English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For October 10/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news

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Bible Quotations For today
I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 05/24-30/:"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life. ‘Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. ‘I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me."

Titles For The English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on October 09-10/2026
The Anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Charbel – Which Took Place on 9 October 1977 / Who is this Saint and What is His Biography/Elias Bejjani/09 October/2026
A Critical Reading of Naim Qassem’s Speech: Between the Myth of Steadfastness, the Doctrine of the Unity of Arenas, and the Futility of Dialogue/Elias Bejjani/October 07, 2026
The Third Anniversary of the Jihadist and Barbaric Raid of October 7th/Elias Bejjani/October 07, 2026
Lebanon says 6 wounded in attack that Israel says targeted pro-Iran Syrian operative
No official date set for Tampa talks amid reports of possible delay
EU to approve Lebanon security mission on Monday
US on Hezbollah funding and Lebanon’s reconstruction: What did Tommy Pigott tell LBCI?
Report: Energy minister seriously thinking of resignation
Why is the US protecting a wanted Syrian general in Lebanon?
Israeli army says one soldier killed, three wounded in south Lebanon
South Lebanon: Latest developments
Hezbollah promises aid for displaced, slams state's provocations and 'folkloric displays'
Lebanon condemns attacks targeting Saudi airports
PM Salam at Beirut Arab International Book Fair: Restoring state sovereignty, advancing reforms key to Lebanon’s recovery
Aoun says Lebanon cannot abandon negotiations with Israel
Fuel prices change across Lebanon
With the Simplicity of Faith and the Dignity of Sainthood… Beirut Media Zone Welcomes “Charbel”/Daisy Hawat/Nidaa Al-Watan/October 10, 2026
Joint Production by NMPRO and MTV: “Charbel”… The Human Being Comes First/Shadi Maalouf Nidaa Al-Watan/October 10, 2026
Lebanon Has Not Yet Embarked on the Right Path/Walid Phares/Independent Arabia/October 09/2026
Regional War Looms Again... When and Who Will Fire the First Shot?/Laura Yammine/Al-Markazia/October 09/2026
Mount Lebanon Instead of the South!!!/Pierre Atallah/Facebook /October 09/2026

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 09-10/2026
New Details in the "Flydubai" Case Revealed by the UAE Attorney General
The Accused Moved Between Several Airlines in Different Countries During His Career
Trump says US will not resume military strikes on Iran before midterm elections
Trump Encircles Iran with Fire: Exhausting the Proxies and Striking the Head Until Surrender
IRGC Announces Targeting of LPG Tanker in Strait of Hormuz and Threatens to Expand Ship Pursuits
Washington Updates Options for Striking Iran; Military Coordination with Israel Amid Escalating Pressures
Rezaei Threatens Washington by Invoking Sasanian History: "Whoever Invokes History Must Be Prepared to Repeat It"
Three Saudi citizens killed in Thursday's attacks on Riyadh
Trump expresses dismay over Houthi attacks on civilian sites in Saudi Arabia
Security Council.. Condemnations of the Houthis and warnings of risks in Yemen
He also praised the continuous Saudi support for state institutions and the Yemeni economy, valuing the Saudi humanitarian initiative to settle the status of Yemenis.
The Coalition: We destroyed 136 military targets in Houthi-controlled areas... Reveals implementation of a wide operation targeting elements and capabilities of the terrorist Houthi militia
Yemeni forces carry out more than 2,750 operations against the Houthis within 24 hours
Trump's sanctions besiege the International Criminal Court.. The Court calls on member states to act
Trump Announces Russian Diesel Deal; Treasury Issues Immediate License

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on October 09-10/2026
Putin Talks Peace. His Missiles Say Otherwise/Pierre Rehov/Gatestone Institute/October 09/2026
A Race Toward Extremism/Ayman Khaled/Al Arabiya Net/October 09/2026
Yemen: Developments or Deterioration?/Lutfi Al-Nu'man/An-Nahar/October 09/2026
Regional War Looms Again... When and Who Will Fire the First Shot?/Laura Yammine/Al-Markazia/October 09/2026
Abdul-Malik al-Houthi: Symbol of the "New Qarmatians" in Yemen/Hassan al-Qutb/Lebanese Center for Research and Consulting/October 9, 2026
Selected Face Book & X tweets on October 09/2026

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on October 09-10/2026
The Anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Charbel – Which Took Place on 9 October 1977 / Who is this Saint and What is His Biography
Elias Bejjani/09 October/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158184/
The Saint of Lebanon Who Made the Silence of the Hermitage a Pulpit for the World
On the 9th of October 1977, Pope Saint Paul VI raised to the altars of the Universal Church a son of Lebanon, a humble hermit from Bekaa Kafra, to be a saint for the whole world. The canonization of Charbel was not merely a Vatican event; it was a heavenly proclamation that holiness is still possible in our time, and that Lebanon, the land of saints, offers to the Church a living model of prayer, silence and labor.
Biography – From Bekaa Kafra to Heaven
Birth and Early Life
Youssef Antoun Makhlouf was born on 8 May 1828 in the village of Bekaa Kafra, the highest inhabited village in Lebanon (in the district of Bcharre, on the slopes of the Cedars). He was born into a poor yet pious farming family. His father, Antoun Zaarour Makhlouf, died when Youssef was only three years old, and he was raised by his mother Brigitta. From his childhood he was called “the Saint” because of his love for prayer and solitude in a grotto near the village which he called “the Grotto of the Saints.”
The Monastic Vocation
On a morning in the year 1851, at the age of 23, he left Bekaa Kafra without bidding farewell to anyone, walking on foot to the Monastery of Our Lady of Mayfouq to seek entry into the Lebanese Maronite Order. He was later transferred to the Monastery of Saint Maron – Annaya for his novitiate.
Date of entry into monastic life: 1851 at Mayfouq
Transfer to Annaya: 1853
First monastic vows: 1 November 1853, taking the name Charbel, after the second-century Antiochene Martyr, Saint Charbel
Theological Studies: At the Monastery of Saints Cyprian and Justina – Kfifan, where he was discipled by Saint Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini, who was his professor and spiritual director
Priestly Ordination: He was ordained a priest on 23 July 1859 in Bkerke by the laying on of hands of Bishop Youssef Al-Mourad (El-Marid), the Patriarchal Vicar, during the pontificate of Patriarch Paul Peter Massaad.
He spent 16 years as an exemplary monk in the Monastery of Annaya, a model of obedience, humility and manual labor in the fields.
The Eremitic Life
His greatest longing was to revive the life of the ancient hermits. After long insistence, he was permitted to withdraw to the Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul, belonging to the Monastery of Annaya, overlooking the Holy Valley.
Date of entry into the hermitage: 13 February 1875
Place: The Hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul – Annaya
Date of Death: 24 December 1898
There he spent 23 years, never leaving except by order of his superior, praying, fasting, keeping silence, working in the field, and spending the night kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament.
He died on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1898, while reciting the Christmas Mass. His last words were: “O Father of Truth.” He was buried in the monastery cemetery at the age of 70.
His Most Notable Miracles
The miracles began at the moment of his death. Eyewitnesses saw a dazzling light emanating from his grave for several months, and his body continued to exude blood, water and sweat after his death, remaining intact and supple for many years without any embalming.
The Church cannot number the miracles, but we mention those adopted in the cause for canonization:
A- During his lifetime
The Miracle of the Lamp: Once the servant asked him to fill the lamp with oil, and out of holy obedience he filled it with water, and the lamp burned with water.
He healed the sick and wounded by his prayers and the blessing of his hand, and cast out evil spirits.
B- After his death – The miracles that opened the door to beatification and canonization:
The healing of Sister Mary Abel Kamou of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts: She had suffered from severe, incurable intestinal ulcers for 14 years. She visited his grave and prayed, and was suddenly and completely cured in 1950. This is the miracle adopted for his beatification.
The healing of Mr. Alexandre Obeid from Baabdat: He had lost sight in one eye as a result of an accident. After praying to Saint Charbel and placing soil from his grave upon his eye, he fully regained his sight in 1950. This is the second miracle for beatification.
The healing of Mrs. Mariam Awad from Hammana: She was paralyzed and suffering from cancer of the larynx. She was miraculously healed in 1952. This is the miracle adopted for his canonization.
Thousands of miracles are documented today in the records of the Monastery of Annaya from all over the world, from healings of cancer, paralysis and blindness to countless other wonders. The faithful have called him “the Doctor of Heaven” and “the Wonder-Worker.”
Beatification – Date and Place
Because of the abundance of graces and miracles, the cause for his beatification was opened in 1925.
Date of Beatification: 5 December 1965
Place: The Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican
Pope of Beatification: Pope Saint Paul VI
Occasion: He concluded the Second Vatican Council with it. In his homily, Pope Paul VI said: “A hermit from the mountain of Lebanon may teach us, in a materialistic world, what poverty and humility mean… a Maronite monk may teach us what silence and prayer mean.” This was the first beatification of a Maronite in modern history.
Canonization – Full Details
Date of Canonization: Sunday, 9 October 1977
Place: Saint Peter’s Square – Vatican
Pope of Canonization: Pope Saint Paul VI, and this was the last saint he canonized months before his death
Attendance: More than 30,000 Lebanese pilgrims came from Lebanon and the diaspora, led by Maronite Patriarch Antonios Khreich and a delegation of the Lebanese Maronite Order. Saint Peter’s Square resounded with Maronite and Lebanese hymns.
Decree of Canonization: The Pope proclaimed Charbel a saint of the Universal Church, and established his official feast on 24 July each year (in Lebanon it is celebrated on the third Sunday of July according to the Maronite calendar).
The Historic Homily: Paul VI said: “Charbel Makhlouf is the saint of difficult times. He made the hermitage a school of prayer. He calls you, O Christians of Lebanon and the East, to be faithful to your faith, and martyrs of love in a divided world.”
Immediately after the canonization, his relics spread to all continents, and the shrine of Annaya became the second most important Christian pilgrimage site in the Middle East after Jerusalem.
Conclusion – What Does Saint Charbel Say to Us Today?
1-The Holiness of Silence: In an age of noise and social media, Charbel teaches us that silence is not emptiness, but fullness with God. Lebanon today needs not only political solutions, but a return to the silence of the heart.
2. The Holiness of Belonging: Charbel never left Lebanon; he did not seek glory in Rome or Paris. His holiness sprouted from the soil of Bekaa Kafra and the rock of Annaya. He tells every Lebanese in the diaspora that your holiness begins where you are, but your roots remain in the land of the cedars.
3. The Holiness of Unity: Charbel is Maronite, but he became a saint for all Lebanese: Christians and Muslims, beloved by all faiths. His body has gathered Lebanese around him more than politics ever has. He is proof that holiness unites and politics divides. Saint Charbel is heaven’s answer to Lebanon’s despair. If a simple peasant from the poorest village could become a light for the world, then Lebanon is capable of rising again.
A Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Charbel for Peace in Lebanon
O Wonder-Worker Saint Charbel, O son of Bekaa Kafra and hermit of Annaya, O you who carried Lebanon in your heart and prayed for it for 23 years in your hermitage, we beseech you today while our Lebanon is wounded, divided, suffering, groaning under the weight of wars, divisions and emigration.
You who poured oil as light, pour upon our land the oil of peace. You who healed the blind, open the eyes of our leaders to see the pain of the people. You who kept long silence to hear the voice of God, teach us to be silent from hatred and insult, that we may hear the voice of our brother.
O Saint Charbel, intercede for us before the Lord Jesus, whom you loved unto death, that He may grant Lebanon a peace that cannot be bought with weapons, a unity not built upon interests, and a hope that never dies despite all hardships. Protect our cedars, protect our families in the homeland and in the diaspora, and bring the children of Lebanon back to love one another, so that Lebanon may remain as God willed it: a message of peace and light for the East and for the world. Amen.
May the intercession of Saint Charbel be with us and with Lebanon.
Note: The information contained in this study is compiled from numerous authenticated ecclesiastical, theological, research and media sources.
The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

A Critical Reading of Naim Qassem’s Speech: Between the Myth of Steadfastness, the Doctrine of the Unity of Arenas, and the Futility of Dialogue
Elias Bejjani/October 07, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158112/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaAtQY_qzzY
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem’s speech on October was not Speaking About Lebanon, But About a Battlefield: Deconstructing the Doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih and the Myth of Steadfastness.
The speech was not the address of a Lebanese leader speaking to the Lebanese people, nor was it a political speech aimed at addressing the crises of a country suffering from collapse, occupation, poverty, and isolation. Rather, it was, quite plainly, a declaration of ideological and political allegiance to the Iranian project and a comprehensive defense of the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih, an ideology that does not recognize Lebanon as a sovereign and independent state, but instead views it as merely one “arena” within a broader transnational project.
Anyone who listens carefully to the speech will quickly realize that it revolves around two dangerous narratives: the myth of “steadfastness” and the doctrine of the “Unity of Arenas.” These two concepts explain everything Hezbollah has done since its founding and reveal its true position toward Lebanon, its identity, and its future.
First: The Myth of “Steadfastness” and the Illusion that “Wars Come in Rounds”
Qassem repeatedly spoke about “legendary steadfastness” and insisted that “wars unfold in rounds,” as though simply continuing a conflict constitutes victory. In the normal national sense, steadfastness is a means to protect a people, defend territory, preserve sovereignty, and achieve specific national objectives. In the ideology of Wilayat al-Faqih, however, steadfastness is not a means but an end in itself, even if it results in the destruction of cities and villages, the displacement of populations, economic collapse, and the deaths of thousands. Under this ideological framework, wars are not measured by their tangible outcomes but by the continuation of what is deemed a “religious obligation.” Defeat is never acknowledged as defeat, devastation is never considered a loss, and human lives are treated as expendable fuel for an endless project that recognizes neither borders nor national sovereignty.
This explains how Qassem can speak of a “legend of steadfastness” while southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs have suffered immense destruction. It explains how he can proclaim that “liberation is before our eyes” while realities on the ground tell a very different story. This is not national steadfastness. It is the denial of reality and the marketing of an ideological illusion designed to keep Hezbollah’s support base captive to slogans disconnected from Lebanon’s national interests.
Second: The “Unity of Arenas” and the Denial of Lebanon.
If the myth of steadfastness explains the continuity of Hezbollah’s project, the doctrine of the “Unity of Arenas” reveals its true nature. The speech was not about Lebanon. It was about Iraq and the Popular Mobilization Forces, Gaza and the West Bank, Jerusalem, the United States, and the so-called struggle against global arrogance. Lebanon was largely absent. This is the fundamental problem. Hezbollah does not view Lebanon as the final homeland of its citizens but as one battlefield among many within Iran’s regional project. Consequently, national sovereignty occupies no meaningful place within its ideological framework.
In the worldview of Wilayat al-Faqih, nation-states are not the ultimate reference point. The constitution, state institutions, and national interests are subordinate to a transnational ideological mission. Lebanon thus becomes merely a jihadist arena within a wider network stretching from Tehran to Baghdad, Damascus, Sana’a, and Gaza. This explains why Hezbollah does not treat Lebanon as a sovereign state with independent interests, but rather as one front in a broader regional struggle. Today the arena may be Lebanon; tomorrow it may be Iraq, Yemen, or any other location that serves the objectives of the project.
Third: The Six Pillars of Nasrallah’s Legacy
A Declaration of Separation from Lebanon
The true significance of Qassem’s speech lies not in his discussion of current events, but in his summary of what he described as Hassan Nasrallah’s “legacy” through six foundational themes.
These six themes effectively constitute an ideological charter proving that Hezbollah’s ultimate reference point is not the Lebanese state.
1. “Authentic Muhammadan Islam”
Qassem spoke not about Lebanon, the constitution, citizenship, or statehood, but about a religious-ideological project that presents itself as a comprehensive authority over political, social, and cultural life.
2. Education Through Jihad and the Karbala Paradigm
Here the intention becomes unmistakable: transforming society into one of permanent mobilization and perpetual martyrdom. Instead of building a state based on knowledge, economic development, and prosperity, Hezbollah promotes a culture of endless warfare and continuous sacrifice, tying Lebanon’s future to the narratives of Karbala and Ashura.
3. Wilayat al-Faqih
This is the heart of the matter.
Qassem openly declared that authority extends from God to the Prophet, to the Imams, and ultimately to the Supreme Jurist — the Iranian Supreme Leader. In other words, Hezbollah’s highest authority is neither the Lebanese Constitution nor the Lebanese State, but the Supreme Leader in Tehran. This is a direct admission that Hezbollah’s ideological, political, and military decision-making is linked to an authority outside Lebanon’s borders, rendering talk of sovereignty and independence meaningless.
4. The Connection to the Mahdi
Hezbollah ties its political and military project to messianic expectations and eschatological beliefs that transcend the logic of the modern state. The future of an entire nation is thus linked not to constitutional institutions or democratic choices but to a theological vision centered on the awaited Mahdi.
5. Islamic Unity
Although Qassem spoke of Islamic and national unity, experience has demonstrated that such unity is conditional upon acceptance of Hezbollah’s project and ideology. Those who oppose it are frequently branded as traitors, agents, or enemies of the resistance.
6. Defense and Resistance
Even when discussing resistance, Qassem directly linked it to Ayatollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Khamenei, and Qassem Soleimani. At no point did he identify the Lebanese state as the source of legitimacy for this resistance. Instead, the state appears secondary to, or dependent upon, Hezbollah’s armed project.
Fourth: Why Dialogue with Hezbollah Is a Political Illusion
After all of this, Qassem concludes by claiming that Hezbollah is prepared to cooperate domestically within constitutional frameworks. But which constitution is he referring to? How can one reconcile declared allegiance to Wilayat al-Faqih with loyalty to a sovereign national state? How can meaningful national dialogue take place with an organization whose ultimate authority lies outside Lebanon?
Dialogue presupposes common ground, shared national principles, and a collective belief in the legitimacy of the state, its constitution, and its sovereignty. The problem is that the project outlined by Qassem is built upon entirely different foundations. It is a transnational ideological project that views Lebanon as an arena rather than a homeland, weapons as a creed rather than a defensive necessity, and external allegiance as a religious duty rather than a political choice. For this reason, the repeated calls for “dialogue” and a “defense strategy” have become little more than recycled slogans that have produced no results over decades. The issue is neither technical nor administrative; it is a clash between two fundamentally incompatible visions: the vision of a free, sovereign, and independent Lebanese state, and the vision of Lebanon as an Iranian-controlled arena governed by the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih.
Conclusion
Naim Qassem’s speech was not a Lebanese national address. It was a renewed declaration of the ideological identity of Hezbollah’s project — a project that does not genuinely recognize Lebanon’s borders as final, the state as the sole legitimate authority, or citizenship as the unifying identity of the people. The “steadfastness” celebrated by Hezbollah is, in reality, the continued sacrifice of Lebanese lives — particularly those of the Shiite community — in service of a project that has little to do with Lebanon’s interests. States are not built on the concept of battlefields and arenas. They are not built through perpetual wars or loyalties that transcend national borders. History consistently demonstrates that armed ideological organizations that place themselves above the state and answer to external authorities do not build nations; they undermine them.
Therefore, addressing the Hezbollah problem cannot be achieved by granting new legitimacy to its weapons or by endlessly recycling failed dialogue initiatives. It can only begin with a return to the Constitution, the rule of law, and the exclusive right of the Lebanese state to bear arms and defend the nation, as the sole legitimate authority entrusted with protecting Lebanon and its citizens.
The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

The Third Anniversary of the Jihadist and Barbaric Raid of October 7th
Elias Bejjani/October 07, 2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158118/
On October 7th, we remember the black and bloody day that revealed the true face of jihadist barbarism and of political Islam in both its Sunni and Shiite branches, represented by Hamas, the Iranian mullah regime, and all of its terrorist proxies, foremost among them the satanic Hezbollah.
Three years ago, on the morning of a holiday and a day of peace, jihadist Hamas and its allies launched a savage terrorist raid unparalleled in its brutality in our contemporary history. It was not an act of resistance, nor a military operation, but an organized massacre targeting unarmed civilians in their homes, at a music festival, and in the streets – children, women, and the elderly, who were killed, their bodies mutilated, and kidnapped into the tunnels of Gaza as hostages.
What happened on that day was not a victory, but a resounding moral and human downfall for Sunni and Shiite political Islam. That barbaric raid sought to kill the hope for peace and to plunge the entire region into a vortex of blood and destruction, and the peoples of the region, first and foremost the Palestinians themselves, have paid a heavy price for this insane jihadist adventure.
On this third anniversary, we stand in reverence for the souls of the innocent victims, in solidarity with their families and with the hostages who are still suffering, and in affirmation that savagery cannot make a cause, and that terrorism can never be a path to freedom.
These words of ours are a cry against oblivion, a promise never to forget, and a serious endeavor to prevent that barbaric raid from recurring in any country in the world.
We raise our prayers for the repose of the victims’ souls and that their families may be inspired with patience and solace.
The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

Lebanon says 6 wounded in attack that Israel says targeted pro-Iran Syrian operative
Arab News/October 09/2026
BEIRUT: Lebanon said an Israeli attack on Friday wounded six people as Israel said it targeted a “Syrian terrorist” who planned anti-Israel attacks under Iranian instructions. “The Israeli attack near the town of Hawsh Al-Sayyed Ali in the Hermel district led to six wounded, including five Syrian nationals, two of them women, and one Lebanese,” Lebanon’s health ministry said. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that “an enemy military drone targeted a car” in the town, located close to the Syrian border, an area largely been spared such attacks since an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire was agreed in June. Israel’s military said that it “struck a Syrian terrorist,” identified as Yusuf Ali Al-Hassoun, who it said “operated under the direction of the Iranian regime and advanced terrorist attacks targeting Israeli civilians and IDF (Israeli army) soldiers operating in southern Syria.” It did not say whether the suspect was operating as part of a particular militant group. Hassoun allegedly “planned and advanced attacks” against soldiers “that were thwarted, including the launching of explosive drones and rockets toward IDF soldiers in southern Syria.” The Israeli military “will continue to operate to eliminate immediate threats on all fronts,” it said. Since the December 2024 ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria and sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that had separated Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan since 1974. It has also carried out repeated incursions deeper into Syrian territory, sometimes seizing residents, and has vowed to keep troops in a so-called “security zone” in southern Syria, where it seeks a broader demilitarised area. On Monday, the Israeli military said it had killed an assailant at an army outpost in the area it occupies in southern Syria.Syria’s former ruler Assad was an ally of Iran and Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which drew Lebanon into the Middle East war this year by attacking Israel.

No official date set for Tampa talks amid reports of possible delay
Naharnet/09 October 2026
No official date has been set yet for the Lebanese-Israeli military negotiations in Tampa, Florida, al-Joumhouria newspaper said Friday. "Lebanon has not been officially notified of the negotiations' date," a prominent political source told the daily. According to al-Joumhouria's sources, the head of the Lebanese negotiating delegation, Ambassador Simon Karam, will not attend the meeting, which may now be postponed until after the Israeli elections.
The daily claimed that some U.S. officials prefer delaying the Tampa talks until after the Israeli elections, amid doubts that the negotiations would yield any concrete results.

EU to approve Lebanon security mission on Monday
Naharnet/09 October 2026
The European Union has received an official request from Lebanon to deploy a European security mission on its territory and the EU foreign ministers will approve the deployment of this mission on Monday, a European diplomat said. The source told Al-Arabiya’s Al-Hadath channel that the security mission will comprise more than 100 military personnel, with participation from France, Spain and Italy, and that its initial units are scheduled to arrive in Beirut by the end of this year. He stressed that the mission will be tasked with supporting the Lebanese Army and security forces, emphasizing that it will not deploy in south Lebanon.

US on Hezbollah funding and Lebanon’s reconstruction: What did Tommy Pigott tell LBCI?
LBCI/09 October 2026
U.S. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told LBCI that the United States has already imposed extensive sanctions on Iran under “Operation Economic Outcast,” which he said had led to the collapse of its currency and the disruption of its financial lifelines.
He cited these measures as one of the reasons Washington maintains that the funds allegedly being transferred to Hezbollah do not exist. Pigott also said the funds could not have been transferred through the Port of Beirut, claiming that Hezbollah was responsible for its explosion.
He added that there was no way to transfer the money through Iraq or Turkey, arguing that the Iranian regime did not have the funds and would be unable to deliver them even if they existed. Meanwhile, Pigott said the United States was holding talks with its partners in Gulf countries and Europe about the possibility of providing billions of dollars for the reconstruction of southern Lebanon. He said such assistance would depend largely on Hezbollah’s disarmament and an end to what he described as the group’s obstruction of the Lebanese government’s reconstruction efforts in the south.

Report: Energy minister seriously thinking of resignation
Naharnet/09 October 2026
Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi has seriously started to consider resigning from the government because the cabinet majority is “dumping the crisis on him and does not want to pursue a genuine, effective solution” for the electricity file, informed sources said.
Asked by MTV about the possibility of Saddi’s resignation, MP Melhem Riachi of the Lebanese Forces said: "If they continue to obstruct his simple requests and do not do what he wants, then yes, he will not remain in the government."MTV reported that Saddi had been promised that the government would establish a clear mechanism for scheduling and paying state institutions' dues to Electricité du Liban (EDL), amounting to $250 million. “This would allow for an increase in supply hours, in addition to approving a dynamic tariff that contributes to higher collections, extra supply, and fewer generator subscription hours -- thereby saving citizens generator costs,” MTV said. However, according to informed sources and contrary to these promises, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam asked Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber to prepare a draft law for an additional credit of $50 million, at a time when EDL needs $250 million -- a process that requires about a month to be passed in parliament, MTV added. Stopping short of resignation, Saddi had on Tuesday announced his boycott of Cabinet sessions until the government takes the “needed decisions” in the electricity file.

Why is the US protecting a wanted Syrian general in Lebanon?
Naharnet/09 October 2026
A former Syrian general wanted for crimes against humanity is being bankrolled and protected by the U.S. and Lebanese authorities, a BBC investigation has found. Bassam al-Hassan, who oversaw Syria's chemical weapons program and was a senior adviser to former President Bashar al-Assad, is being harbored in Lebanon following the Assad regime's collapse in 2024, the BBC said. An investigation by the BBC and the U.S. broadcaster NPR has discovered that Hassan has been allowed to remain in Lebanon under an arrangement involving the FBI, and other U.S. and Lebanese authorities. “This is because of his willingness to provide information about the abduction of American journalist Austin Tice in Syria in 2012, as well as additional intelligence,” sources told the BBC and NPR. Last month the BBC revealed Tice's abduction had been a planned operation, with Hassan in the chain of command.
Officials from two different branches of Syria's new government have told the BBC they want Hassan returned to face trial, but that U.S. authorities want him kept in Lebanon, and they say there is little Damascus can do about this. “Hassan receives money from the U.S. authorities through an intermediary, making it harder to trace,” sources told the BBC.
Hassan is sanctioned by the US government.
“People connected to the Tice investigation say they have seen little evidence it has significantly advanced since Hassan began providing information as part of this agreement. The deal is believed to have been struck in the spring of 2025,” the BBC said. Hassan is not the only Syrian regime official whose connection to the Tice case has seemingly afforded him financial payments or assistance for living abroad. One former regime member said he had received money from the FBI multiple times in exchange for his co-operation on Tice's case. It was "not in his interest to share all the information all at once," he told the BBC, "in order to be able to drag out how long he can continue to receive payments from them [the U.S. authorities]". Another former regime member connected to the Tice case claimed he was living in Lebanon under the "patronage" of the U.S. authorities, citing this as the reason he could not speak to the BBC about Tice.The BBC spoke to a former senior Lebanese intelligence official who confirmed that Lebanese intelligence does have arrangements with the Americans, and that these types of payments have and do take place when both agencies have overlap in cases, but said he had no knowledge of payments involving the Tice case. Following the fall of the Assad regime in early December 2024, Hassan is believed to have initially escaped to Iran. A Syrian businessman, with strong connections to both the former regime and the Lebanese authorities, told the BBC that negotiations had then taken place -- involving the U.S., Lebanon, and Iran -- to bring Hassan to Lebanon. The businessman, who asked to remain anonymous, said Hassan was valuable, not only because of what he is believed to know about Tice, but because of his knowledge of Syria's chemical weapons program and its military relationship with Iran -- secrets that U.S. intelligence was allegedly interested in. Hassan told U.S. investigators last year that Tice had been executed on former President Assad's orders, but several people with knowledge of the investigation have questioned the details of his account. Hassan has provided a potential location for Tice's remains, but when the site was searched, nothing was found -- according to multiple sources familiar with the dig -- casting doubt on the validity of some of Hassan's information. There are questions, however, over how thoroughly the site was searched. Two sources who said they had intimate knowledge of the operation told the BBC that U.S. authorities stopped digging before the search had been completed, possibly because of security concerns. When the BBC managed to reach Hassan by phone last year to ask for an interview, he directed them to seek permission for him to speak from the FBI and CIA at the U.S. embassy in Beirut. The BBC investigation has found that other Syrian officials connected to the Tice case have also apparently found refuge abroad. They include Mohammad Makhlouf, who reported to Hassan in Syria and was connected to Tice's detention -- now believed to be residing in Lebanon. And Sakr Rustom, Hassan's nephew who was involved in Tice's abduction, now believed to be moving between the UAE and Lebanon. When the BBC attempted to speak to Rustom about Tice's case, he said he "preferred to focus on matters of the future."Ghassan Nassour, a former general in Syria's Republican Guard, is said by former members of the National Defense Forces to have presided over the jail Tice was held in, and is believed to be living in the UAE with his family, the BBC has been told.

Israeli army says one soldier killed, three wounded in south Lebanon
Agence France Presse/Associated Press
The Israeli army said Thursday that one soldier was killed and three others were slightly wounded when their vehicle overturned in south Lebanon, where the military has occupied a band of territory since invading in March in response to Hezbollah attacks.
"Captain Eliav Haim Tzapalamus, aged 21, from Haifa, a combat officer in the 603rd Battalion, 7th Brigade, fell in combat in southern Lebanon," the army said. The vehicle overturned during an operation in the Litani area. Israeli troops remain in parts of southern Lebanon despite U.S.-mediated talks aimed at securing their withdrawal and Hezbollah’s disarmament. The militant group has refused to disarm, while Israel continues to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon.

South Lebanon: Latest developments
Naharnet/09 October 2026
An Israeli strike targeted at dawn the outskirts of Kfartebnit in south Lebanon, while artillery shelled overnight into Friday al-Mansouri, Wadi Zebqine, Hadatha, Baraashit, Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Harees, Beit Yahoun, Wadi Slouqi and Mays al-Jabal. Israeli forces carried out detonations overnight in the southern border towns of kfarkela, Taybeh and Khiam.

Hezbollah promises aid for displaced, slams state's provocations and 'folkloric displays'
Naharnet/09 October 2026
Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc has urged the Lebanese government to "fulfill its duties toward the people" and take practical steps to alleviate the impact of the occupation on them.
The bloc accused the state of folkloric displays and provocative statements and vowed that it would soon provide shelter aid to the displaced. On Wednesday, State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott dismissed reports that Hezbollah is receiving fresh cash from Iran, describing the militant group as "decimated" and accusing it of attempting to cover up its financial plight through propaganda.

Lebanon condemns attacks targeting Saudi airports
LBCI/09 October 2026
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, according to a statement. The ministry said targeting civilian and vital infrastructure and endangering civilian lives constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, posing a serious threat to regional security and stability. It reaffirmed Lebanon’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its firm support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, as well as the protection of its citizens and residents. The ministry also reiterated Lebanon’s unequivocal rejection of any attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.

PM Salam at Beirut Arab International Book Fair: Restoring state sovereignty, advancing reforms key to Lebanon’s recovery
LBCI/09 October 2026
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed the need to restore state authority across Lebanon, advance economic reforms and accelerate reconstruction, saying the three priorities are closely interconnected and progress in one cannot replace progress in the others.
Speaking at the Beirut Arab International Book Fair, Salam said Lebanon's economic recovery depends on reform, public trust and accountability, while sustainable reconstruction requires security and stability. He emphasized that lasting stability cannot be achieved without a state that holds exclusive authority over decisions of war and peace, adding that a capable state cannot exist without effective institutions. Salam also stressed that restoring Lebanese sovereignty requires ending Israel's occupation of Lebanese territory, halting Israeli attacks, ensuring the safe and dignified return of displaced residents to their homes, and rebuilding their villages and towns. He warned that state sovereignty remains incomplete if public institutions continue to be weakened by sectarian and private interests. Salam said the state cannot regain public confidence without justice, equality and the rule of law. He also criticized political double standards, saying it is contradictory to demand a just state while accepting favoritism when it serves personal interests, or to call for strong institutions while disregarding their decisions when they prove inconvenient. Similarly, he warned against advocating national unity while continuing to fuel divisions.Salam called for a new political culture that views politics not merely as a struggle for power but as a responsibility to serve the public good. He also emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of citizenship that recognizes Lebanon's diversity while establishing the state as a unifying framework for all its communities. Addressing the role of intellectual development, Salam said an intellectual renaissance should not be viewed as a luxury that can wait until political and economic reforms are completed. Instead, he described it as an essential condition for the success and sustainability of those reforms, stressing that ideas shape decisions and decisions determine the future of nations.

Aoun says Lebanon cannot abandon negotiations with Israel
Naharnet/09 October 2026
Lebanon “cannot abandon the negotiation track, even if current circumstances do not allow for expectations of a major shift in Israel's stance,” a visitor to the Presidential Palace quoted President Joseph Aoun as saying, in remarks published Friday by al-Akhbar newspaper.
“We all know that we will have to wait for the post-election phase in both Israel and the United States, especially since all American officials are focusing their efforts on internal election matters and the file of the war with Iran. No pressure from the U.S. administration on Israel is expected at this stage,” Aoun reportedly added. He also noted that “he most important thing for Lebanon today is to prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from resorting to a military escalation in Lebanon to serve his electoral agenda.”

Fuel prices change across Lebanon
LBCI/09 October 2026
On Friday, October 9, 2026, the prices of 95 octane and 98 octane fuel decreased by LBP 23,000 each, while diesel dropped by LBP 78,000.
Meanwhile, the price of a gas canister remained unchanged.
The current prices for hydrocarbon derivatives are as follows:
Gasoline 95 octane: LBP 2,802,000
Gasoline 98 octane: LBP 2,820,000
Diesel: LBP 2,614,000
Gas canister: LBP 1,383,000

With the Simplicity of Faith and the Dignity of Sainthood… Beirut Media Zone Welcomes “Charbel”
Daisy Hawat/Nidaa Al-Watan/October 10, 2026 (translated from Arabic by AI)
The reception held before the screening of Charbel at Beirut Media Zone felt like a passage into a space where faith took center stage, rather than merely an introduction to a cinematic event.
Here, where olive trees embrace the greenery that defines the setting, where the fragrance of incense evokes prayer and the sound of hymns resonates beyond the limits of hearing, guests were welcomed to an evening that MTV Group Chairman Michel El Murr intended as a tribute to a saint whose story has transcended Lebanon’s borders to reach the hearts of believers around the world. On October 9, the anniversary of Saint Mar Charbel’s canonization in 1977, Beirut Media Zone chose to host the launch of the film bearing his name, produced by MTV and NMPRO, under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun.
A Visual Identity That Speaks of Faith
While everyone awaited the lights to dim and the screening to begin, the story had already started outdoors: in the reception courtyard, among the green pathways, and on the faces of guests arriving one after another. The scene had been designed to reflect the significance of the occasion: simple, solemn, and filled with meaning that required little explanation. Grandeur was not the purpose. When the occasion is dedicated to a man who chose solitude and renunciation and spent his final years in the hermitage of Annaya as a monk devoted to prayer and asceticism, humility becomes more expressive than any display of extravagance. Simplicity, in turn, becomes a form of fidelity to the saint’s life and legacy. This understanding shaped the visual identity of the reception, with every element appearing harmonious without being excessive or complicated.
Mine Events was responsible for executing the designs, based on the planning of Pamela Mansour, an event and party organizer, and engineer Ramzi Matar, an interior-design and decoration specialist. The overall design complemented the character of Beirut Media Zone, making use of the venue’s features in a manner suited to the occasion. Trees of various kinds played a central role in the setting and became part of its visual language. Oak trees, symbolizing deep roots and steadfastness, evoked the meaning of faith firmly rooted in the land. Olive trees recalled the spiritual memory of Christianity, both through their significance in Christian faith and the atmosphere of peace they convey. Throughout the venue, images of Saint Mar Charbel appeared on screens and in decorative details, from candle bags to the messages accompanying guests. Among them was the invocation: “O Charbel, pray for us.”
The saint’s image, distributed throughout the venue, served as a connecting thread linking the different spaces and reminding visitors that the occasion was more than a celebration of a cinematic production. It was also an encounter with a life story that has become part of Lebanon’s spiritual memory and that of the wider world. The large, open hands reaching toward the sky expressed through their form what the other elements sought to convey: hands raised in prayer, inviting visitors to contemplate the design and sense the reverence and supplication behind it. Thus, the individual details came together in a coherent visual identity, creating a unified setting. The reception became a kind of emotional and spiritual preparation for an encounter with the life of Saint Mar Charbel—an encounter that needs little embellishment to leave its mark, because its foundations lie deeper than appearances.
From “Gethsemane” to “BlackBox”
Since welcoming guests is the first threshold of any event, their arrival was carefully organized. Official guests were received as they arrived in their vehicles, while golf carts transported attendees from the outdoor parking areas into Beirut Media Zone.
Organization was an integral part of the experience, not merely a logistical detail on the sidelines. The route each guest followed, from arrival to the reception area, prepared them to move from the outside world into the atmosphere of the evening. Alongside the visual design, the coordination of the senses—what the eye sees, the ear hears, and the nose smells—deepened the reception’s atmosphere and prepared guests for the film. The fragrance of incense filled the venue, while hymns gradually spread throughout the space, allowing both silence and words to leave their mark.
At the heart of this scene, the Notre Dame University Choir, led by Father and conductor Khalil Rahme, created the spiritual atmosphere that accompanied the welcoming of guests. Artist Rifqa Fares later joined the choir, bringing artistic performance together with the religious character of the occasion. Perhaps the choice of the Garden of Gethsemane as the starting point for the event reflected its symbolism, which extends beyond its function as a green space for prayer within Beirut Media Zone. It evokes the place associated with Jesus Christ’s prayer before He was taken away to be crucified. According to the Gospels, Gethsemane lies on the Mount of Olives and is associated with the night of prayer before Christ’s Passion, when faith was revealed in its most profoundly human form, between hope and surrender.
In this atmosphere, Abbot Hadi Mahfouz, Superior General of the Lebanese Maronite Order, blessed the sacramental offerings and rosaries distributed to the more than one thousand participants. The gifts accompanied them with a sense of blessing, recalling the spirituality of Saint Charbel, founded on prayer, simplicity, and renunciation.
As guests continued to arrive, preparations shifted toward the next stage: moving into the BlackBox Studio, where the venue had been prepared for the screening. The largest studio in the Middle East, designed as a multipurpose space, was transformed that evening into a cinema equipped with a screen described as the largest in Lebanon and an exceptional sound system, offering attendees a distinctive viewing experience. After the screening, BlackBox would once again be able to adapt to different events and programs, including hosting Dancing with the Stars. This flexibility is made possible by its telescopic grandstand, which can be opened or closed, allowing the space and its configuration to be changed in approximately ten minutes. Yet the value of the venue that evening was measured not solely by the size of its screen, its capacity, or its technological capabilities, but by the meaning it was able to embrace. The technical facilities, important as they were, remained in service of the occasion, while the human and spiritual dimensions took center stage. Perhaps this was the clearest message conveyed by the reception for Charbel: the event must reflect the message it seeks to convey. In the life of Saint Mar Charbel, greatness is not separate from humility; rather, it is measured by the impact it leaves on people’s souls.From Bekaa Kafra, where Youssef Makhlouf was born in 1828, to Annaya, where he spent his final years in solitude and prayer, and then to the world that came to know him as a saint and seek his intercession, his story has transcended the boundaries of place and time.

Joint Production by NMPRO and MTV: “Charbel”… The Human Being Comes First
Shadi Maalouf Nidaa Al-Watan/October 10, 2026 (translated from Arabic by AI)
From the hermitage of Annaya to the big screen, the life story of Saint Charbel (1828–1898) returns in a new feature film, which began screening on the anniversary of the declaration of the Lebanese monk Charbel Makhlouf as a saint by the Catholic Church on October 9, 1977.
At the BlackBox Studio inside the Beirut Media Zone complex, guests attending the premiere of Charbel followed key episodes in the life of a man who became “Lebanon’s foremost saint” and one of the country’s most prominent spiritual symbols. His presence remains alive, tangible, and influential in the lives of those seeking heavenly intercession and blessings. Through a modern cinematic and visual language, producer and director Nadim Mehanna has presented Charbel’s character and his life journey, both human and spiritual, through a contemporary approach that begins with Charbel the human being. The film is a joint production by NMPRO and MTV.
A Film for Everyone
In 1828, when Youssef Makhlouf was born on May 8, the northern Lebanese village of Bekaa Kafra had no idea that it was witnessing the birth of a saint whose intercession would reach far beyond his homeland, and through whom God’s miracles would spread throughout the world, touching people of all religions and in every place. Viewers of Charbel will find themselves immersed in a social, human, and spiritual film written for the screen by Claudia Marchalian. It is a film that families can enjoy together, bringing members of all ages together. Over the course of 131 minutes, audiences will travel back to the nineteenth century, accompanied by a distinguished cast of Lebanese actors and actresses. They will follow Youssef Makhlouf from childhood through adolescence, then Charbel as a young monk, and finally the silent hermit who forged a mystical, deeply emotional relationship with God, until his soul returned to its Creator on Christmas Eve in 1898. The film stars Jerry Ghazal and Father Roukoz El Hajj as Charbel in his younger and later years, alongside Carol El Hajj, Youssef Haddad, Nicolas Daniel, Aleco Daoud, Randa Kaady, Joseph Khoury, Lucas Kfoury, Yara Zakhour, Asaad Haddad, Asaad Rachdan, Jean Kassiss, Salim Hallal, Joseph Sassin, Samir Awwad, Issam Al-Ashkar, Antoine Karam, Michel Abidachi, Camille Youssef, Nazih Youssef, Najib Abi Nader, Christa Bsaibess, Cynthia Moussa, Adon Khoury, and Joe Remia. The events of Charbel unfold in an atmosphere that evokes Lebanon, the simplicity of its people’s lives, and their steadfast faith in the land as a path to heaven.
A Contemporary Cinematic Vision
“One of the film’s distinguishing features is that it is the latest movie to portray the life of Saint Charbel. It was filmed to international standards in terms of acting, locations, and the use of the latest camera, lens, and lighting technologies,” producer and director Nadim Mehanna told Nidaa Al-Watan. Mehanna is keen to emphasize that every detail of the film’s content was developed under the close supervision of the Lebanese Maronite Order, to which Charbel belonged. Order officials reviewed all the information presented in the film about Saint Charbel’s life and virtues. Father Roukoz El Hajj, who portrays Saint Charbel in his later years, is himself a monk of the Lebanese Maronite Order. Mehanna stresses that, as a filmmaker, he approaches the work primarily from an artistic perspective. In this film, therefore, Charbel is a fully developed cinematic protagonist, and the film itself contains all the essential elements of cinema, including suspense, excitement, love, hope, and the other themes and components expected of a feature film. The director and producer intended Charbel to be a cinematic film, not a Mass, a religious documentary, or a work dealing with theological issues. It tells the story of a man who left his family and entered a monastery to become a monk, experiencing the everyday realities that any boy or young man choosing monastic life might encounter. For all these reasons, Mehanna emphasizes that his film can be watched by believers or atheists, Christians or people of any other religion, Lebanese viewers or people of any other nationality.
A Major Production
There are high expectations for strong audience attendance at cinemas screening Charbel. According to Mehanna, it is one of the largest and most ambitious productions in Lebanese cinema at present. He also believes the film may attract substantial audiences outside Lebanon, particularly in countries where Saint Charbel is known or where Lebanese immigrants and people of Lebanese descent live. Asked about the production costs of his new film, Mehanna describes them as substantial, primarily because the events take place nearly two centuries ago. This required the construction and creation of filming locations that accurately reflected that historical period, in addition to the expenses associated with sets, costumes, and accessories needed for the scenes. The effort to recreate the period in which Saint Charbel lived also influenced the selection of the actors and actresses who took part in the production. Elements that could not be recreated during filming were addressed in post-production. This included what is known as “image cleanup,” removing visible signs of modern life that could not be avoided during shooting. Examples include modern streetlights, air-conditioning units, and solar-energy equipment found even on old buildings and monasteries. The process also involved giving the images an aged appearance and restoring the outdoor scenes to the way they would have looked in Charbel’s time.
A Partner in Success
Producer and director Nadim Mehanna also emphasizes MTV’s leading role in bringing Charbel to life. “Just as we are partners with MTV, MTV is our partner in producing this work and in its success. The channel owns this film just as much as NMPRO does,” he says.
He adds that the channel has played a major and essential role in marketing Charbel. Its management, represented by Michel El Murr, Mehanna’s childhood companion and lifelong friend of more than 40 years, gave him complete confidence and freedom to present the work.
“This collaboration between us is natural and emotional rather than simply a partnership between two institutions, because the friendship and brotherhood between Michel El Murr and me go beyond any professional relationship,” he explains. Now that the creators of Charbel have completed their work and celebrated the grand opening of its screenings, hosted by MTV yesterday, Lebanese cinemas are waiting for audiences to experience the story of the “Saint of Lebanon” through a directorial and production vision that respects the audience of 2026 and meets its expectations. It is worth noting that the next cinematic project bringing NMPRO and MTV together for another major Lebanese production is not far off. This time, it will be titled Rifqa.

Lebanon Has Not Yet Embarked on the Right Path
Walid Phares/Independent Arabia/October 09/2026  (translated from Arabic by AI)
Washington believes that the Lebanese state has shifted to the position of a strategic ally to the United States and has accepted a partnership with Israel. While Lebanon has altered its policies regarding Hezbollah, it has not yet fully committed to ending the group's presence. In Washington, official statements and media reports assert that Lebanon is on the right track, that the "framework agreement" between Israel and Lebanon has succeeded, that Hezbollah’s capabilities have been reduced to a minimum, and that the majority of the Lebanese people are satisfied with the course of events and with US policy. However, a closer examination of unfolding events offers a different understanding of the situation. Let us review the reality surrounding the various perspectives held by the parties involved, as there are two main views regarding US policy toward Lebanon. The first view holds that the Khomeinist militias have been weakened by Israel to the point where they can no longer regain their strength; consequently, the Lebanese state is now in a position to proceed with disarming Hezbollah and, simultaneously, signing a peace agreement with Israel. The second view in Washington—which characterizes itself as "realistic"—is far more pessimistic regarding Lebanon's ability to achieve these goals. It holds the view that, while it is true Israel strategically devastated the militia, it failed to eradicate it as a threatening force within the Lebanese Republic. Furthermore, it considers the "framework agreement" to be the maximum achievable outcome with Lebanon—rather than a minimum baseline that could pave the way for a more advanced stage leading to a full-fledged Lebanese-Israeli treaty. Let us examine the situation point by point.
Israeli counter-attacks against Hezbollah following October 7 certainly destroyed the bulk of the militia’s strategic arsenal, eliminated more than half of its military leadership, and dismantled a significant portion of its infrastructure; ultimately, they resulted in the deaths of Hezbollah’s Secretary-General and several members of its political leadership. The "12-Day War" of 2025 effectively ended the militia's current ability to replicate the October 7 scenario along the northern front via southern Lebanon, while the 2026 war enabled Israel to target the Khomeinist force across the country.
By the spring of that year, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had shattered Hezbollah’s capabilities to the point where it no longer posed an existential threat to Israel, with the Trump administration providing unwavering logistical and intelligence support to the Netanyahu government. The two wars following October 7 fundamentally altered the strategic balance of power in Lebanon. Hezbollah stood on the brink of defeat at Israel's hands; all that remained was Lebanese participation to bring the conflict to a close. The Lebanese government should have acknowledged—and formalized—Hezbollah’s total defeat at the hands of the Israeli army; instead, rather than acting as an ally to the United States and Israel, it faced pressure to enter into trilateral talks with Israel under American auspices. Since 1990, successive Lebanese governments had cooperated with Hezbollah, allowing it to operate as a so-called "resistance" force and granting it the legitimacy of the internationally recognized Lebanese state. Although Bashar al-Assad’s forces withdrew from Lebanon in 2005 following the success of the Cedar Revolution, Hezbollah was not disarmed by the subsequent anti-Baathist, pro-Western government; just three years later, on May 7, 2008, Khomeinist militias staged a coup against the cabinet and seized control of the country. In practice, Lebanese governments and the Lebanese Army leadership have continued to support Hezbollah since 2008 without any shift in policy—a fact that explains the profound influence the Iranian-backed armed group has wielded within the institutions of the Lebanese Republic over the past two decades.

Regional War Looms Again... When and Who Will Fire the First Shot?
Laura Yammine/Al-Markazia/October 09/2026  (translated from Arabic by AI)
Al-Markazia – Axios revealed that the Pentagon issued directives a few days ago to U.S. Central Command to finalize preparations for resuming major combat operations against Iran. The site quoted U.S. officials as saying that the directives did not specify a date for launching strikes, nor had U.S. President Donald Trump made any final decisions on the matter. However, U.S. and Israeli sources indicated that operations could resume prior to the U.S. midterm elections—and possibly even before the Israeli elections scheduled a week earlier. According to these sources, the resumption of major combat operations would likely involve extensive strikes on Iranian targets across the energy, infrastructure, and nuclear sectors. A Pentagon official stated that the Department's mission is to prepare military options and present them to the President.
On Wednesday, *The Atlantic* reported that Trump was considering a strike on Iran ahead of the midterm elections. On Friday, Trump’s national security team met at Camp David for several hours to discuss the war and other issues. An Israeli official stated that part of the meeting addressed the possibility of resuming major combat operations against Iran.
Trump had spoken by phone on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—their second call in a matter of days, following weeks during which there had been virtually no contact between them. A US official stated that Trump and Netanyahu discussed "honoring and commemorating the victims of the October 7 massacre." Two Israeli officials suggested that the Iranian regime might launch a preemptive strike, driven by what they described as desperation and paranoia; they noted that Iran had already suffered two surprise attacks and sought to avoid a third. Indeed, prior to these reports, Iranian military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia had affirmed that Iran would—if necessary—carry out "preemptive operations" to deter the enemy from any aggression or transgression. Akrami-Nia told the Fars news agency that Iranian forces had conducted preemptive operations during the recent conflict and would do so again in the future if required, noting that US bases preparing for operations against Iran had been targeted by Iranian military drones during the war. He explained that Iran’s military doctrine had shifted from a defensive to an offensive posture during the tenure of the late Amir Mousavi as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and that this doctrine had been implemented during the recent conflict.
All these factors—compounded by the deployment of US fleets in regional waters—indicate that both sides are on high alert and fully mobilized for combat. According to diplomatic sources speaking to "Al-Markaziya," there are American and Israeli concerns that Tehran might—this time—fire the "first shot." The logic is that since Trump constantly threatens a strike—implying it is inevitable—Iran might ask, "Why wait for it when we can initiate it ourselves?" Americans and Israelis are currently preparing for this scenario, even though it is considered unlikely; Washington believes Iran fully understands that any escalatory move it initiates would be met with a harsh, if not devastating, response. However, in light of Akrami-Nia’s statements, all possibilities must be considered. Furthermore, as the Iranians continue to raise the stakes in negotiations—which have been stalled negatively for weeks—Americans believe that renewed strikes on Iran could help break this stalemate. Although Trump announced yesterday that there would be no strikes before the midterm elections, sources do not rule out the possibility that this stance is intended to mislead the Iranians. Israel strongly advocates for this option—indeed, it eagerly awaits it—and urges Washington to pursue it as soon as possible. Renewed escalation could serve Netanyahu politically, leaving his opponents with less room to attack him during the final stretch of the election campaign; this is why he is pushing for it. It appears, then, that a new round of escalation is inevitable. The question remains: who will start it, and when?

Mount Lebanon Instead of the South!!!
Pierre Atallah/Facebook /October 09/2026  (translated from Arabic by AI)
Social media pages are teeming with advertisements featuring smiling young men and women posing as real estate brokers. They are seeking individuals willing to sell their properties—houses, apartments, and land—particularly in Mount Lebanon, the Bekaa, and the North, with a specific focus on Christian and certain Druze areas.
These charming smiles mask a "major conspiracy"—if one may call it that—centered on "demographic change and seizing control of Christian areas." Evidence of this lies in the population shifts affecting entire districts, such as Jezzine, East Sidon, Baabda, Metn, Keserwan, and Zahle. Millions of dollars—often from dubious sources—are pouring in, directly or through intermediaries, to purchase Christian-owned real estate. The goal is to establish a new reality on the ground: altering the cultural, social, and demographic identity of these regions and creating population belts that sever the connection between the Chouf and Aley areas and the heart of Mount Lebanon, while linking the Bekaa to the coast and central regions of Keserwan and Byblos. All this unfolds before the eyes of high-ranking Christian figures who remain silent—driven by greed for positions of power or electoral calculations—even as the very presence of Christians in Lebanon is jeopardized by this lust for authority. The latest instance of seizing Christian land occurred in the Jezzine district, where an area estimated at 120,000 square meters was sold for a massive sum. Yet, neither the region's MPs nor its municipalities—preoccupied with internecine conflicts to the point of self-destruction—bathed an eye. When asked about the matter, Talal Douaihy, head of the "Land Movement" (Harakat al-Ard), threw up his hands in exasperation and replied: "Is it limited to Jezzine? All of Lebanon is an arena for land acquisitions—from Ghodras to Adma, Damour, Saydoun, Al-Atshana, Kfardebian, Aley, Bhamdoun, Baabda, and many other places."
Douaihy does not stop at generalities; he delves into specifics—names and figures. Focusing on Keserwan, he cites the case of "I.S.," who purchased property worth $22 million in Adma and is developing a massive residential complex that will transform the area's character—all unfolding right under the watchful eye of the Patriarchal See in Bkerke. Douaihy then turns to the Faraya, Mzaar, and Kfardebian areas, where 480 chalets and properties have been sold in recent months—mostly to Iraqis, Bahrainis, and other buyers, both prominent and obscure. Douaihy—who accuses both secular and religious Christian leaders of complicity and silence regarding these developments—points to 33 applications submitted by wealthy Shiite investors to construct massive buildings in the town of Baabda and its surroundings. He highlights the Mar Takla area in particular, where he claims Shiite ownership has reached 60 percent, all with the municipality mayor's approval. Douaihy draws special attention to the situation in Baabdat and Mar Moussa, where more than a quarter of the properties have been sold to non-Christians—a trend that shows no signs of stopping. Most concerning of all is that the buyers in Baabdat, Mar Moussa, and Brummana are deliberately acquiring contiguous or closely situated properties, effectively creating neighborhoods defined by a specific sectarian identity. Surprisingly, a major deal is quietly unfolding in the Al-Atshana area of ​​Metn, where a relative of the Finance Minister is purchasing vast tracts of land near Bikfaya—the stronghold of the Kataeb Party and the Gemayel family—without any oversight or scrutiny, and without local MPs even taking notice. A similar pattern is seen in Arz Bsharri, where dozens of properties have been sold with the blessing of the dominant local political forces; indeed, reports of such sales are emerging from all regions. Some time ago, the government banned real estate sales in the South to prevent land from falling into the hands of Israeli citizens. Yet, an "Israeli-style" scenario is now playing out against Lebanese Christians: difficult economic conditions, broker greed, and the allure of "greenbacks" (US dollars) are being exploited to acquire Christian-owned lands—and even Druze lands in the Aley area, extending up to Bhamdoun. Al-Douaihy recounts that a leader in the Progressive Socialist Party told him a significant portion of the city of Aley and the Bhamdoun-Sofar corridor has already been sold—or is currently being sold. It is evident—even without needing detailed analysis—that a massive influx of funds from unknown sources is pouring into a scheme to buy up Mount Lebanon, the North, the Bekaa, and Jezzine. The question remains: where are the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary regarding these events? Why is there no investigation into the source of these funds or the parties behind them? Why is there such a persistent drive to acquire property from Christians? And why have Christian MPs and ministers failed to take action to halt sales in these areas—as was done in the South—or to establish legal safeguards? The answer lies with the Minister of Justice and those Christian leaders who obsess over the issue of exclusive control over weapons while turning a blind eye to the "weapon" of the greenback and the buying up of the homeland itself.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 09-10/2026
New Details in the "Flydubai" Case Revealed by the UAE Attorney General
The Accused Moved Between Several Airlines in Different Countries During His Career
Riyadh - Al Arabiya.net/09 October 2026
The UAE Attorney General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, revealed new details regarding the "Flydubai" aircraft incident, clarifying that the accused co-pilot—an Omani national—planned to seize control of the aircraft and use it in a suicide operation, and that his orientations linked to the incident began in Australia in 2017. Al Shamsi explained in a statement today, Friday, that the accused ambushed the aircraft's captain and assaulted him with an emergency axe. He noted that during his professional career, the accused moved between several airlines before joining Flydubai, where he met the professional and security recruitment requirements of the company, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
His Career Path
The Attorney General added that the accused worked for several airlines in different countries throughout his career: he worked for Oman Air from 2020 to 2024, then joined Royal Air Maroc in early 2025 for a few months, before moving to Flydubai in January 2026.
According to the statement, the accused confessed that while studying in Melbourne, Australia, he frequented a mosque affiliated with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), where he met those in charge of the "MY Centre," which the statement mentioned was run by a Lebanese individual named "Abu Hamza." He added that, according to the suspect's statements, the center enjoyed support from an association linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Al Shamsi pointed out that the suspect prepared himself mentally and physically to execute his plan by intensifying his consumption of material inciting terrorism and undergoing boxing training under a private coach. Investigations revealed that the suspect utilized two previous flights to Tel Aviv to reconnaissance the flight route and the airport, before commencing the execution of his scheme during the third flight on September 30, 2026.
Incident Details
The UAE Attorney General stated that the suspect ambushed the captain inside the cockpit and attacked him with an emergency axe, while the captain resisted the assault and attempted to call for help. He added that the captain of the return flight, who was onboard the aircraft, noticed the cockpit door being repeatedly opened and closed in an unusual manner. He approached and attempted to enter using the emergency code, successfully gaining entry to find the suspect assaulting the captain. The return flight captain intervened with the assistance of a cabin crew member and several passengers, successfully rescuing the injured captain and subduing the suspect. Meanwhile, the return flight captain and his co-pilot resumed control of the aircraft, diverted its course, and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Confession of the Suspect
Al Shamsi noted that the suspect made detailed confessions in the presence of his lawyer regarding his motives and the stages of planning and execution, admitting that he acted alone without the participation of others—though investigations remain ongoing to verify this.
He explained that the Public Prosecution heard testimonies from the aircraft captain, the return flight captain, his co-pilot, and crew members. The forensic report showed that the captain's injuries were concentrated in the head, were recent, coincided with the incident, and were caused by a tool consistent in nature with an emergency axe, aligning with the statements of the suspect, the captain, and witness testimonies. The UAE Attorney General reaffirmed the ongoing examination of evidence to verify the existence of any accomplices or other connections and the completion of the review of recordings and technical reports, stating that the prosecution will announce further results as required by the investigation.
Investigations to Uncover Motives
The incident dates back to September 30, when Flydubai Flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, experienced a sharp altitude drop exceeding 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds, according to flight tracking data reviewed by Reuters. The agency reported that the co-pilot assaulted the captain with an emergency axe inside the cockpit, causing injuries before the captain managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to intervene and control the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots onboard took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to the Saudi city of Tabuk, where it landed safely. The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers, the majority of whom were Israelis. Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot following the landing. Emirati authorities launched an investigation to uncover the circumstances and motives of the incident before the UAE Attorney General announced that investigations revealed the co-pilot had planned to take control of the aircraft and use it in a suicide attack.

Trump says US will not resume military strikes on Iran before midterm elections
Associated Press/09 October 2026
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will not order a resumption of military strikes on Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections in the United States.
Trump, while stumping for Republicans this week, has hinted that he was confident that an endgame to the war could come in the days before or after the election, while also hinting that he remained open to resuming full-scale military operations against Iran.
For weeks, Trump has been threatening that a post-midterm election escalation in the seven-month-old war remains a viable option, despite his initial promises to Americans of a military campaign that would last a matter of weeks. But Trump in a social media post on Thursday said the U.S. "will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd."Trump added that his team has been "having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran." The U.S. and Iran signed a short-lived interim agreement in June, intended to establish a 60-day ceasefire and framework for a permanent peace deal. The deal signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian collapsed within weeks amid renewed military actions and disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical water which one-fifth world's oil flowed through before the war.
Negotiations had appeared at a standstill since Trump late last month publicly rejectedIran's proposal to reopen the strait within seven days if the U.S. met certain conditions.
Iran, however, said last week they had received a U.S. counterproposal. And Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier on Thursday said he expected Tehran would offer a formal reply within days. Trump on Wednesday during a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, said that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has continued indirect negotiations with Iranian officials.
But at the same time, Trump suggested he had mixed feelings about ending the war at this point. "I think the deal isn't really something that I want to do, but they're willing to offer us anything to stop," Trump said. Trump believes that the U.S. is gaining leverage as the U.S. military is having greater success in helping oil tankers traverse the Strait of Hormuz and get Gulf allies' oil to market, while a Navy blockade is shutting down Iran's own oil exports. Iran has lost its near chokehold over oil flows through the vital waterway with U.S. Central Command shepherding oil tankers through the strait at night with their location systems turned off. That with the help of Gulf pipelines that skirt the strait, has allowed Gulf countries to export oil at nearly prewar levels. But Iran has ramped up attacks on tankers passing through the strait in recent days. And overall, ship traffic remains well below prewar levels, as are shipments of liquid natural gas and fuel products. Tanker operators willing to risk running the gauntlet under Central Command's protection are in some cases charging rates of $1 million a day or more, shipping analysts say. The situation has become further complicated as Saudi Arabia and Yemen's government have launched a military campaign aimed at driving Iran-backed Houthi rebels from the Bab el-Mandeb strait, another critical Mideast trade route for oil and other goods. The Houthis, in turn, are targeting Saudi airports and key infrastructure in the kingdom with drone and missile strikes.
Trump's post comes as the military has dispatched more resources to the region. U.S. officials have said a third aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and thousands of troops aboard it and accompanying ships could arrive as early as the end of October. Trump's announcement was made the same day the USS Abraham Lincoln was due to arrive to its home port in San Diego after a record-long deployment in support of the Iran war. There have been reports of crew stress and poor mental health, as well as supply shortages, including food and hygiene products. The USS George Washington, which is usually based in Asia, relieved the Lincoln in August. The other aircraft carrier in the Middle East, the USS George H.W. Bush, has been deployed for about six months, but it pulled into Phuket, Thailand, for a port visit several days ago.

Trump Encircles Iran with Fire: Exhausting the Proxies and Striking the Head Until Surrender
Janoubia/09 October 2026
Anyone observing the trajectory of the US-Israeli confrontation with Iran over the past two years will notice that truces have not ended the conflict; rather, they have alternated with rounds of escalation and military pressure. As a result, Tehran finds itself facing a battle that is not merely about destroying a facility or bringing down a leader, but about weakening its ability to regain balance after every strike. In June 2025, Israel targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities and assassinated prominent leaders, including IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, alongside nuclear scientists. The United States subsequently joined the offensive by striking nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. According to a US Congressional Research Service report, destroying the nuclear program and undermining Iranian missile capabilities were among Washington's declared objectives in the subsequent 2026 confrontation. On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a new war against Iran, targeting its nuclear, missile, and military infrastructure, which led on its first day to the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several military commanders. However, Donald Trump did not restrict his options to open warfare. The ceasefire declared on April 8 provided room for negotiations before US strikes resumed against coastal radar sites in June, including locations in Gorak and Qeshm Island, according to US Central Command cited by Reuters. On June 17, Trump announced a transitional agreement with Tehran, but threatened to resume bombings if Iran failed to abide by its conditions. This equation summarizes his approach: a conditional truce and intermittent military pressure until total exhaustion. In the Trump administration, diplomacy is inseparable from military readiness. Secretary of State Marco Rubio treats the redistribution of forces and military assets as part of threat management, while Vice President JD Vance emphasized in an October 6, 2026 interview with Reuters that the primary goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and from rebuilding its nuclear facilities and capabilities. Conversely, Axios reported on October 7 that the Pentagon directed Central Command to complete preparations for potential large-scale combat operations, which may include energy facilities, infrastructure, and nuclear sites. The following day, Trump announced he would not resume strikes prior to the midterm elections on November 3, pointing to ongoing talks with Tehran. These facts do not prove that Washington has finalized a decision to bring down the regime immediately, but they indicate that it does not intend to offer Iran a guaranteed opportunity to restore its capabilities under the cover of a truce. Here, the two fronts complement each other: weakening Iran's regional allies—from Hezbollah to Iraqi factions and the Houthis—while undermining the decision-making center and strategic capabilities inside Iran itself. The more Tehran's ability to mobilize its allies diminishes, the more its tools of deterrence and leverage shrink. And the harder it becomes to restore its nuclear and missile facilities, the higher the cost of returning to confrontation. The battle, therefore, is not necessarily a single US strike that ends the regime, but a continuous war of attrition that makes rebuilding its strength increasingly difficult after each round. Between assassinations, strategic strikes, and fragile truces, Washington advances toward a long-term equation of attrition: depriving Tehran of recovering its power and keeping the war machine ready whenever it attempts to rebuild its capabilities, until it submits and surrenders to US conditions.

IRGC Announces Targeting of LPG Tanker in Strait of Hormuz and Threatens to Expand Ship Pursuits
Janoubia/09 October 2026
The Naval Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday that they targeted the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker NV Sunshine in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that a massive fire broke out in the engine room and propulsion system, coinciding with threats from Tehran to expand the scope of pursuing ships it deems in violation beyond the strait. The IRGC Naval Forces stated in a press release that the tanker, belonging to the "Natwait" company, was attempting to cross the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz in a manner described as "illegal," considering the targeting part of what Tehran describes as enforcing its sovereignty over the strait and preventing US military presence there. The statement held the US military responsible for the escalating tension in maritime navigation in the region, accusing Washington of interfering in the management of shipping and insurance companies. The Iranian escalation was not limited to targeting the tanker; the IRGC also threatened to impose sanctions and take measures against companies and vessels crossing what it termed "unauthorized corridors." It warned that pursuing non-compliant vessels in the future will not be limited to the Strait of Hormuz, but may extend to other areas in the region—a threat likely to increase pressure on maritime shipping traffic. This development comes amid the ongoing confrontation between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other, alongside accompanying tensions in vital sea lanes. The confrontation has led to widespread disruptions in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the most strategic corridors for the global transport of oil, petroleum products, and LNG, raising concerns regarding energy supplies and their impact on fuel prices in international markets.

Washington Updates Options for Striking Iran; Military Coordination with Israel Amid Escalating Pressures
Janoubia/ 09 October 2026
Western sources revealed that the White House asked the US Department of Defense to update available military options for targeting Iranian sites, including the possibility of executing strikes before the midterm elections scheduled for November, according to Erem News. This comes despite statements by US President Donald Trump ruling out an attack on Iran prior to the elections. According to the sources, Trump's public stance may be part of political calculations aimed at keeping options open, while suggesting that any potential US military action would likely occur in coordination with Israel rather than unilaterally.
This information coincides with reports of discussions conducted by the IDF Chief of Staff with US officials regarding operational readiness, amid signs that Israel has raised its alert level in anticipation of any developments. Furthermore, Israeli military sources spoke of aerial drills by F-35I fighter jets over Iran, which they said were conducted with US logistical support, including aerial refueling over Iraq. The details of this information could not be independently verified. In parallel with talks on military options, US economic pressure on Tehran continues. US Central Command announced that it diverted the routes of 133 merchant vessels since the resumption of the blockade on Iran. For her part, the US Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs stated in remarks to Al Jazeera that Washington has imposed sanctions on more than 1,500 individuals and entities linked to Iran, emphasizing that the US administration is working to cut off funding sources to the Iranian regime, including measures to curb the flow of cryptocurrencies. She added that US policy, according to her, does not aim to pressure the Iranian people, and accused Iranian authorities of obstructing the delivery of humanitarian supplies.
In a related development, Bloomberg quoted Western officials stating that Iran managed to maintain factories for producing missiles and drones despite months of bombardment. These factors reflect the intertwining of military and economic tracks in the confrontation with Tehran, at a time when the likelihood of US-Israeli strikes remains subject to political decisions and field developments, without an official announcement confirming a decision to launch a new attack.

Rezaei Threatens Washington by Invoking Sasanian History: "Whoever Invokes History Must Be Prepared to Repeat It"
Janoubia/09 October 2026
In a new escalation between Tehran and Washington, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, sent a warning message to the United States on Friday, invoking a historical event from the Sasanian Empire era in response to remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to Athens. Rezaei wrote in a post on the "X" platform that the Americans heading to Athens—after what he described as the "bitterness of defeat and humiliation at the hands of Iran"—to formulate a narrative about a clash of civilizations requires them to read another historical chapter. He added: "That moment when a Roman Emperor knelt on his knees before Shapur I of the Sasanian Empire," before concluding his message by saying: "Whoever invokes history must be prepared to repeat it." Rezaei's message followed Rubio's visit to the Greek capital, Athens, where the situation in the Strait of Hormuz dominated his statements. Rubio asserted that Iran "has lost total control" over the sea lane, pointing out that oil flows through it have returned to levels close to what they were prior to the outbreak of the conflict. The US Secretary of State emphasized Washington's refusal to allow a single nation to control a vital maritime corridor, stressing the need to diversify global energy supply routes and sources to avoid exposure to pressure or blackmail. Rubio's visit to Greece also addressed the partnership between Washington and Athens in energy and regional security. This exchange takes place amid the ongoing political and media confrontation between the United States and Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a primary flashpoint due to its strategic importance for global energy and trade movement. The Sasanian Empire was a Persian state that ruled Persia—present-day Iran and parts of the region—between 224 and 651 AD, acting as one of the major superpowers of the ancient world and waging long wars against the Roman Empire. Rezaei invoked the name of the Sasanian King Shapur I, who achieved a prominent victory over the Romans in 260 AD when Roman Emperor Valerian was defeated and captured in an event considered one of the most notable occurrences in the history of the conflict between the two empires. Through this reference, Rezaei hints that the United States might face a fate similar to what Rome faced in its conflict with the Persians, using history as a tool for political threats to convey that the defeat of major powers is not impossible.

Three Saudi citizens killed in Thursday's attacks on Riyadh
Associated Press/09 October 2026
An airline pilot was among three Saudi citizens killed in attacks targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and a Saudia aircraft, the kingdom's civil aviation authority said on Friday. Several people "of different nationalities" were wounded. The attacks on Thursday were the deadliest in Saudi Arabia since the kingdom and allied forces in neighboring Yemen launched a major military offensive against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels last weekend.They also marked a significant escalation on the latest front in the Iran war, which has kept oil prices and financial markets volatile. Hundreds of flights to and from Riyadh were canceled on Thursday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. The Indian Embassy later said Air India had suspended operations through to Saturday, while the Lufthansa Group said its airlines would suspend flights to Riyadh through to Oct. 16. Pakistan International Airlines has also suspended flights to Riyadh because of the evolving situation in the Middle East, an airline spokesman said. The U.S. Embassy warned citizens on Wednesday of potential airspace closures.Yemen's Houthis claim the attack. The first attack on Thursday targeted airport facilities, while the second struck the aircraft, the Saudi statement said. It did not identify those responsible, though the Houthis claimed to have targeted the airport with a ballistic missile. Among the dead was Capt. Hamoud Ali Alkalthami, the Saudia Group said in a statement. It appeared to be the first confirmed attack on the Saudi national carrier since the new offensive began. A separate Saudia Group statement said one of its aircraft was damaged while it was on the ground, with no passengers on board. The aviation statement also said the injuries to citizens and people of other nationalities "ranged from minor to serious." The Saudia Group statement later said operational activities at the airport had returned to normal. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had destroyed three rocket launch platforms used by the rebels to threaten regional security.
Riyadh airport has been repeatedly targeted
The airport in the Saudi capital has come under repeated attack in recent days. This week, the Houthis warned global airlines "for the last time" about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they described as a theater for their military operations. On Wednesday, Saudi officials said Houthi-claimed attacks on airports in Riyadh and Abha had killed three people. Saudi Arabia faces mounting attacks from the Houthis, who declared a blockade of the kingdom earlier this year in response to one imposed on them. The kingdom has sought support from allies, including the United States. Officials said U.S. assistance has included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the latest offensive. But President Donald Trump has shown reluctance to expand U.S. military involvement in the Middle East and, for now, has not ordered American forces to resume strikes against the rebels. The offensive aims to retake territory the Houthis seized a month ago along Yemen's western Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Their presence there threatens a crucial alternative shipping route to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian attacks on ships have curtailed traffic.

Trump expresses dismay over Houthi attacks on civilian sites in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh - Al Arabiya.net/09 October 2026
US President Donald Trump expressed his dismay over Houthi attacks on civilian sites in Saudi Arabia. This came during his remarks to journalists in the White House "South Lawn" on Friday. Earlier on Friday, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation had announced that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was subjected to two attacks on Thursday, resulting in the death of 3 Saudi citizens and injuries to others of different nationalities. It also indicated that the first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second targeted an aircraft belonging to Saudi Airlines. For its part, Saudi Airlines said the attack resulted in the death of one of its employees and damage to an aircraft that was on the ground, adding that there were no passengers on board the aircraft at the time. Meanwhile, the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen confirmed that Houthi attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects will be met with a firm response. For weeks, attempts by the Houthis to carry out attacks on areas inside Saudi Arabia have escalated, while air defenses have intercepted them, as clashes continue in Yemen between the Yemeni Armed Forces and Houthi militias.

Security Council.. Condemnations of the Houthis and warnings of risks in Yemen
Riyadh - Al Arabiya.net/09 October 2026
The UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, warned on Friday of the seriousness of the phase the country is going through, stressing that the Houthi group's threats to international navigation negatively affect global markets, amid escalating military operations and widening scope of confrontations. Grundberg said that Yemen is going through a critical phase, stressing the need to respect UN resolutions related to the country, amid fears of the repercussions of continued escalation on regional security and international trade movement. The UN envoy's statements come as several Yemeni governorates are witnessing confrontations and intensive air raids, coinciding with escalating tension in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the most important maritime passages for global trade. In a related context, the UN Assistant Secretary-General called for the release of UN staff detained by the Houthi group in Yemen, amid continued concerns about their safety. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, warned that the repercussions of the Houthi group's threats go beyond Yemen and the region, stressing that its continued military escalation will prolong the Yemeni crisis. During his speech before the Security Council, Al-Wasil accused the Houthis of continuing their hostile practices against Yemenis and neighboring countries, and targeting civilian objects and facilities inside the Kingdom.
He explained that the group's attacks have affected Saudi airports, including Riyadh airport, which was subjected to what he described as a "blatant terrorist attack," noting that these attacks threaten the security of civil aviation. He also confirmed that Houthi attacks resulted in injuries to civilians in the Kingdom, including women and children. The Saudi delegate stressed that the Kingdom will not allow Yemen to be turned into a platform to threaten its security or the security of maritime navigation, affirming its inherent right to defend itself and protect its security. Al-Wasil said that Saudi Arabia has put the option of peace at the forefront of its priorities, but the Houthi group chose to continue military escalation, threatening chances to end the crisis. He renewed his affirmation of the Kingdom's full support for the Yemeni people in their efforts to end the Houthi coup, stressing that the group's continued attacks pose a threat that goes beyond Yemen's interior to affect the security of neighboring countries and the security of maritime navigation and civil aviation. For his part, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, Yemen's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said during a Security Council session that the government has given peace successive opportunities, and has borne a large economic and humanitarian cost for the sake of calm, but the Houthis met it with mobilization and expansion of attacks. Al-Saadi accused the group of starting the war and foiling peace initiatives, warning that leniency towards its behavior will undermine settlement opportunities, and considering that it seeks to strip the will of Yemenis by Iranian orders. He explained that the "Dawn of Yemen" operation aims to enable state institutions and end the Houthi coup, and is not a war on the population of any region, but a confrontation between the state and militias backed by Iran, stressing the government's commitment to international law and the protection of citizens. He accused the Houthis of causing the displacement of tens of thousands, targeting Aden airport just before a civilian flight landed, in addition to attacking Saudi airports and civilian facilities. Al-Saadi warned of the Houthi threat extending to maritime navigation, saying that UN reports have proven the group's cooperation with the Somali Al-Shabaab movement to threaten Bab al-Mandab. He stressed that protecting maritime corridors is a shared international responsibility, calling for confronting smuggling and financing networks and supporting the Yemeni government.

He also praised the continuous Saudi support for state institutions and the Yemeni economy, valuing the Saudi humanitarian initiative to settle the status of Yemenis.
Al Arabiya.net/09 October 2026
In an American position supportive of Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government, the United States representative to the UN Security Council affirmed his country's support for Riyadh and the Yemeni government in exercising their right to self-defense, in light of escalating military confrontations with the Houthi group and continued security tensions in the region. The American position comes in conjunction with UN warnings about the repercussions of escalation on the stability of Yemen and the security of international navigation in the Red Sea. The office of the UN envoy had announced, on Wednesday October 7, that Grundberg concluded a visit to the US capital Washington, during which he held talks with senior officials in the US State Department and the National Security Council and the Department of Defense " Pentagon," in addition to American and Yemeni experts. According to the UN statement, the discussions dealt with the latest developments in Yemen and their security repercussions on the region. Grundberg stressed during the meetings the importance of continued regional and international commitment to the political track, as the way to reach a comprehensive solution to the conflict and achieve stability in Yemen and neighboring countries. The Washington visit was preceded by diplomatic moves that included the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia, where the UN envoy met with representatives of the Houthis and regional officials, in an attempt to stop the escalation and bring the parties back to the negotiating table.
According to the Associated Press, those meetings focused on containing the escalating confrontations, especially after military developments on the western coast of Yemen, and growing concerns about the safety of navigation in the Red Sea. Grundberg's warnings gain special importance with the escalation of confrontations near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, and represents a major passage for ships heading to and from the Suez Canal. The UN envoy had warned, in a briefing before the Security Council on September 10, that the risk of Yemen returning to a large-scale war is no longer just a possibility, after the escalating confrontations turned into a field reality. He pointed at the time to a large-scale attack launched by the Houthis on the western coast, including the city of Mokha located about 75 kilometers from the Bab al-Mandab Strait. He explained that military developments near the strait threaten one of the most important maritime passages for trade movement and global energy supplies. These developments coincided with escalating pressures on maritime shipping in the region, in light of continued tensions related to the war with Iran and disruption of oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The combination of threatening navigation in the Red Sea and disruption of shipping traffic in the Gulf increases the risks facing international supply chains, especially with rising transport and insurance costs. On the ground, the past few days have witnessed a major escalation in Yemen, with intensification of military operations carried out by government forces against Houthi sites. Part of the confrontations focused on the western coast and areas near Bab al-Mandab, while operations extended to other fronts, including Taiz. The recent confrontations witnessed wide-scale military operations to retake strategic areas near the strait. Grundberg had warned, in a previous briefing to the Security Council in August, that the renewal of all-out war will come at a time when Yemeni state institutions are suffering deep divisions, while the economy faces increasing difficulties after many long years of conflict.

The Coalition: We destroyed 136 military targets in Houthi-controlled areas... Reveals implementation of a wide operation targeting elements and capabilities of the terrorist Houthi militia
Riyadh: Al Arabiya.net / 09 October 2026
The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced the destruction of 136 military targets in areas controlled by the terrorist Houthi militia. Confirming that it is working to dismantle and destroy the Houthi ballistic missile network. And stressing the provision of air support to units of the Yemeni Armed Forces around the clock, indicating the implementation of a wide operation targeting elements and capabilities of the terrorist Houthi militia.

Yemeni forces carry out more than 2,750 operations against the Houthis within 24 hours
Riyadh - Al Arabiya.net/09 October 2026
The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Friday the implementation of more than 2,750 precise targeting operations during the past twenty-four hours within the "Dawn of Yemen" operation, targeting fortifications and defensive sites, advanced monitoring and reconnaissance points, field artillery positions, weapons and ammunition stores, supply and provision warehouses, and military reinforcements belonging to the Houthis, in various axes and fronts of combat, in addition to legitimate and high-value military targets deep inside militia-controlled areas. The official spokesman for the Armed Forces, Colonel Majed Al-Nazili, explained in a statement that the operations resulted, according to preliminary field estimates, in neutralizing more than 1,400 elements of the Houthi militia, and destroying and disabling more than 250 vehicles and combat means and military equipment, which weakened its ability to maneuver, support, and sustain its combat operations. Al-Nazili also added that the ground forces, "in conjunction with the fire effort, succeeded in penetrating the Houthis' defenses and fortifications, and retaking positions and governing structures of operational importance, and consolidating their field gains, and continuing to develop the attack according to operational plans." It is noted that the "Dawn of Yemen" operation was launched on October 5, with the aim of restoring state institutions, liberating the capital Sanaa, and ending the coup of the Houthi militias.

Trump's sanctions besiege the International Criminal Court.. The Court calls on member states to act
Riyadh - Al Arabiya.net/09 October 2026
The International Criminal Court called on member states to ensure its ability to continue its work, after the United States imposed new sanctions on it, warning of the repercussions of the step on international justice and the rule of law. The Court said, in a statement Friday, that the sanctions represent an attempt to obstruct the course of justice and prevent it from performing the tasks for which it was established, considering it an assault on the rule of law and the foundations of the international legal system. The Court affirmed that it will continue to implement its mandate, which includes prosecuting individuals accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression, when the concerned states are unwilling or unable to conduct the necessary trials. But it stressed that it cannot continue its work alone, calling on member states to provide the necessary capabilities to ensure the continuation of its operations, and said that the fate of the Court now depends also on the states that established it. For his part, the European Union described the United States' announcement of its intention to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court as "very unfortunate," renewing its support for the independence of the Court and ensuring its effective continued work. The European Commission affirmed, in a statement Friday, that the Union will work in cooperation with the Court and the 125 states parties to the Rome Statute to protect its independence and mission, noting the bloc's readiness to take necessary measures to ensure the continuation of investigations and prosecutions in war crimes and crimes against humanity, and to protect the interests of European entities within the single market. The Union pointed out that the sanctions will not enter into force for six months, considering that there is an opportunity to continue dialogue with Washington, despite its affirmation of readiness to move to protect the Court's operations. In his first comment on the new American sanctions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the decision of US President Donald Trump and his Foreign Minister Marco Rubio to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Netanyahu said, in a post via the "X" platform, that this is "not a court, but a political body that poses an existential threat to law-abiding democracies around the world, and to the principle of national sovereignty," according to his statement, thanking Trump and Rubio for what he described as an important decision. The administration of US President Donald Trump had imposed, on Friday, sanctions on the International Criminal Court, in a step that goes beyond previous measures that targeted officials and judges in it, as it may affect companies that provide services to the Court. For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington will not allow the Court to prosecute American citizens, describing it as a "rogue court," according to his expression, considering that the sanctions aim to cut off resources from it and limit its ability to work. It is noted that the United States has announced its opposition to the Court's moves related to Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as it previously opposed investigations conducted regarding actions of American soldiers in Afghanistan, and the latter investigation was later closed, according to Reuters. In September, the International Court affirmed that it had taken measures to fortify its work from the repercussions of American sanctions, while the Deputy Prosecutor of the Court Nazhat Shameem Khan explained that a series of measures had been taken to protect the Court's operations from the repercussions of any new American sanctions that might target the entire institution. The Court includes 125 member states, and the United States does not belong to its basic system. The new sanctions put member states before the challenge of supporting the continued work of the Court, in light of the escalating dispute with Washington regarding its judicial jurisdiction and its independence.

Trump Announces Russian Diesel Deal; Treasury Issues Immediate License
Trump Expects Prices to Fall as Supplies Begin Immediately
Riyadh – Al Arabiya.net/October 9, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply diesel to U.S. and global markets, while the U.S. Treasury Department announced the issuance of a temporary license allowing Russian diesel to be supplied to global markets immediately.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had concluded what he described as a “very successful” conversation with Putin, during which they agreed that Russia would immediately provide more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by additional shipments in stages. According to the U.S. president, Russia will supply 500,000 tons in November, followed by one million tons shortly thereafter. He added that Moscow would provide another three million tons within a short period, depending on the operating conditions of Russian diesel refineries.
Coinciding with Trump's announcement, the U.S. Treasury Department said that a temporary license had been issued allowing Russian diesel to be supplied to global markets immediately. The announcement did not specify the duration of the license, its conditions, or the scope of transactions covered by it. Trump's post also did not specify exact delivery dates for shipments following the November consignment, explain how the quantities would be distributed between U.S. and global markets, or address supply prices.
Trump linked the anticipated Russian supplies to what he described as the United States' “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz, predicting that diesel prices for Americans and the rest of the world would fall rapidly to record-low levels. He stressed that lowering prices for Americans, particularly farmers, ranchers, and truck drivers, was his highest priority, describing the announcement as major and important. The announcement follows U.S. measures aimed at increasing diesel supplies and reducing costs. In a statement dated October 5, the White House explained that Trump had signed an executive order temporarily allowing diesel fuel normally intended for off-road equipment to be used in on-road vehicles. The order also provides for the deferral, without interest or penalties, of payment of the federal tax applicable to this use until the end of the year, as part of the administration's efforts to lower fuel costs.
Expectations of falling prices remain projections put forward by Trump. The implementation of the announced supplies will depend on delivery schedules and the capacity of Russian refineries to provide the required quantities, particularly the larger shipment of three million tons.
At the conclusion of his post, the U.S. president also addressed the Iranian issue, affirming that Iran would not possess nuclear weapons, without providing further details or clarifying any connection between the issue and the diesel supply agreement.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 09-10/2026
Putin Talks Peace. His Missiles Say Otherwise
Pierre Rehov/Gatestone Institute/October 09/2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22908/putin-talks-peace
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rediscovered the vocabulary of peace at the precise moment his army is taking Ukraine apart, one bridge and one power station at a time.
On September 25, addressing Russian journalists, he said that every proposal for settling the four-and-a-half-year war remained on the table, then attached the condition that empties the offer of content. "We are ready for talks and to wrap them up as soon as possible, but on conditions acceptable for the Russian people," Putin said. Moscow would first assess what served its own interests.US President Donald J. Trump would do well to read that statement as a description of Putin's method. A leader preparing to end a war does not reserve for himself both the calendar of diplomacy and unrestricted freedom of fire. Putin, in a single appearance, claimed both, In doing so, he put negotiation where the Kremlin has always kept it, among the instruments of his war. Washington was asked to hold its fire for the sake of diplomacy; then, in early October, Russia returned to bombing Kyiv's bridges six times in an apparent attempt to cut the capital city in two and sever its supply routes.
The error would be to read Putin's presence at the negotiating table as a decision to stop the war. In 1994, Russia signed the Budapest Memorandum, assuring Ukraine that if it gave up its nuclear weapons, Russia would not attack it. Ukraine, tragically, kept its part of the bargain.
Eight years of playing at process had cost Putin nothing and had given him time, which is what diplomacy without enforceable consequences reliably gives an aggressor.
A further development calls for serious caution. According to reporting published on October 3, the American-Russian discussions have widened to include a redolent multibillion-dollar sale of the international assets, refineries, oil fields and gas stations of Russia's Lukoil, which are currently under American sanctions. Putin raised the transaction himself at the Kremlin on September 5, in his meeting with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as proof that Russians could again do business with the United States! So, commercial "normalization" was placed on the table during the same weeks as the bombardment intensified.... [F]or Moscow, prolonging talks is the perfect course, and a settlement can remain one meeting away indefinitely.
Russian, Iranian, Chinese, North Korean and Palestinian conduct should be rewarded only after sustained changes in behavior.
Ceasefires can exist just for press statements that protect no one and for talks that supply one side with time, money and freedom of action to lengthen the fighting. Putin likely counts on Western impatience, on US presidents who want breakthroughs and on publics who want images of the war off their screens. The law Trump signed on September 18 gives him the means to raise the price of delay. The weeks since Putin's statement supply the reason to use it.
Until Russian strikes on Ukraine stop, Putin's offers to talk remain just part of his plan for his war. Russian President Vladimir Putin has rediscovered the vocabulary of peace at the precise moment his army is taking Ukraine apart, one bridge and one power station at a time.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rediscovered the vocabulary of peace at the precise moment his army is taking Ukraine apart, one bridge and one power station at a time.
On September 25, addressing Russian journalists, he said that every proposal for settling the four-and-a-half-year war remained on the table, then attached the condition that empties the offer of content. "We are ready for talks and to wrap them up as soon as possible, but on conditions acceptable for the Russian people," Putin said. Moscow would first assess what served its own interests.
He added that Russia had been prepared to resume talks after its parliamentary elections, that Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow had changed the calculation, and that Kyiv would have to be "made to feel" Russian retaliation before anything else could be discussed.
US President Donald J. Trump would do well to read that statement as a description of Putin's method. A leader preparing to end a war does not reserve for himself both the calendar of diplomacy and unrestricted freedom of fire. Putin, in a single appearance, claimed both, In doing so, he put negotiation where the Kremlin has always kept it, among the instruments of his war.
The confirmation came within five days. On September 30, Russia launched its heaviest combined attack on Ukraine's energy system in months. Seven people were killed, among them a 14-year-old in Vyshhorod, north of the capital. The Ukrainian military counted 285 drones incoming, along with ballistic missiles. Emergency power cuts were imposed in Kyiv and three surrounding regions for the first time since the spring, and water pressure fell across the city.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced the strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities without embarrassment. On October 3, hours after another drone attack on a Dnipro crossing, in a city of three million people heading into winter, the Russian Foreign Ministry told foreign nationals and diplomatic staff to leave Ukraine and promised that the strikes on Kyiv and other cities would continue systematically. Putin had said earlier in the week that Ukraine was paying the price for its attacks on Russia and would go on paying it. Kyiv's mayor now speaks of a capital that must put itself on a war footing.
Putin's interest in negotiations seems real, but deserves to be taken only for what it buys him. An open negotiation process allows Putin time to ready harsher attacks for the winter. Like Iran's regime, it gives the appearance of cooperation without actual cooperation, and puts Ukraine under pressure to suspend its long-range strikes on refineries and ports that are doing genuine damage to Russia's revenues.
The Kremlin has made the argument in public. On September 17, the day after the US House of Representatives sent Trump legislation targeting Russia's energy and defense industries, and its shadow fleet of tankers, and authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that additional American sanctions would complicate the search for a settlement.
Trump signed the bill on September 18, and three days later, the Kremlin spokesman repeated the warning. Washington was asked to hold its fire for the sake of diplomacy; then, in early October, Russia returned to bombing Kyiv's bridges six times in an apparent attempt to cut the capital city in two and sever its supply routes.
The so-called energy truce also showed how the asymmetry works in practice. On September 14, Trump announced that Ukraine and Russia had each agreed to stop hitting the other's energy targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answered within hours that Ukraine was not convinced that Russia would abide by any agreement and that Kyiv would halt its own strikes once its partners could guarantee that Moscow had stopped attacking Ukraine's electric grid. Moscow never confirmed the arrangement, and 16 days later Ukraine's grid was burning.
None of that should have surprised anyone who had read what three sources close to the Kremlin described in July: Putin rebuked advisers proposing a ceasefire along the existing front, regards capturing the rest of the Donbas as a matter of principle, and is likely to escalate. Peskov's reply at the time was that Russia was ready for a peaceful resolution but had "enough capability to act independently and continue the special military operation." The conjunction "but" did the same work in July as it did on September 25.
None of this argues against talking to Putin. Great powers negotiate with adversaries because they are adversaries, and Trump is well-intended in seeking an end to the war that has become Europe's bloodiest since 1945, drained allied treasuries, killed or wounded roughly 1.4 million Russians and more than half a million Ukrainians, and raised the risk of a widening confrontation. The error would be to read Putin's presence at the negotiating table as a decision to stop the war. In 1994, Russia signed the Budapest Memorandum, assuring Ukraine that if it gave up its nuclear weapons, Russia would not attack it. Ukraine, tragically, kept its part of the bargain.
The Minsk agreements of September 2014 and February 2015 produced ceasefires, monitoring missions and years of communiqués signed under French and German sponsorship. The heavy weapons, however, were never fully withdrawn and the political provisions were never implemented. In February 2022, Putin declared the agreements void, recognized separatist entities within Ukraine and invaded. Eight years of playing at process had cost Putin nothing and had given him time, which is what diplomacy without enforceable consequences reliably gives an aggressor.
A further development calls for serious caution. According to reporting published on October 3, the American-Russian discussions have widened to include a redolent multibillion-dollar sale of the international assets, refineries, oil fields and gas stations of Russia's Lukoil, which are currently under American sanctions. Putin raised the transaction himself at the Kremlin on September 5, in his meeting with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as proof that Russians could again do business with the United States!
The sale would need the approval of both governments; nothing has yet been concluded. The Trump administration says it is negotiating terms that would secure a substantial upfront payment for the United States. So, commercial "normalization" was placed on the table during the same weeks as the bombardment intensified. If sanctions relief, restraint on Ukrainian operations and restored relations with Washington can all be obtained by keeping talks alive, then for Moscow, prolonging talks is the perfect course, and a settlement can remain one meeting away indefinitely.
Trump's record as a negotiator was built on leverage; declarations never seem to have impressed him. Money, however, apparently has, such as Saudi and Qatari "investments" in America and a $400 million presidential "flying palace" jet gifted to him by Qatar.
The Abraham Accords came out of a hard reading of interests. Iran's regime, once it faced American force in place of American concern, behaved differently.
Russian, Iranian, Chinese, North Korean and Palestinian conduct should be rewarded only after sustained changes in behavior. Sanctions relief should follow only after a verified halt in escalation or hostilities. Any restraint asked of Ukraine over Russian refineries should follow only after Russia stops targeting Ukrainian bridges, apartment buildings, hospitals and power plants. The Lukoil transaction can wait until after hostilities have measurably declined. Such a policy is neither hostile to Russia nor favorable to war.
Ceasefires can exist just for press statements that protect no one and for talks that supply one side with time, money and freedom of action to lengthen the fighting. Putin likely counts on Western impatience, on US presidents who want breakthroughs and on publics who want images of the war off their screens. The law Trump signed on September 18 gives him the means to raise the price of delay. The weeks since Putin's statement supply the reason to use it.
Until Russian strikes on Ukraine stop, Putin's offers to talk remain just part of his plan for his war.
**Pierre Rehov, who holds a law degree from Paris-Assas, is a French reporter, novelist and documentary filmmaker. He is the author of six novels, including "Beyond Red Lines", "The Third Testament" and "Red Eden", translated from French. His latest essay on the aftermath of the October 7 massacre " 7 octobre - La riposte " became a bestseller in France. As a filmmaker, he has produced and directed 17 documentaries, many photographed at high risk in Middle Eastern war zones, and focusing on terrorism, media bias, and the persecution of Christians. His latest documentary, "Pogrom(s)" highlights the context of ancient Jew hatred within Muslim civilization as the main force behind the October 7 massacre.
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.

A Race Toward Extremism
Ayman Khaled/Al Arabiya Net/October 09/2026   (translated from Arabic by AI)
The Israeli Right’s failure to reshape the Middle East as desired, coupled with Israel’s tarnished global image, encapsulates the three years of war "managed by Netanyahu." He—along with other far-right leaders—now jostles for a seat at the extreme edge of the Right; yet, the world will not join them there, for the global landscape has changed. Consequently, Israel is losing the support of both peoples and governments one after another. While the far-right might forge limited external ties with other right-wing or marginal forces, the future of the Israeli Right’s alliances lies at that very edge—a position where it keeps its constituency in a state of hyper-alertness, involuntary hysteria, and a defensive or wary posture against a terror that does not actually exist.
The years of political drift engineered by Netanyahu since his first term as prime minister have reached their culmination. The current political deadlock stems from a power struggle among right-wing factions—a contest over who claims the seat at the edge first and who validates their ideology ahead of the others. Thus, the narrative of the Israeli Right has become a tempting, parasitic phenomenon that everyone seeks to latch onto. A case in point is Netanyahu’s former aide, Ofer Winter, who is vying to challenge his former boss for the same right-wing electoral base—an extraordinary yet recurring spectacle where rivals compete to prove who is more aligned with the far-right. The problem with the Israeli Right’s mindset is that its vision for the Middle East disregards contemporary realities and possibilities. Its ideologies are merely lingering remnants of a sterile past; the Right fails to grasp the bitter lessons of the "age of ideologies"—specifically, how the very zeal that defined it shattered entire generations when put to the ultimate test, failing to translate the idea into reality. The result is isolation—akin to a herd trapped in a grinding mill—without deriving any constructive value from the past. Today, far-right leaders pursue "self-interest" rather than the outcomes promised by an ideology that offers nothing new. Consequently, their entire approach relies on exploiting the public and the street to preserve the party itself; the party has become the primary investment vehicle, seeking survival at the expense of the social fabric and the public.
In their current trajectory, Israel’s far-right parties resemble the political facades found in ideological strongholds like Iran or the Houthi movement. While the comparison might seem distant, it is significant in its implications: just as the ruling elites in Iran or among the Houthis did not pay the price for their isolation, so too with Israel. This isolation often begins with dazzling slogans that convince followers of the Right's invincibility, yet the cost—however delayed—is inevitable as crises mount, driven by the clash between a dead-end political path and an increasingly complex reality. This is the scenario Netanyahu sought to preempt when he drew a parallel between the "Sparta and Athens" narrative in September 2025—a comparison born of deep ideological immersion. This ideology has morphed into a force capable of engulfing the public and drowning it in the uncertainties of a concept originally designed to shield the ruling establishment by sidelining the regional political process and its attendant international obligations. Ultimately, the conflict among the elite—and the drive for differentiation—aims to pit the Israeli public against the world and its interests. Consequently, the future of international relations, global interests, and the world economy is not determined by a government sitting in the Knesset, preoccupied solely with how to rid itself of over five million people in the West Bank and Gaza—along with nearly two million Palestinians within Israel’s "Green Line." This reveals a far-right fantasy lost in the notion of ethnically cleansing seven million people, rather than embracing the coexistence demanded by pragmatic interests—a path the international system has never abandoned. Israel has gone to great lengths to cultivate narratives of victimhood and an existential threat from the surrounding Arab world, as well as the myth of being the "only democracy" in the Middle East—tropes characteristic of earlier eras. This trajectory has led to the deliberate immiseration of Gaza and the legitimization of settler terrorism in the West Bank—documented even by Israeli institutions. These accounts reveal the details of an internal conflict in which settlers act as instruments of ideology, shielded by the military and settlement-enabling legislation, all while the political landscape darkens amidst a peak in political deadlock and a shared electoral stance by both camps rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Yemen: Developments or Deterioration?
Lutfi Al-Nu'man/An-Nahar/October 09/2026   (translated from Arabic by AI)
It has become evident that the patience of the legitimate government of the Republic of Yemen has reached its limit. On October 4, President Rashad Al-Alimi issued a directive launching military operations dubbed "Dawn of Yemen"—following an earlier declaration of general mobilization—after the Houthi militia overstepped its bounds and encroached upon areas previously under the control of the legitimate government. These incursions included the city of Al-Mukha, overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait—one of the world's most vital maritime corridors—thereby raising the risk of the conflict escalating from a local Yemeni affair into a regional and international crisis. Furthermore, the "terrorist Houthi militia" targeted civilian facilities and infrastructure within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis Cross the Line
The militia initiated an escalation and crossed red lines. Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, stated that there is a limit to the restraint his country has historically exercised regarding conflicts in Yemen. Consequently, Riyadh did not hesitate to respond to the Houthis' actions—specifically the drones and missiles launched at Saudi territory—while continuing to lead the Arab Coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen. Part of this support is manifested in the air cover and backing provided to the movements of the various factions of the Yemeni Armed Forces, as stated by Coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki. Naturally, Iran’s influence has been deeply intertwined with events inside Yemen, particularly given that the Houthi "Ansar Allah" group—the latest arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—remains capable of maneuvering and coordinating with Tehran.
This influence is evident in official statements by Iranian officials—such as Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Supreme Leader, regarding the use of the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab to serve their Yemeni proxy—as well as reports of Iranian experts arriving in Sana'a following the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Against this backdrop, the Houthis' violation of the relative calm maintained over the past four years—spanning the period from the April 2022 truce to the escalation in September 2026—comes as no surprise.
The groundwork for this escalation was laid early on, following the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran war. While no significant Houthi activity was observed during the conflict of February 28—save for the launch of a limited number of drones toward Israel, a move that seemed to serve simultaneously as a token gesture and a way to signal their presence—they soon resumed their hostile activities. These included threatening Saudi Arabia, advancing toward the vicinity of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and expanding into nearby areas of Taiz Governorate. These moves followed clashes with factions of the legitimate Yemeni armed forces; despite initial reports of advances, the latter subsequently withdrew in a maneuver described as "repositioning."
However, other factions of the Yemeni army have recently returned to the Bab al-Mandab area, constricting the militia's presence there. This move underscores the difficulty of the militia maintaining a long-term foothold in the region and paves the way for the recovery of areas currently under their control. Back to the Battlefield
Fighting has returned to the field, with both sides vying to shape the narrative regarding victories and defeats. The likelihood of the conflict’s scope widening is increasing, and human suffering is mounting as displaced persons are scattered both within the country and abroad. These developments prompt the question: are we witnessing progress or deterioration?
The outcome hinges not merely on this aspect, but on the determination to fully achieve declared objectives—without circumvention—and to shift the balance of power as dictated by battlefield realities. While the militia’s actions and transgressions drive the destructive "Yemenization" scenario, the threads of the "Yemen Dawn" initiative are taking root on the ground. The world is poised to witness a transformation that heralds the rise of a state guaranteeing peace, security, and stability—a state that protects all citizens, holds a monopoly on arms, puts an end to militia recklessness, restores political activity, and asserts control across Yemen through a partnership between constitutional institutions and national forces on the ground.
Let the world be reassured, and let the region find calm.

Regional War Looms Again... When and Who Will Fire the First Shot?
Laura Yammine/Al-Markazia/October 09/2026   (translated from Arabic by AI)
Al-Markazia – Axios revealed that the Pentagon issued directives a few days ago to U.S. Central Command to finalize preparations for resuming major combat operations against Iran. The site quoted U.S. officials as saying that the directives did not specify a date for launching strikes, nor had U.S. President Donald Trump made any final decisions on the matter. However, U.S. and Israeli sources indicated that operations could resume prior to the U.S. midterm elections—and possibly even before the Israeli elections scheduled a week earlier. According to these sources, the resumption of major combat operations would likely involve extensive strikes on Iranian targets across the energy, infrastructure, and nuclear sectors. A Pentagon official stated that the Department's mission is to prepare military options and present them to the President.
On Wednesday, *The Atlantic* reported that Trump was considering a strike on Iran ahead of the midterm elections. On Friday, Trump’s national security team met at Camp David for several hours to discuss the war and other issues. An Israeli official stated that part of the meeting addressed the possibility of resuming major combat operations against Iran. Trump had spoken by phone on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—their second call in a matter of days, following weeks during which there had been virtually no contact between them. A US official stated that Trump and Netanyahu discussed "honoring and commemorating the victims of the October 7 massacre." Two Israeli officials suggested that the Iranian regime might launch a preemptive strike, driven by what they described as desperation and paranoia; they noted that Iran had already suffered two surprise attacks and sought to avoid a third. Indeed, prior to these reports, Iranian military spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia had affirmed that Iran would—if necessary—carry out "preemptive operations" to deter the enemy from any aggression or transgression. Akrami-Nia told the Fars news agency that Iranian forces had conducted preemptive operations during the recent conflict and would do so again in the future if required, noting that US bases preparing for operations against Iran had been targeted by Iranian military drones during the war. He explained that Iran’s military doctrine had shifted from a defensive to an offensive posture during the tenure of the late Amir Mousavi as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and that this doctrine had been implemented during the recent conflict.
All these factors—compounded by the deployment of US fleets in regional waters—indicate that both sides are on high alert and fully mobilized for combat. According to diplomatic sources speaking to "Al-Markaziya," there are American and Israeli concerns that Tehran might—this time—fire the "first shot." The logic is that since Trump constantly threatens a strike—implying it is inevitable—Iran might ask, "Why wait for it when we can initiate it ourselves?" Americans and Israelis are currently preparing for this scenario, even though it is considered unlikely; Washington believes Iran fully understands that any escalatory move it initiates would be met with a harsh, if not devastating, response. However, in light of Akrami-Nia’s statements, all possibilities must be considered. Furthermore, as the Iranians continue to raise the stakes in negotiations—which have been stalled negatively for weeks—Americans believe that renewed strikes on Iran could help break this stalemate. Although Trump announced yesterday that there would be no strikes before the midterm elections, sources do not rule out the possibility that this stance is intended to mislead the Iranians. Israel strongly advocates for this option—indeed, it eagerly awaits it—and urges Washington to pursue it as soon as possible. Renewed escalation could serve Netanyahu politically, leaving his opponents with less room to attack him during the final stretch of the election campaign; this is why he is pushing for it. It appears, then, that a new round of escalation is inevitable. The question remains: who will start it, and when?

Abdul-Malik al-Houthi: Symbol of the "New Qarmatians" in Yemen...
Hassan al-Qutb/Lebanese Center for Research and Consulting/October 9, 2026  (translated from Arabic by AI)
The events unfolding in Yemen for years cannot be overlooked, nor can their repercussions and consequences be ignored. It is essential to examine the ideas and policies proposed and implemented by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi—the embodiment of Houthi ideology. This ideology represents a doctrine, approach, mindset, and set of practices that leave dangerous, negative impacts on the reality of Yemen, the Arab and Islamic worlds, international trade routes through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and energy supplies passing through this strait toward the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
To begin with—for those unfamiliar with the subject—it is necessary to define the Qarmatian state. The Qarmatians were one of the most dangerous movements of religious extremism and heresy to plague the Abbasid era; they broke away from Ismaili thought to establish a deviant, esoteric doctrine that suspended religious laws and sanctioned acts otherwise forbidden. This doctrinal corruption manifested in the state established by Abu Sa'id al-Jannabi in Bahrain, where they did not hesitate to commit atrocities in the name of their faith. Their crimes—foremost among them the violation of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca and the theft of the Black Stone—served as stark proof of their apostasy and their contempt for Islamic sanctities. The Qarmatian state had splintered from the Fatimid state following a social revolution that assumed a religious character; their seat of power was located in what is now the Al-Ahsa Governorate in eastern Arabia, and they held beliefs regarding the return of... ...Imam Muhammad bin Ismail, cast in the role of the awaited Mahdi... They rejected the doctrine of infallibility; the Qarmatians sanctioned the shedding of their opponents' blood, sowing terror and panic in Basra and Ahvaz during the Zanj Rebellion. Their attacks on the outskirts of Mecca—and on pilgrims arriving from Iraq, the Levant, and elsewhere—persisted throughout their rule...
If we look today at the actions of Abdul-Malik al-Houthi and his group—backed by the support, funding, and participation of certain regional powers—we see history repeating itself with even greater brutality and bloodshed. This is evident in the use of ballistic missiles, drones, cruise missiles, and naval mines, as well as the targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea with total disregard for the lives of the civilian sailors on board. Furthermore, they have targeted camps for the displaced, cities in both Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and civilian airports, while dispatching Houthi mercenaries to various countries (such as Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria prior to its liberation). Al-Houthi has capped this bloody trajectory—mirroring the Qarmatian leaders before him—by targeting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones. Domestically, statistics from international organizations indicate that the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yemen stands at approximately 4.3 million, with new waves of displacement affecting nearly 198,000 people due to the recent military escalation. It is worth noting that, according to the latest census of 2026, Yemen’s population stands at 43 million. This means that 10% of the population are displaced persons living in camps—a consequence of the Houthis' bloody ideas and criminal policies. Furthermore, the Houthis have staged a coup against the culture of the Yemeni people and their religious adherence to their established schools of thought (Zaydi and Sunni Shafi'i). They force the population to adopt, believe in, and submit to Houthi religious tenets—including their specific doctrines, ideologies, and methodologies. Those who refuse are compelled to flee or face imprisonment and death—as occurred in the Yemeni town of Dammaj (near Saada) and in Sana'a itself, where Quran memorization centers were shut down, *Tarawih* prayers during Ramadan were banned, and the call to prayer (*Adhan*) was altered. Even former President Ali Abdullah Saleh—who had once allied with Abdul-Malik al-Houthi—was killed after rising up against the Houthi leader, having realized the extent of his deception and his betrayal of their mutual agreement.
This is a religious group devoid of moral scruples or conscience, engaging in killing and the manipulation of religious fundamentals. In a widely circulated video, the Houthi Mufti confirms that his group shelled Mecca and Medina with the aim of "liberating" them from the House of Saud—mirroring the actions of their predecessors, the Qarmatians, over a thousand years ago.
The battle to liberate Yemen must not cease; it is essential to restore security and stability to Yemen, the region, and international maritime routes, and to rescue the Yemeni people from the clutches of this ideology, these bloody policies, and a religious dictatorship that respects neither the individual, the citizen, nor the homeland—fighting solely for the sake of killing and revenge.

Selected Face Book & X tweets on October 09/2026
Bruno BENJAMIN
The West will eventually understand that the hatred carried by radical Islamist movements does not stop at the Jews or Israel. A chilling formula should nevertheless alert us: “After Saturday comes Sunday.”In other words, after the Jews, the Christians. Those who believe that antisemitism concerns only the Jews are making a historical mistake. The hatred that begins by designating the Jews as enemies does not necessarily stop at them. What is at stake, beyond our differences, is our freedom to believe, to think, and to live together. Antisemitism is often the first warning signal of a danger that threatens the whole of society.
#7octobre

Pastor Greg Locke
Nigerians are being murdered for their faith. Islam is burning down their churches and their houses. Yet, they are continuing to meet and spread the message of Christ. They will not back down, be intimidated, go silent or run away in fear. This is what true perseverance in the face of persecution looks like. Wake up Church! It’s coming to our doorstep.

Peter Baum
FACTS
The Druze support Israel
Israel supports the Druze
The Druze population numbers approximately 1.25 million mainly In Syria and Lebanon. They are a powerful and loyal friend of the Jewish State of Israel and the Jewish people
If you’re reading my posts but not following me , please , please follow me
@baum_p

Visegrád 24
Lebanon is today considered an Arab country, but its Christian Maronite population (Eastern Catholics in full communion with Rome) is genetically closer to Christian Cypriot and Armenian populations, according to a major genome-wide study, while Lebanese Muslims show greater genetic affinity with Syrians, Palestinians and Jordanians.Another major international study of 926 Lebanese men published in the American Journal of Human Genetics found that Lebanese Muslims show stronger Arabian Peninsula ancestry while Lebanese Christians show some genetic links to Western Europe.
Before 1920, Christians made up 80% of Mount Lebanon’s population. After Greater Lebanon was established in 1920, predominantly Muslim areas were added, immediately reducing the Christian share to 57% of the new country.
Fast forward to today: Lebanon was flooded with as many as 2 million Syrian refugees on top of 230,000 Palestinians. At the same time, generations of Maronites have emigrated from Lebanon due to wars and cultural and religious differences, stemming from all these demographic changes.
Today, Christian Maronites constitute roughly a mere 9% of everyone living on Lebanese territory. Lebanon’s case is a warning to Europe and the West: when mass migration and demographic change cause one population to grow substantially relative to another, the native population can become an increasingly small minority in its own historic homeland. Lebanon might seem like a country where almost half the population today consists of foreigners. However, Syrians and Palestinians share substantial genetic affinity with Lebanese Muslims, meaning the demographic shift has made the population more genetically similar overall, while the distinct Maronite population, which constituted a large majority in pre-1920 Mount Lebanon, has dwindled to a small minority of those living on Lebanese territory.
The global population of Lebanese Christian Maronites and their descendants is estimated at roughly 10 million, with approximately 4 million in Brazil, 1.5 million in Argentina, 1.2 million in the United States, 2 million across other Latin American countries, 400k in Europe, and 700k in Lebanon.

charles chartouni
https://x.com/Esther_Voet/status/2107937847441244612/video/1
TheIslamist-leftist savagery in full display. They are celebrating their criminality and its disastrous fallouts throughout the Middle East East.