom of Mr. Sami al-Ghafari in
the patriotic village of Alma al-Shaab—brother to the parish priest—followed on
the path of Golgotha by Father Pierre al-Raee in the village of Qlaiaa. Today,
the tragedy continues to unfold in the noble town of Ain Ebel with the martyrdom
of three of its youth in the flower of their youth: George Khreish, Elie Atallah
Dahrouj, and Shadi Ammar.
These men bore no arms; rather, they carried the tools to connect the world.
They were martyred while repairing the internet network to sustain their
people’s presence in their land, confirming that steadfastness is not merely a
slogan, but an daily act of faith. They were slain without guilt, save for being
“Heroes of Remaining” who refused displacement, clinging to the soil of their
ancestors, defying the machinery of death imposed by the Iranian occupation and
its terrorist instrument (Hezbollah), which holds Lebanon hostage to foreign
agendas and drags peaceful villages into a futile war in which the people of the
land have no say.
In the Presence of the Divine Word
We lift our prayers today, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends.” (John 15:13).
The three heroic martyrs—George, Elie, and Shadi—offered themselves as a ransom
for the survival of Ain Ebel, that its bells may continue to toll and its homes
remain inhabited. We echo the words of Saint Paul, who comforts us in our human
frailty:
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
(2 Corinthians 5:1).
They have been liberated today from the earthly tent of the body, burdened with
afflictions, to return to the bosom of the Heavenly Father as angels interceding
for us from above.
A Message of Sovereignty and Sorrow
The systematic displacement and wanton shelling befalling our border villages
are not mere “accidents of war,” but the result of shackling the nation to alien
axes that do not resemble us. We hold fully responsible those who have
desecrated our sovereignty and turned our frontline villages into ramparts for
their regional projects. The targeting of our youth is an attempt to break the
will to remain; but Ain Ebel, which drank from the cups of bitterness in the
past, shall not be broken today.
A Heartfelt Condolence
To the bereaved families, to the wives and children whose hearts are broken, and
to the mothers of the martyrs who offered their most precious treasures: we
offer our condolences with hearts wrung with pain, and we console our Church,
which bleeds with every martyr. May the passing of George, Elie, and Shadi be an
oblation for the resurrection of a sovereign, free, and independent Lebanon.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
To our people in the South, we pray for steadfastness and victory over the
machinery of death and subjugation.
Video-Link for an interview in
English with USA Senator Ted Cruz: Trump’s Iran Strategy Is Making America Safer
CBN News/March 15/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/03/152802/
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz breaks down the escalating conflict with Iran, explaining
why he believes the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to the United States.
Cruz argues that Iran has funded terrorism for decades, supported groups like
Hamas and Hezbollah, and repeatedly targeted Americans. He also discusses
President Trump’s strategy, the possibility of regime change in Iran, tensions
inside the conservative movement, and why support for Israel remains vital to
U.S. national security. For over 20 years, CBN has beamed life-giving Farsi
broadcasts into Iran despite internet shutdowns. Now, with war erupting across
the country today and civilians facing mass displacement and suffering, CBN is
ready to deliver prayer support, emergency food, humanitarian aid, and the hope
of Jesus to families whose lives have been upended by conflict.
Lebanon, Israel
Near First Round of Negotiations
Beirut: Asharq Al Awsat/15 March 2026
Lebanon and Israel have taken a step forward towards holding a first meeting to
negotiate an end to the war on Lebanon. An agreement has yet to be reached on
the necessary arrangements, even as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres said from Beirut on Saturday that the “diplomatic avenues” were
available to end the war. Ministerial sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that an
agreement has been reached to hold a meeting between Lebanon and Israel, but the
location and date have not been set.
France and Cyprus have both offered to host the talks. The sources revealed that
parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has not yet decided whether to send a Shiite
representative to the meeting or not.b The negotiations team does not yet have a
Shiite representative.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri tied his agreement to negotiations and
President Joseph Aoun’s initiative to end the war with two conditions: the
ceasefire and the return of the displaced. He refused to go into further details
“ahead of time”. Berri refuses to take part in direct negotiations between
Lebanon and Israel and has demanded a ceasefire be implemented before taking any
other step to resolve the conflict. Sources have quoted him as saying that he is
still committed to the Mechanism committee and UN Security Council resolution
1701 to end the war.
‘Only diplomacy’
Guterres urged on Saturday the international community to support Lebanon.
Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war last week when Hezbollah attacked
Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in
US-Israeli strikes, and the Tehran-backed group's leader has said the fighters
were ready for a long confrontation with Israel. On Saturday, Israel kept up
strikes on Lebanon as Hezbollah claimed attacks against northern Israel and
Beirut said the death toll in the country since March 2 had climbed to 826,
including 106 children. US news site Axios reported on Saturday that Israel was
planning a major ground invasion of Lebanon "aiming to seize the entire area
south of the Litani River", citing US and Israeli officials. The area, covering
hundreds of square miles, is already subject to Israeli evacuation warnings.
Israel has already sent some ground forces into Lebanon and late on Saturday
Hezbollah said it was engaged in ongoing "direct clashes" with Israeli forces in
Khiam. Guterres, however, insisted "there is no military solution, only
diplomacy" and dialogue. The UN chief arrived in Beirut on Friday for what he
called a solidarity visit and launched a $325 million humanitarian appeal to
support Lebanon as it responds to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of
people amid sweeping Israeli army evacuation orders. Guterres urged the
international community to "step up your engagement, empower the Lebanese state"
and support the army, which has committed to disarming Hezbollah.Turkish Foreign
Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday that Ankara feared Israel could commit
"genocide" in Lebanon and called for the international community to
intervene.Turkey has been fiercely critical of Israel since the start of the
Gaza war.
Paramedics
The health ministry said 31 paramedics had been killed this month, after the
bodies of additional health workers were found following an overnight strike
that authorities said hit a healthcare center in Burj Qalawiya in the country's
south, killing doctors, paramedics and nurses. The Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic
Health Committee said the center was one of its facilities, pledging such
attacks would not deter it from "performing our humanitarian duty".
The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of using ambulances militarily, and its
spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that Israel would act "in accordance with
international law against any military activity" by any Hezbollah use of medical
facilities or ambulances.
Lebanon's health ministry accused Israel of repeatedly "targeting ambulance
crews while they were performing rescue duties". The Israeli army said that it
had struck Hezbollah operatives on Friday "who were bringing rockets into a
weapons depot" in Majedel, near Burj Qalawiya. It also said it had struck
"approximately 110 Hezbollah command centers" since the regional conflict broke
out. On Saturday, a strike hit an apartment building in a northern Beirut suburb
that had been targeted a day earlier.
An AFP correspondent in the Nabaa-Burj Hammoud area saw rescue workers at the
scene and damage including a hole in a building, outside Hezbollah's strongholds
in the capital's southern suburbs.The health ministry said the strike killed one
person in Burj Hammoud, a densely populated, mixed area known for its large
Armenian-Lebanese community.
'No safety'
Levon Ghazalian, 42, who lives in the building next door, said "it's the first
time this happens" in the area, which was spared in the previous conflict
between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024. "All the neighbors are afraid," he told
AFP. Hanadi Hachem, 50, who was in her pyjamas, said "there's no safety
anymore... you never know where a strike will come from". She said she and some
family members were sleeping in their car out of fear. French President Emmanuel
Macron said the Lebanese government was ready to engage in "direct talks" with
Israel and offered to host negotiations in Paris, warning that "everything must
be done to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos".The French foreign
ministry later denied there was a French plan to end the war, saying it had only
offered to facilitate talks, after Axios reported that Paris had drawn up a
proposal involving Lebanon formally recognizing Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Says No Plans for Talks with
Lebanese Govt
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
Israel's foreign minister on Sunday denied reports that Israel could soon hold
direct talks with Lebanon and rejected claims it had told the United States it
was running low on interceptors. Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported on Saturday
that Israel and Lebanon were expected to hold direct talks in the coming
days. Semafor also reported that Israel had informed Washington it was running
critically low on ballistic missile interceptors.
Both reports cited unnamed sources.
Asked about the weekend reports, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said: "For the
two questions, the answer is no." He also said that Israel sees "eye-to-eye"
with the US in the war with Iran, now in its 16th day, and that the two allies
were determined to continue until their goals are achieved. "We want to
remove the existential threats from Iran for the long term. We don't want to go
every year to another war," he told reporters. Saar was speaking from a Bedouin
Arab town in northern Israel near an Israeli Air Force base where homes were
damaged in an Iranian missile attack last week.
Israeli foreign
minister denies reports of Lebanon talks, interceptor shortages
Reuters/March 15, 2026
Israel’s foreign minister on Sunday denied reports that Israel could soon hold
direct talks with Lebanon and rejected claims it had told the United States it
was running low on interceptors. Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported on Saturday
that Israel and Lebanon were expected to hold direct talks in the coming
days. Semafor also reported that Israel had informed Washington it was running
critically low on ballistic missile interceptors. Both reports cited unnamed
sources. Asked about the weekend reports, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said:
“For the two questions, the answer is no.” He also said that Israel sees
“eye-to-eye” with the US in the war with Iran, now in its 16th day, and that
the two allies were determined to continue until their goals are achieved. “We
want to remove the existential threats from Iran for the long term. We don’t
want to go every year to another war,” he told reporters. Saar was speaking from
a Bedouin Arab town in northern Israel near an Israeli Air Force base where
homes were damaged in an Iranian missile attack last week.
Israel says no direct talks
planned with Lebanon to stop the war
Agence France Presse/March 15/2026
Israel said on Sunday that no direct talks were planned with Lebanon to end the
war, a day after a Lebanese official said Beirut was preparing a delegation to
negotiate with Israel. Asked whether Israel was set to
hold such talks, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said: "No."
Saar also called on the Lebanese government to take "serious steps" to stop
Hezbollah from firing at Israel. On Saturday, a Lebanese official told AFP that
preparations were underway for potential negotiations with Israel, but that
Beirut was waiting for an "Israeli commitment to a truce."
Report: Dermer met officials in KSA over new agreement in
Lebanon
Naharnet/March 15/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's envoy, ex-minister Ron Dermer, has
recently visited Saudi Arabia and spoke with senior officials in the kingdom
about a renewed initiative for an arrangement in Lebanon, the Israeli army radio
reported on Sunday.
"These were talks for the day after the fighting against Hezbollah is exhausted.
In addition to the Saudis, the Lebanese government, the White House and the
French presidential palace are partners in the negotiations," the report said.
"Lebanon is demanding direct talks in a third country and is waiting for Israeli
agreement," the Israeli army radio added.
Report: Mediated talks explore path to bring Lebanon into Abraham Accords
Naharnet/March 15/2025
Daily contacts are taking place between Israel and Lebanon with U.S. and French
mediation, the Israel Hayom newspaper has reported.
"As part of those contacts, a three-way conversation was held in recent days
among three senior officials -- one Israeli, one Lebanese and one American -- in
an attempt to advance a comprehensive agreement between the countries," the
daily said. According to senior officials in the
region and in the U.S., the talks have not yet led to formal, direct
negotiations or to a ceasefire. However, three different frameworks are already
on the table -- one American, one French and one Lebanese.
"What they share is a single strategic goal: disarming Hezbollah and
bringing Lebanon into the Abraham Accords, as part of a broader diplomatic
arrangement for peace and normalization between Israel and Lebanon," Israel
Hayom said. "The three frameworks differ mainly on the
timetable for implementing the arrangement and on the requirements for a
ceasefire. The Lebanese and French proposals call for a halt to fire toward
Beirut and toward areas with large civilian populations. France has also added a
demand that Israel commit not to strike civilian infrastructure as a punitive
measure," the daily added. Both of those frameworks include a principled
commitment to disarming Hezbollah and ending fire toward Israel, but without an
orderly, practical plan for carrying it out. The American framework, which is
closer to the Israeli position, meanwhile makes active intervention by the
Lebanese Army a basic condition for stopping Hezbollah fire toward Israel and
fully disarming the group. In that context, the Americans are also proposing
international assistance to implement the move, Israel Hayom added.
Israel's basic position, according to those sources, is to preserve the
Israeli army's freedom of action as long as Hezbollah "continues to pose a
threat," and not to agree to operational restrictions "until the Lebanese
government's commitments are implemented in practice."Israel has also expressed
satisfaction with the Lebanese government's official position and with the
removal of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel from Lebanese
territory, and has made clear that it would be prepared to provide intelligence
and military assistance, through the U.S., if the Lebanese Army begins "real
operations" against Hezbollah. At the same time, officials in Jerusalem welcomed
the ultimate goal of Lebanon joining the Abraham Accords and expressed
willingness to cooperate in various fields.At the same time, the officials
involved believe the contacts have not yet matured into direct talks between the
sides. According to them, developments in Iran and the consequences of the war
there are expected to directly affect the situation in Lebanon as well.
"If the regime in Iran falls or is forced to stop its intervention in
Lebanon and its support for Hezbollah, it is only a matter of time before we
hear of significant progress," a diplomatic source in the region told Israel
Hayom. "Even so, disarming Hezbollah will not be a simple task."
Qmati: French initiative born dead,
normalization a major sin
Naharnet/March
15/2026
Mahmoud Qmati, the deputy head of Hezbollah's Political Council, has
rejected the reported French proposal to end the war between his group and
Israel, saying it was "born dead." In an interview with Al-Jazeera, he
emphasized that Hezbollah will not accept any formula that includes disarming
the group or normalizing Lebanon's relations with Israel.
Qmati also accused Paris and Washington of failing to compel Israel to
implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and the 2024 cessation of
hostilities agreement.He added that calls to disarm Hezbollah and normalize
relations with Israel are completely rejected by "the resistance and the
Lebanese people," stressing that they will not lead to any result. Qmati also
criticized what he described as the Lebanese government's steps toward direct
negotiations with Israel, considering any such move while the war continues a
grave mistake and, in his words, a concession that harms Lebanese sovereignty
and undermines "the resistance." He emphasized that Hezbollah endured more than
15 months of bombardment and destruction, hoping for the success of the
diplomatic track. However, he said that the Lebanese state failed to achieve its
declared objectives of liberating the land and halting Israeli violations,
which, according to him, prompted Hezbollah to resume its military operations.
Noting that "the resistance now represents a powerful card for the Lebanese
state in any negotiation process," Qmati stated that Lebanon had previously
negotiated with no leverage, while it now possesses a military pressure point.
He also rejected accusations that Hezbollah is fighting on behalf of
Iran, noting that "Iran is a major power that does not need support from
anyone," and asserting that Hezbollah is benefitting from the regional
confrontation to achieve its goals related to "liberating land and prisoners and
stopping aggression." Regarding the government's decisions to ban Hezbollah's
military wing and disarm it, and the potential for this to lead to a
confrontation with the Lebanese Army, Qmati dismissed this scenario, emphasizing
that the Lebanese Army's leadership is "a patriotic leadership that understands
the danger of such a step."He said that "the army is comprised of the people and
that they know the resistance is fighting in defense of Lebanon," adding that
the party does not expect a confrontation with the military establishment,
despite ongoing political disagreements regarding Hezbollah's role in the
current war.
At least four killed in overnight Israeli strikes in al-Qatrani,
Sidon suburb
Agence France Presse/March 15/2026
Overnight strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least four people, Lebanese
state media and the government said on Sunday, as Israel said it was pressing
its campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel is fighting a second front in
the war in the Middle East in southern Lebanon, against Hezbollah, alongside the
air campaign against Iran it launched with the United States more than two weeks
ago. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) said Israel struck "an
apartment in a residential building" in a northern suburb of the coastal city of
Sidon, killing one person and causing a fire.
An AFP journalist at the scene saw damage to the third story of an apartment
building as the Lebanese Army cordoned off the area and rescue teams worked to
extinguish the blaze. Nearby residents rushed into the
street, some carrying belongings. To the southeast of Sidon, in the village of
al-Qatrani, three people were killed in an overnight Israeli strike, according
to Lebanon's health ministry. The Israeli military said in a statement Sunday it
continued to strike infrastructure used by Hezbollah throughout Lebanon, and hit
"several Hezbollah launch sites" in al-Qatrani, where it said the armed group
was preparing to fire off missiles. It also said it destroyed "command centers"
belonging to Hezbollah's Radwan Force in Beirut's southern suburbs. Hezbollah
said Sunday it was targeting several Israeli troop positions in villages close
to the border. According to Lebanon's health ministry, Israeli air strikes have
killed 826 people in Lebanon since the start of the latest war, which began
March 2 with Hezbollah firing missiles at Israel. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun
has proposed negotiations with Israel, but has yet to receive a response. A
Lebanese official told AFP on Saturday that the country was preparing to form a
delegation to negotiate with Israel but that there was no agenda, timing or
location yet decided for any talks. French President Emmanuel Macron has said
the Lebanese government was ready to engage in "direct talks" with Israel and he
offered to host negotiations in Paris, warning that "everything must be done to
prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos."
Conflict with Lebanon and Iran tests Israel’s military
readiness and diplomacy
LBCI/March 15/2026
As diplomatic efforts continue between Israel and Lebanon in an attempt to reach
a near-term ceasefire, Israeli reports have conflicted over the direction of
various initiatives. Former minister Ron Dermer,
tasked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with leading the Lebanon
negotiations, reportedly discussed a potential ceasefire with Lebanon during a
visit to Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denied
the possibility of imminent negotiations with Lebanon, calling on the Lebanese
state to take steps on the ground to first achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah.
This came after more than two weeks of the conflict, during which Israel faced
intensive, coordinated missile attacks from Iran and Lebanon that exceeded
Israeli expectations. Israel also received a series of ammunition shipments for
its air force to sustain operations against Iran and Lebanon, following reports
that it had dropped at least 11,000 munitions on Iranian targets alone over two
weeks. On Sunday, the Israeli army announced the readiness of five military
units to enter Lebanon as part of intensified operations and in preparation for
a potential ground incursion. The government allocated a budget exceeding $840
million for what it called urgent security purchases to achieve its objectives
in Iran and Lebanon, stating that any negotiations toward an agreement with
Lebanon would take place “under fire,” reflecting the Israeli doctrine that
strength ensures peace.
UN force in Lebanon says peacekeepers fired upon 'likely by
non-state armed groups'
LBCI/March 15/2026
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said its peacekeepers were fired
upon three times on Sunday, "likely by non-state armed groups" in the country's
south, two days after another position was hit by fire."Today, UNIFIL
peacekeepers were fired upon, likely by non-state armed groups, on three
separate occasions while conducting patrols around their bases," in south
Lebanon, the force said, adding that "two patrols returned fire in self-defence
and after brief exchanges, the patrols resumed their planned activities. No
peacekeeper was injured."AFP
Ansar municipality orders temporary evacuation amid safety
concerns
LBCI/March 15/2026
The Ansar municipality has asked residents to temporarily evacuate the town as a
precautionary measure to ensure public safety, effective until further notice.
Lebanon says 850 killed in two weeks of Israel-Hezbollah war
LBCI/March 15/2026
Lebanon's health ministry said on Sunday that Israeli attacks have killed 850
people in the country during two weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah. The
ministry statement said the toll included 66 women, 107 children and 32 health
workers, with 2,105 other people wounded. AFP
Hezbollah says fired 'advanced missile' at Israeli air base
south of Tel Aviv
LBCI/March 15/2026
Hezbollah said its fighters targeted an Israeli air base south of Tel Aviv on
Sunday, as Israel has kept up strikes on Lebanon. In a statement, Hezbollah said
it targeted the Palmachim air base, around 140 kilometres (85 miles) from the
Lebanese-Israeli border, with "an advanced missile," after claiming several
other attacks on sites in northern Israel and on Israeli troops in Lebanon near
the frontier. AFP
At Least Four Killed in Overnight Israeli Strikes in Lebanon
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
night strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least four people, Lebanese state
media and the government said on Sunday, as Israel said it was pressing its
campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel is fighting a second front in the
war in the Middle East in southern Lebanon, against Hezbollah, alongside the air
campaign against Iran it launched with the United States more than two weeks
ago. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) said Israel struck "an
apartment in a residential building" in a northern district of the coastal city
of Sidon, killing one person and causing a fire. An AFP journalist at the scene
saw damage to the third storey of an apartment building as the Lebanese army
cordoned off the area and rescue teams worked to extinguish the blaze. Nearby
residents rushed into the street, some carrying belongings. To the southeast of
Sidon, in the village of Al-Qatrani, three people were killed in an overnight
Israeli strike, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The Israeli military
said in a statement Sunday it continued to strike infrastructure used by
Hezbollah throughout Lebanon and hit "several Hezbollah launch sites" in Al-Qatrani,
where it said the armed group was preparing to fire off missiles.
It also said it destroyed "command centers" belonging to Hezbollah's Radwan
Force in Beirut. Hezbollah said Sunday it was targeting several Israeli troop
positions in villages close to the border. According to Lebanon's health
ministry, Israeli air strikes have killed 826 people in Lebanon since the start
of the latest war, which began March 2 with Hezbollah firing missiles at
Israel.Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has proposed negotiations with Israel, but
has yet to receive a response. A Lebanese official told AFP on Saturday that the
country was preparing to form a delegation to negotiate with Israel but that
there was no agenda, timing or location yet decided for any talks.French
President Emmanuel Macron has said the Lebanese government was ready to engage
in "direct talks" with Israel and he offered to host negotiations in Paris,
warning that "everything must be done to prevent Lebanon from descending into
chaos".
Israeli Ground Incursions in South Lebanon Shift
Hezbollah’s Combat Priorities
Asharq Al Awsat/15 March 2026
Hezbollah has scaled back attacks deep inside Israel as it focuses on
confronting expanding Israeli ground incursions into southern Lebanon, while
Israel has widened its list of targets across Lebanese territory. By Saturday
afternoon, Hezbollah had issued 22 statements claiming attacks against Israeli
forces. Most operations targeted Israeli military positions along the border,
air-defense and surveillance systems, and northern Israeli settlements. The
group also said it struck Israeli soldiers and vehicles inside Lebanese
territory, including near the municipality of Khiam, the town of Maroun al-Ras,
and newly established Israeli positions at Blat and Nimr al-Jamal opposite the
border town of Alma al-Shaab. Hezbollah also reported attacks around the Khiam
detention center, west of Blida and near Khazzan Hill in Adaisseh. Efforts to
repel Israeli ground advances now appear to top Hezbollah’s battlefield
priorities after the Israeli army launched incursions along at least four axes,
according to sources in southern Lebanon. They said Hezbollah had mobilized
forces since the start of the war in preparation for a possible ground
confrontation. Israeli forces have sought to prevent reinforcements of fighters
and equipment from reaching Hezbollah units in the south. Airstrikes severed key
routes by hitting two bridges and two crossings linking areas south of the
Litani River with those to the north, as well as roads between villages.Sources
stressed that these steps broaden Israel’s target list. “Israel also appears to
be trying to empty the area by targeting ambulances and civil defense units in
the south,” one source said. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that
Israeli warplanes launched two airstrikes shortly after midnight on the Khardali
road and bridge linking Nabatieh and Marjayoun near a Lebanese army checkpoint.
The strikes left a large crater and completely cut the road.
Medical Facilities Targeted
Israeli strikes on ambulance centers and medical facilities since the start of
the war have killed 22 paramedics, according to Lebanese officials. The
deadliest attack occurred Friday when an Israeli strike hit a primary health
care center run by Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health in the town of Burj
Qalaouiyeh, killing 12 doctors, paramedics and nurses. The Health Ministry
described the strike as a “flagrant attack on the country’s official health care
network.”Another strike hit a gathering point for the Islamic Health Authority
and the Al-Risala Scouts Association in the town of Souwaneh, killing two
people. The Israeli military said Hezbollah was using ambulances and medical
facilities for military purposes and accused the group of transporting rockets
and other weapons in civilian trucks along Lebanon’s coastal areas.
Heavy Strikes Across the South
Israeli airstrikes also intensified across southern Lebanon, targeting towns
including Majdal Zoun, Yater, Taybeh, Sajd in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region and
Zawtar al-Sharqiyah in the Nabatieh district, where a strike destroyed a house
belonging to the Harb family.
Two heavy strikes hit the town of Khiam in the Marjayoun district, while Naqoura
came under artillery fire and warplanes targeted Kharayeb. In the Hasbaya
district, Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of Shebaa. Later, Israeli
forces targeted Bint Jbeil, Ainata, Aitaroun and the outskirts of Maroun al-Ras
as clashes intensified with Hezbollah fighters along several fronts. The Wadi
al-Hujayr area also came under artillery fire. The escalation also affected UN
peacekeepers. Kandice Ardiel, spokeswoman for the United Nations Interim Force
in Lebanon, said a UN position near Mais al-Jabal was hit, likely by heavy
machine-gun fire, sparking a fire at the site and slightly injuring a
peacekeeper.UNIFIL said it had opened an investigation and reminded all parties
of their obligation to ensure the safety of peacekeepers at all times.
Syria Foils Weapons Smuggling Attempt Near Lebanese Border
Damascus: Asharq Al Awsat/15 March/ 2026
Syrian authorities announced on Saturday the seizure of a shipment of weapons
allegedly prepared for smuggling across the Syrian-Lebanese border, amid rising
tensions along the frontier. The Rif Dimashq Media Directorate said the weapons
were confiscated in the al-Nabk area of the Qalamoun region, north of Damascus,
but provided no details about the quantity or type of arms. In a brief
statement, the Internal Security Directorate said the shipment had been intended
for smuggling into Lebanon. Officials said the operation was part of ongoing
efforts to combat organized crime and curb cross-border trafficking.
The seizure comes as concerns grow along the Syrian-Lebanese border following
the Syrian army’s decision to reinforce its deployment along areas with both
Lebanon and Iraq in a bid to tighten security and prevent the smuggling of
weapons and narcotics. Sources in Damascus told Asharq Al-Awsat that Syrian
authorities are reviewing all options to address tensions with Hezbollah in
border areas. They said Damascus does not favor intervention, while emphasizing
Syria’s support for Lebanon’s stability and the authority of the Lebanese state.
The sources added that Syria’s position remains aligned with that of Arab and
regional countries supporting efforts to contain the current escalation.
Meanwhile, Hassan Abdul Ghani, spokesman for the Syrian Ministry of Defense,
denied reports suggesting Syria intends to intervene militarily in Lebanon. In
an interview with a Lebanese television channel, he said the military buildup
near the Lebanese border was a precautionary defensive measure rather than an
offensive deployment. Since the eruption of the US-Israel war on Iran and Israel
intensified strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa
has reiterated Syria’s support for Lebanon’s stability and security, backing the
Lebanese government’s efforts to restore sovereignty and strengthen state
authority. During a three-way phone call earlier this week with French President
Emmanuel Macron and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, al-Sharaa stressed the
importance of opening a new chapter in Syrian-Lebanese relations based on
cooperation and coordination between the two countries, reported the Syrian
state news agency SANA. Israel had previously destroyed many Hezbollah positions
and weapons depots in Syria before the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2024,
including stockpiles in border areas of Homs and Damascus countryside. Local
sources say weapons were looted from former regime barracks and militia caches
following the collapse of Assad’s rule. While Syrian authorities continue
campaigns to collect weapons and restrict them to state control, armed groups
and criminal networks are reportedly picking up war remnants left behind in
abandoned military sites. The danger posed by such remnants has been underscored
by recent incidents. Earlier this month, a missile left over from the former
regime exploded in a metal workshop in the industrial zone of Sweida while it
was being dismantled, killing five people and injuring three. On Friday, two
separate explosions linked to war remnants occurred in Homs and Aleppo. In Homs,
more than 31 civilians were injured when a missile exploded inside an abandoned
military barracks in the Abbasiya residential district. In al-Atarib, in western
Aleppo province, three civilians, including two children, were killed and eight
others wounded when leftover munitions exploded inside a house.
South Lebanon’s
Communities: ‘The Arabs of 26?’
Mustafa Fahs/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
The bangs of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburb interrupted an
evening discussion about the future of our country after the war. Even so, the
barrage of updates about strikes in the south, and the mass evacuation orders
that have nearly emptied out the region south of the Litani River, and the
transformation of villages south of Sidon in the ghost towns, were far more
critical and explosive issues questioned that evening at a table of mostly
composed of Southerners. At that moment, the Lebanese orchestra conductor, Mr.
Lubnan Baalbaki, who hails from the border village of Adaisseh, which had been
completely destroyed during the previous war, he raised the “question of
return.”“Have we, those of us from south of the river—become the “Arabs of “26,”
or “the Lebanese refugees,” he asked? He was making a reference to the fate of
the Palestinians after the declaration of the Israeli state split them into two
groups: the “Arabs of ’48” (or the “Palestinians of the interior”), and the much
more numerous others who have not returned since- the “refugees of ’48.” Amid
his temporary displacement, which may become an exile in the future, the Israeli
army killed the priest of the southern town of Qlayaa, Father Pierre al-Rahi,
and residents of Christian villages such like Alma al-Shaab and Rmeish were
given evacuation orders. There are also fears that evacuation orders could
extend to what remains of the villages of Kfar Shouba, al-Arqoub, and Marjeyoun,
emptying the south.
If some are allowed to remain or return in the future, they would become “the
Arabs of ’26” or “Lebanese of the interior.” Indeed, this is the first time that
communities in the South face an existential threat. It is the first time they
fear they may not be allowed to remain. Between 1948 and the invasion of 1978,
the inhabitants of the border towns faced not threat to their ability to stay in
their community, and even with the 1978 invasion and the establishment of the
security belt around these towns, many remained in their areas. Indeed, even in
the 1982 war, when the Israelis reached Beirut, the southerners did not leave
their regions.Something entirely different is underway currently: instead of a
“war in support of Gaza,” we are seeing a “war in support of Tehran. In other
words, from a “war of destruction” in to a “war of suicide.” Both wars were
pretexts the Israelis did not even need in order to implement the plans they had
begun pursuing before the previous war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu has expressed his desire to expand the buffer zone, moving deeper the
current seven kilometers inside Lebanese territory, which would mean the
annexation of new territory south of the Litani River.
Within the first seven kilometers, Israel would not allow for the return of
residents. The potential repercussion of further expansion, which is difficult
to fathom given the scale of the evacuation warnings, the destruction, along the
trajectory of Israel’s advance, raise serious fear that we could lose vast
regions south the river, that they could be entirely destroyed, depopulated, or
occupied. That is Netanyahu’s plan. The question, then: Do the six rockets that
Hezbollah fired at Israel, given their strategic insignificance, measure up to
the existential threats now facing the southerners and all Lebanese? Rockets
that served as nothing more than a pretext for a long Lebanese exile.Returning
to Mr. Baalbaki and the house of his father (the painter Abdel Hamid Baalbaki)
that the family he lost in the previous war, it was less a family home than a
museum of Southern and Lebanese cultural and artistic heritage. It was part of
our collective memory and archive. Today, we are threatened with losing
everything: our past, our present, and our future. Most of us left carrying very
little. We left memories hanging on walls that could be leveled to the ground
and countless items that could become rubble. We even forgot to take with us, as
the Palestinians who left with the hope of returning one day had, the keys to
our homes.
Patriarch Al-Rahi: We support
the decision of our people in the South who reject war and seek life in their
land with dignity and peace for all.
National News Agency (NNA) | March 15, 2026
In today's sermon, Patriarch Al-Rahi stated: "In this
Gospel, we see the reality of our nation today. Lebanon is in a state of fierce
war between Hezbollah and Israel—a war imposed upon us. Our homeland appears
paralyzed (like the paralytic man), a weary nation whose institutions are
crippled, and whose people are carrying what little belongings they have to
emigrate. The four men in the Gospel refused to let their friend remain
paralyzed, so they carried him to Jesus.
Here lies the big question: Who will carry Lebanon? It can only be carried by
the loyal and those whose allegiance is to Lebanon alone. Today, Lebanon needs a
clear voice of conscience, one with pure loyalty, stating that the land belongs
to its people and that the person forced to leave their home must return to it
with dignity. The Gospel of the Paralytic teaches us that healing begins when
people refuse to surrender. Therefore, we say today that Lebanon will not remain
paralyzed; a nation whose people believe in life can rise from its wounds." Al-Rahi
concluded: "Let us pray, dear brothers and sisters, beseeching Christ the Lord
for healing from our sins and our paralysis, and for the nation's healing from
the wounds of destructive war. We plead for its end and for the confinement of
arms to the hands of the State alone. We offer glory and praise to the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen."
Metropolitan Audi during the Sunday of the Veneration of
the Cross: How many Lebanese carry the crosses of poverty, anxiety over the
future, wars, destruction, displacement, loss of loved ones, and fear for the
nation?
National News Agency (NNA) | March 15, 2026
Metropolitan Elias Audi said in his sermon today:
"The cross carried by a Christian is not a surrender to pain, but a testimony of
faith. He who carries the cross with Christ knows that the Resurrection is
coming. Therefore, the Fathers say the Cross is the hope of the Church and the
glory of the faithful. When a believer prostrates before the Cross, they do not
worship pain, but the love revealed upon it—the love of God who gave Himself for
the salvation of the world. Thus, as the Church honors the Cross on the third
Sunday of Lent, she calls us to make our fasting an immersion in the love
manifested on the Cross, and an intensification of this love that triumphs over
evil, injustice, hatred, pride, and all the plagues ruling this world."He
continued: "Venerating the Cross today is not merely a liturgical rite; it is a
declaration of faith. When we bow before the Cross, we declare that God’s power
is made perfect in weakness and that life is born from death. Thus, the Church
sees the Cross as the throne of the Heavenly King. The One crucified upon it is
the same who said at the end of today’s Gospel: 'Truly I tell you, some who are
standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has
come with power.'
The Kingdom of God begins now, in the heart of the person who carries their
cross and follows Christ, leaving behind all the world's temptations and vices.
Today, the Church calls us to renew our spiritual commitment: to carry our cross
with patience and faith in a volatile material world, and to maintain hope
amidst the darkness. The world may see the Cross as a sign of weakness, but
faith sees it as a sign of salvation."He concluded: "Let us bow today before the
Holy Cross, asking the Lord for the strength to carry the crosses of our lives
with faith, steadfastness, and hope. Let us remember that Christ, who called us
to carry the cross, is the same one walking the path with us. He is the merciful
High Priest who supports our weakness and grants us His grace. With Him, pain
becomes a path to salvation, and the Cross becomes the door to the Resurrection
and eternal life."
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
important 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
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports
And News published
on March 15-16/2026
Pope Renews Appeal for Peace in Middle East
Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for
peace in the Middle East on Sunday, calling for an end to the war and reopening
of dialogue. "Dear brothers and sisters, for two weeks the peoples of the Middle
East have suffered the atrocious violence of war," the US pontiff said at his
weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican. "Thousands of innocent people have been
killed, and countless others have been forced to flee their homes. "I renew my
closeness to all those who have lost loved ones in the attacks that have hit
schools, hospitals, and residential areas."Leo said the situation in Lebanon was
a particular cause for concern.
"On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of
goodwill, I address those responsible for this conflict," he said in Italian.
"Cease fire! Let paths of dialogue be reopened! c"Violence can never lead to the
justice, stability and peace that people await."
Trump warns of more strikes on
Iran’s Kharg Island, pressures allies on Strait of Hormuz
Reuters/March 15, 2026
PALM BEACH, Florida/DUBAI/JERUSALEM: US President Donald Trump threatened
further strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to deploy
warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, an artery for global energy supplies,
as Tehran vowed to intensify its response. With the US-Israeli war on Iran in
its third week, Trump said US strikes had “totally demolished” much of the
island and warned of more, telling NBC News on Saturday, “We may hit it a few
more times just for fun.”The remarks marked a sharp escalation from Trump, who
had previously said the US was targeting only military sites on Kharg, and
undercut diplomatic efforts. His administration has rebuffed efforts by Middle
Eastern allies to start negotiations, three sources told Reuters.
War, energy crisis look set to persist
The war showed no sign of ending. Trump said Tehran appeared ready to make a
deal to end the conflict but that “the terms aren’t good enough yet.”Tehran’s
ability to halt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth
of the world’s oil passes, poses a difficult problem for the US and its allies.
Energy prices are soaring as the war causes the biggest-ever disruption in oil
supply, and the energy crisis looked set to continue.
“The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take
care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!” Trump wrote in a social media
post on Saturday. “The US will also coordinate with those Countries so that
everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well.”Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas
Araqchi said Iran would respond to any attack on its energy facilities. Iran’s
Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday they had carried out missile and drone
strikes on targets in Israel and three US bases in the region, calling the
attacks the first round of retaliation for workers killed in Iran’s industrial
areas. The Israeli military said it was intercepting incoming launches. Saudi
Arabia intercepted and destroyed 10 drones in Riyadh and the east, the defense
ministry said. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they no had connection to the
attack, semi-official Fars news agency reported.
A drone attack disrupted a major United Arab Emirates energy hub on Saturday,
and the US warned US citizens on Saturday to leave Iraq. The war that Trump and
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched on February 28 has killed
more than 2,000 people, mostly in Iran, according to reports from governments
and state media. At least 15 were killed when an airstrike hit a refrigerator
and heater factory in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, the semi-official
Fars news agency said on Saturday.
No immediate takers on Trump’s Hormuz request
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, urged China, France, Japan, South
Korea, Britain and others to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. None of
those countries gave any immediate indication they would do so. Takayuki
Kobayashi, Japan’s ruling party policy chief, declined to rule out the
possibility, but told public broadcaster NHK that “the (legal) threshold is very
high.”Japan interprets its pacifist postwar constitution to mean it can deploy
its military if the nation’s survival is threatened, but the government would
have to invoke a 2015 security law that has not been used. France is seeking to
assemble a coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz once the security situation
stabilizes, while Britain is discussing a range of options with allies to ensure
the security of shipping, officials have said.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who replaced his slain father,
has said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed.
Trump Says US Not Ready to
Agree Deal to End Iran War
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
Donald Trump warned that he is not ready to seek a deal to end the war with
Iran, as US ally Israel launched a new wave of strikes Sunday and Tehran's
Revolutionary Guards threatened to hunt down and kill the Israeli leader. The US
president, in an interview with NBC News, said he thought Tehran was keen to
come to the table, but that Washington would fight on for better terms and might
bomb targets on Iran's oil hub Kharg Island once, again, "just for fun". More
than two weeks into the US-Israeli war against Iran, neither side is moderating
its rhetoric despite a mounting death toll and economic damage from soaring oil
prices caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz sea lane. "Iran
wants to make a deal, and I don't want to make it because the terms aren't good
enough yet," Trump told NBC News, warning that US forces would step up strikes
on the Iranian coast north of the strait to clear a path for oil shipments to
resume. Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has -- in a written
statement -- vowed to keep Hormuz closed. But Trump dismissed this and suggested
his foe might not even be in control, saying: "I don't know if he's even alive.
So far, nobody has been able to show him."
Iran said on Saturday that "there is no problem with the new supreme leader",
even though he has yet to appear in public. The Israeli military, meanwhile,
announced a wave of strikes against targets in Western Iran, after Iran's
Revolutionary Guards branded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a criminal and
vowed that they would pursue and kill him.
Tehran cafes reopen -
The United States has urged its citizens to leave Iraq, where pro-Iranian groups
have launched attacks on the US embassy and bases hosting western military
units, Despite the hardline talk from all sides, the citizens of Tehran were
able to go about their work week in the most normal atmosphere since the start
of the war on February 28, when US-Israeli strikes killed the previous supreme
leader, Mojtaba's father Ali Khamenei. Traffic was busier than last week and
some cafes and restaurants had reopened. One resident whizzed down the street on
an electric hoverboard, and more than a third of stalls in the Tajrish bazaar, a
popular shopping hub in the north of the capital, had reopened, five days before
Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Some shoppers queued at ATMs to withdraw cash.
Online operations at Bank Melli, one of the country's largest, had been
paralyzed in recent days.
Further on, passengers were waiting at bus stops, which had been largely
deserted since the beginning of the war. Trump has suggested an international
naval operation could escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, lessening
pressure on the oil price and securing supplies for countries whose economies
are most exposed to the conflict. "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea,
the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send
Ships to the area," Trump said in a social media post on Saturday. Asked about
this, the UK ministry of defense was non-committal. "As we've said previously,
we are currently discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to
ensure the security of shipping in the region," it said. South Korea said it was
"closely monitoring President Trump's remarks on social media".
Missile barrage -
The policy chief of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling party,
Takayuki Kobayashi, said the bar for sending Japanese navy ships to the region
under existing laws was "extremely high". Saudi Arabia and Bahrain said
separately on Sunday they had intercepted renewed barrages of projectiles after
an AFP journalist heard warning sirens in Manama. Late Saturday, authorities in
Dubai also said air defenses had made further interceptions after Iran's
military warned UAE civilians to avoid port areas.
US forces struck Iran's Kharg Island on Friday -- from which nearly all of
Iran's oil exports flow -- but both sides confirmed that the strikes only took
out military defenses and left the oil export terminals intact. More than 1,200
people have been killed by US and Israeli strikes, according to Iranian health
ministry figures that could not be independently verified. The UN refugee agency
says up to 3.2 million people have been displaced in Iran, most of them fleeing
the capital and other cities to seek safety. The Pentagon says more than 15,000
targets in Iran have been hit by US and Israeli forces. US media reported that
the Pentagon has dispatched the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and around
2,500 Marines to the region.
Iran Guards Vow to 'Pursue and Kill' Israeli Premier
Netanyahu
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
Revolutionary Guards vowed on Sunday to target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu as the war with Israel and the United States continues.
"If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill
him with full force," said the Guards on their website Sepah News.
Iran arrests 500 accused of
giving information to enemies, police chief says
Reuters/March 16, 2026
DUBAI: Iran has arrested 500 people accused of sharing information with enemies,
the Islamic Republic’s police chief said on Sunday, as Israeli and US fighter
jets continue to strike new targets in the country. Half of those cases had
involved serious incidents “including people who provided information for
hitting targets and individuals who took footage of strike locations and sent
them,” Ahmadreza Radan said, without going into detail on when the arrests took
place. Earlier, Iranian media reported dozens of arrests in several regions
on Sunday. In northwestern Iran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said 20
people were arrested on accusations by the provincial prosecutor’s office of
sending location details on Iran’s military and security assets to Israel. In
northeastern Iran, which has remained relatively untouched by air strikes,
Tasnim reported the arrest of 10 people, with some accused of collecting
information on sensitive locations and economic infrastructure. “As the
Zionist enemy (Israel) and the US are attempting to invade Iran, they
simultaneously activate mercenaries and spies to carry out riots as the next
step,” a provincial branch of the Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence
organization said, according to Tasnim. The Student News Network also reported
that three people were detained in the western province of Lorestan for
“seeking to disturb public opinion ... and burn mourning symbols.”Israel has
begun targeting security checkpoints based on tip-offs from informants on the
ground, representing a new phase of its assault on Iran, a source briefed on
Israel’s military strategy told Reuters this week. In January, weeks before the
US and Israel launched the current war against Iran, there were widespread
anti-government protests in Iran that were repressed in the deadliest crackdown
in the Islamic Republic’s history.
Authorities had blamed Israel and the US for fomenting what they said were
“violent riots” aimed at overthrowing the clerical establishment.
Iran announces 60 percent minimum wage hike: local media
AFP/March 16, 2026
TEHRAN: Iran’s labor minister has announced a more than 60 percent hike in the
minimum wage, local media reported Sunday, months after anti-government protests
that began as an expression of discontent over dire economic conditions. The
country adjusts its minimum wage yearly to account for inflation, which had
skyrocketed under international sanctions in the months leading up to the
ongoing war between Iran and its foes Israel and the United States. A report
from the Tasnim news agency citing the minister of labor said that “with the
government’s approval,” the monthly minimum wage would increase from 103 million
rials to 166 million in the coming year of the Persian calendar, which will
begin in a few days’ time. It also announced a similar hike in child support
benefits. The Iranian currency trades at about 1.47 million rial to the dollar,
according to the monitoring website Bonbast. Economic demonstrations broke out
in December of last year, sparked by the high cost of living and the
depreciation of the national currency. They soon evolved into a nationwide
movement calling for an end to the country’s clerical leadership that has been
in place since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Authorities launched a crackdown on
the protests that rights groups said killed thousands of people, prompting US
President Donald Trump to threaten to intervene militarily. Trump’s stated aims
for launching the campaign against the Islamic republic have since shifted,
though he has repeatedly called on Iranians to take the opportunity to rise up
and take control of their country.'
Iran FM sees no reason for talks after Trump says it wants
deal
AFP/March 15, 2026
WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran was not interested in
talks with the United States, pushing back on President Donald Trump’s stance
that Tehran wants a deal to end the war. “We are stable and strong enough. We
are only defending our people,” Araghchi told CBS’s “Face The Nation,” in an
interview aired Sunday. “We don’t see any reason why we should talk with
Americans, because we were talking with them when they decided to attack us.
“There is no good experience talking with Americans.” Trump on Saturday said
Iran wanted a deal, but that he was not prepared to make one on current terms,
without giving further details. “We never asked for a ceasefire, and we have
never asked even for negotiation,” Araghchi said. He added that Iran was ready
to talk to countries who want to negotiate for selected oil tankers to pass
through the key Strait of Hormuz export route. “I cannot mention any country in
particular, but we have been approached by a number of countries who want to
have a safe passage for their vessels,” he said.
Viewed from Kuwait, Iran has crossed the Gulf’s red line
Dr. Bashayer Al-Majed/Arab News/March 16/2026
Iran’s attacks on Gulf states, even after those states have made it clear that
they are not involved in the conflict, could turn a small fight into a larger
regional crisis While I write this, life in Kuwait goes on in the quiet times
between sirens. And, like a lot of people in the Gulf, I am listening to that
silence and hoping it lasts. When I first heard the warning sirens in Kuwait, I
froze. For a moment, I did not know what to do. Should I run for cover or look
up at the sky, wondering what might be coming and when the next siren might
sound? All of a sudden, life seemed to be defined by the alarms: times of tense
waiting, then short breaks of relief before the alarm sounded again. War did not
seem like something far away or abstract. It felt like it was happening right
here. It felt like it was close. It sounded like it was happening outside my
window.
As a Kuwaiti citizen, that moment made me think about something that bothered
me: How did the Gulf, one of the most important economic areas in the world,
become the front line in a war it did not start?
The answer is becoming clearer as Iran’s missile and drone attacks spread across
the region. Iranian strikes have hit several Gulf states, including Saudi
Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Air defense systems in the
region have shot down hundreds of missiles and drones, putting civilians and
important infrastructure in danger.
Iran says that its attacks are only on military targets. But people who live
under the paths of these missiles and drones do not believe that claim. In some
parts of the region, strikes have hit or threatened civilian areas, like homes,
apartment buildings and civilian airports that are important for daily life.
Families have seen debris fall into their neighborhoods, flights have been
delayed and people have died or been hurt. No matter what the stated goal is,
the truth is clear: these attacks are not just happening at military bases. They
are getting to the places where everyday life happens.
This situation also raises serious questions about international law.
International humanitarian law states that the parties involved in an armed
conflict must follow the rules of distinction and proportionality. These rules
are meant to protect civilians and their property. Military operations must
clearly distinguish between military and civilian targets. Attacks that cause
harm to civilians are not allowed. When residential areas, airports and civilian
infrastructure are hit or threatened, it becomes harder to say that operations
are only aimed at military targets. More generally, such actions go against the
very foundations of international law. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter forbids
threatening or using force against the political independence or territorial
integrity of any state. Attacking a sovereign country’s territory with missiles
is not only a sign of military escalation, but it also breaks one of the most
important rules of modern international law.
In the important Nicaragua v. United States case of 1986, the International
Court of Justice reaffirmed this principle. It stressed that the principle of
nonintervention and the ban on the use of force are basic rules that govern how
states interact with each other. Firing missiles across borders and threatening
civilian infrastructure are breaches of the laws that are supposed to protect
smaller states. Iran’s repeated threats to disrupt navigation in the Strait of
Hormuz further heighten the gravity of the current situation. This strait links
the Gulf to the wider global economy and is one of the most strategic maritime
chokepoints in the world, carrying roughly a fifth of global seaborne oil and
liquefied natural gas exports. Any attempt to obstruct or militarize this
passage therefore has consequences far beyond the region.
Under international maritime law, particularly the regime governing
international straits in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, vessels of all
states enjoy the right of transit, which cannot be suspended or impeded by
coastal states. The Strait of Hormuz must remain open to global shipping, even
during periods of heightened political tension. Threats to close the strait or
attack commercial vessels raise serious legal concerns, as they challenge the
principle of freedom of navigation and the stability of international maritime
order. At a time when global energy markets and international trade depend
heavily on this narrow waterway, such threats risk transforming a regional
conflict into a global economic and security crisis. The effects of this war go
far beyond the Gulf itself. The Gulf is at the heart of the world’s energy
system and problems there quickly spread to other markets around the world.
Daniel Yergin, a well-known energy expert, has long said that oil markets react
not only to real supply problems but also to the idea of geopolitical risk.
Prices go up quickly when instability threatens a region that is responsible for
a large part of the world’s energy exports. The Gulf’s role as a center for
global trade and transport is another economic effect. It is now one of the most
important places in the world for shipping, aviation, logistics and
international finance. Escalation threatens commercial aviation corridors,
raises the cost of maritime insurance, messes up supply chains and adds
uncertainty to global markets. Things that happen in the Gulf do not stay there;
they affect the entire global economy.History confirms that wars in the Middle
East do not stay in one place for long. Lawrence Freedman, a strategic scholar,
has noted that conflicts in the region frequently develop in a way that even
dominant states find challenging to regulate. External actors often find
themselves responding to regional dynamics instead of shaping them.
That warning seems especially important right now.
Iran’s attacks on Gulf states, even after those states have made it clear that
they are not involved in the conflict, could turn a small fight into a larger
crisis. For Kuwait, these changes are not just theoretical. Iranian missile and
drone attacks have hit throughout the country, forcing its air defense systems
to stop incoming threats and making life difficult for everyone. Such attacks
are a direct violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state
of Kuwait and could be a violation of the UN Charter. Kuwait’s response has,
however, been based on restraint and the rule of law. The state has made it
clear that its sovereignty is a red line and that it has the right to defend
itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter, as long as it follows the principles
of necessity and proportionality that are recognized in international law.
Kuwait has also asked the rest of the world to follow the laws that protect
sovereign equality and maintain peace and safety. While I write this, life in
Kuwait goes on in the quiet times between sirens. And, like a lot of people in
the Gulf, I am listening to that silence and hoping it lasts.
• Dr. Bashayer Al-Majed is a professor of law at Kuwait University, and a
visiting fellow at Oxford. X: @BashayerAlMajed
GCC ministers thank the UK for solidarity with Gulf
countries amid Iranian attacks
Arab News/March 15, 2026
RIYADH: The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council thanked the UK for
its solidarity and longstanding commitment to the security, stability, and
territorial integrity of their countries. GCC foreign ministers met with British
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in Riyadh for an extraordinary meeting on March
12 to discuss the escalation in the Middle East and Iranian aggression against
GCC countries and Jordan. A joint statement was issued on Sunday following the
meeting and stated that the ministers reiterated their commitment to regional
stability and called for the protection of civilians and full respect of
international law, international humanitarian law and the obligations on UN
Member States to abide by the principles of the United Nations Charter. The
ministers recounted that they had consistently urged Iran to curb its nuclear
and ballistic missile programmes and refrain from destabilising activities
across the region, including the use of proxies and interference in the domestic
affairs of states. They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to dialogue and
diplomacy as a means to resolve the crisis, commending the constructive role of
Oman in this regard, and highlighted the need to restore regional stability and
security.
The ministers recalled the inherent right of the GCC countries, in accordance
with Article 51 of the UN Charter, to defend themselves, individually and
collectively, against armed Iranian attacks, as recognized in UN Security
Council resolution 2817.
They affirmed that GCC states have the right to take all necessary measures to
defend their security and stability and protect their territories, citizens and
residents.
The ministers recalled the responsibility of the UN Security Council in
maintaining international peace and security. The ministers agreed to undertake
joint diplomatic efforts to bring about a lasting solution to prevent Iran from
acquiring a nuclear weapon, to cease development and proliferation of ballistic
missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, and to refrain from destabilising
activities in the region and beyond. They reaffirmed the importance of
safeguarding regional air space, maritime routes, and freedom of navigation, as
well as the safety and security of supply chains, shipping, mariners and the
stability of global energy markets. The ministers stressed that the security and
stability of the Gulf region are fundamental pillars of the stability of the
global economy, intrinsically linked to UK and global security. They recognized
significant British contributions to the security of the region, and expressed
appreciation to the UK on its recent decision to enhance defensive capabilities
in the region, including through the participation of RAF Typhoon jets in
defensive operations. The UK thanked GCC members for the hospitality and
assistance provided to British nationals in their territory. The ministers
welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026)
on Wednesday which condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s “egregious attacks”
on the territories of GCC countries and Jordan, considering them a violation of
international law and a serious threat to international peace and security. They
noted that the resolution also condemned Iran’s targeting of residential areas
and civilian infrastructure, which included oil facilities, service facilities
and residential areas, and resulted in civilian casualties and damage to
civilian buildings.
Iran Arrests 20 People
Accused of Being Informants to Israel
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
Iranian authorities have arrested at least 20 people in the country's northwest
on suspicion of cooperating with Israel, local media reported on Sunday, more
than two weeks into the Middle East war. The arrests took place during raids on
networks linked to Israel in the West Azerbaijan province, the Fars news agency
said, quoting provincial prosecutor Hossein Majidi. "Twenty people were arrested
and detained" after they were found to be "sending details of military, law
enforcement and security locations to the Zionist enemy", it added. Authorities
have carried out sweeping raids across Iran, arresting in recent days hundreds
of people suspected of cooperating with Israel and the United States, local
media reported. The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes that
killed Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, sparking Iranian retaliation. On
Sunday, the official IRNA news agency reported the arrest of a person it said
was sending information to the London-based TV channel Iran International. The
report, which quoted the police commander of the northern Qazvin province, said
the individual was using a Starlink terminal, a technology that is banned in
Iran. Iran has been digitally sealed off from the rest of the world by a
complete internet blackout since the start of the Middle East war. To get around
those restrictions, some Iranians have turned to Starlink terminals from the US
company SpaceX, which connect to the internet via satellites. In January, Iran
banned cooperation with Iran International, saying it was "affiliated with the
Zionist regime".
Gulf Defenses Destroy 12
Ballistic Missiles, 50 Drones as 3 Soldiers Wounded in Kuwait
Riyadh: Jubair Alansari/Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
Defenses in the Gulf downed on Saturday 12 ballistic missiles and 50 drones
fired at civilian locations and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United
Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its
third week. Meanwhile, two drone attacks on the Ahmed Al-Jaber Base in Kuwait
wounded three members of the armed forces and left material damage.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi defense destroyed 12 drones in the Eastern Region and one in each of the
Empty Quarter and al-Jawf, said official Defense Ministry spokesman Turki Al-Malki.
UAE
The United Arab Emirates reported a new missile attack Sunday morning, a day
after Iran called for the evacuation of three major UAE ports, threatening for
the first time a neighboring country’s non-US assets. Tehran accused the United
States of using “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to launch strikes on
Kharg Island, home to the main terminal handling Iran’s oil exports, without
providing evidence, as the war showed no signs of ending. Earlier, UAE defenses
intercepted nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones fired from Iran. The attacks
have left six people dead, including Emiratis and nationals from Pakistan, Nepal
and Bangladesh. A total of 141 injuries have been reported among citizens and
residents. The Defense Ministry stressed that the armed forces were on the
highest alert level to handle any threats and firmly confront anything that may
harm the country’s security, in order to protect its sovereignty, stability and
national interests. The UAE strongly condemned the unprovoked terrorist drone
attack that targeted the UAE Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
for the second time in a week. The attack resulted in injuries to two security
personnel and damage to the consulate building. In a statement, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs stressed that targeting diplomatic missions and premises
constitutes a flagrant violation of international norms and laws, particularly
the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the
inviolability of diplomatic premises and the protection of diplomatic personnel.
Such acts represent a dangerous escalation and a threat to regional security and
stability. The UAE has called on the Iraqi government and the government of the
Kurdistan Region of Iraq to investigate the circumstances surrounding this
attack, identify those responsible, and take all necessary measures to ensure
that the perpetrators are held accountable. The Ministry reiterated the UAE’s
firm rejection of terrorist attacks aimed at undermining security and stability,
emphasizing the need to protect diplomatic premises, missions, and their
personnel in accordance with international laws and norms. UAE Attorney-General
Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered the arrest of 25 individuals of various
nationalities for publishing misleading content on digital platforms that harms
national defense measures and glorifies acts of military aggression against the
State.
They have been referred for an expedited trial. The move follows rigorous
monitoring of digital platforms to combat the spread of fabricated information
and artificial content intended to incite public disorder and undermine general
stability. Al Shamsi said that exploiting cyberspace to circulate misleading
content and footage that harms public security or compromises the state’s
defensive capabilities is a criminal offense. This is particularly critical
given the military aggression currently faced by the state, and such behavior
will be met with firm legal action.
Kuwait
Drones hit Kuwait’s international airport. The drone attack Saturday night hit
the airport’s radar system, Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority said in a
statement. Flights there have been halted since the start of the war. Three
members of the Kuwaiti army sustained minor injuries when two drones damaged the
Ahmed Al-Jaber air base on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry
said in a statement. Kuwait’s air defense system intercepted another three
drones, and two drones fell outside what the ministry called “the threat area”
and posed no danger. Early in the war, three American fighter jets were
mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire during an Iranian attack. Kuwait is
also where six US soldiers were killed in a drone strike on a command center.
Bahrain
Bahrain announced that it has intercepted 124 missiles and 203 drones since the
start of the conflict. Three rockets and 10 drones were downed on Saturday.
Authorities urged people to stay at home and that they should leave only when
necessary. They must steer clear of damaged location or any suspicious objects.
They are also prohibited from filming or photographing military operations or
locations where debris and shrapnel have landed.
Qatar
Qatari’s Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
underscored the stability and stability of the country. The safety of anyone
residing in the country is a “red line” and a “priority in every step we take,”
he added during a televised interview on Friday.
Israel Approves Emergency Military Funding as Iran War Rages
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
Israel has approved an $827-million emergency budget allocation for military
purchases, Israeli media reported Sunday, as the war with Iran entered its third
week. The 2.6-billion-shekel package was approved over the weekend by cabinet
ministers during a telephone meeting, the daily Haaretz reported. It will be
used for "security purchases" and to address "urgent needs", it said, without
providing further details. A finance ministry document circulated to all
ministers and reported by several media outlets, including Channel 12, said that
"given the intensity of the fighting" the additional budget allocation was
necessary. "An urgent and immediate need has arisen to provide an operational
response, including the acquisition of munitions, the procurement of advanced
weapons systems and the replenishment of critical combat stocks," the document
said. The document added that the move constituted "an exceptional emergency
decision intended solely to address needs arising from the conduct of the
fighting". The funds will be drawn from the state budget, totaling $222 billion
and approved by the government on March 12, and expected to be adopted by the
Knesset by March 31, according to the reports. The government of Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet officially commented on the measure or specified
what purchases the funds will cover. Since the Israeli-US bombardments against
Iran that began on February 28, Israel has been targeted daily by Iranian
ballistic missile fire, which the military has mostly intercepted using its
missile defense systems. According to Haaretz, citing security officials, 250
ballistic missiles had been fired by Iran at Israel as of March 13. Twelve
people have been killed in Israel by missiles or falling debris since the start
of the war, according to an AFP tally of figures given by Israeli authorities
and first responders.
Israeli forces kill 16
people in Gaza and the West Bank, medics say
Reuters/March 15, 2026
CAIRO/RAMALLAH: Israeli forces killed 16 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the
West Bank, health officials said, in one of the heaviest death tolls in a single
day in weeks, as Israel continued to launch attacks on Lebanon and Iran.Medics
and the interior ministry of the Hamas-run Gaza said an Israeli airstrike killed
a senior police official and eight other officers when it hit their vehicle near
the entrance to Zawayda town in the central Gaza Strip. At least 14 other
people, mostly bystanders, were wounded, the Gaza health ministry said. Earlier
on Sunday, health officials said an Israeli airstrike had killed three people —
a man, his pregnant wife, and their son — in the western area of Nuseirat in
the central Gaza Strip. There was no immediate Israeli comment on the incidents
in Gaza. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a Palestinian father, mother,
and two of their children were killed as they drove in the occupied West Bank,
Palestinian health authorities said, and the Israeli military said the incident
was under review.In Gaza there have been regular outbreaks of violence since a
ceasefire went into effect in October following two years of devastating war
triggered by Hamas-led attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. While Israeli
attacks in Gaza declined in the days after the US and Israel launched attacks on
Iran on February 28, according to residents, medics and analysts, they have
since begun to rise again. Israeli fire has killed at least 36 Palestinians
since the outbreak of the Iran war, Gaza health officials say. The territory’s
health ministry says that at least 670 people have been killed by Israeli fire
since the October ceasefire. Israel said four soldiers were killed by militants
in Gaza over the same period.
“We came under direct fire”
In the West Bank village of Tammun, Palestinian health authorities said Ali
Khaled Bani Odeh, 37, his 35-year-old wife Waad, and two of their sons aged five
and seven died after being shot in the head, while two of their other children
sustained injuries. The Israeli military said in a statement that forces had
operated in the village of Tammun to arrest Palestinians wanted for involvement
in “terrorist” activity against security forces. “During the operation, a
vehicle accelerated toward the forces, who perceived an immediate threat to
their safety and responded with gunfire. As a result, four Palestinians who
were in the vehicle were killed,” the military said.
The circumstances of the incident were under review, it said.
Speaking to Reuters at the hospital, Khaled, 12, one of the two surviving boys,
said he heard his mother crying and his father praying before shots sprayed the
car. “We came under direct fire, we didn’t know the source. Everyone in the car
was martyred, except my brother Mustafa and me,” the boy said. He said soldiers
had pulled him out of the vehicle before beating him and cried: “We killed
dogs.” The Palestinian Health Ministry said one Palestinian was also killed in
an attack by Israeli settlers overnight. Israeli settlers in the West Bank are
taking advantage of curbs on movement imposed during the US-Israeli war on Iran
to attack Palestinians, with military roadblocks preventing ambulances from
reaching victims quickly, rights groups and medics say. Settlers have killed at
least five Palestinians in the West Bank since the Iran war began on February
28, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Hospital Officials Say an Israeli Strike Killed 4 in Gaza,
Including a Child and His Pregnant Mother
Asharq Al Awsat/15 March/ 2026
At least four Palestinians, including a boy and his pregnant mother, were killed
Sunday by an Israeli airstrike in the war-torn Gaza Strip, hospital authorities
said. The strike hit a house in Nuseirat, an urban refugee camp in central Gaza,
killing a couple and their young son, according to the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs
Hospital. The fourth fatality was taken to the Awda hospital in Nuseirat. There
was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The deaths were the latest
fatalities among Palestinians in the coastal enclave since an October ceasefire
deal attempted to halt a more than two-year war between Israel and Hamas in
Gaza. While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the ceasefire has still seen
almost daily Israeli fire. Israeli forces have carried out repeated airstrikes
and frequently fire on Palestinians near military-held zones, killing more than
650 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. Israel says it has
responded to violations of the ceasefire or targeted wanted fighters. But about
half of those killed have been women and children, according to the Gaza Health
Ministry. They were among more than 72,200 Palestinians killed in the war which
was triggered when Hamas-led gunmen attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The militant attack killed over 1,200 people and took over 250 others hostage.
The health ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains
detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and
independent experts. But it does not give a breakdown of civilians and fighters.
Fighters have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its
strikes are in response to that and other violations. Four Israeli soldiers have
been killed since the ceasefire.
Palestinian Ministry Says Israeli Troops Kill 2 Children,
Parents in West Bank
Asharq Al Awsat/15 March/ 2026
The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli troops shot and killed a
Palestinian husband and wife and their two young children in the north of the
occupied West Bank on Sunday. The Palestinian Red Crescent also said its teams
had recovered the bodies of two adults and two children from a vehicle that had
been fired on by Israeli forces in the town of Tammun. The Israeli military said
it was looking into reports of the incident in response to AFP's request for
comment. The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry said in a statement that
"four martyrs from one family arrived at the Turkish Public Hospital in Tubas
after the occupation army shot at them in Tammun".It said the hospital had
received the bodies of the man, aged 37, the woman, 35, and two boys aged five
and seven, adding that all had gunshot wounds. The Palestinian news agency WAFA
reported that the couple's two other children, aged eight and 11, were wounded
by shrapnel after Israeli forces opened fire on their vehicle early on Sunday
morning. Palestinian authorities and the United Nations say there has been a
spike in deadly attacks, mostly by Israeli settlers, in the West Bank in recent
days, with at least five Palestinians killed since the start of March. Israel's
military launched an operation in November against Palestinian armed groups in
the north of the West Bank, including areas around Tubas. More broadly, violence
in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has risen sharply since
the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war. It has
continued despite a ceasefire since October 10. According to an AFP tally based
on Palestinian health ministry figures, Israeli troops or settlers have killed
at least 1,045 Palestinians -- many of them fighters, but also scores of
civilians -- in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war. Official Israeli
figures say that 45 Israelis, including both soldiers and civilians, have been
killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations. In addition
to roughly three million Palestinians, more than 500,000 Israelis live in
settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international
law.
Al-Hamidawi: Iran’s Elusive
Man in Iraq
Baghdad: Fadhel al-Nashmi/ Asharq Al Awsat/15 March/ 2026
Conflicting reports have emerged about the fate of Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu
Hussein al-Hamidawi after a strike early Saturday targeted a house linked to the
group in Baghdad’s Karrada district. Some reports said al-Hamidawi was killed in
the attack, while others suggested he survived. A video circulated online later
appeared to show a man believed to be al-Hamidawi with a head injury. The
incident has again drawn attention to the figure often described as “Iran’s
mysterious man in Iraq.”Despite the influence of Kataib Hezbollah — founded by
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the former deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization
Forces (PMF) who was killed in a US strike near Baghdad International Airport in
January 2020 — the group’s leadership has long remained shrouded in secrecy.
Although the faction plays a key military role within the PMF and has been
linked to attacks targeting US interests in Iraq, its senior figures rarely
appear in public and operate under strict security protocols that limit
information about them.
Shadowy figure. The name Ahmad Mohsen Faraj al-Hamidawi, better known by the nom
de guerre Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi, has been associated with several major
developments in Iraq in recent years. Yet reliable details about him remain
scarce. Apart from widely circulated images of his father, Mohsen al-Hamidawi,
the commander himself has largely remained absent from public view. Available
information indicates al-Hamidawi was born in Baghdad in 1971. His family is
believed to originate from the southern province of Maysan, likely moving to the
capital in the 1950s or 1960s. Some reports suggest he comes from a family with
influence inside Kataib Hezbollah. His son, Zaid al-Hamidawi, is widely believed
to run the “Abu Ali al-Askari” account on X, which releases statements
attributed to the group. His brothers are also said to hold senior roles within
the faction. Sources close to PMF factions say al-Hamidawi maintains strict
security measures. He rarely uses mobile phones or electronic devices directly
and communicates through trusted aides, with knowledge of his movements
restricted to a very small circle.Despite the secrecy surrounding him, al-Hamidawi
has long been described as a key Iranian-aligned figure in Iraq. His role in
Kataib Hezbollah has also placed him under US sanctions. In February 2020, the
US State Department designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)
for leading the group, which Washington classified as a terrorist organization
in 2009.
Kataib Hezbollah and its leader have been accused by activists from Iraq’s 2019
protest movement of involvement in killings and assassinations of demonstrators.
The group is also widely believed to be responsible for multiple attacks
targeting the US Embassy in Baghdad and locations hosting American forces across
the country. Some Shiite political circles regard it as the most powerful
Iran-aligned armed faction in Iraq, closely linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
Corps. In November 2023, the US Treasury imposed additional sanctions on leaders
of Iraqi armed factions and reaffirmed restrictions on al-Hamidawi as the head
of Kataib Hezbollah. Further sanctions followed in January 2024 targeting
members of the group, including his brother Awqad al-Hamidawi, on accusations of
providing logistical support and facilitating the group’s financial and
operational activities.
Iraq Warns of Strikes Near Prison Housing ISIS Detainees
Asharq Al Awsat/15 March/ 2026
Iraq warned on Sunday that drone attacks near Baghdad airport threatened the
security of the nearby prison housing ISIS group suspects recently brought from
Syria. In February, the United States completed the transfer of 5,700 ISIS
detainees from Syria to Iraq. They have been held since in Baghdad's al-Karkh
prison, once a US Army detention center known as Camp Cropper, which is part of
Baghdad airport's complex. Justice ministry spokesperson Ahmed Laibi said in a
statement that "the areas surrounding Baghdad International Airport and the
airport prison (Al-Karkh Central) have been subjected to repeated strikes". Some
strikes hit "near the facility, raising concerns regarding the impact on the
security of a prison that houses high-risk terrorist inmates", Laibi added. The
most intense strikes took place Saturday, hitting "in very close proximity to
the prison," he said. Since the start of the Middle East war, Tehran-backed
armed groups have been claiming daily drone and rocket attacks against US bases
in Iraq. Baghdad airport houses a US diplomatic facility and until recently also
hosted troops from the US-led international coalition against exremists. Laibi
said while security measures were in place to "ensure stability", "the frequency
of these attacks and the proximity of falling projectiles remain a cause for
concern".ISIS swept across Syria and Iraq in 2014, committing massacres. Backed
by US-led forces, Iraq proclaimed the defeat of ISIS in the country in 2017, and
the Kurdish-led Syrian forces ultimately beat back the group in Syria two years
later.
UK Says Vital to 'De-escalate' Middle East War
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
A British minister on Sunday said it was essential to calm the situation in the
Middle East after US President Donald Trump demanded that other nations help
protect world oil supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The "plan now
has to be to de-escalate the conflict", Energy Security Minister Ed Miliband
told the BBC. "We are talking to our allies. There are different ways in which
we can make maritime shipping possible. We are intensively looking with our
allies at what can be done, because it's so important that we get the strait
reopened," he added, speaking to Sky News. A spokesperson for the defense
ministry said late on Saturday: "As we've said previously, we are currently
discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to ensure the
security of shipping in the region."
Russia is Supplying Iran with Shahed Drones, Zelenskiy Says
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones to use against the US and Israel,
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told CNN in an interview excerpt aired
on Saturday. Zelenskiy told CNN's Fareed Zakaria that it is "100% facts" that
Iran has used Russian-made Shaheds to attack US bases. Shahed drones have
been linked to other attacks on countries in the region, although their
manufacturers are not always clear, Reuters said. Iran pioneered the Shahed
drone, a much cheaper alternative to expensive missiles. They first saw mass
use in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where thousands of them have been launched
by Russian forces since fall 2022, according to the Ukrainians. Although Iran
initially provided the drones, Russia now manufactures its own Shaheds. The
armed forces of other countries have since adopted Shahed-type drones, including
the US military, which has said they are part of the current campaign against
Iran.
American Flag Raised at US
Embassy in Venezuela for the 1st Time since 2019
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
The American flag was raised Saturday over the US Embassy in Venezuela for the
first time since 2019, a move that highlighted the recent shift in relations
between the two countries since then President Nicolás Maduro was captured by
American troops in January. Though the flag is now waving, the building is
undergoing renovations and it remains unclear when it will fully reopen. The
move comes after several statements from US President Donald Trump in support of
Maduro’s successor, acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has tried to keep
negotiations open with the American government. The flag was raised "exactly
seven years after it was taken down,” the US Embassy team said in a statement
published on its social media channels. The American flag being raised drew
immediate attention from local residents. “It’s a good thing, really, what a
joy,” said Caracas resident Luz Verónica López. “Other countries must come back
too because that’s what we need; progress, to move forward with good relations
with the rest of the world, as it should be.”Alessandro Di Benedetto, another
Caracas resident, noted the positive atmosphere among those witnessing the
moment. “I found several people here surprised and happy because today they
raised the US flag at the embassy,” he said. “This is positive; this is another
step.”Despite the initiative, large chunks of Venezuelan society and the
political establishment remain critics of Trump, his decision to forcefully
remove Maduro from office and jail him in New York with his wife, and growing US
influence in the South American country's oil industry.
South Korea 'Closely Monitoring' Trump Call to Send Warships to Hormuz
Asharq Al-Awsat/March 15/2026
South Korea said on Sunday it was paying close attention to US President Donald
Trump's call for Seoul and other countries to send warships to help protect oil
supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Since US-Israeli forces launched
a war against Iran on Feburary 28, Tehran has responded with attacks and threats
that have nearly halted shipping in the strait, through which one-fifth of
global oil supplies normally passes. After earlier vowing that the US Navy would
begin escorting tankers through the waterway, Trump said on social media on
Saturday that "Many Countries" would also send warships to keep it open, naming
South Korea and Japan among others. But after a senior Japanese official said on
Sunday that Tokyo maintained a high threshold for such a move, Seoul also
refrained from making any explicit commitments. "We are closely monitoring
President Trump's remarks on social media and will carefully consider the matter
in close consultation with the United States," a South Korean presidential
official told AFP. Seoul was "comprehensively considering and exploring various
measures... to ensure the safety of energy transport routes", the official said.
Like other Asian economies, South Korea relies heavily on energy imports,
including through the Strait of Hormuz. The war has already prompted Seoul to
impose a fuel price cap to ease pressure on its energy supply, the first such
measure since 1997. Earlier on Sunday, Takayuki Kobayashi, the policy chief of
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said
the bar for sending Japanese navy ships to the region under existing laws was
"extremely high". "Legally speaking, we do not rule out the possibility, but
given the current situation in which this conflict is ongoing, I believe this is
something that must be considered with great caution," he said on the public
broadcaster NHK's political debate program. Trump also mentioned China, France
and Britain by name in his post, saying he hoped countries "that are affected by
this artificial constraint will send Ships to the area".
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/
The Latest
LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published
on March 15-16/2026
'Trump Derangement Syndrome': The Danger of Hatred Clouding Perception
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone
Institute/March 14/2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22338/trump-derangement-syndrome-iran
In the end, the greatest danger of this mindset is
not simply unfair criticism of a president. The deeper problem is that it
weakens the ability of society to confront serious threats. When political
hatred becomes so intense that it overrides basic judgment, it becomes difficult
to distinguish between legitimate criticism and reflexive opposition. Perception
of reality itself is broken. At a moment when the world faces overwhelming
security challenges – such as from China – currently developing new deadly
pathogens for biowarfare and autonomous robots programmed to kill -- and
authoritarian regimes that continue to threaten both their own populations and
what they regard as their enemies -- denial and blindness carry serious risks.
If political discourse becomes so polarized that people can no longer recognize
the nature of regimes that repress their own citizens and openly threaten the
United States and the Free World, the problem is far larger than any single
president. It becomes a crisis that can only be addressed when people step
outside their partisan bubbles and confront reality as it truly is. Iran's
leaders have for decades chanted "Death to America" ("The Great Satan") and
"Death to Israel" ("The Little Satan"), slogans that are not merely rhetorical
flourishes but actual central elements of the regime's ideological identity.
Yet, when Trump confronts this very regime, the focus shifts away from the
Iranian regime's actions and instead centers entirely on condemning Trump
himself. The atrocities committed by the regime fade into the background.
If one steps back from the daily noise of partisan bickering and looks at the
broader picture in the United States today, some media outlets and political
figures appear so consumed by hostility toward the current president that they
seem incapable of evaluating events rationally.
Their reaction to almost anything he does appears automatic and reflexive. This
situation, often described as "Trump Derangement Syndrome," has reached such an
extreme level that at times these voices appear to be siding — whether
intentionally or not — with America's enemies such as the Chinese Communist
Party, or the Iranian regime, which, since its inception in 1979, has openly
been at war with the United States and for decades has been described by
American officials across both political parties as the world's leading state
sponsor of terrorism 39 years in a row.
The result is a political discourse that seems disconnected from what is right
or wrong, but simply whether something was done by President Donald J. Trump.
This disagreement has gone far beyond normal political discord. In any healthy
democracy, political leaders and policies can and should be debated and
criticized. What we are witnessing now in some corners of the political and
media landscape, however, appears to have crossed over into something closer to
emotional obsession than rational debate. It is as if the guiding principle has
become: if Trump does something, it must automatically be wrong. The logic and
context behind the action become irrelevant. Instead of asking whether
confronting a hostile regime might serve American interests or international
security, the reaction becomes instant opposition, regardless of the
circumstances or the stakes involved.
The Iranian regime, for instance, has for decades openly defined itself through
hostility toward the United States and its allies. Its leaders have repeatedly
chanted "Death to America" ("The Great Satan") and "Death to Israel" ("The
Little Satan"), slogans that are not merely rhetorical flourishes but actual
central elements of the regime's ideological identity. Iranian leaders, starting
with the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, have
openly called for the obliteration of Israel and have supported armed groups
across the Middle East that target both Israelis and Americans.
Since 1984, the US government — under both Republican and Democrat
administrations — has officially designated Iran as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
for its support of terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad,
Hamas, and the Houthis; its involvement in attacks across the region and
attempted attacks abroad, including involvement in the 9/11 attacks and at least
two attempted assassinations on Trump, as well as targeting senior US officials
for assasination in his first term.
Iran's regime has killed countless Americans, and continues to pursue policies
designed to weaken American influence in the Middle East. It is a regime that
has repeatedly demonstrated hostility toward the United States and its allies.
Yet when Trump took a hard stance against Tehran, instead of focusing on the
nature of the Iranian regime itself, some critics appeared to focus exclusively
on the identity of the president who was confronting it. The issue became less
about Iran and more about Trump. His actions, rather than being evaluated on
their merits, were filtered through the lens of political hostility. Whatever he
does must be greeted with skepticism or condemned.
The hypocrisy is difficult to overlook. Many of the same political movements and
advocacy groups that strongly emphasize women's rights and human rights have
historically ignored Iran's state abuse of women and dissidents. For decades,
Iranian authorities have imposed severe restrictions on women's freedoms,
violently suppressed protests, and imprisoned journalists, activists, and
political opponents. Tens of thousands of Iranians have been arrested, tortured,
or murdered for challenging the regime's authority or for demanding basic
freedoms.
Yet, when Trump confronts this very regime, the focus shifts away from the
Iranian regime's actions and instead centers entirely on condemning Trump
himself. The atrocities committed by the regime fade into the background.
Imagine how different the reaction might be under a different administration.
Media coverage might emphasize Iran's human rights abuses, its repression of
women, and its support for terrorist groups. Analysts would speak about
defending human rights, protecting allies, and standing up to authoritarian
governments. The policy would likely be framed as a necessary response to the
brutal regime developing nuclear weapons and being a dangerous global threat.
When opposition to a political figure becomes absolute, every action that person
takes must be opposed. The debate ceases to be about facts or moral principles
and instead becomes a contest of political identity.
Critics who once spoke passionately about human rights abuses in Iran now appear
unwilling to acknowledge them when doing so might align them with a policy
pursued by Trump. Advocacy for women's rights, democracy, and freedom becomes
selectively applied, filtered through the lens of domestic political rivalry.In
the end, the greatest danger of this mindset is not simply unfair criticism of a
president. The deeper problem is that it weakens the ability of society to
confront serious threats. When political hatred becomes so intense that it
overrides basic judgment, it becomes difficult to distinguish between legitimate
criticism and reflexive opposition. Perception of reality itself is broken.
At a moment when the world faces overwhelming security challenges – such as from
China – currently developing new deadly pathogens for biowarfare and autonomous
robots programmed to kill -- and authoritarian regimes that continue to threaten
both their own populations and what they regard as their enemies -- denial and
blindness carry serious risks. Democracies function best when their debates are
grounded in facts and reason rather than emotional reflexes. If political
discourse becomes so polarized that people can no longer recognize the nature of
regimes that repress their own citizens and openly threaten the United States
and the Free World, the problem is far larger than any single president. It
becomes a crisis that can only be addressed when people step outside their
partisan bubbles and confront reality as it truly is.
**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.
Trump's Iran War Ending Xi Jinping's 'China Dream'
Gordon G. Chang/Gatestone
Institute/March 15/2026
Xi has been supremely confident that China will dominate the rest of the
century... "Change is coming that hasn't happened in 100 years," the Chinese
leader told Vladimir Putin after their 40th in-person chat, in Moscow in March
2023. "And we are driving this change together."Many in Washington and New York
policy circles essentially agreed with Xi as they accepted the narrative of
America's managed decline.
Not President Donald Trump. In a spectacular move, he extracted Venezuelan
President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from Caracas on January 3 and is now in
the process of taking down Iran's theocracy. American and Israeli strikes on
Iran are finishing off Xi Jinping's most cherished narrative of the "China
Dream" of national rejuvenation and dominance. U.S. President Donald Trump's
moves have also triggered in the Chinese capital a reassessment of American
power. American and Israeli strikes have severely degraded Iran's ability to
wage war. Perhaps more important, they are finishing off Xi Jinping's most
cherished narrative of the "China Dream" of national rejuvenation and dominance.
In Beijing these days, just about everyone knows China's arrogant leader was
wrong about the long-term direction of the United States.
n supremely confident that China will dominate the rest of the century, and he
has not been reluctant to express his belief. "Change is coming that hasn't
happened in 100 years," the Chinese leader told Vladimir Putin after their 40th
in-person chat, in Moscow in March 2023. "And we are driving this change
together."
Xi's favorite phrase of recent years reflected this view: "The East is rising,
and the West is declining."Many in Washington and New York policy circles
essentially agreed with Xi as they accepted the narrative of America's managed
decline. Not President Donald Trump. In a spectacular move, he extracted
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from Caracas on January 3 and
is now in the process of taking down Iran's theocracy.
These American actions are ending Chinese influence, both in the countries
directly affected and elsewhere, in part because Xi was not able to stop the
American military actions. Trump's moves have also triggered in the Chinese
capital a reassessment of American power. The South China Morning Post, the Hong
Kong newspaper that often reflects Beijing's thinking, reports that the
decapitation of the Iranian leadership in the first moments of the ongoing war
"highlights America's superior military strength and runs counter to the popular
view in China that the United States is in decline."
Now, Chinese analysts are rethinking their views. "Despite numerous issues
within its political and social spheres, we absolutely must not underestimate
America's capabilities," Zheng Yongnian, a Chinese political scientist and
advisor to the Chinese government, declared in an interview published on the
website of the Institute of International Affairs, a Chinese institution.
China's state and Communist Party media ramped up their assault on the U.S. with
the 2008 global downturn.
The propaganda line recently turned especially nasty, portraying the United
States as on the verge of failure. The viral "kill line" meme, for instance,
which depicted Americans as caught in irreversible downward spirals, gained
currency last year on Chinese social media platforms. The image of great
suffering in the U.S. was perhaps a defensive reaction to the pervasive anxiety
and gloom in Chinese society, but in any event was a reflection of Xi Jinping's
worldview. Trump's actions in Venezuela and Iran come at the same time as
reports of continuing turmoil in Beijing. The disarray is most evident in the
People's Liberation Army, which reports directly to the Communist Party through
its Central Military Commission, not to the Chinese central government.
Beijing is now abuzz with gossip about the disappearance of military officers
from the just concluded "Two Sessions," the annual meetings of the National
People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
"The U.S. military's overwhelming display of advanced weaponry and seamless
operational coordination under President Trump as commander in chief stands in
stark contrast to the internal turmoil plaguing all constituent elements of Xi's
People's Liberation Army," Charles Burton of the Sinopsis think tank told
Gatestone. "More than a hundred senior officers were purged recently, and many
of them were conspicuously absent from this month's big gatherings in Beijing."
It was not just the absences that garnered attention. As Burton, a former
Canadian diplomat in Beijing and author of The Beaver and the Dragon: How China
Out-Maneuvered Canada's Diplomacy, Security, and Sovereignty, said, "Xi's
address to the military, imploring unwavering adherence to the 'Central Military
Commission chairman responsibility system'—effectively demanding loyalty to
himself—carried an unmistakable air of urgency and desperation."Xi has been
removing flag officers for more than a decade, but he has still not been able to
form an officer corps loyal to him.
The Central Military Commission, after Xi's continuing purges, now has only two
members, down from seven. There is Xi himself and Gen. Zhang Shengmin, a
political commissar. In short, there are no operational officers left on the
Commission, which means that the chain of command has been effectively severed.
There are no warfighters left at the top of the military. Xi's repeated firings
and investigations have, therefore, rendered the Chinese military incapable at
this moment of launching major military operations, such as an air-land-sea
invasion of the main island of Taiwan.
"Xi's grandiose visions of Chinese supremacy eclipsing U.S. dominance," says
Burton, "now look increasingly empty."Gordon G. Chang is the author of Plan Red:
China's Project to Destroy America, a Gatestone Institute distinguished senior
fellow, and a member of its Advisory Board.
Follow Gordon G. Chang on X (formerly Twitter)
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22341/trump-iran-china-dream
© 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.
Hormuz in the Spotlight
Jumah Boukleb/Asharq Al-Awsat/March
15/2026
For its first retaliation to the American–Israeli attack of February 28, Iran
struck several Arab capitals with ballistic missiles, and Tehran announced the
closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime navigation, leading to a highly
predictable spike in oil prices.
When President Donald Trump was asked about rising oil prices at a press
conference held following the strike, he replied that it had been nothing more
than a "glitch," a computing term for a temporary self-correcting error. The
term is misleading; the president used it to downplay the significance of the
surge and its repercussions for Americans and for people the world over.
The war currently waged on Iran has re-centered oil four years after the
outbreak of the Russian–Ukrainian war. Its return to center stage affirms that
it maintains a grip on the global economy; oil climbing past one hundred US
dollars a barrel is stark proof.
Shutting the shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz - be it Iran or any
other actor - is a sure way to turn the world against you. Vast volumes of
energy resources pass through it: resources needed to light cities, power
factories, build homes, and sustain mega-projects. Without it, everything stops.
The spike has brought back memories of the 1970s crisis resulting from
oil-exporting nations' embargo. Prices quadrupled within months at the time. It
also brings to mind the surge following the eruption of the Ukrainian war four
years ago.
Statistics from the International Energy Agency show that 30 percent of the
world’s energy depends on oil and that the world now consumes twice the volume
of oil it did in the 1970s. Simply put, in the view of experts, we are a long
way away from the dream of a "post-oil" era. Talk of an oil-free world emerging
within the foreseeable future, as we often see in the media, is a legitimate
abstract aspiration. However, it runs up against the hard realities of
geopolitics: great powers continue to redraw their maps of influence around it
and the straits through which it is shipped. Oil remains the real engine of
history and geography alike.In Venezuela, access to oil was the prime motivation
behind Washington's push to depose President Nicolas Maduro. The administration
reached its objective by removing him: access to the largest proven reserves on
earth. It then turned to Cuba - not to seize oil, since Cuba produces none - but
to weaponize its control over Venezuela politically, cutting Havana off from the
free Venezuelan crude it had received from Maduro in return for ensuring his
personal security. Oil became a tool for toppling the Cuban regime.
This strategy was also on Trump’s mind in Iran. American fighter and bomber
aircraft deliberately steered clear of Iran's oil terminals on Kharg Island,
through which nine of every ten barrels Iran produces are exported. Washington's
rationale is twofold. It wants to avoid further destabilization of oil markets,
and it worries that destroying the facilities could provoke indiscriminate
retaliation and widespread chaos. British media have reported that massive
tankers continued arriving at the island this very week to load Iranian crude.
The United States and Israel have a clear military strategy for the battlefield.
However, they have no strategy for how the means will serve political ends. The
opposite is true for Iran; its political strategy is obvious: ensure the
survival of the regime, with any means justifying this end. Western commentators
argue that this is not merely an Iranian survival strategy. It is the engine
driving all warring parties, Washington above all. Indeed, the US regards oil as
its best tool for containing and curtailing China's role in international
affairs and the economy.
Why Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen
to succeed his father
Hassan Al-Mustafa/Arab News/March
15, 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei would not have become the supreme leader of Iran had his
father, Ali Khamenei, died naturally. The prevailing custom in Shiite
“scientific hawza” (seminaries) — whether in Najaf, Karbala, Qom or Mashhad —
holds that religious authority is not passed from father to son, as such conduct
is regarded as a pursuit of leadership that contradicts the principle of piety.
Throughout Shiite history, when a religious leader died, his sons did not
immediately assume authority after him, even when they possessed the necessary
qualifications. In the few instances when a form of familial succession
occurred, such as within the Kashif Al-Ghita and Al-Shirazi families, it was met
with significant disapproval and rejection by senior professors of scientific
hawza. When the religious authority Mohammed Saeed Al-Hakim died in 2021 in the
Iraqi city of Najaf, his family broke his seal, the ring he used to authenticate
his religious edicts, immediately after his funeral. The seal was broken
publicly to ensure that it could not be used illegally or unlawfully by any
party. Grand Ayatollah Al-Hakim was survived by several sons who possessed the
qualifications of a “faqih” (Islamic jurist) capable of issuing fatwas, the most
prominent among them being Riyadh Al-Hakim, a professor in the scientific hawza
in the Iranian city of Qom. However, his sons did not nominate themselves for
the position of “marja’iyya” (authority), although they met the criteria
required of a mufti. The late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was well acquainted
with this hawza convention. He was aware that his son, Mojtaba — despite holding
the rank of “ijtihad” and having taught “Bahth Al-Kharij” at the hawza for
several years, an advanced tier of seminary instruction roughly equivalent to
doctoral-level studies in the academic world — would not be accepted by the
seminaries as his successor. He understood that the hawza would not countenance
a hereditary transfer of the marja’iyya. This is precisely what kept him from
pursuing the succession of his son to the office of supreme religious authority.
Sources close to him reported that he explicitly rejected such a course. There
is also another important reason: the legitimacy of the Islamic revolution in
Iran was founded on the rejection of political succession. The late shah,
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown in favor of a republican system that
rejected hereditary rule. Iranians did not want to replace a shah wearing a
crown with another shah wearing a turban.
So, what changed and how did Mojtaba Khamenei become the third supreme leader?
The fundamental factor behind this radical shift was the assassination of Ali
Khamenei in an attack in which he and several members of his family were killed.
The event proved pivotal for Iran. It created a profound leadership vacuum and
generated a deep emotional and social shock, given Israel’s direct targeting of
him from the first day of the war and its demonstrated ability to assassinate
him, along with a large number of prominent military and administrative figures
on the same day.
Ali Khamenei understood that the hawza would not countenance a hereditary
transfer of the marja’iyya. The current supreme leader thus emerged as a form of
“blood legitimacy” and an heir whose father, mother and several other members of
his family were killed. This development also has a mythological dimension
deeply rooted in Shiite history, emotionally linked to the events of Karbala,
thereby granting it an additional layer of symbolism. This symbolism was
reinforced by the timing of the announcement of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme
leader on the 19th day of Ramadan — the first of three nights during which
Shiite Muslims celebrate the martyrdom of Ali bin Abi Taleb, believed to include
the “Laylat Al-Qadr” (Night of Power), which is considered sacred in Islamic
consciousness.
Together, these factors highlight the immense symbolic weight surrounding the
context in which Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as Iran’s faqih.
Moreover, through this decision, the Assembly of Experts sought to stress that
the “revolution” would continue along the path of its former leader and that it
remained capable of resistance and confrontation.
This is particularly significant because the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
and the hard-line faction allied with it expressed strong anger and resentment
toward the initiative of President Masoud Pezeshkian, who apologized to the Arab
Gulf states for the attacks that had struck their territories. He announced that
the “temporary leadership council” had decided to “halt attacks on neighboring
countries unless their territories were used to launch strikes against Iran.”
This initiative was aborted as the Guards interpreted it as a sign of weakness
and retreat. Consequently, the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei was intended to
convey a clear political message: Iran remains strong and its pride has not been
broken.
Another important point is that prominent candidates close to the reformist and
moderate currents — such as Hassan Khomeini and Hassan Rouhani — were excluded
from consideration, despite the fact they are pillars of the IRGC and possess
the credentials that qualify them to assume the position.
Today, Mojtaba Khamenei stands as the faqih of Iran, as well as
commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He is also regarded as a figure with
deep ties to the IRGC and to the country’s various hard-line currents. Will he
adopt a confrontational and uncompromising course or will he seek pragmatic
solutions capable of extricating Iran from war, preserving what remains of the
regime’s institutional structure and restoring relations with neighboring Gulf
countries that have been affected by Iran’s continued attacks? In politics, all
possibilities remain open. The new leader may prove even more uncompromising
than his late father or he may emerge as the leader who guides the “revolution”
into a new phase. One crucial consideration, however, is that Mojtaba Khamenei
is the only figure who is capable of participating in halting the war without
provoking strong resistance from the Revolutionary Guards. This is not only due
to his close relationship with them but also because he now holds the position
of commander-in-chief of the armed forces. And, perhaps more importantly, he is
widely perceived as the actual heir. For this reason, hard-liners cannot accuse
him of betraying the legacy of his father and his family.
Which course will Iran take under Mojtaba Khamenei? The coming days will reveal
his direction. • Hassan Al-Mustafa is a Saudi writer and researcher specializing
in Islamist movements, the evolution of religious discourse, and relations
between the Gulf states and Iran.
Infrastructure investment the key to China’s growth
Yu Yongding?arab News/March 15, 2026
Despite a fraught geopolitical environment and a US-led trade war in 2025, China
achieved its growth target of 5 percent, with gross domestic product reaching
140.19 trillion yuan ($20.4 trillion). The contributions to last year’s GDP
growth from the three components of aggregate demand — final consumption,
capital formation and net exports — were 52 percent, 15.3 percent and 32.7
percent, respectively. Despite the impressive overall growth performance for
2025, the structure of aggregate demand was problematic. Consumption growth, as
measured by total retail sales of consumer goods, stood at only 3.7 percent year
on year. Fixed asset investment, a proxy for capital formation, fell by 3.8
percent. Of the three main categories of fixed asset investment, manufacturing
investment grew by 0.6 percent, significantly slower than in the year-earlier
period, while real estate investment plummeted by 17.2 percent and
infrastructure investment fell by 2.2 percent, the first annual decline since
statistics became available. Unexpectedly, net exports in 2025 remained as
strong as in 2024, registering a trade surplus of 8.5 trillion yuan. In the
absence of official data on the share of net exports in GDP at the beginning of
2025, one can reasonably infer that China’s net exports grew at a double-digit
rate. China’s government has now set its growth target for 2026 at 4.5 percent
to 5 percent. This is achievable with China’s GDP deflator still in negative
territory and ample policy space for more expansionary fiscal and monetary
policy. But it will require accelerating the growth of both consumption and
investment.
For starters, the Chinese government must build on the relatively successful
policies it introduced in recent years to stimulate consumption. These included
issuing 300 billion yuan of ultralong-term treasury bonds for a consumer goods
trade-in program, exempting the purchase tax for new-energy vehicles (worth more
than 200 billion yuan), and offering hundreds of billions of yuan in subsidies
for vehicle and appliance purchases. The government also increased spending on
social security benefits, including pensions and livelihood programs.
A more serious challenge is the decline in investment. To be sure, investment in
high-tech manufacturing was a bright spot, growing by double digits. But it was
not enough to offset the continued decline in real estate investment, which has
fallen by more than 10 percent for three consecutive years. The Chinese
government has responded with a series of policies, including purchasing unsold
housing units and lowering interest rates on existing mortgages. Nevertheless,
it will take longer than expected to stabilize the market and return real estate
investment to positive territory.
The unprecedented fall in infrastructure investment represents the main
challenge. Although China has made remarkable progress on infrastructure
development, more must be done, including upgrading transport, energy, water
conservation and communication networks and building new frameworks to support
an aging society. This will cost an enormous amount of money. For example, over
the next five years, China will construct and renovate more than 700,000 km of
urban underground pipelines, which alone will require more than 5 trillion yuan.
China still has ample fiscal space, which the government should use to adopt a
more expansionary policy.
Given this, and because the Chinese government’s “dual circulation” strategy
calls for boosting domestic demand while reducing dependence on external demand,
policymakers will focus this year on that and rebalancing trade. In terms of
short-term macroeconomic management, the more effective solution to both
problems is to increase infrastructure investment. Despite positive results,
government efforts to boost consumption were less successful than expected in
stimulating GDP growth. This is because household consumption is a function of
permanent income. If households are not confident that income gains are
permanent and that incomes will continue to rise in the foreseeable future, they
are unlikely to increase consumption significantly. It is a chicken-and-egg
problem: higher GDP growth requires stronger consumption but the latter depends
on the former. To break this impasse, policymakers must significantly expand
infrastructure investment, which is under the government’s discretion and
independent of both existing income levels and consumption expenditure. This
makes it the most effective way to begin boosting economic growth. Of course,
one could argue that China’s consumption stimulus, including direct subsidies
and social security reforms, was not big enough. Last year’s package was indeed
much smaller than the post-COVID-19 stimulus that the US introduced in 2021. But
one should not forget that US inflation reached a four-decade high of 9.1
percent in June 2022. By contrast, upping investment in infrastructure is less
likely to create inflationary pressure because it increases production capacity
in the long run.
Fortunately, China is not facing an inflation threat (though this could change
due to external shocks) and still has ample fiscal space, which the government
should use to adopt a more expansionary policy, supported by accommodative
monetary policy. Many other fiscal authorities have already abandoned adherence
to rigid targets, such as Europe’s Maastricht criteria; China should do the
same. Raising the budget deficit-to-GDP ratio substantially to finance
infrastructure investment would help China establish a more sustainable
composition of aggregate demand and, crucially, continue to hit its growth
targets.
• Yu Yongding, a former president of the China Society of World Economics and
director of the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy
of Social Sciences, served on the Monetary Policy Committee of the People’s Bank
of China from 2004 to 2006.
Gulf states’ cashless vision is a smart economic bet
Arnab Neil Sengupta/Arab News/March 15, 2026
The Gulf region is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation in the way
money changes hands. Across the Gulf Cooperation Council, governments are
steadily pushing their economies toward a cashless future in which most
transactions are digital, instant and transparent. This shift is turning out to
be a strategic economic decision that could strengthen the region’s long-term
competitiveness. In common with many other countries, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and
other Gulf states are embracing new payment technologies for convenience. In the
process, they are building a digital financial infrastructure that could drive
the next phase of economic growth. For countries seeking to diversify beyond
hydrocarbons, the cashless transition is proving to be a smart bet. Saudi Arabia
offers the clearest example of how quickly this transformation is taking place.
Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom set a target of increasing noncash retail
transactions to 70 percent. This was achieved in 2023, with digital or cashless
transactions in retail rising to 79 percent in 2024. As recently as 2014, most
transactions in the Kingdom were still conducted in cash. Today, contactless
cards, digital wallets and mobile payment platforms dominate everyday purchases,
from groceries and taxi fares to electricity and telephone bills.In the UAE,
old-fashioned people complain about the difficulty of changing a 10-dirham note
for two fives because most shops and eateries no longer keep loose change. Dubai
recently announced a strategy to make 90 percent of transactions cashless this
year, positioning itself as one of the world’s most digitally sophisticated
commercial hubs. Across the broader GCC, digital payments are expanding rapidly.
The total value of digital payments in the region is expected to continue to
increase thanks to government initiatives and rapid consumer adoption.
Why does this matter? Because payments are like the circulatory system of an
economy. The faster, safer and more efficient that system becomes, the stronger
the economy tends to be. One of the biggest advantages of a cashless economy is
efficiency. Handling physical money is quite costly. Cash must be printed,
transported, stored and protected. Businesses must reconcile their tills and
banks must manage the logistics of cash distribution. Digital payments eliminate
much of this cost and inconvenience.
For consumers, the benefits are even more obvious. Paying with a phone or card
is quicker and safer than carrying large amounts of cash in physical wallets or
handbags. Digital payments also fuel the expansion of online commerce. This is
critical for Gulf economies that are investing heavily in e-commerce, logistics
and digital services. A cashless system also improves transparency. Digital
transactions leave a clear record, which helps reduce tax and VAT evasion,
corruption and the shadow economy. Governments can track economic activity more
accurately and design better policies as a result. The faster, safer and more
efficient the payment system becomes, the stronger the economy tends to be.
Another powerful effect is the boost financial innovation gets. Experience shows
that once payment systems become digital, an entire ecosystem begins to grow
around them. Fintech companies develop new services such as digital wallets,
“buy now, pay later” financing, micro-loans and real-time transfers. Banks adopt
digital platforms that allow secure connections between financial institutions
and technology companies.
Saudi Arabia has already begun to see these benefits. The rapid growth of
fintech startups, digital banks and payment platforms is turning the Kingdom
into one of the most dynamic financial technology markets in the Middle East.
There is also a broader dimension to the transformation. The Gulf states are
competing to become global hubs for trade, tourism and investment. In an age
when consumers increasingly expect seamless digital services, modern payment
systems have become today’s equivalent of ports, airports or broadband networks.
For tourists and international businesses, the ability to pay instantly with
cards or mobile wallets can make a destination more attractive than one where
they have to lug around wads of cash. A cashless ecosystem is an indicator of an
economy that is technologically advanced, well regulated and business friendly.
Of course, the transition to a cashless economy is not without its challenges.
Cybersecurity is the most obvious concern. As financial systems become more
digital, they can also become targets for hackers or fraudsters. GCC governments
and financial institutions must continue to invest heavily in security to
maintain trust.Another challenge is inclusion. Some older citizens or low-income
migrant workers may not be comfortable using digital payment tools. Ensuring
that everyone can participate in the new financial system requires education,
accessible banking services and affordable smartphones.
Privacy concerns also deserve careful consideration. While digital payments
increase transparency, they also generate large amounts of data about
individuals’ spending habits. The onus is on policymakers to ensure that this
information is protected and used responsibly. Fortunately, these challenges are
manageable and the Gulf states appear well aware of them. In recent years,
central banks in the region have taken numerous steps to regulate fintech,
strengthen payment infrastructure and ensure consumer protection.
It is also important to recognize the geopolitical context in which the
transition to a cashless society is taking place. The Middle East continues to
be a volatile region and the current spate of unprovoked attacks by the Iranian
regime on Gulf states will surely influence public policies in the years to
come.
But the cashless vision being pursued by Saudi Arabia and its neighbors is
essentially about the economic landscape that will emerge after today’s
conflicts eventually subside. Building modern financial infrastructure is vital
for Gulf economies to be ready to thrive in the postconflict era. To sum up, the
push toward a cashless economy is part of the GCC bloc’s broader strategy to
build diversified, resilient and globally connected economies. Oil wealth built
the foundations of prosperity in the past. Digital and “intelligent”
infrastructure — including cashless payments — may well underpin the prosperity
of the future.
• Arnab Neil Sengupta is a senior editor at Arab News.
The false narratives of war and the strategic patience of Gulf states
Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad/Arab News/March 15/2026
The first casualty in war is truth, the Greek dramatist Aeschylus observed more
than two millennia ago. The ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran once again proves
the enduring pertinence of his observation. As missiles continue to strike
across the Gulf and tensions ripple through global energy markets, another
battle has unfolded: in the information sphere. Selective reporting,
speculation, and outright fabrication attempt to frame the conflict as a
widening regional war. Yet despite sustained narrative pressure, the Gulf — the
region most exposed to the war’s consequences — has refused to be drawn into an
escalation.
Propaganda has always accompanied warfare. During the US wars in Afghanistan and
Iraq, “embedded journalism” often ensured the reporting reflected the military’s
preferred framing of events.What distinguishes the current conflict with Iran is
the speed of narrative construction in the digital age, as selective reports
spread instantly online and spill over into television coverage, from Fox News
and CNN to the BBC and Sky News, thereby shaping perceptions in real time. Some
influential US and Israeli media outlets appear to frame developments in ways
that mirror the strategic preferences of actors seeking to widen the
conflict.The pattern began even before hostilities started. Days before the
first strikes, The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, reported that Saudi
leaders had privately urged US President Donald Trump to confront Iran more
aggressively. Riyadh rejected this claim, noting that its diplomacy focused on
negotiations and deescalation. Yet the allegation circulated widely, while the
denial received far less attention. The narrative resurfaced when Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump joined forces to initiate the war against
Iran. As Iranian drones and missiles began striking targets all over the Gulf in
retaliation, another Washington Post report suggested that Trump’s decision to
launch the attacks followed lobbying from regional allies such as Saudi Arabia.
Saudi officials once again denied the claim.
Both of the newspaper’s reports tried to create the impression that Gulf states
were aligned with Washington and Israel in launching this unjust and illegal
war, even as Omani-mediated diplomacy had been underway. As the conflict
escalated, the narrative construction intensified. Much of it was centered
around the American news website Axios, where Washington-based correspondent
Barak Ravid produced a stream of exclusive “scoops,” often based on rare access
to senior officials and even telephone interviews with Trump.
On March 6, he reported that Trump wanted to be personally involved in selecting
Iran’s next leader and demanded the “unconditional surrender” of the regime. A
day later, another Axios report by Ravid suggested the US was considering
sending special forces into Iran to seize stockpiles of enriched uranium, a move
that would dramatically widen the war.Yet the strategic expectations behind the
conflict soon began to falter. Iran’s leadership structure remained intact
despite targeted decapitation strikes. Rather than triggering collapse or
“regime change,” the war appeared to strengthen nationalist sentiment within the
country. Meanwhile, Iranian attacks on Gulf energy facilities and threats to
shipping through the Strait of Hormuz rattled global markets, pushing oil prices
upward and increasing the pressure on Western economies.
These developments quickly translated into political tensions in Washington.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the war’s most vocal advocates, took to social media
platform X to put pressure on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to join the
conflict, warning that continued neutrality could carry “consequences” for the
Kingdom, and accusing Gulf leaders of “having their heads in the sand.” Gulf
leaders appear determined not to allow either military provocations or narrative
manipulation to dictate their actions. His remarks reflected growing frustration
within Republican ranks over the faltering war effort, and drew widespread
criticism from across the Gulf. Commentators noted that the Gulf states were
already absorbing Iranian missile attacks despite having played no part in
initiating the conflict.
Criticism has also grown that Washington had failed to protect its regional
allies while appearing to serve Israel’s expansionist agenda.
Meanwhile, critics of the Iran war in the US have advanced their own narratives.
Conservative activist and commentator Tucker Carlson, whose broadcasts reach
millions within Trump’s “Make America Great Again” base, argued that Washington
had been dragged into the conflict by Israeli pressure.
He and others framed the war in civilizational and religious terms, claiming
Israel ultimately seeks the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the construction
of a Third Temple in Jerusalem. Carlson’s critique resonated with a segment of
the American public deeply skeptical of foreign wars. Another claim of his, that
Mossad agents had orchestrated attacks in Saudi Arabia, was swiftly denied by
Saudi media yet it spread rapidly across social media and Iranian-linked news
outlets, reinforcing conspiratorial narratives already prevalent in extremist
circles.
Two competing narrative campaigns have, therefore, unfolded simultaneously. Some
reporting portrays the war as expanding across the region and attempts to
justify the escalation. Other stories frame the conflict as a conspiracy driven
by Israeli ambitions. Despite their differing motivations, both narrative
strands seek to create anxiety among all Gulf citizens and residents.
Earlier, Axios had also amplified speculation about Gulf involvement in the war.
On March 2, Ravid reported that it had expanded to more than a dozen countries,
and suggested several states in the region were considering joining the
conflict. The following day, another Axios report claimed the UAE was weighing
the possibility of military action against Iranian missile bases, while listing
Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia among the participants in a widening
war.
Such reporting sought to normalize the idea that the entry of Gulf states into
the conflict was inevitable, a narrative echoed by Israeli media. In a March 3
editorial, The Jerusalem Post argued that Iranian attacks were pushing Arab
states into “uncomfortable alignment” with Israel and the US, while citing
unnamed sources as claiming that Qatar had struck targets inside Iran. Doha
immediately denied the report. Days later, the newspaper cited a “senior Israeli
source” as claiming the UAE had struck an Iranian facility, an allegation that
was firmly rejected by Abu Dhabi.
Other Western media outlets have reinforced the narrative of a widening war. The
New York Post reported an intelligence leak that suggested Iraqi Kurdish
factions were preparing a ground offensive, a claim later echoed by Reuters
reporting from Jerusalem, even as the Kurdish groups denied it.
Similar framing has appeared elsewhere, with The Economist pondering whether the
Gulf states should join the war, and a Wall Street Journal editorial warning
that Iran would win if the bombing stopped.
Meanwhile, the Iranian media have advanced their own counternarrative,
portraying the conflict as a coordinated US-Israeli attempt to destabilize the
country, while denying responsibility for missile strikes across the Gulf region
and elsewhere. The contrast between the evidence of attacks on the ground and
the repeated official denials spread by aligned media outlets has only deepened
the information struggle surrounding the war. Caught between competing
narratives, the region finds itself at the center of an information war that
seeks to draw it into the conflict. Yet it continues to resist the temptation to
retaliate against Iranian provocations, ensuring the war remains confined to the
aggressors and the aggressee. Saudi Arabia continues to emphasize the role of
diplomacy, while Qatar and the UAE firmly reject claims suggesting their
involvement in the conflict. Across the region, political and business leaders
are increasingly questioning why Gulf states should bear the costs of a war they
neither initiated nor desired. Public opinion has also sharpened, with growing
awareness of Israeli expansionist ambitions and American complicity in them.The
Gulf also hosts some of the Arab world’s most vibrant media platforms. Channels
such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya reflect regional public sentiment and offer
alternative perspectives on the war, including its legality, morality, and
implications, that contrast sharply with narratives circulating in Western
media.
For Gulf Cooperation Council states, these are difficult times. The war has
imposed reputational costs on nations widely admired for peace, stability, and
progress. It has disrupted shipping routes, unsettled energy markets, and shaken
investor confidence in a region whose future depends on stability and global
integration.
At the same time, Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf cities and
infrastructure have eroded what little sympathy once existed for Tehran’s
regional posturing. The prevailing mood reflects both anger at the Iranian
actions, and frustration that Washington’s decisions have left regional partners
exposed to the consequences of this devastating conflict.The Gulf region
therefore finds itself in the paradoxical position of being the principal victim
of a war of choice that they did not start. Yet its response has been marked by
resilience and restraint; rather than reacting to provocations or conforming to
narratives predicting their entry into the conflict, Gulf states have maintained
a posture of strategic patience.
This restraint reflects the fact that a clear calculation has been made. The
economic transformation underway across the region, from Saudi Arabia’s Vision
2030 to the UAE’s rise as a global investment hub, depends fundamentally on
stability. A wider regional war will jeopardize decades of progress and
undermine the foundations of the Gulf’s development strategy. For that reason,
Gulf leaders appear determined not to allow either military provocations or
narrative manipulation to dictate their actions. The information war surrounding
this conflict will continue, but the response of the region suggests that its
greatest strategic success might lie not in joining the war but in refusing to
be drawn into it. If the Gulf region maintains this course — resisting both
escalation and the narratives designed to provoke it — it might yet prevent a
war that was imposed upon it from becoming a catastrophe for the entire region.
• Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad is a Professor Emeritus of International Relations at
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and a former Senior Fellow at Oxford
University.
X Platform Selected twittes for
March
15/2026
shadikhalloul
May God bless this initiative. We support you. It's the only way to ensure
continuous existence for Aramaic syriac Christians and Maronite nation in their
ancestral homeland. For sure Israel would sign peace with such native people.
David Wurmser
This is a good security zone and should be held indefinitely by Israel until a
new reality is created in Lebanon based on its original Christian-Druze alliance
and not the ill-conceived national pact of the 20th century.
Nadim Koteich
Lebanon must recognize Israel and negotiate an end to militia arms. By linking
security and political agreements, Lebanon can align itself with the Abraham
Accords to ensure its survival.
Barak Ravid
Scoop: The French government has drafted a proposal to end the war in Lebanon
that would require the Lebanese government to take the unprecedented step of
recognizing Israel. The U.S. and Israel are reviewing the proposal. My story on
@axios