English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For October 18/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
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Bible Quotations For today
The Gospel Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25/01-13: “‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.”Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.””

Titles For The English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on October 17-18/2026
The Danger of Hardness of Heart, Death of Conscience, and Absence of Shame: When the Light of God Goes Out in Man/Elias Bejjani/October 17/2026
Lebanon’s Judiciary is Kidnapped and the Military Court Protects the Iranian Occupation… The Complaint Against Ambassador Nada Mouaouad is a Scandal and an Insult to the Judiciary, to the President of the Republic, and to the Government/Elias Bejjani/October 15/2026
Shenker: Future Israeli Strike Could Target the Lebanese State, Not Just Hezbollah
Lebanon: Military delegation to push for an end to Israeli attacks during talks in the U.S.; trilateral meeting to be held in Tampa, Florida, on October 20.
Army Deploys in the Southern Suburb
Al-Moussawi: No Judicial Warrants Issued Against Anyone from "the Party"
Washington Understands Tehran’s Game: Lebanon Urged to Confront Iranian Offensive/Lara Yazbek/Al-Markazia/October 17, 2026
A "Warning" Diplomatic Offensive on Beirut: France, Followed by Qatar and Iraq
Beyond Threats... Hezbollah Escalates on the Streets: A Rehearsal for Another "May 7th"
The Army Deploys in the Southern Suburb (Dahiyeh); Nassar: We Shall Persevere to the End
Army deploys after Hezbollah tensions involving a depot standoff, overnight protests and an unconfirmed report
Lacroix reaffirms UN commitment to peace and stability as UNIFIL prepares for drawdown
French Foreign and Defense Ministers arrive in Lebanon for talks on security, reforms
Lebanese banks dispute $600 million tax claim over Eurobond gains
Lebanon opens investigation into Syrian militia leader's abduction and transfer to Syria
Intimidation Through Memory: Fear as a Substitute for Assassination/Mustafa Fahs/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 17/2026
Berri: I Am the State/Samer Zreik/Nidaa Al-Watan/October 17, 2026

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 17-18/2026
Iran says oil tanker on fire after hitting mine in Hormuz
Tanker hit off Saudi's Gulf coast, crew evacuated
Iran denies nuclear ambitions, says ready for talks
Israel FM condemns "rioters" attack on European diplomatic delegation in West Bank
Israeli settlers attack European diplomatic cars in West Bank, beat French mayor: Witnesses
Saudi Arabia says intercepted drones over Riyadh, other regions
Iran actively supporting the Houthis: Report
Saudi-led coalition targets Houthi arms-smuggling, destroys missile launch platforms
Saudi Arabia executes five nationals for joining ‘foreign terrorist organization’
US military aids financial chokehold on Iran, blocking $25 billion in oil exports
Al-Sisi calls for emergency parliament session to authorize support for Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu office alleges ‘smear’ campaign against Israel over settler attacks
Israeli settlers attack diplomatic cars in West Bank, beat French mayor: Witnesses
Egypt’s al-Sisi says his presidency will end in 2030
Blast at Iraqi paramilitary alliance headquarters kills one, sources say
French protesters briefly break into town hall in Marseille: Report
Haze triggers highest-level alert in parts of Southeast Asia

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on October 17-18/2026
Islam's Welcoming Not-for-Profit Organizations/Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/October 17, 2026
The Final Weeks are Tehran's Wager/Mohammed al-Rumaihi/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 17/2026
A Legitimate Right/Sawsan al-Shaer/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 17/2026
Post-US Midterm Elections: The Region Faces a Comprehensive Settlement That Leaves No One Out/Trump Brandishes the "Mother of All Bombs" Against Iran... To Breach a Mountain Stronghold or to Force a Breakthrough in Negotiations?/Samih Saab/An-Nahar/October 17, 2026

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on October 17-18/2026
The Danger of Hardness of Heart, Death of Conscience, and Absence of Shame: When the Light of God Goes Out in Man
Elias Bejjani/October 17/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158366/
Man Between the Light of Truth and the Darkness of Evil
The life we live, with all its details, turns and crossroads, is nothing but a path whose features are determined by the choices we make, by the values we believe in, and by the measure of God’s presence in our conscience and our hearts. Man, whatever his status, however much money, power and influence he may possess, remains accountable before God for his words and deeds, for the good he has done, and the evil he has committed, for the truth he knew and then denied, and for the duty he recognized and then evaded. We are destined to choose between two ways: the way of righteousness, wisdom, and the fear of God, and the way of straying, pride, hardness of heart, and death of conscience. The difference between the two ways is not in outward appearances, nor in the religious slogans a man raises, nor in the number of prayers he recites before others, but in the reality of the heart, the sincerity of faith, the purity of intention, the uprightness of conduct, and the extent of his respect for human dignity and human rights. The man who truly fears God does not content himself with talking about virtue, but strives to practice it. He does not content himself with condemning evil in others, but begins by holding himself accountable. He does not make religion a means to justify his mistakes or cover his interests, but makes it a light to guide him to truth, a voice to deter him from injustice, and a scale by which he judges his own conscience before he judges others. And the Lord Jesus Christ says in the Gospel of Matthew: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Purity of heart is not weakness, nor naivety, nor compromise of truth, but it is a spiritual and moral strength that makes man able to speak the truth without lying, to practice justice without vengeance, to defend himself without injustice, and to confront evil without himself becoming an instrument of evil.
I. Conscience, Shame, and the Tongue: God’s Gifts and Man’s Responsibility
A living conscience, shame at committing wrong, and a tongue that speaks truth are not marginal matters in human life, but are among the most important manifestations of the moral responsibility that God has entrusted to man, distinguished him with, and called him through to discern between good and evil, between truth and falsehood, between love and hatred. Conscience is that inner voice that awakens a man when he errs, disturbs his rest when he oppresses, and calls him to confess his sin and repair what he has corrupted. As for shame, in its noble moral sense, it is man’s sense that his dignity is incompatible with lying, betrayal, treachery, and assault on others. And the tongue is the instrument by which man can console, encourage, reconcile, and bear witness to the truth, just as he can, if he misuses it, wound, insult, incite, mislead, and slander. But the great problem begins when man loses these three restraints: his conscience dies, his shame disappears, and his tongue turns into a weapon directed against others. Then wrong is no longer wrong to him, nor lying a disgrace, nor assault on people’s dignity a cause for remorse; rather, oppression may become for him a means to achieve interests, deception a sign of what he imagines to be intelligence, and insolence an expression of false strength. Here lies the real danger: not that man errs, for man is weak and prone to fall, but that he loses the ability to admit his error, that he justifies his evil, that he refuses repentance, and that he considers anyone who confronts him with the truth to be his enemy.
The Lord Jesus says: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).
The tongue often reveals what the heart stores. The words a man chooses in moments of anger or dispute or self-interest may reveal the truth of what governs his behavior. He who is accustomed to lying, slander, and insult, and no longer feels any remorse, should ask himself: What remains of the voice of conscience within me? And what value remains to my words if I use them to destroy others instead of speaking the truth?
The Bible also warns us of the danger of the tongue, as the Book of Proverbs says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). How many a word has restored hope to a despairing man, and how many a word has crushed a soul, how many a slander has tarnished the reputation of an innocent, how many a lie has divided members of a family, how many a hateful speech has ignited enmity that could have been avoided! A word is not a passing sound that ends as soon as it is uttered; it may leave a wound that lasts for years, it may lead to injustice, and it may destroy trust that is difficult to rebuild. Therefore, the man who fears God watches his tongue, and knows that freedom of speech does not mean freedom to slander, and that frankness does not justify insult, and that disagreement does not grant anyone the right to strip others of their dignity.
II. Hardness of Heart: When Man Sees the Truth and Rejects It
Hardness of heart is among the most dangerous spiritual and moral states a man can reach. The hard-hearted man is not necessarily one who is ignorant of the truth, but may be among those who know it well, and are aware of the consequences of their actions, but refuse to submit to it because their interests or their pride or their grudges are more important to them than the truth. It may begin with justifying a small mistake, then the mistake is repeated until it becomes a habit, then the habit turns into a fixed behavior, until man loses his moral sensitivity towards what he commits. In the end, he may reach a stage where he no longer feels guilt when he oppresses, nor shame when he lies, nor regret when he destroys the lives of others. A hard heart is not formed in a single day, but may be shaped gradually through persistence in evil, rejection of advice, contempt for others, arrogance against truth, and evasion of responsibility. For this reason, the Bible warns us against hardness of heart, saying in the Epistle to the Hebrews: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8).
This divine call is not directed only to persons far from faith, but to every man who is able to hear the voice of truth and then chooses to ignore it. How many a man hears sincere advice, but rejects it because admitting a mistake wounds his pride? And how many a person realizes he has harmed another, but prefers to persist in stubbornness rather than say a word of apology? Confessing a mistake does not diminish a man’s value, but reveals his courage and maturity. As for persisting in falsehood, while knowing the truth, it is what turns a mistake into a dangerous path of obstinacy and denial.
And the Gospel of Mark presents to us a painful image of hardness of heart, when it mentions that Jesus looked at some of those present “with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts” (Mark 3:5). It is an image that combines anger at evil and sorrow for the man who refuses to see the truth. God does not call man to cruelty, nor does He rejoice in his fall, but wants him to repent and return to the way of life. But refusal of repentance makes man a prisoner of his sin, and deprives him of the inner peace that neither money nor positions nor outward victories can grant.
III. Death of Conscience and Absence of Shame: More Dangerous Than the Mistake Itself
A mistake followed by remorse may become the beginning of reform, while a mistake followed by denial and lying and justification may turn into a door to more evil. A living conscience does not prevent man from falling every time, but it does not allow him to rest in his sin as if nothing had happened. It reminds him of his responsibility, and calls him to retreat from falsehood, to apologize to those he has wronged, to restore rights to their owners, and to bear the consequences of his actions.
But when conscience dies, man becomes able to witness the suffering of others without concern, and to inflict harm upon them without remorse, and to repeat the offense without feeling shame. It may come to the point of turning facts upside down, so he portrays himself as the victim while he is the aggressor, and accuses the oppressed instead of confessing his oppression, and attacks all who expose his mistakes instead of correcting them.
Here the absence of shame becomes a double danger, because moral shame is not merely fear of people’s gaze, but an inner awareness that there are limits that man must not cross without losing respect for himself and for others. However, a distinction must be made between shame that leads to repentance, and disgrace that crushes man and makes him believe there is no hope for reform. The Christian faith does not call to despair, but to sincere repentance and return to God. What is required is not that man remain a prisoner of his mistake, but that he confess it and repair it as much as he can.
Saint Paul says in his Epistle to the Ephesians: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).
Silence about evil is not always wisdom, and overlooking injustice is not always love. True love does not mean collusion with the aggressor, nor covering up corruption, nor demanding that the oppressed be silent to preserve the comfort of the oppressor. Rather, it means standing beside truth, defending human dignity, and refusing to turn tolerance into a cover for repeating offense. He who errs and then repents opens a new door for himself, but he who errs and persists and continues to harm others doubles his moral responsibility for every new act he commits.
IV. He Who Sows Evil Cannot Guarantee a Harvest of Peace
It is among the profound moral laws in life that a man’s actions leave their traces, and that injustice leaves wounds, and that hatred breeds enmities, and that betrayal destroys trust, and that lying weakens its owner’s credibility. Results may not appear immediately, and the oppressor may succeed for some time in evading accountability, but that does not turn injustice into right, nor does temporary escape prove innocence.
The Book of Proverbs says: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him” (Proverbs 26:27). And Saint Paul says: “For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). These two wisdoms do not mean that everyone who suffers has committed evil, or that every calamity that befalls man is a direct punishment for an act he did. The Bible itself rejects this simplification, and teaches us that the innocent may suffer, and that the unjust may sometimes enjoy temporary prosperity. But they affirm that moral choices have consequences, and that man cannot build a sound life on deception and aggression and then expect his relationships and his community and his conscience to remain safe from ruin.
As the authentic Lebanese proverb says: “You will surely drink from the same cup you gave others to drink from.” This proverb sums up a deep human experience: he who sows hatred may reap isolation, he who becomes accustomed to betrayal may lose the trust of those closest to him, and he who destroys the dignity of others may one day find himself surrounded by people who neither trust nor respect him.
But justice does not mean that we await the misfortunes of others or gloat over their fall. The believer does not make revenge his goal, nor does he wish evil even on one who wronged him, but he seeks justice, and leaves final judgment to God, and strives to protect the innocent and prevent the repetition of harm.
And the Lord Jesus says: “All who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). It is a call to reject the logic of violence and revenge, and to realize that evil is not cured by unleashing similar evil, but by truth and justice and self-control.
V. A Stumbling Block: When Hurting Others Becomes a Way of Life
Undoubtedly, we have all met in the paths of life persons who leave behind them pain and disputes and disappointments. Some of them hurt others out of ignorance or impulsiveness, and may reconsider when they realize the results of their actions. But some others persist in offense, delight in stirring up conflicts, and use hurtful words and rumors and manipulation of situations to weaken those around them, especially members of their family and those close to them. These do not content themselves with inflicting harm, but may try to convince their victims that they themselves are the wrongdoers, and that demanding one’s right is aggression, and that defending dignity is pride, and that exposing the truth is an offense against them. The most dangerous thing in these practices is that they make the harmful person act as if he were above accountability, and turn human relationships from spaces for love and cooperation into arenas of fear and blackmail and enmity. And the Lord Jesus warns of the danger of being a cause for the fall or misleading of others, saying: “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:7).
A stumbling block is not only one who pushes others to commit wrong, but can also be one who exploits their weakness, or destroys their self-confidence, or uses his position and authority to humiliate them, or turns his life and the lives of those around him into a series of crises because of his stubbornness and malice. How far is the difference between a man who errs and apologizes, and a man who deliberately offends and then boasts about it! And how far is the difference between one who uses his strength to protect the weak, and one who uses it to subdue them! And how far is the difference between one who disagrees with others and respects their dignity, and one who considers disagreement a justification for insult and defamation and revenge! The believer is called to love man, but he is not called to accept injustice or justify evil. He can forgive, without giving up his right to protection and justice; and he can pray for those who have wronged him, without exposing himself or his family to continued harm.
VI. Pride, Malice, and Envy: Masks Hiding Fragility of Spirit
When pride exceeds the bounds of legitimate self-respect, it turns into a barrier that prevents man from seeing his faults. And malice makes him a prisoner of the past, and envy drives him to resent the success of others, and the desire for revenge deprives him of peace, while love of domination makes him believe that his dignity is not realized except by subjugating others. The arrogant man may appear strong, but he is unable to say the word “I was wrong.” He may talk about morals, but he excludes himself from their rules. He may raise slogans of faith, while his actions contradict the mercy and truth and justice to which faith calls. For this reason, a man’s goodness must not be measured by what he says about himself, but by what he does when truth conflicts with his interest, and by what he says when he is angry, and by how he deals with those who cannot return harm to him, and by his readiness to admit his mistake and correct what he has corrupted. And the Lord Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew: “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Man is known by his fruits: by his truthfulness or his lying, and by his mercy or his cruelty, and by his justice or his injustice, and by his loyalty or his betrayal, and by his humility or his arrogance. Not everyone who speaks in the name of God walks in His way, and not everyone who raises the slogan of virtue practices it in his daily life. True faith is not verbal adornment, but a daily commitment to be truthful and just and merciful, to refuse to exploit others, to face one’s mistakes with courage, and to always remember that human dignity is not his property to strip from others.
VII. Judgment: When Masks and Excuses Are of No Use
Among the most dangerous illusions of man is to believe that he can forever escape responsibility for his actions, or that money and influence and connections and the ability to deceive people can grant him immunity before the justice of God. Man may be able to hide the truth from some people, and may succeed in justifying his actions before his surroundings, and may find those who applaud him or defend him, but the truth of faith that must not be ignored is that man is accountable before God for his deeds and his words, and for the way in which he used his freedom and his talents and his position in life. And the Lord Jesus says: “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). This verse places the tongue at the heart of spiritual responsibility. A word is not a trivial matter, and slander is not merely a passing dispute, and false witness is not a legitimate means to protect interests. Every man has responsibility for his speech, especially when he deliberately misleads others or defames the innocent or incites injustice. And the Bible also says: “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). This means that responsibility is personal, and that man cannot justify his sin simply because others have also committed it, nor can he turn following the group or loyalty to a person or party or interest into an exemption from moral accountability. But faith in judgment should not lead us to despair or to issuing final judgments on the fate of others. God alone knows the depths of hearts, and He alone is the just Judge. As for our duty, it is to hold ourselves accountable, to reject evil, to demand justice, and to open the door of repentance before all who want a sincere return to truth.
VIII. Repentance Is Possible as Long as Man Is Ready to Return to God
Despite the seriousness of hardness of heart and death of conscience, the Christian message does not close the door of hope. God does not want the destruction of man, but his repentance and return to the way of life. And the man who has erred is not condemned to remain a prisoner of his past, if he has the courage to confess his sin and seek forgiveness and work to repair what he has corrupted. The Lord Jesus says: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). Self-denial here means, in its moral essence, that man frees himself from slavery to ego and pride, and stops making his desires and interests the sole criterion of truth. For repentance is not merely words spoken, nor temporary tears, nor an apology aimed at restoring interests, but it is a change in heart and behavior, a readiness to bear responsibility, to restore rights, and to refrain from repeating harm. And among the most beautiful things the Bible declares about God’s mercy is His saying in the Book of Ezekiel: “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30). God calls man to return, not to persist; to confession, not to denial; to repairing what can be repaired, not to hiding behind excuses. And he who sincerely seeks forgiveness must also seek reconciliation with those he has wronged, and restore rights to their owners, and build a new conduct that proves the sincerity of his repentance. As for he who refuses to confess his mistake and insists on harming others, he cannot make the word “forgiveness” a means to silence his victims, nor demand that they forget the harm while he continues to commit it. True reconciliation needs honesty, forgiveness does not abolish justice, and pardon does not mean granting the aggressor a license to repeat his aggression.
Conclusion: Fear God, Keep Your Conscience Alive, and Guard Your Tongue
Man, whatever money or power or fame or influence he possesses, remains poor if he has lost his conscience, and a loser if the sense of right and wrong has died in his heart, and mistaken if he believes that insolence is strength, and cruelty is courage, and the ability to harm others is a sign of superiority. The man who fears God does not measure his success by the number of those he has subjugated, nor by the value of the money he has amassed, nor by his ability to silence those who oppose him, but by the extent of his uprightness, his truthfulness, his justice, his mercy, and his respect for the dignity of others. Remember, O man, that a living conscience is both a grace and a responsibility, and that shame at wrongdoing is not a defect, and that an apology does not diminish your dignity, and that a true word does not become false because people of interests hate to hear it. And remember that the tongue which God created to be an instrument of communication and good can become, if misused, a cause of injustice and division and enmity.
So do not dig a pit for your brother, nor plant thorns in his path, nor make the weakness of others an opportunity to exploit them, nor their love for you a means to control them. And do not imagine that silence imposed by fear is proof that you are right, or that the absence of human accountability means the absence of divine justice. And let us always remember the saying of the Lord Jesus: “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:17). So let us hold ourselves accountable before we hold others accountable, and let us guard our tongues before we demand that people respect our words, and let us ask God for a humble heart that does not become arrogant against truth, and a living conscience that does not compromise on justice, and a spirit capable of repentance and forgiveness, and a will that refuses to make evil a way of life. And let us raise our hearts in prayer and hope, asking God to bring dead consciences back to life, and hard hearts back to mercy, and lying tongues back to truth, and hateful souls back to love. And let us pray for every man who has lost his way, not to justify his evil, but so that he may return to truth, and stop harming others, and begin the journey of repentance and reform. So fear God, O man, and watch your heart and your tongue and your deeds, and do not allow pride and malice and self-interest to extinguish the light of conscience within you. For life is short, appearances are fleeting, and masks do not last, but man’s responsibility for his choices before God remains a reality worth pausing over every day. And let us conclude with the words of Saint Paul the Apostle: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Amen.
*The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

Lebanon’s Judiciary is Kidnapped and the Military Court Protects the Iranian Occupation… The Complaint Against Ambassador Nada Mouaouad is a Scandal and an Insult to the Judiciary, to the President of the Republic, and to the Government
Elias Bejjani/October 15/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158299/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjqWyVZwwjU&t=10s
There has been no judiciary in Lebanon since the era of the barbaric Syrian occupation. What exists is a security and judicial branch of the Iranian occupation axis, run by the terrorist Hezbollah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the king of corruption and corrupting, Iran’s parliamentary front and its ugly tool behind which the leaders of the terrorist Hezbollah hide.
It is a confiscated judiciary, fully controlled. Its mission is not to enforce justice, but to intimidate and terrorize, the Lebanese, to muzzle them, and to pursue anyone who rejects the lie of the “Resistance” and its Iranian enterprise.
Hezbollah, with its diabolical mindset, has invented a cheap method of intimidation: an army of lawyers working for it, whose sole task is to file reports and complaints against every free Lebanese — journalist, activist, writer, business owner, ordinary citizen. The charge is ready-made and canned: “Insulting the Resistance,” “Cursing the Resistance,” or the most vulgar and common charge: “Violating the laws that consider Israel an enemy.” They practice full-fledged legal prostitution, and their insolence, debauchery, and political prostitution have reached the point of filing a claim against Lebanon’s Ambassador to Washington, Mrs. Nada Hamadeh, because she performed a basic humanitarian act and contacted her colleague, the Israeli Ambassador in Washington, to wish his son a speedy recovery after he was targeted in a terrorist attack by a Palestinian jihadist criminal in the West Bank.
What inhuman depravity is this? Disabled minds and anesthetized — if not dead — sensibilities. How could Ambassador Hamadeh not contact her colleague, the Israeli Ambassador, when she heads the Lebanese dialogue delegation with Israel and spends long hours with him in dialogue and in preparation for it?
In the same context, Hezbollah singles out with its claims honorable, free and sovereign activists such as the writer and director Youssef Khoury, against whom the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council — which is nothing more than a religious arm of Hezbollah — filed a claim on charges of “Insulting the Karbala incident.” And in this domain we have dozens of claims filed by Hezbollah against anyone who does not agree with and cheer for their lie, their deception, and their Persian-Iranian trade in bloody and farcical theatrics of what is called “resistance.”
The Lebanese Constitution does not name Israel as an enemy, nor any other state: Contrary to the lies of Hezbollah’s media, there is not a single text in the Lebanese Constitution that defines or imposes enmity toward Israel or any other state. This is an established legal fact; as the legal and historical framework of Lebanon’s relationship with Israel was not defined by the Constitution, but by the General Armistice Agreement of 1949, which remained a foundational point in the Taif Agreement that became the current Constitution. The Constitution in its preamble says only that Lebanon is a sovereign, free, and independent homeland, a final homeland for all its sons, committed to the charters of the United Nations and to coexistence. As for defining the enemy, it left it to practice and deed, i.e., to whoever violates sovereignty and occupies land. And here we say it clearly: He who fits the constitutional definition of the enemy today is Hezbollah itself, because it is the one that violates the Constitution, occupies the country and confiscates its decision, contradicts the charter of coexistence, and violates sovereignty by land, sea, and arms.
Where then did the charge of “the enemy” come from? From two expired ordinary laws:
A- The Law Boycotting Israel, issued on June 23, 1955: Issued under Camille Chamoun in compliance with the resolutions of the Arab League, and stipulates in its first article that: “It is prohibited for any natural or legal person to conclude by himself or through an intermediary an agreement with bodies or persons residing in Israel or belonging to it by nationality or working for its account or for its benefit, whenever the subject of the agreement is commercial transactions or financial operations or any other dealing whatever its nature.” Noting that all Arab states have completely abandoned this law and most of them have concluded peace agreements with the State of Israel.
B- The Lebanese Penal Code:
Article 285: “Shall be punished by imprisonment for at least one year and a fine of no less than two hundred thousand Lebanese pounds, every Lebanese and every person residing in Lebanon who undertakes or attempts to undertake, directly or through a borrowed person, a commercial deal or any purchase or sale or barter deal with one of the nationals of the enemy or with a person residing in the enemy’s country.”
Article 286: “Shall be punished with the same penalty whoever contributes to a loan or subscription for the benefit of a hostile state.”
Articles 278 and following: Criminalize contact with the enemy with the intent to oppose state projects, and its penalty reaches life imprisonment with hard labor.
These articles were enacted to punish commercial and financial deals and military espionage, not to punish a humanitarian contact or diplomatic dialogue carried out by Lebanon’s official Ambassador who heads the negotiating delegation.
The Armistice Agreement nullifies absolute enmity: And this is the knockout blow to all of Hezbollah’s bravado and heresies. The Lebanese-Israeli Armistice Agreement signed in Ras al-Naqoura on March 23, 1949, under the auspices of the United Nations, does not mention the word “enemy” at all in its full text published in the United Nations archive.
The terms used in the text are:
“The parties to the present agreement”
“facilitate the transition from the present truce to permanent peace in Palestine”
Article One affirms “mutual guarantees” and “the right of each party to its security,” and Article Two affirms that the provisions of the agreement are “dictated exclusively by military considerations” and do not prejudice the final peaceful settlement. In international law, states that sign an armistice agreement between them, define an armistice line, and establish a joint armistice commission, are no longer legally in a state of absolute enmity, but in a state of temporary truce paving the way for permanent peace. The agreement itself stipulates that it remains in force “until a peaceful settlement between the parties is achieved.”
So, how can the humanitarian contact of Lebanon’s Ambassador be a crime of “contact with the enemy,” while the Lebanese state itself is a signatory with this party to an armistice agreement recognized by the United Nations until today? Ambassador Mouaouad is also officially tasked by the President of the Republic and the Government with the negotiating mission with the State of Israel that she is carrying out.
The truth is that it was not Israel who violated the truce and abrogated it, but Lebanon when it allowed, since the Cairo Agreement of 1969, Palestinian terrorist organizations and then the terrorist, jihadist Hezbollah — a criminal organization — to use its land as a platform for war against Israel, which transformed Lebanon from a truce state into a state of aggression.
The Military Court… The Court of the Inquisition
And here comes the most dangerous role: the role of the Military Court, which should be called the Military Court of Hezbollah and Nabih Berri. It is the one that encroaches upon free people and issues unjust, illegal, and unconstitutional judgments against them, in literal implementation of Hezbollah’s agenda. The court is not a court, but rather a tool of repression and a sword hanging over the necks of Lebanese who reject the Iranian occupation and before that rejected and resisted the Syrian occupation. Therefore, the national and legal demand is clear: abolish and close the Military Court immediately, annul all judgments it has issued, and prosecute the judges who headed it because they betrayed their oath and betrayed justice.
The Lebanese judiciary must free itself from the yoke of the corrupt and heretical Berri and from the jihadist and terrorist Hezbollah, and must categorically refuse to accept any complaint filed by Hezbollah or its lawyers, against anyone and for any reason. And why? Because legally, Hezbollah is an illegitimate organization and outside the law in accordance with the decisions of the current Lebanese government itself, which approved the exclusivity of arms in the hands of the state. It is an illegal armed militia, a criminal organization that assassinated hundreds of Lebanese and thousands of Syrians, and carried out for Iran hundreds of terrorist operations in dozens of countries, and is listed on the terrorism list of the Arab League and in dozens of regional and international countries, noting that the United States classifies it as a terrorist and criminal group fully affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Sound legal logic does not call for accepting the complaints of Hezbollah and Nabih Berri, but for dissolving Hezbollah and dismantling all its institutions, confiscating its properties, and prosecuting its leaders as war and terrorism criminals.
The Constitution does not name Israel as an enemy by name, nor any other state, but defines the enemy by its actions. And the enemy is he who occupies the land, confiscates the decision, assassinates those who oppose him, destroys the economy, displaces citizens, and openly declares his absolute subordination to a foreign state. And this description applies 100% to Hezbollah itself.
The question is: Why doesn’t a single Member of Parliament step forward in Parliament — and only one MP is required, not ten as is rumored — with a bill to abolish all laws and legislation that prohibit a Lebanese citizen from dealing with Israelis and the State of Israel, in the same free and unrestricted manner as he deals with all other countries of the world?
*The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

Shenker: Future Israeli Strike Could Target the Lebanese State, Not Just Hezbollah
Janoubia/October 17, 2026
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Shenker has warned that if Hezbollah becomes involved in a future military confrontation—triggered, for instance, by an Israeli strike on Iran—Lebanon could face a situation entirely different from previous conflicts. This comes amid the possibility that U.S. pressure on Israel to contain such an escalation may diminish. In an interview with the website "Al-Qarar," Shenker stated that Washington might not take the initiative this time to pressure Israel to halt or limit the scope of its military operations—even if those strikes were to extend to the southern suburbs of Beirut. Shenker suggested that the repercussions of such a scenario would not be limited to Hezbollah alone, but could affect the entire Lebanese state. He noted that the United States has previously exerted pressure on Israel for the benefit of Lebanon and has supported efforts to disarm Hezbollah—though these efforts have failed to yield any tangible progress. Consequently, he argued that the scale and nature of any future Israeli strike will depend on whether Hezbollah decides to join the war, and on how Israel chooses to respond to such an intervention. He further pointed out that the capacity for external mediation and pressure to contain an escalation may be weaker this time around—unlike in previous instances—thereby increasing the risks Lebanon could face should the regional confrontation expand.

Lebanon: Military delegation to push for an end to Israeli attacks during talks in the U.S.; trilateral meeting to be held in Tampa, Florida, on October 20.
Beirut: Agencies/October 17, 2026
The Lebanese Presidency stated in a post on the platform "X" on Saturday that a Lebanese military delegation will present Beirut’s demands to end Israeli attacks in Lebanon during a trilateral meeting to be held in Tampa, Florida, on October 20. Over the past few months, Lebanon and Israel have held several rounds of direct talks aimed at ending hostilities, following the outbreak of a new war between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2—a conflict that has fueled broader regional instability. The Presidency’s post noted: "The Lebanese military delegation will participate in the trilateral meeting in Tampa on October 20 to put forward Lebanon’s demands for an end to the Israeli escalation, with the hope of achieving results consistent with the framework agreement." Under an agreement reached through U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon, Beirut pledged to disarm Hezbollah, a move that would have subsequently led to the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. Hezbollah, however, refuses to lay down its arms as long as Israeli forces remain on Lebanese territory, while Israel continues to carry out attacks in southern Lebanon.

Army Deploys in the Southern Suburb
Al-Markaziya/October 17, 2026
The Army Command – Directorate of Orientation issued the following statement: "Army units in the city of Beirut and the Southern Suburb have implemented security measures—including the deployment of motorized and foot patrols, as well as the establishment of temporary checkpoints—to pursue wanted individuals and those disturbing public security." This follows reports that, during the night, members of Hezbollah were seen in several Beirut streets, where they conducted processions involving dozens of motorcycles while chanting party-affiliated slogans. A source within Hezbollah indicated to *Al-Jadeed* that they do not view the army’s deployment in the Southern Suburb as an exceptional event, but rather as a normal occurrence.

Al-Moussawi: No Judicial Warrants Issued Against Anyone from "the Party"
Al-Markaziya/October 17, 2026
MP Ibrahim al-Moussawi wrote on the platform "X": "Stop your fabrications, nonsense, and false rumors… There are no judicial warrants issued against anyone from 'the Party'." Al-Moussawi’s statement came in response to a report by Al-Hadath channel—citing Hezbollah-affiliated media—claiming that arrest warrants had been issued for the head of Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Committee and his assistant in connection with the "explosives shipment" case. The report further alleged that Hezbollah is threatening to escalate the internal situation in light of the investigation into the explosives shipment, suggesting that the party would not respond to internal pressures through rational means and would instead re-evaluate its stance regarding the "limits of internal engagement." In the same context, judicial sources told MTV: "It is untrue that the Public Prosecutor, Judge Rami Al-Hajj, has issued judicial warrants against the head of Hezbollah’s Liaison and Coordination Committee, Hussein Al-Abdallah, or his assistant, Ali Ayoub."

Washington Understands Tehran’s Game: Lebanon Urged to Confront Iranian Offensive
Lara Yazbek/Al-Markazia/October 17, 2026
On Wednesday, President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. After reviewing the regional situation, Araghchi assured Aoun that his country remains committed to negotiation and negotiation and does not wish for a return to war, emphasizing that negotiations are ongoing and that the U.S.-Iran understanding remains in place. This call coincided with a visit to Beirut by Saeed Khatibzadeh, an assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister, who—following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh—stated that “bilateral relations between Tehran and Beirut are historical, very close, and multifaceted, spanning various dimensions.” The following day, Aoun received a call from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who demanded that the President seize explosives belonging to Hezbollah and hold those responsible for shipping and financing them accountable. Rubio also called for the establishment of direct communication between the Lebanese and Israeli military institutions. According to the American news outlet *Axios*, a U.S. State Department official confirmed that Rubio spoke with the Lebanese President regarding the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of Hezbollah-owned explosives that had been smuggled into Beirut a few days earlier. The official stated that Rubio urged Aoun to hold those responsible for sending and funding the truckload of explosives accountable, emphasizing that returning the explosives—seized by Lebanese authorities—to Hezbollah “should not even be a subject for discussion.” The U.S.-Iranian tug-of-war over the Lebanese arena has flared up once again. According to well-informed political sources, Tehran is attempting—yet again—to demonstrate, and indeed solidify, its influence in Lebanon. It has launched a diplomatic offensive on Beirut, coupled with a financial push—evident by the millions of dollars Hezbollah claims to have received from Tehran. Simultaneously, Hezbollah has escalated its rhetoric against the Lebanese state, threatening its civil peace. Should the state refuse to abandon its policy of consolidating arms exclusively under its own control—a stance articulated by Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah. Washington has quickly picked up on these signals, concluding that Iran not only seeks to bring Lebanon back into its fold but is also preparing to leverage the country in any future regional conflict. Consequently, the U.S. Secretary of State promptly reached out to Aoun, calling on the Lebanese government to confront this Iranian offensive appropriately and with the necessary resolve—consistent with the commitments Lebanon made during the U.S.-brokered negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. Washington has warned that any laxity in this regard—particularly concerning the party’s [Hezbollah’s] weaponry and finances, as well as the potential reopening of the southern front—could lead to a renewed Israeli war on Lebanon, stretching from the south all the way to Beirut. Given this reality, and noting that the consolidation of arms under state control is, first and foremost, an internal Lebanese demand, observers are asking what path those in power will choose to follow in the coming period. Will they engage more seriously and robustly in confronting Iran—and the weapons and funds it provides in Lebanon—or will they remain in a dangerous “gray zone” that offers no guarantee for the safety of Lebanon and its people?

Washington Understands Tehran’s Game: Lebanon Urged to Confront Iranian Offensive
Lara Yazbek/Al-Markazia/October 17, 2026
On Wednesday, President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. After reviewing the regional situation, Araghchi assured Aoun that his country remains committed to dialogue and negotiation and does not wish for a return to war, emphasizing that negotiations are ongoing and that the U.S.-Iran understanding remains in place. This call coincided with a visit to Beirut by Saeed Khatibzadeh, an assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister, who—following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh—stated that "bilateral relations between Tehran and Beirut are historical, very close, and multifaceted, spanning various dimensions." The following day, Aoun received a call from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who demanded that the President seize explosives belonging to Hezbollah and hold those responsible for shipping and financing them accountable. Rubio also called for the establishment of direct communication between the Lebanese and Israeli military institutions. According to the American news outlet *Axios*, a U.S. State Department official confirmed that Rubio spoke with the Lebanese President regarding the seizure of hundreds of kilograms of Hezbollah-owned explosives that had been smuggled into Beirut a few days earlier. The official stated that Rubio urged Aoun to hold those responsible for sending and funding the truckload of explosives accountable, emphasizing that returning the explosives—seized by Lebanese authorities—to Hezbollah "should not even be a subject for discussion." The U.S.-Iranian tug-of-war over the Lebanese arena has flared up once again. According to well-informed political sources, Tehran is attempting—yet again—to demonstrate, and indeed solidify, its influence in Lebanon. It has launched a diplomatic offensive on Beirut, coupled with a financial push—evidenced by the millions of dollars Hezbollah claims to have received from Tehran. Simultaneously, Hezbollah has escalated its rhetoric against the Lebanese state, threatening its civil peace should the state refuse to abandon its policy of consolidating arms exclusively under its own control—a stance articulated by Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah. Washington has quickly picked up on these signals, concluding that Iran not only seeks to bring Lebanon back into its fold but is also preparing to leverage the country in any future regional conflict. Consequently, the U.S. Secretary of State promptly reached out to Aoun, calling on the Lebanese government to confront this Iranian offensive appropriately and with the necessary resolve—consistent with the commitments Lebanon made during the U.S.-brokered negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. Washington has warned that any laxity in this regard—particularly concerning the party’s [Hezbollah’s] weaponry and finances, as well as the potential reopening of the southern front—could lead to a renewed Israeli war on Lebanon, stretching from the south all the way to Beirut. Given this reality, and noting that the consolidation of arms under state control is, first and foremost, an internal Lebanese demand, observers are questioning what path those in power will choose to follow in the coming period. Will they engage more seriously and robustly in confronting Iran—and the weapons and funds it provides in Lebanon—or will they remain in a dangerous "gray zone" that offers no guarantee for the safety of Lebanon and its people?

A "Warning" Diplomatic Offensive on Beirut: France, Followed by Qatar and Iraq
Beyond Threats... Hezbollah Escalates on the Streets: A Rehearsal for Another "May 7th"
The Army Deploys in the Southern Suburb (Dahiyeh); Nassar: We Shall Persevere to the End
Al-Markaziya/October 17, 2026
Amidst the faltering diplomatic efforts to contain tensions in the south, and growing concerns over the repercussions of the U.S.-Iran conflict on Lebanon, regional and international maneuvers are intensifying. The goal is to prevent the confrontation from widening and to preserve a stability that appears fragile—internally even more so than externally—as evidenced by nighttime marches of Hezbollah supporters and the leadership’s open defiance of—and threats toward—the political establishment. Caught between mounting U.S. pressure on the political authorities—which some fear could grant Benjamin Netanyahu a free hand in Lebanon and dismantle the "framework agreement" and its stalled negotiations—and Qatari-French efforts to keep channels of communication open, a critical question emerges regarding the future of security arrangements in the south. This is particularly pressing given the approaching expiration of UNIFIL’s mandate at the end of the year, raising concerns about how to guarantee stability and prevent a security vacuum. Will Lebanon succeed in containing these looming risks, heeding international counsel and diplomatic initiatives, and balancing the requirements for de-escalation with the complex web of regional and international dynamics? Or will it once again fall victim to delays in implementing resolutions, hindered by the need to navigate partisan and sectarian sensitivities? Barrot in Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot arrives in Lebanon today, ahead of joining French President Emmanuel Macron on a Gulf tour—beginning Sunday evening in Kuwait and extending to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. Barrot is accompanied by French Minister of the Armed Forces Alice Ruffo. The pair is scheduled to meet with several Lebanese officials, including the Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, to discuss various issues—most notably the mechanisms for an international presence in southern Lebanon following the expiration of the mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as well as support for the implementation of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, brokered by the United States. During the visit, the French Foreign Minister intends to reaffirm Paris’s support for the "adoption of essential economic reforms"—reforms that are "already underway and must be brought to completion."
...And Al-Zaidi, too: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi is also set to visit Lebanon next week, where he is expected to meet with the country’s three top leaders (the President, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Prime Minister) as well as various political figures.
"The Party" on the streets: The French visit comes in the wake of heightened street tensions; overnight, members of Hezbollah were seen deploying across several Beirut neighborhoods, organizing processions of dozens of motorcycles while chanting party-affiliated slogans. The areas traversed by these groups included Zokak el-Blat, Barbour, Khandaq al-Ghamiq, and districts near the Southern Suburb (Dahiyeh). Reports indicate that these processions were a response to recent arrests made in connection with the Dahr el-Baidar explosives case. Army Deployed in the Southern Suburbs: The Lebanese Army carried out an extensive deployment in the Southern Suburbs (Dahiyeh) starting this morning. Troops conducted patrols, and military vehicles entered the area via the Choueifat side, with personnel stationed at the Al-Kafaat roundabout and beneath the Musharrafieh bridge. A statement from the Army Command announced that "units of the Army have implemented security measures in the city of Beirut and the Southern Suburbs, including the deployment of motorized and foot patrols and the establishment of temporary checkpoints, in order to pursue wanted individuals and those disrupting security." It was reported that the Army intends to expand its deployment to cover various parts of the Southern Suburbs.
Judicial Warrants: Meanwhile, the incident involving the seizure of expired/spoiled medicines and the confrontation with security forces in the Galerie Semaan area last night has escalated. The Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Judge Ahmed Rami Al-Hajj, has issued urgent judicial directives to the Lebanese Army’s Intelligence Directorate, the Gendarmerie Command, and the Judicial Police. He tasked them with immediately launching the necessary investigations to identify the armed Hezbollah members who obstructed the execution of a judicial mission and surrounded security personnel, with the aim of prosecuting them and taking deterrent legal action against them. A Question for the Government: Former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Ghassan Hasbani wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account: "A question for the Lebanese government: In a statement issued by Hezbollah—commenting on an incident where a group of its members surrounded a security force that was raiding a medicine warehouse in Galerie Semaan—it was claimed that the raid took place in an 'area of ​​security sensitivity' without following the 'mechanism agreed upon between Hezbollah and the security agencies.' This raises a fundamental question: What is meant by 'areas of security sensitivity,' and who defines them? What is the nature of this 'agreed-upon mechanism,' and who authorized it? Have there come to be areas in Lebanon that security forces cannot enter or conduct raids within, except after prior coordination with a political party? Furthermore, does the enforcement of the law require prior permission from any entity other than the competent judicial and security authorities? These are questions directed at the Lebanese government, which is expected to clarify the truth regarding these 'understandings'—if they indeed exist—and to explain how they align with the principle that security authority must rest exclusively with the State, and that the rule of law must prevail across all Lebanese territory, without exception."
"The Party issues a threat": In this context, MP Ibrahim al-Moussawi wrote on the platform X: "Put an end to your fabrications, nonsense, and false rumors... There are no judicial warrants issued against anyone from the Party." Al-Moussawi’s remarks came in response to reports—attributed by some media outlets to Hezbollah-affiliated media—claiming that arrest warrants had been issued for Hussein al-Abdallah, head of the Party’s Liaison Committee, and his assistant, Ali Ayoub, in connection with the "explosives shipment" case. No one is above the law. For his part, Minister of Justice Adel Nassar affirmed his great confidence in the Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation and the Military Prosecutor, both of whom are courageously fulfilling their roles regarding the explosives case. Speaking on the program "Bil-Awwal" (First), broadcast via Voice of Lebanon and VDL24, he stated: "We support them fully. The judiciary is independent, and the investigation is confidential; the judiciary is doing its duty in this matter. The transport and storage of explosives on such a scale pose a danger to society and the security of the Lebanese state. The mere presence of these explosives outside the control of the Lebanese state is a highly dangerous factor." Nassar added: "The intended use of these explosives—whether for security-related operations or for acts of war outside the framework of the Lebanese state—constitutes an infringement upon national security, society, and the state itself. We have heard statements from Hezbollah confirming that these explosives belong to them; all these elements are being incorporated into the investigation." He noted that "these explosives, the presence of illegal arms, and stances taken against the decisions of the Lebanese state are all factors that compromise national security, justifying a referral to the Judicial Council. These elements are sufficient to confirm that a threat to national security exists." Nassar emphasized that "the investigation is ongoing and remains unhindered. Our proposal to refer the case to the Judicial Council is not due to any shortcomings in the investigation, but rather because of the magnitude of the matter and the fact that activities are being conducted outside the authority of the Lebanese state." He concluded: "There will be no leniency; no one is above the law. It is imperative that these investigations continue to their conclusion without any hesitation, as this is a matter of..." ...the security of the country and the Lebanese people. This serves the interests of all Lebanese, as the construction of a state should not come at the expense of any segment of society.”
A Rehearsal for May 7th: MP Waddah Sadek wrote on X: “What happened yesterday was not a motorcycle rally, but rather a rehearsal for May 7th. Hundreds of organized operatives blocked the entrances to Beirut—a scene reminiscent of the ‘black shirts’ during the toppling of Saad Hariri’s government in 2011, or the events of May 7, 2008. Protecting Beirut and its residents is the responsibility of the Lebanese Army and the security forces; any leniency will lead the country toward a dangerous deterioration—an outcome desired by Hezbollah, and by extension Iran, at this juncture.” The Patriarch’s Garden: In another context, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam—speaking at the inauguration of a public park in Beirut named after Patriarch Ignatius IV Hazim—described the occasion as a tribute to a man who loved Beirut and left a profound mark upon it. He stated: "Patriarch Ignatius was known for his ability to harmonize the ethics of faith and firm conviction with the ethics of care and responsibility. While his sense of responsibility may have required him to engage pragmatically with those in power and positions of influence, his convictions prevented him from ever submitting to them or endorsing their tyranny. He remained steadfast in his commitment to freedom—not merely religious freedom, but the right of individuals to shape their own destinies. He never conflated the sectarian with the ecclesiastical. He envisioned a Church that..."
IMF Optimism: On the financial front, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached with Lebanon regarding an IMF-supported program. She confirmed that engagement with the Lebanese authorities is ongoing, though further steps remain to be completed. During a press conference in Bangkok, Georgieva noted that the IMF is working with Lebanon and expressed confidence in the success of efforts to secure an agreement; however, she pointed out that additional work is still required before that stage can be reached.

Army deploys after Hezbollah tensions involving a depot standoff, overnight protests and an unconfirmed report
Naharnet/October 17/2026
The Lebanese Army deployed in and around Dahieh on Saturday following tensions involving Hezbollah supporters. The developments come amid friction between Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah over a truck carrying around 800 kilograms that was seized at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint. Hezbollah has demanded that authorities return the explosives, arguing they were meant for defending against Israel and also asking for the release of two detained operatives. Hezbollah supporters, some of them on motorbikes, protested overnight in Beirut and blocked a key road in connection with the tensions over the truck, media reports said. The day hours had witnessed another incident involving Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities. That took place during a judicial raid on a warehouse containing spoiled medicines in the Gallerie Semaan neighborhood on Dahieh's edge. Criminal investigation officers and security forces executing an order from the Prosecutor General were briefly surrounded by gunmen affiliated with Hezbollah. The tense standoff lasted until Lebanese Army reinforcements arrived, compelling the armed men to withdraw. Security forces subsequently sealed the depot with red wax to proceed with their investigation. Following the incident, Hezbollah's media unit issued an official statement denying direct ownership of the facility while criticizing security procedures. It explained that the standoff occurred because a security patrol carried out a raid "without following the agreed procedures between the group and security authorities."
The statement stressed that standard protocols must account for "a security-sensitive area... amid continuing Israeli threats and security risks."The group noted that once "contacts were made with the relevant authorities and legal officials, and the circumstances were clarified," the patrol was allowed to proceed with its judicial order calmly. Adding to the political friction, a report published Saturday in the pro-Hezbollah newspaper al-Akhbar claimed that the State Prosecutor Ahmad Rami al-Hajj had summoned senior Hezbollah official Hussein al-Abdallah and his deputy Ali Ayyoub for questioning regarding the seized explosives. However, MP Ibrahim al-Moussawi of Hezbollah firmly rebutted the allegations. "Stop your suppositions, nonsense, and false rumors... There are no judicial writs issued against anyone from Hezbollah," Moussawi said in a post on X.
Judicial sources also told MTV that the claim that the state prosecutor had issued judicial writs against Abdallah and Ayyoub was baseless.

Lacroix reaffirms UN commitment to peace and stability as UNIFIL prepares for drawdown
Naharnet/October 17/2026
Concluding a three-day visit to Lebanon, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix reaffirmed the importance of Security Council resolution 1701 and the U.N.'s commitment to supporting peace and stability in Lebanon as UNIFIL prepares for its drawdown and planned withdrawal at the end of its mandate on 31 December 2026. In meetings with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji and Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, Lacroix discussed the implementation of Resolution 1701, UNIFIL’s work, and options for the future following the mission’s departure. Meeting with members of the diplomatic community, representatives of UNIFIL’s troop-contributing countries and the U.N. Country Team, he expressed appreciation for their critical support to the mission and its efforts to promote peace and stability in Lebanon. At UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, Lacroix met with the mission’s leadership and civilian and military peacekeepers, thanking them for their "continued dedication while serving in a particularly challenging operational environment." “The Lebanese authorities themselves have been very clear that they think there needs to be this third party – the U.N. – avoiding unattended escalation and incidents spiraling out of control between the Israel Defense Forces (Israeli army) and the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces),” said Lacroix, highlighting concerns over the future of the Blue Line and support for communities in south Lebanon after UNIFIL’s departure. Under Security Council resolution 1701, UNIFIL continues to support Lebanon and Israel in meeting their obligations by "impartially monitoring developments and reporting violations, liaising with the parties to help prevent misunderstandings and reduce tensions, and facilitating humanitarian missions," a UNIFIL statement said. The visit came as UNIFIL prepares to conclude its mandate at the end of 2026, and as the Security Council considers options for the post-UNIFIL period.

French Foreign and Defense Ministers arrive in Lebanon for talks on security, reforms
LBCI/October 17/2026
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin are due to arrive in Lebanon on Saturday for talks with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun and Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal later in the day. The talks are expected to address several key issues, including arrangements for an international presence in southern Lebanon following the end of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate, as well as support for implementing the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, brokered by the United States. During the visit, Barrot is also expected to reaffirm France’s support for Lebanon’s economic reform efforts, stressing the need to adopt and complete what Paris considers essential reforms that are already underway.

Lebanese banks dispute $600 million tax claim over Eurobond gains
LBCI/October 17/2026
Lebanese banks accuse the Finance Ministry of seeking to collect around $600 million in taxes from them because they recorded profits on Eurobonds as their value in Lebanese lira rose sharply amid the collapse of the national currency. The banks argue that the bonds were valued at around LBP 150,000 when the dollar traded at LBP 1,500, compared with roughly LBP 9 million when the exchange rate reached LBP 89,500 per dollar. They maintain that they lost more than 75% of the bonds’ actual value in dollar terms and that it is therefore incorrect to classify the currency-driven increase in their pound value as a real profit. Banking sources said taxes should be imposed on actual profits in accordance with accounting and legal standards, rather than on book gains that fail to account for investment losses. The sources also warned that any new tax deductions from banks would reduce the funds available for returning deposits to customers, particularly those with deposits of up to $100,000. They argued that the collapse of the exchange rate should not be turned into an opportunity for additional tax collection or used to impose further burdens on banks and depositors at the expense of their rights. However, Finance Ministry sources said the government had not imposed any new tax on the banks. They said the ministry had asked some banks, based on existing legal provisions, to correct their financial declarations after they reported having no profits. If the banks fail to amend those declarations, they could be subject to taxation, the ministry sources said, describing the measure as part of efforts to combat tax evasion, particularly among large taxpayers, including major companies.

Lebanon opens investigation into Syrian militia leader's abduction and transfer to Syria
Naharnet/October 17/2026
Lebanese authorities are investigating how a former Syrian militia commander suspected of committing crimes during the government of ousted President Bashar Assad was abducted in Lebanon and taken to Syria, judicial and security officials said. Syria's intelligence department said Thursday that it had detained Ali Kayali, also known as Mihrac Ural, as he was trying to flee from Syria across the border. The intelligence department said that Kayali was responsible for killings in 2013 in the coastal town of Baniyas that left hundreds of people dead. Lebanese judicial officials said that the country's public prosecution had opened an investigation into the case. Authorities asked army intelligence and police intelligence units to analyze telecommunication calls to determine whether Kayali was taken to the Syrian Embassy outside of Beirut or straight to Syria after he was picked up in the Lebanese mountain town of Mansouriyeh where he had been living. The three judicial and two security officials spoke on condition of anonymity, because they weren't authorized to speak to the media about the case, which was still under investigation. A Syrian official didn't immediately respond when asked for comment over the alleged kidnapping.
A photo of the handcuffed gray-haired Kayali surfaced on social media as he stood between two Syrian flags. Lebanese authorities were investigating whether the photo was taken at the Syrian Embassy in Lebanon. Syrian authorities on Thursday released a photo of Kayali, who was born in 1956, wearing a prison uniform. The Turkey-born Kayali was one of Syria's most wanted figures, and news about his arrest led to celebrations in parts of Syria, because he was blamed for sectarian killings during Assad's crackdown on the opposition in the early years of the conflict that broke out in March 2011. Such kidnappings in Lebanon aren't uncommon. In 2011, Assad's authorities were blamed for the kidnapping of senior Baath Party official Shibli al-Aysami from the Lebanese mountain town of Aley. Al-Aysami, who was a leading member of the Baath Party that governed Syria and Iraq for decades, was 86 at the time and was never found. In August, Lebanon's judicial authorities handed over a former senior Syrian military officer under Assad to Damascus after questioning him over crimes he allegedly committed during the country's conflict. Dozens of officials have been put on trial in Syria since Assad's fall over suspected crimes they allegedly committed during Syria's conflict that left 500,000 people dead. Assad's cousin and senior security official Atef Najib was sentenced to death in August. Assad was sentenced in absentia. Assad was ousted from power when Islamist-led militants opposed to him marched to Damascus in December 2024, ending the five-decade rule of the Assad family.

Intimidation Through Memory: Fear as a Substitute for Assassination
Mustafa Fahs/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 17/2026
Hezbollah may have succeeded in reviving Lebanon’s troubled memories without actually having to act. Here, the “act” means eliminating opponents, namely political assassination, which has been surrounded by near-certain suspicions since 2005, from former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri to Lokman Slim. In this case, restoring fear to the heart of Lebanese political life no longer requires explosives to serve its purpose. From this perspective, the findings of the investigation into the source of the C4 shipment, its destination, or its intended recipient are no longer particularly important. The intimidation has already taken place, and the C4 shipment has achieved its purpose. This raises another possibility: What if Hezbollah deliberately allowed its shipment to be discovered? By doing so, it would spare itself the need to use it while still imposing an equation of intimidation and reviving the memory of assassinations in Lebanon’s collective consciousness, particularly among politicians who oppose it.
Within the logic of intimidation and political elimination under Hezbollah’s current circumstances, acknowledging ownership of the shipment and assuming responsibility for it, even indirectly, may be far less costly than bearing responsibility for any political assassination that might occur. Under the pretext of resistance and confronting the Israeli enemy, Hezbollah can justify possessing explosives. Using them in a political assassination, however, would expose it to political and social repercussions that would be difficult to contain.
Hezbollah is not a conventional or traditional political party that can easily come to terms with its waning influence or its inevitable and painful decline. As an ideological organization, its danger may become most pronounced during periods of retreat and weakness, when it seeks to target those benefiting from its crisis and decline, while preventing the emergence of alternatives that could challenge its claim to represent its own constituency.
Yet under current conditions, and given the scale of the transformations it is undergoing, the room for assassination has become extremely narrow. A single assassination could unite everyone against it, draw it into an all-out confrontation, and undermine the “sanctity of its weapons,” which derives from their portrayal as weapons of resistance. This is especially so after Hezbollah lost its historic leadership, which had been capable of compelling Lebanese society to accept its narrative, as well as its strategic depth in Syria, whose loss has effectively pushed Iranian geopolitics out of the Lebanese equation. Given Iran’s current circumstances, assassination would amount to suicide.
This is where the idea of “intimidation through memory” comes into play: accumulated fear stemming from past assassinations can once again perform a political function without those killings having to be repeated. When politicians understand that the possibility of violence remains present, they may resort to self-censorship, reconsider their positions, and refrain from carrying confrontation through to its conclusion. The memory of assassination thus becomes an instrument of intimidation before any crime has even occurred.
Could the discovery of explosives, then, become a substitute for their actual use, allowing fear to achieve what assassination might no longer accomplish without exacting a prohibitive price? The question here is no longer confined to the shipment itself. It extends to a society being made to calculate its political positions under the shadow of possible death, and to a state whose true test remains its ability to end the capacity of any actor to turn weapons and memory into tools for subjugating political life.
Accordingly, the distinction between acknowledging possession of a tool that can be politically justified and bearing responsibility for its actual use in a security operation remains key to understanding this hypothesis.

Berri: I Am the State
Samer Zreik/Nidaa Al-Watan/October 17, 2026
We have returned—though hardly to a welcome state of affairs—to the old style of governance. It is as if the sinews of power have gone slack amidst the political stagnation, allowing the return of an old, familiar tune—a melody whose catastrophic consequences we already know all too well. In just a few days, a series of events has shattered the government’s image, triggering a wave of criticism from forces that ostensibly support it—including those within the inner circle of the Prime Minister himself. State security and intelligence agencies are evading the "heat" surrounding the explosives shipment discovered at Dahr el-Baidar—and others like it—going so far as to suppress news of these incidents for days, as if they were classified state secrets. Meanwhile, Bassam Badran has been reappointed President of the Lebanese University—as if the arsenal of potential candidates from the Shia community available to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had run completely dry. Furthermore, a new Governor for the Nabatieh Governorate was appointed from a shortlist of two names provided by Berri to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam—a move consistent with the settlement revealed by *Nidaa Al-Watan* last week—where the final choice was limited to two candidates, both affiliated with the Amal Movement. Even the Cabinet session itself conspicuously omitted a matter of critical importance—the explosives shipments—which ought to have topped the agenda. The significance of this absence is compounded by the fact that it occurred against the backdrop of threats made by MP Hassan Fadlallah against the state—a scenario reminiscent of the events of "May 7th" and the "Black Shirts" episode, as well as his threats following the Khaldeh incident, when he gave the state an ultimatum to take action and carry out arrests—or else... There had been an exceptional opportunity to restore balance to the power structure and bring political and strategic decision-making back under the state’s authority, while simultaneously liberating the Sunni political voice from the hegemony of the "Shiite duo." Yet, some chose to head to Ain el-Tineh and hand the keys of the state back over. Whispers suggest that a pledge was made to external parties to secure a "decent exit" for the Grand Mufti of the Republic—a move that necessitated seeking "assistance" from Speaker Nabih Berri. Undoubtedly, there is a regional and international desire to maintain calm in Lebanon, preventing the country from erupting as the conflict with the mullahs' regime and its proxies in Yemen intensifies. However, this does not justify handing the keys of the state to Berri—with an added "bonus" of allowing him to seize control over the Sunni political and religious spheres, while dictating the pace of Cabinet sessions—a scenario many had assumed was long buried and laid to rest. Meanwhile, Ain el-Tineh has been manipulating the mood of the Sunni public and their parliamentary representatives, sowing division among them, and undermining the amnesty law with promises that the Constitutional Council’s ruling ultimately exposed as nothing more than a "mirage in the desert." Thus, the law emerged exactly as intended from the outset: intensifying the persecution and oppression of Sunnis alone, while simultaneously setting drug barons free and effectively discarding over forty thousand arrest warrants. It is as if the state has been reduced to the person and will of Nabih Berri—a will that supersedes the constitution, the laws, and the established balance of power. Most striking is the silence of Dar al-Fatwa regarding this distorted amnesty law—a silence that stands in stark contrast to the flood of statements praising and venerating the Grand Mufti over the past week. Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister has failed to take the initiative to rally Sunni members of parliament under its banner to adopt a unified, firm stance within the framework of the state’s own rules. Consequently, hopes now rest on the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, who is expected to meet with Sunni MPs on Monday to discuss issuing interpretive circulars—an attempt to mitigate the impact of the Constitutional Council’s ruling and its implications. This will be a difficult task, especially given reports that the death penalty has effectively been commuted to a 28-year prison term. The goal was never to instigate a conflict with the Speaker of Parliament, but rather to restore the lost balance within the country’s governing structure—and to prevent a return to the practice of "rabbits" (a reference to Berri’s signature political maneuvers) slipping through legal loopholes to become an inescapable, predetermined reality. Nevertheless, one must credit Berri for his skill in taming shifting variables; he remains a constant amidst the storms of change, holding the strings of the political game and cunningly drawing all other players onto his own turf. While the government engages in a parallel conflict with Energy Minister Joe Sader, how can the public be convinced that it is truly turning the page on authoritarianism and the entrenched power centers within the "deep state"? People watch as drug lords—figures like Nouh Zeaiter—walk free, waving to the crowds, while others, such as Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir and various other detainees, continue to suffer. There is a pervasive sense of disappointment, compounded by deep-seated resentment within the Sunni community—this, despite the popular, regional, and international support the government has enjoyed. Perhaps this was the price paid to secure a vote of confidence and to ensure that those who control the labor unions kept the streets quiet. Yet, it is a steep price—one that is difficult to swallow.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 17-18/2026 (Some of the News reports below are translated from Arabic by AI)
Iran says oil tanker on fire after hitting mine in Hormuz
Agence France Presse/October 17/2026
Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday said an oil tanker was on fire in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a mine in the waterway at the heart of the Middle East war. Tehran seized control over Hormuz after the start of the war in late February, choking off the strait that normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption. "A supertanker in violation of regulations, carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and attempting to pass illegally through the Strait of Hormuz, struck a mine, triggering an explosion and a fierce fire," the Revolutionary Guards said. The statement did not specify the exact location of the incident. Flanked by Iran to the north and Oman to the south, the Hormuz strait is about 30 kilometres (20 miles) wide at its narrowest point. Since taking control of the strait, Iran has demanded that all ships seek its authorization before transiting. "The tanker attempted to cross the strait with U.S. support... by deactivating all its tracking systems," the Guards added, also posting a video of a vessel in flames during the night.In response to Tehran's blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, Washington has imposed its own naval counter-blockade on Iranian oil exports. This week, the Guards' naval commander Admiral Ali Ozmai warned that any vessel that deactivated its navigation systems would be considered "hostile".

Tanker hit off Saudi's Gulf coast, crew evacuated
Agence France Presse/October 17/2026
A tanker was struck by an "unknown projectile" off Saudi Arabia's Gulf coast, forcing the evacuation of its crew, a maritime monitoring agency said on Saturday. The vessel was hit on Friday, 68 nautical miles off the coast of Jubail, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said, adding that "all crew are reported safe". Ships have regularly come under Iranian fire during the Middle East war, as Iran blockades the Strait of Hormuz -- the only exit route for oil and gas exports via the Gulf sea. Vanguard, another maritime security agency, identified the ship as the Marshall Islands-flagged Safeen Principal crude oil tanker, saying it lost power and suffered an engine-room fire. UKMTO later said that also on Friday, a ship in the same area was attacked by a rocket-propelled grenade, with the crew reported safe. About one-fifth of global oil exports passed through Hormuz before the war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Oil prices have soared during the war.

Iran denies nuclear ambitions, says ready for talks
Agence France Presse/October 17/2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied that Tehran sought nuclear weapons, expressed readiness for dialogue and condemned U.S. sanctions during talks with Georgia's prime minister. In his meeting with Georgian premier Irakli Kobakhidze, Pezeshkian also called for closer ties with Georgia, weeks after Tbilisi cut aviation links between the two countries following US sanctions targeting Iranian airlines. The two met on the sidelines of a UN biodiversity summit in Armenia's capital Yerevan. "Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, and we consider the malicious propaganda against our country to be lies," Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office. "We have always been ready for dialogue. They think they can force us to surrender, but we will not bow to coercion," he added, calling US sanctions against Tehran "unjustifiable and inhumane". In his meeting with Kobakhidze, Pezeshkian also called for a clear timetable to expand cooperation between Tehran and Tbilisi, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported. The report quoted Kobakhidze as saying he opposed foreign interference in neighbouring countries' internal affairs, but his office made no mention of those remarks in its own account of the meeting. It said the leaders had discussed bilateral ties and regional security, with Kobakhidze stressing the "importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve de-escalation and lasting peace". Georgia's Civil Aviation Agency said in September it would comply with the US sanctions regime, while Kobakhidze insisted Tbilisi was not imposing its own bilateral sanctions on Tehran.

Israel FM condemns "rioters" attack on European diplomatic delegation in West Bank
LBCI/October 17/2026
Israel's foreign minister on Saturday condemned Israeli "rioters" attack on a European diplomatic delegation in the West Bank, a rare statement critical of settlers by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government. "I strongly condemn the severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters in the area of Taybeh," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, while also faulting the diplomats for not coordinating with the Israeli military. AFP

Israeli settlers attack European diplomatic cars in West Bank, beat French mayor: Witnesses
LBCI/October 17/2026
Israeli settlers on Saturday attacked a convoy of European diplomats as they toured the occupied West Bank, beating up a visiting French mayor, a witness and two diplomats told AFP. Footage shared by a diplomat appeared to show Bernard Baudoux, 78, the leftist mayor of the northern town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, slumped on the ground against a car. Two diplomats and a resident confirmed his identity to AFP, with one diplomat saying his condition did not appear life-threatening. AFP

Saudi Arabia says intercepted drones over Riyadh, other regions
LBCI/October 17/2026
Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that it had intercepted four drones, including over the capital Riyadh, as the country comes under repeated fire from Yemen's Houthis. "We have intercepted and destroyed four drones over the past few hours in the regions of Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the South," Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed group, wrote on X. AFP

Iran actively supporting the Houthis: Report
Al Arabiya English/17 October/2026
Iran is supporting Yemen’s Houthis with weapons and training, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.Tehran was actively supplying drones, missiles and radars to the group despite denying any involvement in the country, the report said citing sources, thereby enabling them to launch its latest attacks on the internationally recognized government’s territory and Saudi Arabia. WSJ reported that Iran was initially using traditional dhow boats to bring in weapons and equipment, adding that it began resorting to submarines as the shipping was interrupted by Israeli and US strikes. Moreover, it said that information confirmed the presence of members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers on the ground at the frontlines in Yemen. Furthermore, WSJ reported that recent tactics used by the group indicated that they received training from Iran, citing military experts.In addition, the report said that the Houthis were planning further activities beyond Yemen’s borders, including threatening shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb, relying on intelligence.

Saudi-led coalition targets Houthi arms-smuggling, destroys missile launch platforms
Al Arabiya English/17 October/2026
The Saudi-led coalition Friday released a video displaying strikes targeting smuggling operations by Yemen’s Houthis by sea to the country’s Hodeidah governorate. The video, published by the coalition’s official spokesperson Major General Turki al-Malki, showed strikes targeting the transport of weapons smuggled to the group. Al-Malki on Saturday also announced the destruction of two ballistic missile launch platforms in Yemen’s Saada governorate. The Iran-led group has recently stepped up attacks on civilian infrastructure across the Kingdom. In turn, the coalition has launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia executes five nationals for joining ‘foreign terrorist organization’
Al Arabiya English/17 October/2026
Saudi Arabia on Saturday announced that five Saudi nationals had been executed for committing acts of terror against the Saudi state and its people. A statement by the Ministry of Interior named the five men, saying that they had committed “terrorist crimes that include joining a foreign terrorist organization, opening fire on security forces, security facilities, security vehicles using weapons and explosives, the possession of weapons and live ammunition and aiding, funding and carrying out terrorist operations in the Kingdom.” It added that the security forces were able to arrest the men, investigate them and transfer them to a “competent court” that sentenced them to death, a ruling then confirmed by the Supreme Court. Their sentences were then carried out in the Eastern Province following a royal order.

US military aids financial chokehold on Iran, blocking $25 billion in oil exports
Al Arabiya English/17 October/2026
The US military’s blockade on Iran is increasing financial pressure on Tehran, preventing at least $25 billion in crude oil exports, helping freeze hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency assets and contributing to mounting payroll problems within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the US Central Command chief said Friday. The measures are part of a broader campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s ability to finance its military, rebuild weapons factories and support militias and terrorist groups across the Middle East following the 38-day US military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said US forces, working closely with other government agencies, had delivered significant blows to Tehran in three key areas: oil exports, digital financing and payments to security forces. “So far, we’ve prevented Iran from exporting at least $25 billion worth of crude oil,” he said in a recorded video address. The commander said those funds would otherwise have been used to finance Iranian-backed militias, criminal networks and attacks against American forces and regional allies. CENTCOM has also supported US interagency efforts to freeze nearly $350 million in cryptocurrency assets, further restricting Tehran’s ability to finance armed groups or replace weapons and military infrastructure destroyed during the US campaign. The financial pressure is increasingly affecting Iran’s ability to pay its own security forces, including members of the IRGC, according to Cooper. He said Tehran was withholding salaries, pensions and benefits across several sectors, including oil, energy, manufacturing, construction and security. The financial strain has also reportedly extended to Iran-aligned militias across the region, some of which are withholding payments to their fighters to redirect funds to the IRGC. Cooper said the IRGC itself was struggling to pay its personnel, describing the developments as evidence of growing financial desperation within Iran’s security establishment. He also emphasized that the US naval blockade of Iran remains in effect, with humanitarian assistance the only exception to restrictions on maritime imports and exports. “As a point of emphasis, with the exception of the humanitarian assistance we’ve allowed in, Iran has no exports and no imports by sea,” he said.

Al-Sisi calls for emergency parliament session to authorize support for Saudi Arabia
Al Arabiya English/17 October/2026
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for an emergency session of parliament to authorize the armed forces to protect and support Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states if requested. Al-Sisi said the proposed intervention would be purely defensive, not offensive, stressing that Egypt would not abandon the Gulf states and would coordinate any necessary measures with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The president made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for the first class of the Egyptian Military Academy at its new headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. Al-Sisi also expressed gratitude for what he described as the historic support provided to Egypt by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. He recalled the countries’ financial, logistical and military assistance to Egypt in 2011 and 2013, including the provision of oil, wheat and gas. He reiterated his stance against any harm to the security and stability of Saudi Arabia, as well as the rejection of any harm to the security of the Red Sea and international maritime routes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the Kingdom's security and reducing escalation.

Netanyahu office alleges ‘smear’ campaign against Israel over settler attacks
AFP/17 October/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Saturday alleged a “smear” campaign against settlers, as he tried to cast doubt over the circumstances of an attack on European diplomats. “These reports come amid concerns about a coordinated campaign to smear Israel and the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria during the annual olive harvest, relying on sensational headlines before the full facts emerge,” his office said in a statement, using the biblical name for the West Bank.

Israeli settlers attack diplomatic cars in West Bank, beat French mayor: Witnesses
AFP/17 October/2026
Israeli settlers on Saturday attacked a convoy of European diplomats and beat up a visiting French mayor, in an escalation of recent violence during the Palestinian olive harvest, witnesses and diplomats told AFP. Cars from the French, Belgian and Polish missions had brought diplomats to visit Taybeh, a largely Christian village in the occupied West Bank, when settlers descended to stop Palestinians from gathering olives, witnesses said. Masked settlers made aggressive statements toward the diplomats before kicking Bernard Baudoux, 78, the leftist mayor of the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, according to witnesses and diplomats who confirmed his identity. Video footage seen by AFP showed Baudoux, wearing a sash in the French tricolor, slumped on the ground against a car. Two people who spoke to him said that he was hurt but did not need to go to hospital. The West Bank has seen an especially violent olive harvest season as Israeli settlers try to physically stop Palestinians from gathering their crops. On Friday, settlers seriously injured an American photographer for The Washington Post as she covered the harvest, and last week settlers beat up an AFP photographer. The violence comes during the final days of an election campaign in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has championed settlers as he seeks their support in the upcoming poll. Israel quickly condemned the attack on the diplomatic convoy, in contrast to Netanyahu’s response to the attack on the Washington Post photographer, in which he suggested that Palestinians or “far-left” activists shared blame. “I strongly condemn the severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters,” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said. However, Saar also criticized the consulates, saying they did not coordinate the trip with the military. Israeli police said that they had launched an investigation. “Efforts are underway to locate the victims, collect testimonies, and identify the suspects, with the aim of bringing them to justice,” a police statement said.

Egypt’s al-Sisi says his presidency will end in 2030
Reuters/17 October/2026
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that his presidential term would end in 2030 and that the question of his departure from office was settled, reaffirming that Egypt’s constitution would not be amended. “I said that the Egyptian constitution would not be touched,” he said. “This is an entirely settled matter and will not be discussed,” he added, referring to the end of his current term. Al-Sisi, 71, is serving a six-year term after winning re-election in December 2023. Constitutional amendments approved in a 2019 referendum extended presidential terms to six years from four and allowed al-Sisi to seek a third term, clearing the way for him to remain in office until 2030. A former general, al-Sisi rose to power in 2013 by toppling Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Mursi, after mass protests against his rule. He made the remarks on Saturday while attending a graduation ceremony for new classes at the Egyptian Military Academy.

Blast at Iraqi paramilitary alliance headquarters kills one, sources say
Reuters/17 October/2026
An explosion at the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) headquarters in Baghdad killed one member of the Iraqi paramilitary group and wounded four others, according to a security and a medical source. The group earlier said a stockpile of obsolete ammunition exploded. The PMU, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella group of paramilitary factions that has been formally integrated into Iraq’s state security forces and includes several groups aligned with Iran.

French protesters briefly break into town hall in Marseille: Report
AFP/17 October/2026
Protesters briefly broke into the town hall of France’s second city Marseille on Saturday amid nationwide protests against the cost of living, an AFP reporter said. Masked protesters rammed the door with security barriers. Several then entered, one spray painting an anarchist “A” symbol on a wall before police intervened, the reporter said. “We’re taking the Bastille,” one demonstrator shouted in reference to the 1789 storming of a fortress during the French Revolution. Protesters also set fire to a tourism office in the French city of Lyon on Saturday, on the sidelines of nationwide cost-of-living demonstrations, an AFP reporter saw. The attack occurred in a central square where groups of hooded youths were throwing projectiles and fireworks mortars at the police, who responded with tear gas, dispersal grenades and a water cannon.

Haze triggers highest-level alert in parts of Southeast Asia
AFP/17 October/2026
Fires in Indonesia that have sent toxic smoke and disrupted daily life across Southeast Asia have triggered the highest-level alert by the regional bloc’s meteorological monitor. The months-long pollution spell has closed schools, fueled a surge in respiratory conditions and restricted outdoor activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor. “This thing needs to stop,” Zul Hafiz, a 39-year-old teacher cycling from the Malaysian city of Shah Alam to the capital, told AFP on Saturday, calling on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take action. The 11-country organization’s ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) said in a notice on its website on Friday that it had activated “Alert Level 3 for the Southern ASEAN region” - the highest rung of a four-tiered alert system. The alert level is triggered when there is a “high risk of severe transboundary haze in the region” and is reserved for widespread moderate to dense smoke haze, observed over two or more consecutive days. The ASMC has already issued two Level 3 alerts this year, according to its website. Singapore ranked second on IQAir’s live ranking of the world’s most polluted major cities behind Baghdad on Saturday, with Kuala Lumpur third. All readings showed “very hazardous” levels.”
‘Irresponsible behavior’
Indonesia said Saturday it had been using dry ice at one of South Sumatra province’s main airports in an attempt to disperse the haze. The country’s national disaster mitigation agency said that 2.4 tonnes of dry ice were dispersed by plane. “The smoke not only reduces visibility and disrupts aircraft operations, but also affects residents’ health,” the agency warned. The haze has disrupted life across Southeast Asia, sparking fresh calls for action from those affected. “It’s a bit unfair on Malaysia because of the irresponsible behavior of our neighboring country,” Khairul Azhar, a 33-year-old bank officer told AFP in Kuala Lumpur. “This is affecting our weekend routine - not just for us but many Malaysians,” he said. In Indonesia’s Palangkaraya - part of the epicenter of the fires where thick haze turned the skies into apocalyptic shades of yellow and orange - residents said they were suffering from its effects on Saturday. “The haze has a big impact on us, especially on health and the economy, with our income decreasing,” said Marzuki, a 38-year-old mechanic who like many in Indonesia, goes by only one name. “Right now the economy is already very difficult, and the haze just makes it worse,” he told AFP, adding that this year’s situation was worse than even previous major bouts of haze in 2015. “Hopefully it rains soon, the fires go out, and the smoke disappears so that activities can return to normal and it’s easier to earn a living again,” he said.
‘What else to do?’
Joko, 51, a construction worker, said he had no choice but to keep on working or he would lose out on income. “The thick smoke, when inhaled, makes it hard to breathe and stings the eyes, but what else can you do? This is how we earn a living,” Joko said, explaining he had no fixed income and relied on daily wage jobs. In East Timor, unhealthy air pollution persisted on Saturday, including in the capital Dili, according to IQAir. Authorities warned that the situation may worsen on Saturday and schools were closed. Singapore said Friday it would issue warnings to seven companies in Indonesia it identified as responsible for the fires. Philippines foreign department spokesman for ASEAN issues, Dominic Xavier Imperial, said Friday that the haze would be discussed at upcoming meetings ahead of a November ASEAN summit in Manila.

The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on October 17-18/2026
Islam's Welcoming Not-for-Profit Organizations
Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/October 17, 2026
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22922/islamic-nonprofit-organizations
A Muslim's duty, we were taught in the Middle East, is to promote and establish Islamic government. Failing to do so means one's religion and duty to Allah remain incomplete. Everyone must perform jihad (holy war; struggle in the cause of Islam) to impose Allah's law on the world's population. Everyone is a mujahid (fighter, from the word jihad). The promised end is one Islamic ruler under whom Allah's sovereignty is complete on Earth.
We were also taught that when, in an election, the choice is between a Muslim and a non-Muslim candidate, a Muslim must always vote for the Muslim. Voting for a non-Muslim is voting against Allah. Character does not matter. Ability does not matter. All that matters is religion.
In Islam, you cannot be a passive religious observer. The core of Muslim identity, we were taught, requires active struggle for the political project. The founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, put it: "We shall export our revolution to the whole world. Until the cry 'There is no god but Allah' resounds over the whole world, there will be struggle [jihad]."
This doctrinal demand makes it hard to believe the claims of Islamist nonprofit organizations that they are purely charitable and apolitical. American taxpayers lavishly subsidize them through the Internal Revenue Service's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for charitable organizations.
According to the report, when the conduct of these groups was measured against IRS guidance on the ban against political campaign intervention by charities, the conduct detailed in the report closely tracks the agency's examples of prohibited activity. These activities include endorsing candidates, seeking campaign donations, circulating campaign materials, giving platforms to candidates without comparable access for opponents, and releasing scorecards or voting records timed to election seasons.
Americans are effectively underwriting institutions that instruct congregants on how God requires them to vote and then handing the microphone to favored candidates.
[T]he IRS possesses the legal tools, the evidence, and its own training materials, yet appears to lack the will to act.
The report's author, Mahyar Entezari, emphasized that every episode rests on video, audio, newsletters, convention materials, social media posts, and published accounts, but that "no organization has faced any consequence."
[US Representative Chip] stated it is absurd that groups with links to terrorism continue to receive tax benefits that effectively have American taxpayers subsidizing threats against themselves.
The MEF has urged the IRS and Treasury Department to scrutinize every organization named in the report, apply available taxes and revocation remedies, and review groups still soliciting deductible contributions.
The report points out that the IRS and Treasury Department have the statutes, the guidance, and the evidence before them. The question is whether they will enforce the law and act on anything.
The most concrete illustration of tax-exempt Islamist groups stepping directly into US electoral contests involves the 2026 Michigan Democratic Party primary for the US Senate. Abdul El-Sayed prevailed on August 4 by roughly 13,800 votes — a margin under one percent. In the preceding weeks, imams at several tax-exempt Michigan mosques urged support for him from the pulpit, and two of them brought the candidate onto the pulpit during services.
Growing up in Islamic societies in Iran and Syria, all of us could see that there is not even an iota of chance that any Islamist organization or mosque could exist as truly non-political or apolitical.
In schools and at university, we were taught that Islam differs fundamentally from other religions and spiritual practices. Whereas Christianity and Judaism allow for private faith and a separation between religion and state, Islam does not. From its inception in the seventh century, Islam was political. It was not a private spiritual matter. It was about creating a universal government run by Allah. Everything in society must be ordered by Sharia — what they call Allah's law or God's law.
A Muslim's duty, we were taught in the Middle East, is to promote and establish Islamic government. Failing to do so means one's religion and duty to Allah remain incomplete. Everyone must perform jihad (holy war; struggle in the cause of Islam) to impose Allah's law on the world's population. Everyone is a mujahid (fighter, from the word jihad). The promised end is one Islamic ruler under whom Allah's sovereignty is complete on Earth. Until then, the struggle continues. Taqiyya — dissimulation, including lying when needed to protect Islam — is recommended to advance that end.
We were also taught that when, in an election, the choice is between a Muslim and a non-Muslim candidate, a Muslim must always vote for the Muslim. Voting for a non-Muslim is voting against Allah. Character does not matter. Ability does not matter. All that matters is religion.
In Islam, you cannot be a passive religious observer. The core of Muslim identity, we were taught, requires active struggle for the political project. The founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, put it: "We shall export our revolution to the whole world. Until the cry 'There is no god but Allah' resounds over the whole world, there will be struggle [jihad]."
This doctrinal demand makes it hard to believe the claims of Islamist nonprofit organizations that they are purely charitable and apolitical. American taxpayers lavishly subsidize them through the Internal Revenue Service's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for charitable organizations. A recent report from the Middle East Forum (MEF), "Weaponized Charity: Islamist Nonprofit Electioneering in America," examines how certain tax-exempt Islamist groups have stepped directly into US electoral contests.
According to the report, when the conduct of these groups was measured against IRS guidance on the ban against political campaign intervention by charities, the conduct detailed in the report closely tracks the agency's examples of prohibited activity. These activities include endorsing candidates, seeking campaign donations, circulating campaign materials, giving platforms to candidates without comparable access for opponents, and releasing scorecards or voting records timed to election seasons.
The most concrete illustration involves the 2026 Michigan Democratic Party primary for the US Senate. Abdul El-Sayed prevailed on August 4 by roughly 13,800 votes — a margin under one percent. In the preceding weeks, imams at several tax-exempt Michigan mosques urged support for him from the pulpit, and two of them brought the candidate onto the pulpit during services.
According to the report, at the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights, Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi — an Iranian-trained cleric who earlier served in the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy's Political-Ideological Bureau — welcomed El-Sayed and told the congregation that he intended to vote for him. He reportedly added that voting is "as wajib [religiously required] as prayer" and called on everyone to "vote for Brother Abdul El-Sayed."
The following day at the Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center in Dearborn, Imam Husham Al-Husainy reportedly appeared alongside El-Sayed and described a win for the candidate as a "victory to God."
In Canton, an imam at the Muslim Educational Community Center of America told worshippers it was "mandatory" to elect "brother Abdul El-Sayed" because "at least we know he's a Muslim."
The report goes on illustrating that elsewhere, clerics employed language that the IRS itself regards as coded campaign messaging.
At the Islamic Institute of America, for instance, Imam Hassan Qazwini called voting a "religious duty" and cautioned against allowing a "Zionist candidate" to prevail.
On Labor Day weekend, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) provided El-Sayed a prominent speaking slot at its Detroit convention while his campaign operated an exhibitor booth featuring donation QR codes, campaign literature and "Muslims for Abdul" banners. The convention program described the candidate in language that mirrored material from a political action committee supporting him. After El-Sayed's speech, ISNA's chief executive, while asserting institutional neutrality, remarked that Muslims "know exactly what decision they should take."
The IRS explicitly warns against political fundraising at candidate events.
The MEF investigation notes that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has issued color-coded congressional scorecards — some highlighting incumbents facing re-election — in every federal election year from 2018 through 2024, but not in the intervening non-election years. This timing pattern, it seems, is one the IRS views as evidence of election-related intervention. In addition, according to the MEF, the 2024 scorecard appeared on the website of CAIR Foundation, Inc., the group's 501(c)(3) arm. CAIR, according to the report, has also outlined an expanded election effort for the current cycle.
The report cites additional cases, including a New Jersey mosque linked to Turkey's Diyanet, which solicited donations on social media for a congressional candidate, a Queens mosque whose parent organization received funding from the Alavi Foundation (an entity federal prosecutors had accused of being controlled by Iran, later resolved in a 2026 settlement without admission of wrongdoing) which hosted Democratic primary candidates at Friday prayers, and other groups with documented connections to Iran, Turkey or the Muslim Brotherhood — several of whose branches the US government had designated as terrorist organizations in early 2026.
The MEF report states that despite the volume of documented activity, enforcement remains rare. The IRS has identified political campaign intervention in more than two-thirds of the 501(c)(3) organizations it has examined on this issue since 2004. Gregg Roman, executive director of the MEF, observed that tax exemption functions as a public subsidy, and that Americans are effectively underwriting institutions that instruct congregants on how God requires them to vote and then handing the microphone to favored candidates. Roman argued that the IRS possesses the legal tools, the evidence, and its own training materials, yet appears to lack the will to act.
The report's author, Mahyar Entezari, emphasized that every episode rests on video, audio, newsletters, convention materials, social media posts, and published accounts, but that "no organization has faced any consequence."
Some lawmakers have begun responding. US Representative Chip Roy of Texas introduced the No Tax-Exemptions for Terror Act, which would strip tax-exempt status from extremist organizations with close ties to terrorist groups, including CAIR. Co-sponsors include Representatives Randy Fine, Byron Donalds, Clay Higgins, Andy Ogles, Keith Self, Diana Harshbarger, Mary Miller, Andrew Clyde, Andy Biggs, and Eric Burlison.
Roy stated it is absurd that groups with links to terrorism continue to receive tax benefits that effectively have American taxpayers subsidizing threats against themselves. He pointed to CAIR's associations with Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and related networks, and noted that the organization's national executive director had praised the October 7 attacks.
Senator Rick Scott introduced companion legislation, joined by Senator Marsha Blackburn. Both argued that organizations identified by the FBI as having terrorist connections should not receive charitable tax treatment and that America should not fund those it fights.
The MEF has urged the IRS and Treasury Department to scrutinize every organization named in the report, apply available taxes and revocation remedies, and review groups still soliciting deductible contributions. The MEF has also called on the Federal Election Commission to examine whether any of these entities provided things of value — such as pulpit time or official communication channels — to federal campaigns, and on state regulators in Michigan, New York, and New Jersey to open parallel inquiries under charitable-trust and campaign-finance laws. It calls on Congressional committees to refer the documented cases and to require greater public reporting on the IRS's compliance work on political activity.
The report points out that the IRS and Treasury Department have the statutes, the guidance, and the evidence before them. The question is whether they will enforce the law and act on anything.
In Iran under the Shah, prior to the Islamic Revolution, Islamist organizations frequently began by presenting themselves as charitable or purely religious entities. They enjoyed the legal protections and financial advantages that the status conferred, then later revealed and expanded their political reach. The pattern is visible.
When US tax-exempt pulpits and convention floors can help decide a Senate primary by a margin of less than one percent, the longer-term stakes are foreseeable. Americans should not underestimate groups whose foundational doctrine, as was drummed into us, treat the political struggle for Islamic governance as a religious obligation.
As an eyewitness who grew up inside Islamic societies, I can assure the West without hesitation that there is not a chance — not even the slightest — that an Islamist organization or mosque can be genuinely apolitical or non-political. Politicization is woven into the identity itself. As we were taught, one's duty is to struggle, to conquer, and to establish Islamic government across the world. That goal is not a side project. It is presented as the entire completion of the faith.
As shown in the MEF's investigation, taxpayers are subsidizing organizations that enjoy tax-exempt privileges, collect public benefits, and pay nothing in return while advancing a political-religious agenda. Such groups already helped tip a Senate primary decided by less than one percent of the vote. Imagine the same networks applying the same methods to a presidential race. With margins that thin, the White House itself, as many are doubtless hoping, could one day be within reach. No religion must ever be allowed to become a vehicle for controlling a government while simultaneously ripping off the very taxpayers who underwrite its tax-free status.
*Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a political scientist, Harvard-educated analyst, and board member of Harvard International Review. He has authored several books on the US foreign policy. He can be reached at dr.rafizadeh@post.harvard.edu
*Follow Majid Rafizadeh on X (formerly Twitter)
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.

The Final Weeks are Tehran's Wager
Mohammed al-Rumaihi/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 17/2026
I believe the Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia carries an Iranian wager on the days left before the American midterm elections. Striking airports and threatening oil installations cannot be explained by the Yemeni conflict alone. Someone wants the cost of these attacks to reach the American voter's pocket, so that he walks into the polling station angry and hands the Republicans' opponents a majority that will constrain the president for the rest of his term. More than one official in Tehran has repeated that if Iran cannot export its oil, no one in the region will. That is clear evidence.
The elections fall on November 3, less than three weeks away, at the midpoint of the presidency. Voters renew all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and about a third of the Senate. They do not choose a president, but they decide whether he governs with a supportive majority or a hostile one. Losing the majority would obstruct his legislation and spending, though not his powers in foreign policy.
Energy is the crux. An American who pays more for gasoline and for his daily needs will not read the details of the Middle East conflict. He will hold his government to account. That is what Tehran is counting on: cut supplies, prices rise; the governing party weakens; the governing party weakens, Tehran buys time. It is a tempting calculation for those used to reading events as they wish, in the service of their own project.
The Kingdom is a principal target in that calculation. It is the region's largest oil exporter, and its East-West pipeline carries oil to the Red Sea ports, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has a second outlet through Fujairah. But the sheer volume of Saudi supply gives it special weight in covering shortfalls. Whoever strikes its installations wants to disable that role, and make consumers pay for his threat to the sea lanes.
This explains why the attack on Saudi Arabia coincided with the Houthi attempt to tighten their grip on Bab al-Mandab. When the threat to Hormuz lost some of its force, control of Bab al-Mandab became the requirement. When that failed, and the chances of disrupting navigation in the southern Red Sea receded, the Houthis- and, reportedly, the Iranian weapons experts and Hezbollah members with them- turned on the Kingdom, which keeps the world's oil flowing, and struck its civilian institutions.
The Houthis play their part in this equation, and they have their own ambitions in Yemen. But what guarantees that Tehran will stand by them once it is offered a deal that lets it survive? Nothing. I fear they will learn too late that weapons from Tehran do not make them a partner in its decisions. Tehran's need for them may end, and Yemenis will be left alone with the ruin their adventures have brought.
Trump, for his part, has tried to ease the cost of these final weeks. He has announced arrangements on Russian energy and increased diesel supplies, which I read as an attempt to calm the market before Americans vote. Success depends on fast implementation and on the shipments actually arriving. An announced agreement does not lower the price at the pump the next morning, but the electoral motive behind the haste is clear enough.
What Tehran's calculation misses is that a Republican loss, if it comes, is not a victory for Tehran. A president constrained at home by an opposition majority can still act broadly abroad. The Democrats may disagree with him on how to deal with Iran without accepting its blackmail of the world. Calling him a "lame duck" flattens a more complex reality, and offers Iran's leaders a reassurance that rests on nothing.
Nor are American voters the only ones paying for the threat to energy. Industrial states, developing economies, and consumers far from the region all bear the cost. I do not say the world has agreed to bring down the Iranian regime. I do say that the wider the damage, the costlier any leniency toward Iran's conduct becomes. An escalation meant to divide its adversaries may end by drawing them together and widening joint action against it.
The Houthis, in my view, have made two mistakes: attacking the Kingdom, and threatening Bab al-Mandab. The first targets a state with broad interests and partnerships. The second touches a passage the world needs. Together they widen the confrontation and make the Houthi danger harder to ignore. They may score a military hit here or there, but the hits hide from their supporters what this adventure will cost them.
Yemenis rid themselves of the imamate more than half a century ago, and they have the right to a state that grants no group a divine mandate to rule. Yemeni resistance to this project is broad, even if divisions have weakened it. Supporting Yemen means gathering the forces that reject the coup around a state and citizenship, rather than leaving them to quarrel while the Houthis impose themselves by force. The quarrel with this project is about the right of states to stability, the right of their peoples to development, and every Yemeni's right to a school, a hospital, and a job.
We in the Gulf cannot afford to wait for Tehran's mistakes. The Kingdom's security is the security of all of us, and protecting its installations and sea lanes is a direct Gulf interest. That requires serious defense coordination, political work that brings allies together, and media that explain plainly what is happening. Our preparedness should not hinge on who wins in Washington. The elections are America's business. Protecting our societies and our development is ours, and we will do it with our friends, starting with ourselves.
Last word: the results of the American elections may change, but Tehran's predicament runs deeper than a ballot box.

A Legitimate Right
Sawsan al-Shaer/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 17/2026
In this war, many cards have been shuffled together in the virtual world. Shuffling them in the media does not make them reality on the ground, and it confers no legitimate right on whoever did the shuffling. Nor should it stop us, as the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, from asserting our own.The entry of a regional power, Israel, and an international one, the United States, into the war on Iran does not give Iran the right to drag the Gulf states into its battle in the name of self-defense. Iran knows the Gulf states are not, and never were, a party to this war. Blending its flimsy justifications into the Israeli-American war on it does not turn them into facts, and it gives Iran no right to attack the Gulf states, directly or through its proxies.
By the same token, the war's having begun as an Israeli-Iranian one does not make the GCC states a party on Israel's side. Some of them have agreements with Israel, but none of those agreements is military.
What the GCC states are doing is exercising their legitimate right of self-defense. That is the reality. Their measures are the ones the international community supports, whether through individual states or through the Security Council.
The same confusion is at work elsewhere. That Europe is at odds with the American administration is no reason for European states to abandon their interests and accept a reality imposed by Iran, in which the energy and resources they need are blocked from reaching them through the waterways. Defending those interests, through security cooperation with the states bordering the waterways, does not mean joining a war started by Israel or the United States. It is the legitimate right of every state that depends on those waterways, and its duty to its own interests.
The same holds for East Asia. Condemnation alone does not absolve its states of responsibility for protecting their interests, and taking a larger role in securing the waterways does not make them partners of a rival such as the United States. The responsibility falls on everyone harmed by this illegitimate blackmail.
That is where the Gulf states' leverage lies. Their legitimate right of self-defense includes the right to tie their shared interests with these states to their own security, and to hold those states to their responsibilities. This is not blackmail of the kind Iran practices. It is a refusal to wait on, or accept excuses from, states that are slow to do their part. Shuffling these cards together in the media does not make them fact. The shared interests between the Gulf states and the states that depend on the waterways are the fixed point from which Gulf diplomacy should proceed. Those interests call for a joint Gulf diplomatic campaign, one that turns them into leverage and presses those states to face their responsibilities in this bitter reality.

Post-US Midterm Elections: The Region Faces a Comprehensive Settlement That Leaves No One Out
Daoud Rammal/Nidaa Al-Watan/October 17, 2026
Following the US midterm elections, the region is heading toward a distinct political phase—one that may redraw the rules of engagement and negotiation across multiple arenas, regardless of the specific outcomes at the US ballot boxes. According to a political analysis of regional developments, the issue is no longer about managing crises individually or reaching partial understandings that collapse at the first sign of pressure. Instead, the focus has shifted toward a comprehensive settlement—one that places all interconnected dossiers on a single table, paving the way for an integrated approach to addressing various flashpoints. In this context, the expectation is not for one party to negotiate on behalf of another, nor for the fate of one state to be decided by a third party; rather, the concerned actors must sit at the negotiating table themselves, with each nation representing its own interests and taking responsibility for its own choices and national priorities. This approach gains particular significance in light of reports from well-informed diplomatic circles regarding a communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun. According to these sources, the substance of Araghchi’s remarks stood in striking contrast to the escalatory tone adopted by Hezbollah in its domestic rhetoric. Araghchi emphasized that wars fail to achieve desired outcomes and lead only to destruction and ruin, asserting that the solution lies in negotiation. He further noted that Tehran has informed mediators of its continued commitment to the memorandum of understanding concluded in Islamabad. If the diplomatic interpretation of its content is accurate, this message reveals a divergence between the logic of settlement—as articulated by Tehran—and the escalatory calculations evident in the political and military discourse of Hezbollah. Furthermore, the message carries implications that extend beyond Iran’s immediate stance; it acknowledges the primacy of a negotiated path, signaling that war is neither an inevitable fate nor a guaranteed instrument for securing gains. In this light, Iran’s position can be seen as—to a certain extent—aligning with the Lebanese state’s preference to negotiate independently, grounded in its own constitutional institutions and national interests, rather than operating through a proxy logic or tethering Lebanese decision-making to broader regional calculations. The potential for a settlement does not appear limited to Lebanon or issues directly tied to the confrontation with Israel. Political indicators suggest that any comprehensive regional understanding would remain incomplete if it excluded other theaters—from Yemen to the Red Sea, including the Houthi issue—which, under this perspective, could be resolved given the necessary political will and mutual guarantees. The interconnected nature of these issues renders any attempt to address each crisis in isolation largely ineffective; conversely, a comprehensive approach offers an opportunity to exchange guarantees, alleviate concerns, and forge more sustainable settlements.
Conversely, the escalation pursued by Hezbollah—ranging from the announcement regarding the arrival of $200 million to reports concerning the transport of explosives—raises serious questions about the extent of its commitment to the decisions of the Lebanese government and the sovereignty of state institutions. Developments of this nature—should their details be confirmed—cannot be treated merely as political wrangling; rather, they serve as a test of the state’s capacity to implement its own decisions and enforce the rule of law. The government has chosen to stand by its decisions and refer the relevant matters to the judiciary, affirming that disputes must be addressed through constitutional and judicial institutions, rather than through the imposition of faits accomplis or a reliance on the logic of force.
In this context, the meetings held by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, have taken on added significance as part of efforts to contain tensions and open new political avenues. There is a potential here to reactivate channels for direct dialogue between Hezbollah and Lebanon’s constitutional authorities—a move that would allow for the discussion of differences, unencumbered by the preconditions that the group typically sets for entering into any such dialogue. Ultimately, however, the success of this path depends on the willingness of all parties to acknowledge the authority of the state and respect its decisions.
Consequently, the period ahead may prove to be a decisive test for both Lebanon and the region. It could lead either to a transition from mere crisis management toward a broader settlement that restores the standing of the state and the process of negotiation, or to a continued escalation—bringing with it the risks of exhaustion and destruction. In either scenario, the core question is no longer who possesses the power to obstruct a solution, but rather who is capable of engaging in one based on realistic terms—before regional and international shifts impose a settlement that no party can afford the luxury of ignoring.

Trump Brandishes the "Mother of All Bombs" Against Iran... To Breach a Mountain Stronghold or to Force a Breakthrough in Negotiations?
Samih Saab/An-Nahar/October 17, 2026
The escalating threats between the United States and Iran of late are reminiscent of the atmosphere that prevailed prior to the war on February 28th. This creates the impression that the next war is no longer a matter of "if," but rather "when." The only thing that could pull both sides back from the brink is a diplomatic breakthrough in the eleventh hour of this escalation. Reports from Washington point to military preparations ordered by President Donald Trump—most notably, plans to deploy what is known as the "Mother of All Bombs" (GBU-43/B). Weighing 21,600 pounds, it ranks among the most powerful non-nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal. During his first term in 2017, Trump authorized the U.S. military to use this same bomb against ISIS fighters in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, experts question how effective the use of the "Mother of All Bombs" would be in achieving Trump’s strategic objectives regarding Iran. This, however, does not diminish the risks associated with resorting to such a weapon, nor the potential for it to further intensify the conflict between Washington and Tehran. The "Mother of All Bombs" is being added to a range of other military options, amid a U.S. buildup expected to include three aircraft carriers and approximately 20,000 U.S. Marines by the end of October. Meanwhile, Trump is weighing the possibility of a strike on Jabal al-Fas—a mountain located two kilometers south of the Natanz nuclear facility—amid U.S. and Israeli suspicions that Iran may be concealing part of its nuclear program in tunnels within the mountain. The message Trump intends to send to Tehran is that the United States is fully prepared to wage a new war, with only the "zero hour" left to be determined. In recent days, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other Iranian officials have issued several statements warning Washington against launching new strikes. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi asserted that "Iran is prepared to respond to any new aggression with greater force than ever before," adding that "the repercussions of any new aggression against Iran would be far more painful this time." The Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted the commander of the IRGC Navy, Admiral Ali Ozmaei, as threatening to sink U.S. warships should they approach the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, noting that his forces are closely monitoring the movements of the U.S. Navy in the region. These Iranian warnings have coincided with an escalation in attacks on commercial vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz via the Omani route. Iran has shifted its tactics from targeting vessels with projectiles—merely to obstruct their passage—to actively sinking them. This is evidenced by the cases of the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged vessel "Cape Dow" and the Singapore-flagged "GFS Pride."
Oil and Elections: Mutual Leverage
This shift in Iranian attacks reflects Tehran’s determination to maintain instability in global oil markets and exert economic pressure on Washington, in an attempt to influence the U.S. midterm elections on November 3. Consequently, Trump has intensified his participation in Republican campaign rallies, seeking to bolster support for the party’s candidates—all while opinion polls suggest that Republicans could lose control of at least the House of Representatives, with the race for the Senate remaining highly competitive. Amid the intensifying "drums of war" from both sides, mediators continue to relay messages between Washington and Tehran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that his country has conveyed proposals to the Qatari mediator regarding the fulfillment of Iran’s conditions, and that it is awaiting a final response from the U.S. by next Tuesday. Will these mutual threats of war serve as a form of leverage—providing momentum for a political process and a return to the negotiating table—or is the Middle East destined for a new, and potentially far more catastrophic, armed conflict?

Selected Face Book & X tweets on October 17/2026
Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Christians of Lebanon still complaining of a wave of Muslims (mostly Shia with Hezbollah and Iran money) buying Christian real estate. Peter below demands the government interfere (like Britain prohibited sale of land from Muslim to Jews in Mandate Palestine in the 1930s). I disagree with such approach. There are two ways to solve this problem:
1- Wealthy Lebanese Christians in Lebanon and the diaspora set up a fund that buys all this real estate from Christians who need to sell, then resell back to Christians who might need to buy now or later.
2- Maronite Church bringing all Christian oligarchs, lawmakers, and forcing them to issue a joint statement demanding that Hezbollah be disarmed now. This allows the economy to grow and Christians who are selling their real estate and emigrating will likely stay in the country and not sell real estate, given the improving economy.
Druze might want to consider a similar measure (Jumblatt currently buys Druze real estate, but this is not sustainable and the Druze are still emigrating and vanishing like Lebanon’s Christians — Jumblatt says Maronites and Druze are now like America’s indigenous natives).

Zéna Mansour ܙܺܝܢܵܐ ܡܲܢܨܘܪ
From 1955 to 2026 - It is time to launch a campaign for peace.
This includes abolishing outdated measures, notably Lebanon’s law boycotting Israel, at a time when the entire Arab and Islamic region has engaged in peace and direct and indirect relations.
Around 10 neighboring countries now live in a state of open peace, normalization, and direct contact with Israel, including:
- Trade in produce, gas, oil, and electricity
- Exchange of embassies and diplomatic representation
- Economic liaison offices
- Open commercial ties and movement of goods and passengers
- Tourism and travel
- Security, intelligence, and military cooperation
- Direct flights between capitals
- Official and private business delegations
In what era is Lebanon living? Are we still stuck in 1955? Are MPs afraid to speak out for fear of losing votes and to serve domestic and foreign agendas?
Full support for Ambassador Nada Hamadé Mouawad.

Dan Burmawi
https://x.com/DanBurmawy/status/2110947897416053015/video/1
Listen to this Lebanese journalist, on a Lebanese channel from inside Lebanon, answering the question of whether Israel is the devil in the region.
Everyone in Lebanon knows that Israel never initiated aggression against Lebanon. It has always been Muslims and leftists dragging Lebanon into wars with Israel by turning Lebanon into a launching pad for every failed Islamic cause.

איתמר כהן@ItamarCohen100
Muafak Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, announced support for Netanyahu. He praised the Prime Minister for the assistance to the Syrian Druze: "The Druze community cherishes and appreciates from the depths of its heart his actions and leadership."