English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For October 25/2026
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news

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Bible Quotations For today
The Talents Parable/As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25/14-30/:”‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.”His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Titles For The English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on October 24-25/2026
Statement of Condemnation and Denunciation Regarding the terrorist attack on Hammoud Church in Karak – Jordan And the terrorist attack in Hebron – West Bank/Elias Bejjani/October 23/2026
Why Is Benjamin Netanyahu’s Re-Election a Strategic Interest for Lebanon?/Elias Bejjani/October 23/2026
Elias Bejjani’s Writings and Commentaries/Joseph Hanna/October 24/2026
New U.S. Warning on Lebanon… Which Areas Are Covered by the Evacuation Call?
Ongoing Disagreements Between Lebanon and Israel Prevent Implementation of the “Framework Agreement”… Tampa Meetings End Without Results or Joint Statement
Explosions in Khiam and Earthworks in Shebaa Amid Ongoing Aerial Violation of the South and Bekaa
Airstrikes in the South… Deadline for Palestinian Camps and Upcoming Lebanese Talks in Qatar
UNIFIL: Peace in Southern Lebanon Is Not Guaranteed
Aoun seeks to 'strengthen trust between state and residents' in visit to Tripoli
President Aoun from Tripoli: Fighting corruption a priority, judicial independence essential
US reduces staffing in Lebanon, 3 Arab countries over Iran fears
The “Liberation” Equation Has Become Clear… The Ball Is in the State’s Court!
U.S. Embassy Warns Its Citizens in Lebanon: Leave These Areas Immediately!
700 Square Kilometers Under Israeli Occupation in Lebanon: What Does the ‘Security Belt’ Mean?
What lies behind the change in official attire during the President’s and his ministers’ visit to Tripoli today?/Colonel Charbel barakat/October24/2026

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 24-25/2026
Iran Reportedly in ‘Advanced Stages’ of Planning Attacks Against Americans
Iranian president to meet Putin in Moscow
US spy chief warns Iran has ramped up efforts to target Americans
Iran’s Pezeshkian blames US for interim deal failure, urges new try
Iran says US military not allowed to enter Gulf 'under any circumstances'
US could strike Iran this weekend, Barrack says
Signs point to renewed major US military ops against Iran
Death toll in Jordan church shooting rises to nine
Jordan’s King Abdullah orders security review, vows firm response to church attack
Terrorist Attack on Church in Jordan's Karak Leaves Dozens Dead, Wounded
Israel launches major West Bank operation after soldiers killed
US Embassy Says Security Ramped up in Jordan after Deadly Church Attack
Netanyahu Says Palestinian Authority in for 'Big Surprise'
Saudi-led coalition intercepts ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh
Debris from two intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles falls in Mecca
Saudi intercepts two missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu, alerts issued in Mecca and Jeddah
Houthis say targeted three Saudi airports, oil facilities, pipeline in past day
Rubio Urges Cubans to Work with CIA, but Warns: Be Discreet
Clashes erupt in Paris after demonstration over cost of living

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on October 24-25/2026
If You Love This Country, When You Vote, Consider the Policies That Islamist Sharia Ideology Demands/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/October 24/2026
The Church Massacre in Karak/Mamdouh al-Muhainy/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Europe: Protests, the Far Right and a Struggling Economy/Emile Ameen/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Safe Passageways: Global Interests and a Shared Responsibility/Dr. Ibrahim Al-Othaimin/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Something in Tehran Resembles What Once Unfolded in Moscow/Mohammed al-Rumaihi/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Analysis: Muslim Brotherhood - Part Chameleon, Part Octopus/Yigal Carmon/MEMRI/October 24/2026

Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on October 24-25/2026 (Some of the News reports below are translated from Arabic by AI)
Statement of Condemnation and Denunciation Regarding the terrorist attack on Hammoud Church in Karak – Jordan And the terrorist attack in Hebron – West Bank
Elias Bejjani/October 23/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158518/
Today October 23, 2026, two cowardly terrorist crimes were committed that warrant the strongest terms of condemnation, denunciation and revulsion:
First: The massacre at Hammoud Church of the Greek Orthodox in Karak Governorate – Southern Jordan
The fact that an armed group of terrorists stormed a house of God in a vehicle, and opened fire indiscriminately and continuously for five minutes inside Hammoud Church and at its entrance, during a funeral ceremony attended by between 150 and 200 people, resulting in at least 7 martyrs and 34 wounded, most of them elderly between 50 and 70 years of age, is a barbaric, savage, jihadi, takfiri, criminal, satanic act that has nothing to do with humanity, religion, or morality.
Turning a burial ceremony into a bloody massacre inside a sacred place dedicated to prayer, peace and mercy reveals the true ugly face of jihadi terrorism, and confirms that political, terrorist, jihadi Islam in both its Sunni and Shiite wings constitutes an existential danger not only to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its Christian-Muslim national fabric, but also to international peace and security and to human civilization in every country of the world.
This vile and cowardly act targets Jordanian national unity, targets the authentic Christian presence in the Mashreq, and targets all values of coexistence and peace.
Second: The terrorist operation at a checkpoint near Hebron
In the same terrorist context, severe condemnation is recorded for the treacherous terrorist operation that took place on Friday morning at a temporary checkpoint at the exit of the city of Hebron, where two armed Palestinian gunmen, armed with an assault rifle, a pistol and a large quantity of ammunition, opened fire on the checkpoint, leading to the killing of two Israeli soldiers and the wounding of three others with varying injuries.
Targeting soldiers while performing their security duty, while preliminary investigations by the Israel Defense Forces indicate that the terrorists were planning to carry out a larger attack against civilians on Route 35, is a cowardly terrorist act condemned by all standards, especially after the terrorist Hamas movement described the operation as “heroic”.
The Principled Position
Although different in location, both crimes stem from one swamp, the swamp of global jihadi terrorism, and this calls for the following positions:
Political, terrorist, jihadi Islam, in its Sunni wing represented by Hamas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram, and its Shiite wing represented by the Iranian regime, Hezbollah, the Houthis and the rest of the militias, is the number one enemy of human civilization. There is no peace or stability in the Middle East and the world without uprooting this dark, takfiri ideology from its roots.
The downfall of the criminal terrorist regime in Tehran, as the mastermind, financier and central supporter of global terrorism, has become an urgent international necessity to protect world peace.
The complete and final elimination of the terrorist organizations Hamas, Hezbollah, Boko Haram, ISIS and all of Iran’s arms, militarily, financially and ideologically, is a human and civilizational demand that tolerates no settlement, appeasement or containment.
Holding accountable, exposing and pursuing the states and regimes that finance, arm and harbor jihadi terrorism, led by Iran, Qatar and Turkey, and every regime that seeks to strike civilization and its values by exporting extremism, is the responsibility of the free international community.
The pure blood that was shed in Hammoud Church in Karak, and the blood that was shed at the Hebron checkpoint, cries out to the world: Enough silence, enough complicity, enough justification of terrorism.
Mercy to the innocent martyrs, a speedy recovery to the wounded, and shame and disgrace to the murderous jihadi terrorists and their supporters and financiers forever.
*The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

Why Is Benjamin Netanyahu’s Re-Election a Strategic Interest for Lebanon?
Elias Bejjani/October 23/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158503/
As a Lebanese citizen who believes in state sovereignty, the independence of national decision-making, and Lebanon’s distinctive national identity, I view the re-election of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next Tuesday, and his ability to form the next Israeli government, as an option that directly aligns with Lebanon’s supreme national interests at this critical juncture. Over the past several years, Netanyahu has demonstrated that he is among the Israeli leaders most determined to confront Iran’s regional project. This project, which involves supporting and arming Hezbollah and turning southern Lebanon into an advanced military platform, has for decades constituted the principal obstacle to restoring Lebanon’s full sovereignty. Treating Hezbollah as an illegitimate armed force linked to Tehran and seeking to dismantle its military infrastructure are consistent with international resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 1701, as well as with the aspirations of Lebanese citizens who want to establish a single state that monopolizes weapons and the decisions of war and peace.
Netanyahu’s position is not limited to confronting the Iranian axis and its regional allies. He also embraces a political, regional, and international vision that regards ideological extremism, represented by hard-line political Islam and destructive terrorist and jihadist organizations, whether Sunni or Shiite, as a common source of threats to stability in countries around the world, particularly in the Middle East. Accordingly, the military campaign against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad following the events of October 7, along with the determination to disarm these organizations and prevent them from rebuilding their military capabilities, clearly reflects this approach. His efforts to weaken the Iranian regime itself are likewise rooted in the firm conviction that the regime’s continued existence means the continued financing and support of armed networks in Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen. This position rejects selective distinctions between forms of extremism and seeks to protect the region from a culture of violence and militias.
In this context, the existential risks associated with Iran’s nuclear capabilities emerge as a central threat that cannot be ignored. The Iranian regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, or its attempt to approach the nuclear threshold, threatens not only Israel but also poses a grave danger to the stability of the entire region, particularly Lebanon. If Tehran acquires nuclear weapons, it will gain a deterrent shield that could enable it to escalate its support for its militias in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq without genuine fear of effective retaliation. It would also turn Hezbollah into an even bolder instrument for imposing a foreign agenda on the Lebanese people. Furthermore, nuclear proliferation in the Middle East could open the door to a devastating regional arms race, increase the likelihood of proxy wars or direct confrontations, and undermine any prospect of building a genuinely sovereign Lebanese state. Preventing the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear capabilities is not merely an Israeli interest; it is a shared Lebanese, regional, and international interest, because an Iranian nuclear arsenal would increase the risks of chaos, blackmail, and the erosion of sovereignty in neighboring countries.
On the diplomatic front, Netanyahu has played a pivotal role in the Abraham Accords, which opened new horizons for cooperation between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. These agreements were not merely a symbolic normalization of relations; they represented the beginning of a process of practical cooperation among countries that share opposition to Iranian expansionism and ideological and jihadist extremism. In this context, the presence of an Israeli leadership committed to this course strengthens the prospects for expanding the circle of regional stability, an outcome that serves Lebanon’s interests in both the medium and long term.
Consequently, any weakening of Israel’s resolve to confront Hezbollah and the Iranian regime would give both parties an opportunity to regroup and restore their capabilities. For Lebanon, this would mean prolonging the existing situation: a weak state, illegitimate weapons, borders exposed to persistent tensions, and a collapsed economy. Therefore, the continuation of firm Israeli leadership, capable of maintaining military and diplomatic pressure, could help create more favorable conditions for restoring Lebanese sovereignty.
Noteworthy in this context is the public support that President Donald Trump has expressed for Netanyahu, whom he has described as a strong and courageous leader and a partner in confronting the Islamic Republic. This position reflects a convergence of views on the priority of containing the Iranian threat and preventing the regime from acquiring nuclear capabilities that could endanger regional and international peace.
In conclusion, this is not a matter of blindly supporting any external party, but rather of making a realistic assessment of the balance of power and the interests at stake. Lebanon needs a regional environment in which foreign-backed militias have less ability to impose their agendas on states and peoples. In this context, Netanyahu’s re-election and his ability to continue his policies toward Iran and Hezbollah appear, in my view, to be the option most consistent with the Lebanese people’s goal of building a free, independent, and fully sovereign state.
*The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

Elias Bejjani’s Writings and Commentaries
Joseph Hanna/October 24/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158522/
Elias Bejjani’s writings and political commentaries represent a sustained, highly committed, and ideologically consistent body of work devoted to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, national identity, and future. Through years of persistent writing, publishing, documenting, and political commentary, Bejjani has established a recognizable voice within the Lebanese diaspora, particularly among those who advocate restoring the Lebanese state’s full authority and ending Iran’s influence through Hezbollah.
Publishing extensively in both Arabic and English through his website, eliasbejjaninews.com, Bejjani has demonstrated an exceptional level of personal dedication to his work. His output encompasses political analysis, historical documentation, commemorations of martyrs, religious reflections, and commentaries on developments in Lebanon and the wider Middle East. He frequently supplements his articles with videos and multimedia material, extending the reach of his message to Lebanese readers at home and throughout the diaspora, as well as to English-speaking audiences.
What distinguishes Bejjani’s work is not simply the firmness of his political positions, but also the persistence with which he continues to research, write, publish, and defend them. His journalism reflects a deeply held conviction that Lebanon’s independence is not merely a political objective, but a national and moral responsibility. His tone is often urgent, uncompromising, and confrontational, reflecting his belief that the country’s sovereignty, identity, and future are at stake.
I. His Core Ideological Framework
Bejjani approaches Lebanon’s crises through a clear distinction between the sovereign Lebanese state and what he considers successive forms of foreign domination and internal complicity. In his interpretation of modern Lebanese history, the country has endured successive periods of external interference, beginning with Palestinian armed organizations, followed by the Syrian Baathist regime, and culminating, in his view, in the Iranian regime’s influence through Hezbollah.
He regards Hezbollah not simply as a Lebanese political party or resistance movement, but as an Iranian-backed military organization operating according to the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih. He argues that its independent military structure has undermined the authority of the Lebanese state, compromised national decision-making, and contributed to Lebanon’s repeated involvement in regional conflicts. He also maintains that Hezbollah’s influence constrains the freedom of the Lebanese Shiite community, whose members, like other Lebanese citizens, should enjoy the right to determine their political future without coercion or armed domination.
Iran occupies a central place in Bejjani’s political analysis. He views the Iranian regime’s regional strategy and its support for armed proxies as fundamental threats to Lebanese sovereignty, regional stability, and the security of the wider international community.
These convictions have led him to advocate consistently for:
Full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701, particularly regarding Lebanese sovereignty, the authority of the state, and the disarmament of armed groups outside its control.
Severing diplomatic relations with Iran and expelling its ambassador from Lebanon.
Ending Lebanon’s transformation into what he frequently describes as a permanent battleground or a regional mailbox for conflicts driven by foreign powers.
Establishing peace and mutual recognition between Lebanon and Israel under international auspices, which he considers a potential pathway toward resolving outstanding border issues, restoring stability, and enabling national recovery.
These positions form the foundation of his political writing and provide continuity across a substantial body of work produced over many years.
II. The Major Themes of His Writing
1. A Persistent Campaign Against Hezbollah and Iranian Influence
Opposition to Hezbollah and Iran is the most consistent theme in Bejjani’s political commentary. He repeatedly examines the consequences of Hezbollah’s military autonomy, its regional alliances, and its influence over Lebanese political institutions.
He attributes substantial responsibility to Hezbollah and the wider political system surrounding it for Lebanon’s political paralysis, recurring wars, displacement, and erosion of state authority. In some of his writings, he also addresses political assassinations, the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings, and the 2020 Beirut port explosion within his broader critique of armed organizations, political impunity, and Iranian influence.
A notable feature of his work is his refusal to accept the argument that Hezbollah’s weapons are indispensable to Lebanon’s protection. He instead maintains that genuine national security requires a sovereign state, a unified chain of command, and an army capable of defending the country under constitutional authority.
Bejjani also insists on distinguishing Hezbollah from the Lebanese Shiite community as a whole. He argues that no political or religious organization should claim exclusive authority to represent an entire community or determine the fate of its members through an independent armed structure.
His sustained attention to these issues reflects a long-term commitment to a single central objective: restoring the Lebanese state’s exclusive authority over weapons, security, and decisions concerning war and peace.
2. Criticism of Lebanon’s Political and Religious Leadership
Bejjani’s criticism extends beyond Hezbollah to political leaders, public officials, and religious figures whom he believes have failed to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty with sufficient determination.
He is particularly critical of leaders who, in his assessment, accommodate Hezbollah’s armed dominance, accept foreign interference, or avoid confronting the fundamental question of state authority. His language can be severe, and he sometimes employs terms such as subservience, political dependency, and dhimmitude to express his opposition to what he considers the surrender of national principles.
His criticism also reaches Christian politicians and clergy whom he believes bear a particular responsibility for defending Lebanon’s historical identity, constitutional pluralism, and independence.
This aspect of his writing demonstrates that his commitment to Lebanese sovereignty is not confined to criticizing one political organization or foreign power. He also directs his scrutiny toward those within Lebanon’s established political and religious institutions whom he considers responsible for the country’s continuing weakness.
For Bejjani, defending sovereignty requires more than declarations and patriotic rhetoric. It demands political courage, consistency, accountability, and a willingness to confront powerful interests when national principles are at stake.
3. Opposition to Political Islam
Another recurring element in Bejjani’s work is his opposition to political Islam when religious doctrine is used to justify political domination, armed expansion, or the subordination of national institutions to ideological authority.
His criticism encompasses both Shiite and Sunni expressions of political Islam that he considers incompatible with Lebanese sovereignty and pluralism. He frequently invokes painful episodes in Lebanon’s history, including the Aishiyeh massacre and the assassination of Dany Chamoun and his family, to underline his condemnation of political violence and the failure to achieve accountability for past crimes.
Historical remembrance occupies an important place in this work. Bejjani returns repeatedly to the experiences of victims, the sacrifices of martyrs, and the consequences of political extremism. His objective is not simply to recall past events, but to argue that national reconciliation cannot be built on forgetting victims, concealing responsibility, or denying historical suffering.
His approach reflects a belief that the preservation of Lebanon’s pluralistic identity requires both the defence of individual freedom and the rejection of any political project that places an ideological authority above the state.
4. His Position on Israel and the West
Bejjani’s support for Western engagement and his advocacy of Lebanese-Israeli peace distinguish his political outlook from that of many Lebanese and Arab commentators.
He has supported Israeli military actions when he believes they weaken Hezbollah or Iran’s regional influence. He also argues that direct negotiations and a peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel, conducted under appropriate international auspices, could help resolve longstanding border disputes and remove Lebanon from the cycle of recurring wars.
His position rests on the conviction that Lebanon should pursue its own national interests rather than remain subordinated to regional conflicts or the strategic priorities of Tehran.
At the same time, Bejjani criticizes Western governments, particularly certain US Democratic administrations, when he believes their policies have accommodated Iran or failed to confront the expansion of Iranian influence through armed proxies.
These views remain politically contentious in Lebanon and across the Arab world. Nevertheless, they form an integral part of his broader political project: a sovereign Lebanon, oriented toward democratic institutions and international partnerships, capable of determining its own future without armed coercion by domestic or foreign actors.
5. Lebanese Christian Identity, Faith, and Historical Memory
Beyond daily political developments, Bejjani devotes considerable attention to Lebanon’s Christian heritage, particularly its Maronite tradition, and to the historical experiences of Lebanese Christians.
His articles commemorate martyrs, national anniversaries, religious figures, and tragic events that have shaped the collective memory of Lebanese communities. Saint Charbel and other figures of Christian spirituality also appear in his religious writings, alongside biblical reflections and appeals to prayer, conscience, forgiveness, and moral responsibility.
These articles reveal another dimension of his commitment. For Bejjani, Lebanon is not merely a geographical territory or a political system; it is a historical and cultural homeland whose identity has been shaped by generations of sacrifice, faith, and attachment to freedom.
He frequently presents Lebanon’s Christian communities as important contributors to the country’s pluralistic character and historical connections with the West. His writing emphasizes the preservation of this heritage against ideological and political forces that he believes threaten Lebanon’s diversity and independence.
His commemorative and religious work also serves a personal and national purpose: keeping the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for Lebanon alive for younger generations, including Lebanese expatriates who may be geographically distant from their ancestral homeland.
6. Advocacy for International Action to Restore Sovereignty
Bejjani’s frustration with Lebanon’s prolonged political paralysis has led him, in some of his more forceful articles, to advocate stronger international involvement in restoring the authority of the Lebanese state.
He has described Lebanon as a country whose institutions have been weakened or effectively held hostage by armed and political interests. In this context, he has raised the possibility of international supervision or robust enforcement mechanisms under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter if Lebanese institutions prove unable to implement their obligations concerning sovereignty and security.
Such proposals are controversial and raise serious questions about national independence, constitutional legitimacy, and the practical limits of external intervention. They nevertheless illustrate the extent of Bejjani’s concern about the gap between Lebanon’s formal sovereignty and the state’s ability to exercise effective authority throughout its territory.
His willingness to advance such proposals also reflects his conviction that the crisis cannot be resolved through declarations alone. He calls for concrete implementation of international commitments and measures that, in his view, would allow Lebanon to recover the functions of a normal sovereign state.
III. The Characteristics of His Work
1. A Consistent and Uncompromising Voice
Bejjani writes with a sense of urgency and conviction. His vocabulary is frequently forceful, employing terms such as terrorism, occupation, betrayal, criminality, and the culture of death to describe what he considers threats to Lebanon’s independence.
This style reflects his belief that the country faces a fundamental struggle over its identity and future rather than a routine disagreement among political parties.
His uncompromising approach has helped establish a recognizable editorial identity. At the same time, the intensity of his language can limit opportunities for dialogue with those who disagree with his interpretations or policy proposals.
2. Sustained Publishing in Arabic and English
One of the most significant characteristics of Bejjani’s work is the persistence of his publishing activity. Through his website and associated media platforms, he maintains a substantial record of articles and commentaries in both Arabic and English.
This bilingual approach enables him to address two important audiences: Lebanese readers who follow political developments in their native language and international readers who seek perspectives on Lebanon’s internal crisis, Hezbollah, Iran, and the wider Middle East.
The combination of written articles and video material further expands his reach. It also reflects a willingness to adapt his publishing methods to changing media habits while maintaining his central editorial priorities.
Maintaining such a body of work requires sustained personal effort: identifying developments, formulating arguments, preparing articles, publishing material, and preserving a continuing record of political and historical events. His output demonstrates a long-term commitment to keeping Lebanese affairs in public discussion, even when the subjects are controversial or the political circumstances discouraging.
3. A Strong Moral and Religious Dimension
Bejjani’s political writing is frequently informed by Christian theology, biblical references, and appeals to conscience, shame, justice, and accountability before God and history.
He treats political responsibility as a moral question as well as a matter of constitutional order. In his view, silence in the face of injustice, the abandonment of victims, and the acceptance of political subordination are not merely strategic errors; they can also constitute failures of conscience.
This moral framework connects his political commentary with his religious and commemorative writings, giving his work a broader character than conventional daily political reporting.
4. Persistence, Volume, and Long-Term Commitment
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Bejjani’s publishing career is its continuity. Over many years, he has returned to the same fundamental questions: Who exercises authority in Lebanon? Who controls the weapons? Who determines whether the country goes to war? And what must be done to restore genuine independence?
His continued engagement with these questions demonstrates a level of dedication that extends beyond occasional commentary or reaction to breaking news.
He has maintained his publishing work across political crises, regional wars, changing governments, and successive periods of uncertainty. Rather than abandoning his central concerns when public attention shifts elsewhere, he repeatedly returns to them, documenting events and connecting current developments to Lebanon’s longer historical experience.
Supporters of his outlook may regard this persistence as evidence of principle and personal commitment. Critics may see the same continuity as an indication that his analysis remains confined within a relatively fixed ideological framework. Both observations are relevant to understanding the nature of his work.
IV. Strengths and Criticisms
Strengths from a Sovereignty-Oriented Perspective
Bejjani’s principal contribution is his sustained insistence that Lebanon cannot function as a fully sovereign state while an armed organization maintains an independent military structure and exercises substantial influence over national decisions.
His criticism of Hezbollah’s relationship with Iran and his advocacy of state control over weapons and decisions of war and peace overlap with the positions of several Lebanese opposition figures and governments that regard Hezbollah’s military role as incompatible with full state authority.
He has also consistently drawn attention to United Nations resolutions, the importance of national accountability, and the need to prevent Lebanon from being drawn into conflicts driven by external interests.
Equally important is his commitment to documentation and remembrance. By repeatedly publishing articles about political developments, historical tragedies, religious occasions, and the sacrifices of Lebanese individuals and communities, he contributes to a continuing written record of the issues that shape his understanding of the country.
His bilingual publishing activity gives this record a wider potential audience and allows his arguments to circulate beyond Lebanon’s geographical boundaries.
Limitations and Criticisms
A balanced assessment must also acknowledge several limitations of his approach.
First, the centrality of Hezbollah and Iran in his analysis can leave less room for examining other causes of Lebanon’s crisis, including sectarian power-sharing arrangements, corruption across political communities, financial mismanagement, institutional weakness, and the responsibilities of the wider political establishment.
Second, his sharp language can make constructive engagement with opposing viewpoints more difficult. Political disagreement does not necessarily demonstrate disloyalty, and the distinctions between political compromise, ideological disagreement, and collaboration deserve careful examination.
Third, his support for Israeli military operations in certain circumstances and his advocacy of international supervision remain deeply controversial. These positions require consideration of civilian suffering, international law, Lebanese national interests, and the practical consequences of proposed security arrangements.
Finally, his emphasis on Christian historical memory, while central to his identity and editorial interests, may leave some readers seeking a broader account of the experiences and historical narratives of Lebanon’s other communities.
These criticisms do not erase the significance of his sustained publishing effort. Rather, they help distinguish the value of documenting a committed political viewpoint from the separate question of whether every interpretation or policy proposal within that viewpoint is persuasive.
V. Overall Assessment
Elias Bejjani can be described as a dedicated Lebanese expatriate writer, journalist, and political activist whose work is driven by a strong commitment to national sovereignty, independence, and the preservation of Lebanon’s distinctive identity.
His writing is advocacy journalism rather than detached academic analysis. It combines political argument, historical remembrance, religious reflection, and calls for action, all organized around a relatively consistent set of convictions.
What merits particular recognition is the persistence with which he has pursued these subjects over many years. He has continued to write, publish, document, and comment on Lebanon’s crises in both Arabic and English, seeking to keep questions of sovereignty, accountability, national identity, and foreign interference before the public.
His work reflects a belief that journalism should not merely record events but also challenge prevailing narratives, preserve historical memory, and defend principles that the writer considers essential to the nation’s survival.
At the heart of Bejjani’s political project is the conviction that Lebanon cannot recover its independence while decisions about war and peace remain outside the effective authority of its constitutional institutions. He therefore calls for the restoration of state sovereignty, the implementation of international resolutions, the end of Iranian political and military domination, and the establishment of a stable Lebanon capable of determining its own future.
His positions on Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, and international intervention remain open to legitimate debate and criticism. Yet his sustained commitment to expressing and documenting those positions is an important part of understanding his place within Lebanese diaspora journalism.
Ultimately, Bejjani’s body of work represents more than a series of isolated political commentaries. It is a continuing personal and editorial undertaking shaped by his attachment to Lebanon and his determination to keep its sovereignty and future at the centre of public discussion.
Whether readers agree or disagree with his conclusions, the consistency of his efforts, the breadth of his publishing activity, and his continued engagement with Lebanon’s political and historical struggles demonstrate a longstanding commitment to the causes he has chosen to defend.

New U.S. Warning on Lebanon… Which Areas Are Covered by the Evacuation Call?
Janoubia/24 October 2026
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut updated its travel advisory for Lebanon on Saturday, 24 October, renewing its call not to travel to the country and urging American citizens currently in specific areas to leave immediately amid security risks and the possibility of regional escalation. The embassy clarified that the update did not change the overall advisory level, which is based on risks of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflict. It noted that the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency assistance to its citizens in Lebanon is limited due to the security situation.The advisory stated that U.S. Embassy personnel in Beirut are prohibited from personal travel throughout Lebanon without prior authorization, and that staffing arrangements for American personnel may be adjusted according to developments in the security situation. Washington also warned of the potential for broader regional escalation, citing attacks by Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabia and the possible accompanying security disturbances and effects on travel.The warning included a note about the risk of terrorist attacks without prior warning that could target tourist sites, transportation hubs, markets, and facilities belonging to local authorities. It also highlighted the ongoing risks of kidnapping and hostage-taking, explaining that foreigners—including tourists, journalists, humanitarian workers, and businesspeople—may be targeted. The embassy further warned of the possibility of rocket and drone strikes in various parts of Lebanon, including Beirut, and of potential disruption to commercial flights or access to Beirut’s international airport as a result of hostilities.Washington called on its citizens not to travel to areas it described as extremely dangerous and urged those already there to leave immediately. These areas include southern Lebanon, the border areas with Syria, the southern suburbs of Beirut and areas south of the capital, as well as refugee gatherings. The warnings were attributed to varying risks including terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, and civil unrest, as well as the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance, particularly near the Syrian border, south of the Litani River, and in some refugee gatherings.Regarding aviation safety, the advisory cited the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s call for caution when operating flights within 200 nautical miles of the Damascus Flight Information Region due to increased military activity in and around Syria. The embassy urged its citizens to register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security alerts, follow local media, avoid demonstrations and gatherings, and prepare emergency departure plans without relying on U.S. government assistance. It also recommended reviewing the travel and security guidance for Lebanon and ensuring that travel insurance covers evacuation assistance, medical services, and trip cancellations.The update comes amid ongoing concerns about the impact of regional tensions on Lebanon’s security situation, while Washington called on its citizens to monitor developments and take necessary precautions.

Ongoing Disagreements Between Lebanon and Israel Prevent Implementation of the “Framework Agreement”… Tampa Meetings End Without Results or Joint Statement
Beirut: Asharq Al-Awsat/ 24 October 2026The Tampa meetings held between the Lebanese and Israeli military delegations under U.S. auspices from Tuesday to Thursday yielded no results, according to Lebanese sources familiar with the substance of the negotiations who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, while declining to describe them as “negative.” No joint statement has been issued at the conclusion of the talks “because no agreement was reached on any of the issues discussed.” The sources said the two sides agreed to continue the discussions, counting on the American role, but the entire matter remains postponed until after the Israeli elections at the end of this month or even the U.S. midterm elections.Before the Tampa meetings, the Lebanese presidency had announced that a Lebanese military delegation would present Beirut’s demands to end Israeli attacks in Lebanon. This followed several rounds of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in recent months aimed at discussing ways to implement the “Framework Agreement” reached between the two countries. The presidency said: “The Lebanese military delegation will participate in the tripartite meeting to place Lebanon’s demands for a halt to Israeli escalation on the table, in the hope of achieving results consistent with the Framework Agreement.”No photographs of the Tampa meetings have been released so far. The sources noted that the Lebanese delegation renewed its longstanding demand for a halt to Israeli airstrikes, explosions, earthworks, and demolitions in the south, compliance with the ceasefire agreement, withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, and the return of prisoners, in addition to allowing farmers access to their lands in the border areas so they can harvest olives amid ongoing Israeli threats.Beyond the non-implementation of the agreement’s provisions, outstanding issues continue to hinder its execution and occupied a significant portion of the Tampa discussions without producing results. The most prominent of these is the “verification mechanism,” which Beirut insists on establishing to implement the security arrangements, make progress in the pilot areas, and prepare the conditions for the deployment of the Lebanese army. Determining the party that will monitor the implementation of the security arrangements therefore remains one of the main points of disagreement. Israel wants to establish a joint operations room or adopt a direct means of communication with the Lebanese army so that it can play a supervisory role in clearing Hezbollah areas and military installations of weapons—something Lebanon categorically rejects, proposing instead that the verification task be assigned to a UN or international body.While sources monitoring the negotiations are cautious about the possibility of a breakthrough in the coming phase, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz raised the level of his threats while the participants in Tampa were holding their discussions. On Tuesday he said the Israeli army had imposed control over a security zone inside Lebanese territory estimated at about 700 square kilometers, stressing that its forces would not withdraw from this area until Hezbollah is fully disarmed throughout Lebanon. Katz also announced the Israeli army’s readiness to advance toward Nabatieh and the Litani to permanently annex them to that security zone, threatening that any attack targeting towns in northern Israel would be met with a direct response in Beirut’s southern suburbs.Pending the scheduling of a new round of military meetings, it is now confirmed that political negotiations will not resume before the electoral deadlines in Israel and the United States are completed.

Explosions in Khiam and Earthworks in Shebaa Amid Ongoing Aerial Violation of the South and Bekaa
Janoubia/24 October 2026In continuous field escalation reflecting the Israeli occupation forces’ determination to alter the features of the border strip and impose a buffer zone by force, several sectors in southern Lebanon witnessed a series of violations, earthworks, and explosions targeting villages and vital areas, in parallel with intensive reconnaissance flights that extended deep into the Bekaa. These field movements confirm the continuation of the Israeli strategy of undermining any basis for life and return in the border villages, amid official helplessness and international disregard for the violation of national sovereignty.The Israeli army continued its direct attacks on property and facilities in the Marjayoun district, directing its strikes at educational and social institutions:Destruction around “Al-Mabarat” in Khiam: Israeli forces carried out a series of large-scale engineering explosions targeting the building and surroundings of the Al-Mabarat school in the town of Khiam, destroying large parts of it and leveling it to the ground as part of a policy of booby-trapping residential and public buildings.Road construction and penetration in Shebaa: Occupation forces advanced a military unit supported by heavy bulldozers from the Birket al-Naqqar area to carry out earthworks and dig a new road extending toward the “Wadi” area in the town of Shebaa (Hasbaya district), in an attempt to impose a new security strip.Near the Litani River and Nabatieh district, direct attacks continued to secure the movements of Israeli military vehicles:Heavy machine-gun sweeping: The outskirts of the town of Zoutar al-Sharqiyeh witnessed intensive sweeping fire with heavy machine guns in conjunction with unprecedented movements of Israeli vehicles and armored units overlooking the area.Wide intelligence violation: Intensive low- and medium-altitude flights by Israeli “MK” reconnaissance aircraft were recorded over the skies of Hasbaya, the Shebaa Farms, and the Arqub, before the intelligence surveillance circle expanded to include the skies of the eastern and western Bekaa and the Iqlim al-Tuffah.These continuous field movements show that the occupation seeks to establish a permanent security and military reality along the southern border, exceeding all international lines and conventions, while the political authority stands by as a spectator to the leveling of villages and the violation of the skies and the land.

Airstrikes in the South… Deadline for Palestinian Camps and Upcoming Lebanese Talks in Qatar
Janoubia / 24 October 2026The south witnessed field escalation, with the town of Kfar Tebnit in Nabatieh district targeted by Israeli airstrikes followed by an explosion carried out by the Israeli army, concurrent with low-altitude flights by warplanes over the Nabatieh area and the execution of mock airstrikes in the skies of the south. Field information indicated that an Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Kfar Tebnit, after which the Israeli army carried out an explosion in the town, with no further details available on the extent of the damage or casualties. In the air, Israeli warplanes flew at low altitude over the Nabatieh area and conducted mock airstrikes in the southern skies.In another matter, the Board of Directors of Electricité du Liban decided to grant Palestinian camps that are in arrears on their payments a 20-day deadline from the date of notification of the decision to settle their financial obligations, under penalty of cutting electricity supply after the deadline expires. MTV reported that the file was raised during the Board of Directors session on Friday, and that the decision requires notifying the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee and the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers of the specified deadline. The Board had also decided to cut electricity supply to public administrations, institutions, and independent authorities that are in arrears on their payments, effective from the morning of Monday, 2 November 2026.In the context of Lebanese-Qatari relations, a Lebanese technical delegation from the Ministry of Energy is heading to Qatar at the beginning of next week to complete the bilateral technical talks held in Beirut over the past two weeks. According to MTV information, the meetings are expected to result in the preparation of a final draft of a letter of intent between the two countries, to be submitted to the Lebanese government for a decision.

UNIFIL: Peace in Southern Lebanon Is Not Guaranteed
Al-Markazia / 24 October 2026The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) marked United Nations Day, recalling the enduring values on which the organization was founded and renewing its commitment to achieving peace and stability in southern Lebanon. In a message on the occasion, the Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Diodato Abagnara, stressed the continuing importance of the principles on which the United Nations was founded—peace, dialogue, and cooperation—saying: “Here in southern Lebanon, we know that peace is not a given. It requires trust, determination, and a readiness to work together.”He added: “On this United Nations Day, let us renew our commitment to peace and cooperation and to serving the people for whom we work. Together, we fulfill our mission. Together, we build peace. Together, we shape the future.” UNIFIL personnel, both military and civilian, representing countries from around the world, work daily to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, maintain stability, and contribute to efforts to help local communities recover and return to normal life.The occasion also holds particular significance as it will be the last time UNIFIL marks United Nations Day before the end of the mission’s mandate at the end of 2026. In a tribute to the peacekeepers who perform their duties under the United Nations flag, Major General Abagnara praised their dedication to supporting peace and security in southern Lebanon. As UNIFIL enters the final phase of its presence in southern Lebanon, the mission continues to focus its efforts on supporting stability and preserving the foundations necessary for lasting peace. Reaffirming the mission’s commitment, Major General Abagnara stressed that UNIFIL will continue to work side by side with the Lebanese Armed Forces and local communities until the last day of its operations.United Nations Day is celebrated annually on 24 October to commemorate the entry into force of the United Nations Charter in 1945. This year’s observance comes at a particularly critical time, as communities across southern Lebanon continue to recover from the effects of recent hostilities and work to rebuild their lives.

Aoun seeks to 'strengthen trust between state and residents' in visit to Tripoli
Naharnet/24 October/2026
President Joseph Aoun stated Saturday from the Rachid Karami International Fair in Tripoli that "Tripoli has the capacity to be a model of convergence, cooperation, and looking toward the future.""What I hope for is that we make this visit a milestone to strengthen trust between the state and the city’s residents," said Aoun in the impoverished northern city. He lamented that the ancient city "has been wronged for decades by state neglect and the tampering of masked gangs hiding behind politics, until it was violated and turned into a dark mailbox for exchanging poisoned messages." "I am in Tripoli today to place a message in Tripoli's mailbox stating that this city is history, knowledge, and the heart of the North, all of the North," Aoun added. "I am the President of the Republic, and my responsibility is to remain equidistant from all Lebanese and to work for a Lebanon that accommodates everyone," he said. "Lebanon cannot rise with a single faction alone, nor with a single sect alone; rather, it rises when its sons and daughters converge around the project of the state. Let us work together for a strong, just state and a productive society," the president urged.

President Aoun from Tripoli: Fighting corruption a priority, judicial independence essential
LBCI/24 October/2026
President Joseph Aoun stressed during a visit to the Tripoli Justice Palace that the judiciary and security go hand in hand and complement one another, emphasizing that delayed justice is justice denied. "Citizens have the right to justice and a transparent, independent judiciary. Independence begins with the individual and the decisions they make," Aoun said.He described combating corruption as a priority, noting that digital government services and a fair judicial system contribute to fighting corruption and strengthening constitutional institutions. "A judge must neither convict an innocent person nor acquit a criminal," he said, highlighting significant judicial achievements made this year. Aoun also expressed his support for judges, urging them to resist external pressure and carry out their duties according to their conscience. Separately, during a visit to the General Security Directorate at the Tripoli Serail, Aoun thanked personnel for their efforts in providing services to citizens. "I came to tell you that I stand by you and to encourage you to continue on this path," he said. He praised the progress achieved by General Security, stressing that serving citizens is a sacred duty and acknowledging the considerable efforts made by its personnel.

US reduces staffing in Lebanon, 3 Arab countries over Iran fears
Associated Press/24 October/2026
The U.S. State Department is reducing staffing at four U.S. embassies in the Middle East after receiving intelligence that Iran has stepped up efforts to target American personnel in the region and elsewhere. In a memo sent Friday to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton said his teams "have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel." "The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries," Clayton wrote. The memo was obtained by The Associated Press and reported earlier by Axios. Three U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that the memo was sent to Rubio in his capacity as secretary of state and national security adviser. The memo emerged shortly after the State Department announced it is reducing staff at the U.S. embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The three officials said the threats from Iran and Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are related to the staffing changes. The embassies involved are all under what is known as "restricted operations" status that has already reduced the size of their personnel footprints. The embassies will remain open. However, unlike in Saudi Arabia, where nonessential U.S. personnel and their families were ordered Wednesday to leave the country, staff in the other four countries are not compelled to depart. In announcing the staffing drawdowns this week, the State Department pointed specifically to increased threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels and did not mention threats to U.S. personnel directly from Iran. There has been a resurgence of fighting between a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis, with the militant group launching missile and drone strikes against Saudi Arabia. U.S. officials have adamantly denied the drawdowns are tied to any potential new U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The unpopular war has spiked energy costs for Americans and posed political problems for President Donald Trump and Republicans, who are trying to keep control of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Trump, speaking at a rally Friday in Florida, touted the U.S. military operations in Iran, which were dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," and said that "we may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree. If they're smart, they'll just say, 'Let's get down to business.'"Mediators have been trying to bring Washington and Tehran back to formal talks as the war has reached a stalemate. According to Iranian state television, the Revolutionary Guard navy this week again threatened to strike U.S. military bases in the region if the United States keeps helping guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for the global energy trade. Any further escalation around the Strait of Hormuz or elsewhere in the region will put civilian lives and the well-being of all regional states and the global economy at great risk," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in an opinion column in the Financial Times this week.

The “Liberation” Equation Has Become Clear… The Ball Is in the State’s Court!
Lara Yazbeck / Al-Markazia / 24 October 2026The equation in the south specifically, and in Lebanon generally, has become as clear as daylight. It requires neither analysts nor fortune-tellers to uncover it or determine the path the field situation will take in the coming phase—whether escalation or liberation. Rather, the choice between these two scenarios now appears to lie in the hands of the Lebanese state.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces would continue to remain in what he described as the “security zone” in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and its military capabilities dismantled. In a radio interview, Netanyahu added that he does not trust the Lebanese government’s ability to disarm Hezbollah, affirming that Israel would continue to maintain its military presence in the area as long as the party retains its weapons. On Tuesday he again issued a harsh warning to both Iran and “Hezbollah,” saying: “Do not think of attacking us; you will receive a blow you have not imagined.”For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced “the readiness of the Israeli army to carry out a military maneuver toward additional areas in Nabatieh and the vicinity of the Litani River.” He stressed that Israel would not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah’s weapons have not been removed throughout Lebanon, threatening the party with a “harsh blow” if it joins any Iranian attack on Israel. He confirmed that any firing or sending of drones toward Israel would be met with a strong response targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut.The picture is therefore clear, according to sovereign political sources speaking to Al-Markazia: disarming Hezbollah leads to Israeli withdrawal, while its retention means the continuation of the occupation. Netanyahu and Katz have thus announced that their army will leave—but they link that departure to ending Hezbollah’s armed wing. For this very reason, it can be said that the ball is in the Lebanese state’s court: if it implements today rather than tomorrow the ministerial decisions of 5 and 7 August and 2 March, and begins executing them now without justifications or preconditions—from the Bekaa or Beirut or Dahr el-Baidar, before the south—it will corner the Israelis and push them to withdraw. But if it does not, the Israelis will remain in Lebanon and will themselves take on the task of eliminating the party, even if it takes years or decades, and all rounds of negotiation between Beirut and Tel Aviv will continue to go around in circles.That is the long-term picture. In the short term, if the party enters the line of any American and Israeli war on Iran, it will also mean that Israel will resume its war on Lebanon without any restraints. But if the Lebanese state succeeds in deterring the party, it may protect itself from a new round of destructive fighting. Lebanon’s fate, sovereignty, liberation, and security are therefore in the hands of the Lebanese state. Which path will it choose?

U.S. Embassy Warns Its Citizens in Lebanon: Leave These Areas Immediately!
Al-Markazia / 24 October 2026
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut announced in a statement released today, Saturday, an update to its travel advisory for Lebanon. It clarified that the update did not include any change in the advisory level or risk indicators, while maintaining its call not to travel to Lebanon for any reason due to the risks of crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflict.
Restrictions on Movements of U.S. Embassy Personnel
The advisory affirmed that the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in Lebanon is limited because of security risks. It noted that U.S. Embassy personnel in Beirut are prohibited from undertaking personal travel throughout Lebanon without prior authorization. It also pointed to the possibility of additional adjustments to the presence arrangements of American personnel under the security responsibility of the Chief of Mission, depending on developments in the situation.
Houthi Attacks and the Possibility of Escalation Expanding
The advisory stated that the “Iran-backed Houthis” have engaged in hostile acts against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure, which resulted in civilian casualties and severe disruptions to travel. It warned that these acts could escalate rapidly and extend beyond their immediate geographic scope, adding that the Lebanese government cannot guarantee the safety of American citizens in the face of a sudden outbreak of violence and armed conflict.
Aviation Alert
Regarding aviation safety, the advisory cited the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) calling for caution when operating flights in the airspace within 200 nautical miles of the Damascus Flight Information Region (FIR), due to increased military activity in Syria or its surroundings. It urged American citizens to review the prohibitions, restrictions, and notices issued by the Administration for further information.
Crime and the Risk of Attacks Without Warning
The advisory noted the existence of risks of non-violent crime throughout Lebanon, explaining that most crimes targeting foreigners are opportunistic, such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing. On terrorism, it warned of the possibility of attacks and terrorist activities, naming “Hezbollah,” the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, “ISIS,” and “Hamas” among the entities it said continue to plan potential attacks in Lebanon. It added that attacks could occur with limited or no warning and target tourist sites, transportation hubs, markets, commercial centers, and facilities belonging to local authorities. It also referred to U.S. State Department reports on terrorism for additional details.
Kidnapping Includes Journalists and Humanitarian Workers
The advisory highlighted the ongoing risk of kidnapping and hostage-taking, noting that local authorities have warned of the possible targeting of foreign nationals. It explained that Americans and other travelers—including tourists, humanitarian workers, journalists, and businesspeople—may be viewed as accessible targets for exploitation, and that the reason for a person’s presence in Lebanon is unlikely to provide protection if they are kidnapped or detained.
Possible Strikes in Beirut and Disruption of Access to the Airport
The statement warned of the possibility of drone and rocket strikes across various parts of Lebanon, including Beirut. It noted that hostilities could disrupt commercial flights, including the infrastructure required for access to the international airport.
Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance: Where Are the Risks Concentrated?
The advisory pointed to the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout Lebanon, identifying the highest-risk areas as the border with Syria, the areas south of the Litani River, and refugee gatherings. It stressed that the locations of these mines and ordnance are often unmarked or difficult to identify.
Call to Leave the South, the Southern Suburbs, the Border Areas, and Refugee Gatherings
The advisory identified areas it described as extremely dangerous, calling for people not to travel to them for any reason and demanding that American citizens already there leave immediately. These are:
Southern Lebanon: due to risks of terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict.
The border with Syria: due to risks of terrorism, kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, and armed conflict.
The southern suburbs and areas south of Beirut: due to risks of terrorism, kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, and armed conflict.
Refugee gatherings: due to risks of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, unexploded ordnance, and armed conflict.
Recommendations for Americans Present in Lebanon
The embassy issued a set of recommendations to American citizens in Lebanon, including registering in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important updates and alerts and to facilitate contact by the embassy or consulate, or by the emergency contact they designate. It also urged them to review the Country Security Report for Lebanon, avoid displaying signs of wealth such as expensive watches and jewelry, and refrain from accepting drinks from strangers in bars and nightclubs. It recommended designating one family member as a point of contact who, in the event of kidnapping or hostage-taking, would handle communication with the captors, the media, U.S. or foreign government authorities, and members of Congress.
The recommendations also included:
Preparing an emergency departure plan that does not rely on U.S. government assistance, and reviewing information on crises and evacuations.
Avoiding demonstrations and gatherings.
Following local media for breaking news and being prepared to adjust plans.
Considering the use of a specialized security firm.
Reviewing information on travel to high-risk areas, missing Americans abroad, crimes outside the United States, and guidance for crime victims.
Visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest health information related to travel to Lebanon.
Preparing a will and instructions regarding arrangements to be made in the event of death.
The advisory strongly recommended purchasing travel insurance before departure and confirming with the insurance company coverage for evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation.

700 Square Kilometers Under Israeli Occupation in Lebanon: What Does the ‘Security Belt’ Mean?
Beirut: Soubhi Amhaz/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Israel’s expanding operations in southern Lebanon are raising questions about how much territory its forces actually occupy, and how much they control through surveillance, firepower and the ability to launch attacks from forward positions. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has repeatedly cited an area of roughly 700 square kilometers. But developments on the ground paint a more complex picture: Israeli control varies from troops stationed at fixed positions to mobile incursions and firepower dominance over much wider areas. Military assessments suggest the area is far from a uniform security belt stretching from the Mediterranean coast to Mount Hermon. Its depth varies sharply across sectors, shaped by terrain, commanding heights and routes of movement. Israeli troops and military vehicles are stationed in some areas. Others have no permanent Israeli military presence but remain under aerial surveillance or within striking range, allowing forces to operate there without maintaining troops on the ground.
Single Front
Defense and security expert Riad Kahwaji told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel views Lebanon and the Golan Heights as "a single front" stretching from Mount Hermon to the Mediterranean coast at Naqoura and Bayada, despite crossing two countries. "From its perspective, Israel is establishing a security belt along its northern border," Kahwaji said, adding that the belt is "no longer confined to areas south of the Litani River but has extended north of it in some locations."Geography helps explain why. "The geographical scope has effectively expanded beyond the area south of the Litani, particularly from the direction of Metula, where the river is only about seven kilometers away, compared with roughly 30 kilometers between Naqoura and the Litani," he said. That difference, Kahwaji explained, means the security belt can extend north of the Litani in some areas without maintaining the same depth across the entire border. The river, therefore, is not a uniform dividing line between northern and southern operational zones. Distances vary, and geography dictates how far Israeli troops or firepower can reach. Kahwaji drew a distinction between occupying territory and controlling it through surveillance and firepower. He said Israel relies on about 20 military positions, each capable of accommodating a small force, while drones continuously monitor movements deeper inside the area. "Each position could accommodate a company-sized force, while drones operate continuously farther behind these positions to monitor movements," he said.
"When drones detect movement, it is targeted by artillery or an airstrike. Alternatively, a patrol can be dispatched from one of these positions toward the location where the movement was detected within what is known as the yellow belt."That, he said, is what control through firepower means. "It does not require an extensive military presence throughout the entire belt. Instead, it relies on specific military positions, continuous surveillance through drones and firepower, and the ability to target any movement or dispatch a patrol." The result is a military footprint that extends well beyond the positions troops physically occupy. From elevated or fortified positions, forces can monitor surrounding roads and towns, strike targets or send patrols without establishing permanent bases in every location.
From the Coast to Beaufort Castle
The pattern is visible across southern Lebanon. In the west, Israeli operations extend from Naqoura and the coastal sector into areas that have recently faced incursions, demolitions and repeated shelling, including Mansouri and its surroundings. Farther east, central-sector towns such as Beit Yahoun, Hadatha, Haris and Aita al-Jabal have experienced varying degrees of Israeli military activity or attacks, though the level of troop presence differs. The reach of operations extends farther inland toward Beaufort Castle and the Ali al-Taher heights. There, elevated terrain offers commanding views over wider areas toward Nabatieh, Iqlim al-Tuffah and surrounding movement routes. The result is a zone of control shaped less by a continuous border strip than by strategic elevations and the areas they overlook.
Could Israeli Operations Reach the Awali River?
Retired Brigadier General Fadi Daoud offered a broader assessment of where Israeli operations could extend, arguing that control of high ground may determine the limits of any advance. "What is clear in southern Lebanon is that the expansion could reach the Awali River. Even if it does not, forces will remain positioned on the heights overlooking the river," Daoud told Asharq Al-Awsat.He said such a deployment could also encompass Rihan and areas around Jezzine, particularly Kfarhouna. "The western boundary will be the Awali River," he said, identifying geographical control, especially over commanding heights, as the key factor shaping military movements. Holding elevated positions, he argued, would allow Israeli forces to dominate lower-lying areas with firepower without maintaining troops throughout them. "Geographical control will enable Israel to control the western Bekaa from the right flank because it is already present on Mount Hermon. The western Bekaa has effectively become a pocket between Mount Hermon and Rihan," Daoud said. "Israel will establish positions there to control the Bekaa."
The Strategic Heights of Rihan and Iqlim al-Tuffah
Daoud said the potential advance could stretch from Mount Rihan toward the heights of Iqlim al-Tuffah, including Mount Safi.
"It will move from Mount Rihan to the heights of Iqlim al-Tuffah, including Mount Safi, where it will establish control over Hezbollah's stronghold in Iqlim al-Tuffah, as well as Sidon, eastern Sidon and the Awali River," he said. For Daoud, terrain is the determining factor. "Geography is fixed, and Israel will follow it," he said, stressing that forces positioned on high ground can control areas below through firepower without deploying throughout them. He argued that Israeli control of Mount Hermon would leave the western Bekaa militarily exposed as far as Qaraoun. "Its control of Mount Hermon makes the western Bekaa militarily vulnerable as far as Qaraoun," he said.Mount Hermon, he explained, overlooks two major areas: the western Bekaa to the west and Daraa in Syria to the east. Both, he said, "will form pockets" on either side of the mountain. The two military assessments point to a central distinction in the debate over the 700-square-kilometer area: the territory Israel can monitor, strike or enter is not necessarily territory it physically occupies. Commanding heights, observation posts, fields of fire and the ability to deploy patrols can extend military control far beyond fixed positions, even as the scale of Israel's actual troop presence varies from one sector to another. Israeli Drone Strike, Demolitions Hit Southern Lebanonز Meanwhile, Israeli military operations continued across southern Lebanon on Friday. An Israeli drone struck a roundabout in Kfar Tebnit, in the Nabatieh district, with preliminary reports indicating casualties. At the same time, Israeli troops carried out two demolitions, one on the outskirts of Kfar Tebnit and another in Mansouri in the Tyre district. Israeli forces also set fire to wooded areas in Qantara and swept Wadi al-Hujeir with machine-gun fire. An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade near Kfarshouba, while low-flying drones were reported over Beirut's southern suburbs, Tyre and surrounding areas.

What lies behind the change in official attire during the President’s and his ministers’ visit to Tripoli today?
Colonel Charbel barakat/October24/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158549/
Today, the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, paid an official visit to the city of Tripoli, accompanied by a number of ministers and members of parliament, and with the participation of religious figures and local Tripoli dignitaries. He toured the Rashid Karami International Fair, where he delivered a speech praising the city’s historical and national role. We do not intend here to comment on what was said in the speech, nor on the visit itself; rather, what caught our attention was the attire adopted by the official visitors—starting with the President and the rest of the ministers, down to the majority of attendees. Namely, the absence of neckties from the adopted formal attire (a suit and white shirt with a collar, but without a necktie)—resembling, to an extent, the behavior of Iranians immediately following the success of the 1979 revolution, when a fatwa from Khomeini banned neckties on the grounds that they imitated Western civilization.
Has President Aoun committed to this look, with instructions generalized to the official attendees, simply to appease the "Iranian Party" group and signal that the visit is not an expression of support for Sunni Tripoli against Shia dominance?
We know that protocol—especially during the presidency of a former military commander—is strictly observed down to its finest details. Hence the question: this could hardly be a coincidence, like the occasional appearance of the leader of the Lebanese Forces party on television interviews without a tie and with an unshaven beard, or his advisor, MP Melhem Riachi, occasionally adopting a Mandarin collar shirt (resembling official Iranian attire), perhaps to curry favor with the Party during political negotiations. However, for the Presidential Palace to issue instructions distributed to all invitees—sparing only MP Ashraf Rifi and a few local figures who did not receive the directive—is an important indicator worth dwelling upon, and hence this inquiry.
We believe that President Aoun undoubtedly knows what is happening on the ground and senses that the Iranian era is waning. Why, then, does he continue to cater so heavily to the feelings of those who destroyed the country, demolished villages, displaced residents, and prevented the state from recovering, especially at this critical time? Does the President believe that the internal balance between Shias and Sunnis must be preserved so that events do not take a different turn—leaving us to escape Shia extremism (which Israel will bring to an end) only to fall into Sunni extremism (which will be backed by the Syria of Ahmed Al Sharaa and the Ottoman regime of Erdoğan behind it)?
Our reading of the situation certainly differs from that of many in Lebanon. We advocate for a capable state where nothing reigns above the law and where no faction is allowed to overreach. The world has had enough of bigotry and sabotage in the name of religion and sect; it is time—starting with the Middle East—to enjoy civilizational advancements and scientific discoveries that contribute to human well-being, reduce fanaticism, and foster openness. The stability of the country will not require a balance of terror, rearmament, or confrontations between those
entrenched behind old-world slogans—the remnants of which must be addressed with a modern, open-minded mentality grounded in cooperation and development, reinterpreting various (if not backward) doctrines that used faith for the interests of rulers and imposed their control through violence and subjugation, perpetuating their decline.
We know that advisors in the Presidential Palace were the ones who formulated these instructions and imposed them on the President and ministers, and we understand why some chose not to participate in this visit. However, we address the person sitting in the presidential chair, hoping he will open his eyes to see how his image is being tarnished—from the Army leadership’s reluctance to execute the expected plans, to circumventing laws and decisions, and acting with cowardice in the face of evildoers who remain undeterred despite their relatives being killed and their communities' homes and livelihoods destroyed, while still leading people toward a mirage, deluding them that aid is coming and victory is near.
We wish to believe in the President’s good intentions regarding his visit to Tripoli, but we also want him to remove the blindfold placed before his eyes so he can see more clearly. He must act as a leader responsible for protecting the country, safeguarding the Constitution, and continuing to move toward final peace and joining the regional project for normalization among all its states—starting with our neighbor, Israel—which alone will save Lebanon, restore prosperity to the South, and grant its residents peace and stability.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on October 24-25/2026 (Some of the News reports below are translated from Arabic by AI)
Iran Reportedly in ‘Advanced Stages’ of Planning Attacks Against Americans
Washington/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Iran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond, US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton has warned. The US government has put employees on heightened alert across the Middle East and moved to reduce personnel levels at embassies and consulates, officials said Friday. "We have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel," Clayton said in a memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a US official. "The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against US citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries," said the memo, which was first reported by Axios. The US official said: "When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment."Trump suggested on Friday that the US might launch renewed military operations against Iran."We may do another little Epic Fury" Trump said, referring to the US name for its attacks on Iran. He did not give any indication on timing. The conflict began in late February with US-Israeli attacks on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader, along with senior military commanders.
The United States and Israel have drawn up plans for a new wave of strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections, though Trump has not made a final decision to carry them out, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Iranian president to meet Putin in Moscow
Agence France Presse/24 October/2026
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week, Iranian media reported. Pezeshkian is due to visit Russia for a meeting of gas-exporting countries. Russia and Iran, two of the most sanctioned nations on earth, have grown closer together in the years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "The Iranian president will visit Moscow to attend the summit of gas-exporting countries that will take place on Tuesday October 27," the Tasnim news agency reported, citing Tehran's ambassador to the country, Kazem Jalali. The two leaders will discuss economic cooperation as well as "questions of geopolitics", Jalali was quoted as saying. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signalled that talks between Tehran and Moscow would take place next week with both presidents in attendance. His Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov visited Iran this week for the first time since the start of the Middle East war, with Araghchi declaring Russo-Iranian cooperation closer than ever. In early October, Putin said Russia was prepared to take part in mediation to bring an end to the war started by the US and Israel in February. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have been stalled for months, with both the U.S. and Israel threatening to resume their strikes on Iran.

US spy chief warns Iran has ramped up efforts to target Americans
Agence France Presse/24 October/2026
Iran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond, U.S. national intelligence chief Jay Clayton has warned. The warning comes after Washington ordered non-essential U.S. embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia this week, following increasing attacks from Yemen's Houthis. The kingdom has come under near-daily attacks this month from the Iran-backed group, including a strike on Riyadh's international airport that was the kingdom's deadliest in years. "We have received intelligence that Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel," Clayton said in a memo sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a US official. "The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against U.S. citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries," said the memo, which was first reported by Axios. Washington previously ordered non-essential staff to leave the Gulf ahead of the start of its war against Iran and again in July before US President Donald Trump called off a new wave of strikes. The U.S. official said: "When it comes to our staffing at embassies, we constantly evaluate new information about the security environment."
"The threat of Houthi attacks and of Iranian terror plots targeting US officials are informing our decisions," the official added. Trump suggested on Friday that the US might launch renewed military operations against Iran. "We may do another little Epic Fury" Trump said, referring to the U.S. name for its attacks on Iran. He did not give any indication on timing. The conflict began in late February with U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader, along with senior military commanders.

Iran’s Pezeshkian blames US for interim deal failure, urges new try
Reuters/24 October/2026
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, in remarks broadcast on state TV on Saturday, blamed the United States for the failure of an interim deal with Iran, but said there should be a new attempt at concluding it.“We were having negotiations, the cowards (Americans) messed everything up...I still think we should go and conclude it,” Pezeshkian said.

Iran says US military not allowed to enter Gulf 'under any circumstances'
Agence France Presse/24 October/2026
Iran said on Saturday that U.S. military ships would never be allowed to enter the Gulf "under any circumstances" and President Donald Trump will "take that dream to his grave". The remarks came amid mounting U.S. and Israeli threats of renewed attacks on Iran, as US ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack warned that Washington could "absolutely" strike Iran as soon as this weekened. "We will not allow U.S. military ships in the Persian Gulf under any circumstances and at any time," said Iran's armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi, according to Iranian state television. "The U.S. president must dream of seeing the armed forces enter the Persian Gulf. He will take that dream to his grave."Iranian forces have restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy conduit and gateway to the Gulf, since the war with the United States broke out on February 28. In retaliation, the United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and ships. Tehran has required vessels to seek permission to transit, and repeatedly targeted ships attempting to pass through Hormuz via a southern route close to the Omani coast. According to the Guards, several tankers attempting to transit Hormuz through the route Tehran considers "illegal" were hit by mines in recent days. On Friday, the Guards said two supertankers carrying more than 4.5 million barrels of crude oil have been abandoned at sea after hitting mines in the strategic waterway. "Their engine rooms were disabled by an explosion and a fierce fire," the Guards said in a statement carried by their Sepah News website.
In peacetime, around a fifth of the world's oil and gas passed through Hormuz.

US could strike Iran this weekend, Barrack says
Agence France Presse/24 October/2026
The United States could strike Iran as soon as this weekend, a U.S. envoy said, after mounting threats by both Washington and Israel. "Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely," Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and point man on Syria who does not have a direct role on Iran, told podcast host Mario Nawfal. President Donald Trump "is very clear. He's open and available and accessible to a deal and we've been at the table for months and months and months," Barrack said in an interview as he visited the Gulf. Trump, a business partner and friend of Barrack, downplayed the remarks when asked to confirm an attack could come this weekend. "That was my ambassador? He's a pretty powerful man, I guess. If that's the case, I don't know anything about it," Trump told reporters in Florida. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections Tuesday, has in recent days repeatedly vowed to topple the clerical state in Iran, following two major bombing campaigns against it since last year. Trump has also signalled an openness to resuming strikes after a long deadlock in diplomacy, although he earlier said it would not happen before U.S. congressional elections on November 3. Barrack, in remarks that contradict Netanyahu, said the U.S. was not looking to topple the Islamic republic, a sworn enemy of the United States and Israel since a 1979 revolution toppled the pro-Western shah. "If you keep threatening the world, our allies, the Gulf, there will be a consequence. The consequence won't be regime change," Barrack said. "The United States -- the president of the United States -- has said he's not interested in regime change," he added. "The problem with regime change always is, what's the day-two scenario?"

Signs point to renewed major US military ops against Iran
Agence France Presse/24 October/2026
The United States appears to be preparing to resume large-scale strikes against Iran, but there is unlikely to be a military solution for either side in the devastating conflict, experts say. Washington and Tehran's forces have settled into a pattern of strikes on commercial ships, with the United States seeking to enforce a blockade of Iran's ports and the Islamic republic trying to exert control over the key Strait of Hormuz waterway. Neither country has engaged in major attacks on land-based targets since early September, but that may soon change. "I'm banking now on the likelihood of strikes shortly after the midterms," said Suzanne Maloney, director of the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution, referring to November 3 elections in the United States.
She pointed to potential signs including the movement of additional U.S. military assets and troops to the Middle East, warnings issued to Americans in the region, and a high alert status for Israeli forces. Additionally, President Donald Trump "came out publicly and said that he wouldn't strike before the midterms," and "it wouldn't seem to help him at the polls to do so," Maloney said.
The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is largely unpopular in the United States, especially because it has sharply driven up fuel prices, and is likely to be a drag on Trump's Republican Party in the key vote. "Fundamentally, the situation isn't sustainable in its current state," Maloney said, noting that the U.S. blockade is "creating greater pain for the Iranians," while Washington has a large number of naval assets tied up in enforcing it.Trump said Friday that "we may do another little Epic Fury" -- the name for the U.S. operation against Iran that was launched in late February -- if Tehran does not make a deal, but gave no indication on timing.
'Impossible to predict'
Jason Campbell, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, said there have "certainly been recent signs that renewed strikes may be in the offing," or that "the U.S. is expecting strikes carried out by Iran" or their Houthi allies in Yemen. He noted the planned deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Middle East -- which could at least temporarily bring the number of carrier strike groups there to three -- as well as the decision to dispatch another Marine Expeditionary Unit to the region. Campbell also said Israeli warplanes recently carried out a "show of force" mimicking previous strikes on Iran, and noted that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. However, "timing here is impossible to predict," he said of renewed strikes, while noting that "this is admittedly an expansive set of actions to take if the intent is to simply pressure Iran to the negotiating table."Campbell said Trump's options are more limited than they were earlier in the conflict, with damage to U.S. bases in the region having made any potential ground operation more difficult. "At this point, there is no safe place to stage the thousands (in some scenarios tens of thousands) of forces that would be required for such an operation," he said. Maloney meanwhile said that "most of the conventional military sites (in Iran) have already been heavily degraded" by previous strikes, meaning any new campaign will likely "entail more strikes on civilian infrastructure and targets that impact the Iranian population."But that -- or any type of military action -- is unlikely to bring about a resolution to the conflict. "From the start... this has been a war that can't be ended with further escalation on either side," Maloney said. Campbell agreed, saying: "I do not see how renewed strikes on Iran akin to the first fifty days of the war will move the strategic needle for the Iranian regime." "They have demonstrated a willingness to absorb a significant amount of physical pain and even some alterations to targeting that includes key mixed or even civilian infrastructure will not significantly change this," he added.

Death toll in Jordan church shooting rises to nine
Al Arabiya English/23 October/2026
The death toll from the shooting at a church in southern Jordan has risen to nine, Jordanian public security directorate announced Saturday. The gunmen wounded dozens after they stormed the compound of a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hammoud in al-Karak governorate and opened fire. The king has vowed retaliation for the rare attack on Christians in the majority Sunni Muslim kingdom. The gunmen got out of a vehicle and started shooting during a funeral procession, the public security directorate said in a statement, adding that a manhunt was underway for the perpetrators. “The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation,” King Abdullah II said in an English-language post on X. “We will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation.” According to images from state broadcaster al-Mamlaka, the king arrived in al-Karak on Friday evening. After authorities gave a death toll of six, Director of Public Security Major General Abdullah Al-Maaytah said it had risen to seven with 34 injured, 27 of whom were still receiving treatment. Footage aired by al-Mamlaka showed the moment of the attack. Two gunmen are seen dressed in casual clothes and brandishing pistols, with a third carrying a long gun, before they open fire on the church from an entrance on the street and charge forwards. “A terrorist group has carried out a horrific act, one that is condemned in every respect, and the security services are working round the clock to track them down,” Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya told a press conference.“Jordan has been targeted by a terrorist attack carried out by a group of extremists.”He said the perpetrators had “absolutely no connection whatsoever to human values” and it “only serves to strengthen the Jordanians’ resolve... to combat and fight terrorism in all its forms.”Minister of Government Communications Mohammed Al-Momani said security forces were investigating the attack. A witness told al-Mamlaka the gunmen fired continuously for five minutes before fleeing the scene.Between 150 and 200 people were in and around the church at the time, the witness said, adding that most of the victims were aged between 50 and 70. Al-Karak is home to a significant Christian community in the Muslim-majority kingdom, where Christians make up between two and three percent of the population.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Jordan said that if the attack was aimed at driving out Christians from the holy land, “it will only make us cling to it more firmly and deepen our roots in it.” “We are absolutely certain that Jordanian society will remain impervious to every dark, extremist ideology, and that this criminal act is far removed from - and alien to - the moderate Islam of our country,” it said. Attacks on houses of worship in Jordan are rare. In 2016 an attack in Karak targeted a security centre and police patrols, leaving 10 people dead. The victims included seven security personnel and a female tourist, before four militants who had barricaded themselves inside al-Karak’s historic castle were killed. With Agencies

Jordan’s King Abdullah orders security review, vows firm response to church attack
Al Arabiya English/24 October/2026
Jordan’s King Abdullah II has ordered a comprehensive security assessment of how authorities respond to terrorist acts and called for a review of policies to combat extremist ideology following a church attack, the Royal Court said. The monarch directed relevant authorities to respond firmly to the attack and pursue those responsible, while intensifying efforts to cut off the sources of extremist ideology. King Abdullah also called for a comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms used to deal with terrorist acts. The Jordanian monarch urged authorities to take a firm stance, directing them to “respond firmly and strike with an iron fist.” He also called for the prosecution of anyone who supported or justified the church attack, the Royal Court said.With Reuters

Terrorist Attack on Church in Jordan's Karak Leaves Dozens Dead, Wounded
Amman/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Jordan's King Abdullah II vowed to impose the "harshest penalties" on those responsible for an attack on a church in Karak, southern Jordan, that left dozens of people dead and wounded. The king visited people injured in the "terrorist attack" and checked on their condition, according to the Jordan News Agency. The Jordanian monarch stressed the need to confront the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in Karak with the harshest penalties, expressing confidence that those who believed their treacherous bullets could divide Jordanians would see their efforts fail. He reaffirmed the strength and unity of the Jordanian people. In a post on X, the king said: "All Jordanians, from the north of the country to the south, share the same land and stand united, and no act of treachery will divide them." King Abdullah offered condolences to the families of those killed and wished the wounded a speedy recovery. "Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will deal with an iron fist with anyone who attacks this country," he said. In Hamoud village in Karak Governorate, about 150 kilometers south of the capital, Amman, two gunmen opened fire indiscriminately with automatic rifles, killing several people and wounding dozens, some critically.
The village is home to the Christian Al Halasa clan, one of the largest Christian clans in the governorate.Surveillance footage from outside the church, widely circulated online, showed the two gunmen carrying out the attack. A third armed man also appeared in the footage but apparently did not manage to fire his weapon.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness described to Asharq Al-Awsat the horrifying scenes experienced by people near the church. At approximately 2:15 p.m. local time in Amman, two armed men entered and opened fire. Bloodshed quickly engulfed the area, with bodies lying outside the church before the scene of the massacre extended into the church's nave. One eyewitness, who had been standing at the church entrance, said he initially struggled to comprehend what was happening. He realized the gravity of the attack only when a bullet missed him and struck his cousin, who was standing beside him, in the chest. His cousin died in his arms. The witness described being overwhelmed by shock and confusion as his cousin died in his arms while his mother remained inside the church. Realizing that death surrounded the building, he rushed through gunfire coming from every direction in an attempt to rescue his mother, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. "The shooting went on for a long time, and no one managed to stop the two gunmen," he said. The scenes described by the eyewitness were documented in dozens of videos circulated on social media. The attack was unprecedented in Jordan, targeting members of the Christian community in Karak, a governorate known for its tradition of coexistence between Muslims and Christians.
Who Were the Attackers?
Jordanian Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh subsequently declared that the country was confronting "a terrorist operation carried out by a group of extremists who committed a horrific act."Public Security Director Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Maaytah later announced that the death toll had risen to seven, with 27 people wounded. The church had been receiving mourners attending a funeral service for a member of the clan and was crowded with people paying their respects. The gathering made it easier for the attackers to inflict a large number of casualties among villagers who traditionally come together for such occasions. Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the two attackers, who fled the scene, were residents of Karak Governorate and adherents of extremist takfiri ideology. They were reportedly aware of the location and timing of the funeral service, indicating that the attack had been premeditated. The sources confirmed that the identities of the two attackers had been established and that security forces were continuing to search for them and other suspects believed to be involved in a terrorist cell. They added that entrances and exits to the governorate had been secured to prevent the suspects from escaping. Maj. Gen. Maaytah confirmed that authorities possessed information about the perpetrators of the terrorist attack but said it was premature to disclose the suspects' names. He also declined to set a deadline for their arrest. "We cannot specify a timeframe for concluding the operation because it depends on the nature of the situation," he said. This is not the first time Karak has experienced a terrorist attack. Residents still recall the events at Karak Castle in December 2016, when security forces pursued ISIS members who subsequently barricaded themselves inside the historic fortress, where weapons had been concealed. During that incident, hostages were held inside the castle, and the operation lasted more than 15 hours. According to the account, 14 people, including security personnel, civilians and a foreign tourist, were killed, while many others near the castle were wounded. All four militants involved in the attack were also killed.

Israel launches major West Bank operation after soldiers killed
AFP/24 October/2026
Israel’s military launched an operation in the occupied West Bank on Friday it said would last several days and include searches and building demolitions, after gunmen killed two soldiers days ahead of Israeli elections in which security has been a key focus. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is locked in a tight race to keep his job in Tuesday’s vote, having campaigned on promises to keep Israelis safe, and he and his right-wing allies visited the scene of the attack to pledge an even harder line on West Bank militancy. Security forces were searching targets and questioning suspects to “locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure” in the Hebron area from they said the attackers had emerged, according to a joint statement from the Israeli military and Shin Bet domestic security agency. Forces were also “demolishing illegal structures that could pose a security threat at the site of the encounter,” they said, adding that “counterterrorism operations” were underway at dozens of locations. The operation “is expected to continue for several days,” the statement, released late on Friday, said. Militant group Hamas, without claiming responsibility, praised Friday’s fatal attack on two Israeli soldiers as a “heroic operation” and called on supporters to carry out more. A Hebron-based AFP photographer heading to another assignment witnessed the gun battle break out at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint between the soldiers and two Palestinian men armed with a handgun and an automatic rifle.
Israeli forces eventually shot dead the attackers. Netanyahu credited the soldiers with having “prevented what could have been a major attack,” and ordered a lockdown in the West Bank. Visiting Hebron, the premier said he and Defense Minister Israel Katz were “considering a very extensive IDF operation in Judea and Samaria, such as has not been carried out since” the 1967 war. The first step would see Israeli forces “enter the neighborhood from which the terrorists came, evacuate the residents, go from house to house, and destroy the terrorist infrastructure,” he said. The military would apply a model previously used in refugee camps in the northern West Bank, he said, the scene of a large-scale operation launched in January 2025 that the United Nations said forcibly displaced thousands. Israeli rights group B’Tselem called for urgent international pressure to prevent Israel from “plans for collective punishment and acts that could constitute war crimes.”UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres through a spokesman voiced concern over Israeli closures that affect Palestinian livelihoods and called for a halt to violence on all sides.
‘Exactly like Gaza’
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also holds a position within the defense ministry, called for a large-scale military offensive in the West Bank “exactly like in Gaza.”
He said authorities were “sending an unequivocal message to our enemies: if you mess with the Jews, you will pay a very painful price.”National Security Minister and far-right firebrand Itamar Ben Gvir said the Ramallah-based “Palestinian Authority must be dismantled.”“It is impossible for there to be an authority within Judea and Samaria that incites murder, calls for murder, and works for murder,” he told reporters. No evidence suggests that the Palestinian Authority - which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank - was connected to Friday’s attack.
Both Ben Gvir and Smotrich are especially vocal champions of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which have proliferated under Netanyahu’s government but are illegal under international law.Netanyahu vowed to “pursue Hamas terrorists” everywhere, adding: “You have no place to hide.”Israel vowed to obliterate the group in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attack that resulted in 1,221 deaths, according to an AFP tally from official Israeli figures, in what was the deadliest day in the country’s history. Gadi Eisenkot, the former army chief who is Netanyahu’s top rival in the upcoming vote, said he was praying for soldiers wounded in Friday’s shooting. The operation comes as tensions soar in the West Bank, including over attacks by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinian olive harvesters. According to an AFP tally based on data from the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli forces and settlers have killed 1,117 Palestinians in the territory since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. Israeli figures show at least 51 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations during the same period.

US Embassy Says Security Ramped up in Jordan after Deadly Church Attack
REUTERS/Alaa Al Sukhni/October 24/2026
The US embassy in Amman said security had been stepped up at malls, foreign embassies and other locations across Jordan after Friday's attack on a church in Jordan that authorities described as a terrorist act by extremists. Seven people were killed and dozens were injured when gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak governorate, the head of Jordan's Public Security Directorate said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Such attacks are extremely rare in Jordan, though authorities in the US ally say that in recent years they have repeatedly foiled attempted attacks by extremist militants. Authorities said they are still searching for the attackers, adding it was too early to determine whether they had links to known groups inside or outside Jordan. "This is a result of a terrorist ideology and blind extremism and we will not allow society to go down this path," Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said in a post on X hours after the violence. Jordan's King Abdullah visited Karak hours after the attack and said the perpetrators would be punished "with an iron fist". Christians make up a minority of Jordan's population. The country is home to several biblical sites that attract Christian pilgrims from around the world.

Netanyahu Says Palestinian Authority in for 'Big Surprise'
Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Palestinian Authority (PA) was in for a "big surprise" after he ordered a major military operation in response to an attack on soldiers in the West Bank. Netanyahu, days ahead of elections, declined to answer directly when he was asked if he would dismantle the Palestinian Authority but said he favored "ruse and surprise.”"We transformed the Middle East. I said that we would change things and we have," Netanyahu told i24News in an interview conducted late Friday. "There is a very big surprise for the Palestinian Authority as well."Netanyahu on Friday promised a massive military response after Palestinian militants killed two Israeli soldiers near Hebron in the occupied West Bank. One of his far-right allies called after the attack for Israel to bring down the Palestinian Authority, the semi-autonomous body that governs parts of the West Bank in cooperation with Israel as part of peace accords in the 1990s. No evidence suggests that the PA was connected to Friday's attack.

Saudi-led coalition intercepts ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh
Al Arabiya English/24 October /2026
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said on Saturday it had intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh by the Iran-backed group.An early warning system was activated to alert residents to a potential threat, the Saudi civil defense said.“Air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist militia toward Riyadh,” coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki posted on X. A drone was also intercepted in the country’s Eastern Province, al-Malki said in an earlier post on Saturday. Saudi Arabia has come under sustained attack from the Iran-backed group this month, including a strike on Riyadh’s international airport that was the country’s deadliest in years. Following a four-year truce, fighting reignited in Yemen in July, months into the US-Iran conflict that has plunged the wider region into crisis.The Yemen conflict has killed hundreds of thousands of people in one of the world’s poorest countries, which was already suffering a vast humanitarian crisis. With AFP

Debris from two intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles falls in Mecca
Al Arabiya English/24 October/2026
Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia toward the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, with debris from the interceptions falling in several locations across the kingdom, according to Saudi Civil Defense. Parts of the two intercepted missiles fell in Wadi al-Mughammas in Mecca, Saudi Civil Defense said. The authority also reported falling debris in Wadi Jalil in Taif, the al-Nuzha neighborhood in Jeddah and Mastoura Center in Rabigh, west of the kingdom.

Saudi intercepts two missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu, alerts issued in Mecca and Jeddah
Al Arabiya English/24 October/2026
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said it destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-backed group towards Taif and Yanbu on Saturday, as fighting between the sides continued. Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense on Saturday briefly issued alerts warning of potential danger in Taif and Yanbu, as well as the holy city of Mecca and its second-largest city Jeddah. Saudi Arabia’s civil defense agency broadcast warnings of “potential danger” for four of its western provinces, including that of Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest city, on Saturday. The alerts were all rescinded minutes later. Residents were instructed to “proceed to the nearest safe place” by the agency. The agency also repeated a legal warning against sharing images or information related to “countering missiles and drones.” This follows an earlier warning issued early Saturday as the Saudi-led coalition intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh by the Iran-backed Houthis. A drone was also intercepted in the country’s Eastern Province, al-Malki said in an earlier post on Saturday. With AFP

Houthis say targeted three Saudi airports, oil facilities, pipeline in past day
LBCI/24 October/2026
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Saturday said they targeted a range of Saudi assets in the past 24 hours, listing three airports including capital Riyadh's, two oil facilities, a pipeline and an air base.
Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group targeted "King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of the Saudi enemy, in two phases", the airports in Dammam in the east and Najran in the south. The group also targeted the southern Khamis Mushait air base as well as "crude oil pumping stations and the crude oil pipeline from east to west."AFP

Rubio Urges Cubans to Work with CIA, but Warns: Be Discreet
Washington/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday called for Cubans to make "discreet" contact with the American intelligence services as Washington seeks to force an end to the island's communist government. For months, President Donald Trump and other senior US officials have openly hinted at a military intervention or takeover of Cuba, ramping up economic, political and legal pressure on the country. "To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba -- now is the time," Rubio said on social media. "The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete partnership with the CIA."The unusual post appeared to confirm that the CIA is currently active in Cuba after a long history of covert operations including backing the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.The CIA later uploaded a video to X offering instructions in Spanish for those who believe they have information of interest to the intelligence agency, encouraging them to first and foremost visit an official US installation in person if they can safely travel to one.For those hoping to contact the CIA online via the cia.gov website, the agency instructed users to access the internet on a secure network like a VPN using a private browser and a burner email account unassociated with any personal details. Those sharing information should be prepared to include their city, job, level of access and contact information with their message. Trump, speaking at a rally in Florida earlier Friday, underlined his ambitions to impose regime change in Cuba."Those beautiful (US military) ships will pass Cuba. We'll have one of them stop about 50 yards off the coast," he said. "They'll raise up their hands. And then we're going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal." Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez quickly dismissed Trump's threats. "Our coastline is full of beautiful beaches, but there are also razor-sharp limestone spikes, an inhospitable environment for those who make it to our shores with hostile purposes and lust for domination," he posted, according to AFP. In the latest US move against the Cuban leadership, Florida's top prosecutor this week announced an arrest warrant for former president Raul Castro on state murder charges that echo a federal indictment unveiled earlier this year. Castro, 95, is wanted on murder charges connected to the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft from "Brothers to the Rescue," an organization assisting Cubans fleeing to the US state by sea. Castro, brother of the late revolutionary leader and US nemesis Fidel Castro, was indicted on federal charges related to the incident in May. Trump previously seized on a US indictment to justify military action that toppled Venezuela's then-president Nicolas Maduro, a staunch ally of the Cuban authorities. Current Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has said the US federal indictment against Castro has "no legal basis" and was an attempt "to justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba." Washington also imposed a de facto energy blockade on Cuba in January, threatening to sanction any country that supplies fuel to the island of 9.4 million people.

Clashes erupt in Paris after demonstration over cost of living
AFP/24 October/2026
Clashes broke out in Paris late Saturday after a demonstration over the high cost of living, with AFP reporters seeing police use batons and tear gas, and officials saying a water cannon was also used. “The police started moving towards everyone, telling them to get down and back off. They were just taking people down, you know, beating protesters,” one demonstrator bleeding from a baton blow, who gave his first name as David, told AFP.Nearly 800,000 people took part in fresh nationwide demonstrations, with 250,000 in Paris, one of the unions organizing the rallies, the CGT, said.Earlier, the Paris police had said it estimated the turnout in the demonstration in the capital at 110,000 protesters. French police arrested “nearly 1,000” people Saturday in nationwide protests, a number that “will rise” as more figures come in, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.
Although marches over the cost of living “passed off well” in cities, officers found themselves later confronted with “an extremely elevated level of violence” from “ultra-left” groups, Nunez told journalists. Earlier on Saturday French police seized a variety of weapons as they deployed for nationwide demonstrations with orders to prevent renewed street violence, Nunez said. Weapons confiscated included metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana and airsoft weapons, he said, while adding that, so far, “there has been no major incident.”Police had started firing tear gas at protesters, on a day of fresh nationwide demonstrations over the high cost of living. Police in the southeast city of Lyon fired tear gas to disperse some 150 protesters near the city center – where demonstrations had been banned – when they briefly tried to block a road, an AFP journalist saw.Elsewhere, authorities and rattled shopkeepers geared up for potential new street violence. Near Paris’s Bastille neighborhood, a clothing store had removed all its merchandise from shelves ahead of the demonstrations, while a nearby restaurant was boarded up with signs insisting it was “still open.” Many other retailers in the capital also had wooden boards covering their windows. The Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay museums were closed. Police were seen readying riot gear in zones that bore the brunt of last weekend’s clashes and looting. They were among 70,000 security personnel the interior ministry said were mobilized to counter the “high” threat of violence. “We will not tolerate any unrest,” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Friday, adding that calls had been circulating on social media calling for violence and looting.
Protest against far-right party
Adding to tensions, far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) party was holding a weekend congress in the central city of Orleans to kick off her campaign for elections in six months to choose President Emmanuel Macron’s successor. Thousands of people yelling anti-fascist slogans marched on Saturday against Le Pen, and also against Macron, a pro-business centrist leader. “Macron resign. Le Pen in prison,” the crowd yelled. The violence last weekend and the heightened tensions over this weekend’s demonstrations highlighted the febrile atmosphere in France ahead of that vote, which Le Pen is best-placed, according to surveys, to win. Last weekend saw rioters on the margins of the nationwide demonstrations clash with police, vandalize public buildings and loot hundreds of stores. Some 2,700 people were arrested and the retail sector said shop owners were left with damage and stolen stock totaling hundreds of millions of euros. Macron attributed the worst of the violence to “ultra-left” groups that he said “want to bring down the republic.”Groups organizing Saturday’s renewed demonstrations have accused Macron and his government of ignoring widespread public anger over rising costs, and over classroom conditions for students. Inflation in France, as elsewhere, has been sent surging by the Middle East war, started in February by US President Donald Trump and Israel. Protests have also been taking place in Italy, Belgium, Spain and Portugal over different issues, yet with some overlap on inflation and education problems. Italy has sent 500 troops to try to quell street violence in Milan.
Boarded-up shops
In Paris, streets on Saturday were unusually quiet, with many shop windows boarded up, and some of the bigger retailers sent messages to customers warning that they were closed for the day. The capital’s police at the last minute ordered a union-organized march in the city be moved from Bastille, in the center-east, to the more remote eastern Porte d’Italie on the southern rim of the capital. Unions said they reluctantly would go along with that. But the Yellow Vest movement -- a loosely organized grouping that staged disruptive street protests against Macron eight years ago -- indicated it would not comply. Macron and his government have sought to draw a line between the legitimate demands of protesters and the looting, burning and ransacking that erupted on the sidelines of demonstrations last Saturday. Courts have already sent 217 people, half of them first-time offenders, to prison over the events on Saturday, officials said. Macron has said authorities would accept only union-led demonstrations and would counter any others they deemed “illegitimate.”Authorities in Marseille had banned all protests but announced Friday that a union-organized demonstration would be allowed on an “exceptional basis.”The restrictions, including outright bans on protests in some cities, have drawn criticism. Amnesty International denounced what it called “a slide toward authoritarian practice,” saying the measures were “jeopardizing the right to demonstrate peacefully.” “Police have a responsibility both to ensure that protests can take place peacefully and safely and to protect the public from violent disorder,” said Eva Cosse, senior Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on October 24-25/2026
If You Love This Country, When You Vote, Consider the Policies That Islamist Sharia Ideology Demands
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Gatestone Institute/October 24/2026
When you go to vote in ten days, please keep in mind the many doctrines and policies that are not just preferred but required by those who identify with the ideologies of Islam. As someone who grew up in Iran and Syria and experienced these realities, I have seen firsthand people who identify with Islamist Sharia law. Islamists and jihadists do not treat Sharia as one policy preference among many. It is not just their identity; it is what they are committed to advancing as the sole identity for everyone. Their entire sense of self, their purpose in this life, and their belief about the next life depend on implementing Sharia completely. It outweighs everything else. They will die for it. Changing this commitment would mean changing who they are. It is like expecting the Pope to denounce Jesus on Easter or a rabbi to down a pork chop on Yom Kippur — only more — to the zillionth power. Nothing external — prosperity, compromise, or democratic norms — can override it. As we were taught for years and saw with our own eyes, Islamist Sharia law stands in complete contradiction to American values in every major respect. The very reason that the United States grew and became a superpower in technology, the economy, and influence is that its founding values run directly in opposition to Islamist Sharia.
Just look at countries taken over by Islamic ideology: Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, and Iran are clear examples. If someone truly believes in Islamic Sharia law, they must follow it point by point. One of the central points is the rejection of free speech. Just look at Pakistan's blasphemy laws. One can be killed not only for criticizing Islam, Mohammed or Sharia, but even for the suspicion that you might have done so. The slighted questioning of the religion or the rulers who claim to implement Allah's will makes you a blasphemer or an infidel, the punishment for which can be death. In countries where Islamists have taken power, people are imprisoned, tortured, raped and executed for words or online posts. Asia Bibi spent eight years on death row in Pakistan for taking a few sips of water from a well on a hot day, and, because she is Christian, thereby having contaminated it. Supporting people identified with this Sharia means supporting people who do not believe in freedom of speech or, it seems, freedom of much else — especially individual rights. If you are raped you are guilty of committing adultery and can be stoned to death — unless four males who could testify have witnessed the attack! If you are gay, you must be thrown to your death from a high place. Apostasy — leaving Islam — is punishable by death. A person raised in this system is taught that conversion is not a private choice; it is a capital offense. Do you really want someone who genuinely believes that you should not be free to choose your own faith or your own actions and choices holding power over your city, your state, or your country — and seated on intelligence committees?
This same ideology holds that men are legally superior to women in inheritance, testimony, and nearly every legal domain. Women are regarded as inferior by doctrine and design. It is astonishing that some self-described, apparently masochistic feminists and women's rights advocates still support policies that so openly abuse them.The policy and priority of those committed to this worldview is not the equal rights, prosperity, health, or livelihood of the American people. Their priority and main policy consist of advancing and imposing their Islamist version of Sharia. That is what they believe earns rewards in this world and the next. Failure to pursue it makes them bad servants of Allah. Few in Iran expected the sudden total transformation that followed the advent of the ayatollahs. Once power was secured, new laws appeared virtually overnight. Similar patterns have already become entrenched in parts of the United Kingdom and Europe. Only occasionally are there calls for countermeasures. They usually amount to nothing -- both out of fear by the leaders of violent opposition on the streets, as seen now in France and as far as South Korea, or out fear of being abandoned at the altar of the ballot box.
Going backwards — fast — can happen here too.
Every election presents a choice between candidates, some of whom may be more supportive of your individual freedoms than others. There are many candidates whose primary loyalty is to the United States: they put America first, seek to improve it, and defend its core constitutional values: freedom of speech and of the press, equal justice under the law, the right to due process, separation of powers, an independent judiciary, the right to keep and bear arms, and the full range of the rights of individuals -- not groups. Those individuals whose identity is bound to an Islamist framework, however, are committed to implementing their version of Sharia law. Unfortunately, this seventh-century version of justice will not improve our country or the West; it will only move them backwards.As someone who grew up in Iran and Syria and experienced these realities, I have seen firsthand people who identify with Islamist Sharia law. Islamists and jihadists do not treat Sharia as one policy preference among many. It is not just their identity; it is what they are committed to advancing as the sole identity for everyone. Their entire sense of self, their purpose in this life, and their belief about the next life depend on implementing Sharia completely. It outweighs everything else. They will die for it. Changing this commitment would mean changing who they are. It is like expecting the Pope to denounce Jesus on Easter or a rabbi to enjoy a pork chop on Yom Kippur – only more — to the zillionth power. Nothing external — prosperity, compromise, or democratic norms — can override it.
As we were taught for years and saw with our own eyes, Islamist Sharia law stands in complete contradiction to American values in every major respect. The very reason that the United States grew and became a superpower in technology, the economy, and influence is that its founding values run directly in opposition to Islamist Sharia. Look, for example, at countries taken over by Islamic ideology: Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, and Iran are clear examples. Iran, for instance, possesses one of the world's largest oil and gas reserves and should be wealthy. After the Shia Islamists seized power and imposed their version of Sharia, the economy became one of the worst performing for a resource-rich nation, and its citizens, ordinary people, like you, have paid the price. Under Sharia, one cannot have it both ways. If someone truly believes in Islamic Sharia law, they must follow it point by point. One of the central points is the rejection of free speech. Just look at Pakistan's blasphemy laws. One can be killed not only for criticizing Islam, Mohammed or Sharia, but even for the suspicion that you might have done so. The slighted questioning of the religion or the rulers who claim to implement Allah's will makes you a blasphemer or an infidel, the punishment for which can be death.
In countries where Islamists have taken power, people are imprisoned, tortured, raped and executed for words or online posts. Asia Bibi spent eight years on death row for taking a few sips of water from a well, and, because she is Christian, of thereby having "contaminated" it. Supporting those people identified with this Sharia means supporting people who do not believe in freedom of speech or freedom of much else, especially individual rights. There are few extenuating circumstances in Sharia. There is no freedom of conscience. If you are raped you are guilty of committing adultery and can be stoned to death — unless four males witnessed the incident! If you are gay, you must be thrown to your death from a high place. Apostasy — leaving Islam — is punishable by death. A person raised in that system is taught that conversion is not a private choice; it is a capital offense. Do you really want someone who genuinely believes that you should not be free to choose your own faith or your own actions and choices holding power over your city, your state, or your country – and seated on intelligence committees? This same ideology holds that men are legally superior to women in inheritance, testimony, and nearly every legal domain. Women are regarded as inferior by doctrine and design. It is astonishing that some self-described, apparently masochistic feminists and women's rights advocates still support policies that so openly abuse them.
The policy and priority of those committed to this worldview is not the equal rights, prosperity, health, or livelihood of the American people. Their priority and main policy is advancing and imposing their Islamist version of Sharia. That is what they believe earns rewards in this world and the next. Failure to pursue it makes them bad servants of Allah. They will promise free electricity, free everything, social benefits, and moderation — exactly as Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and others did before consolidating power. Once in power, the rules change. This pattern is called taqiyya — dissimulation — the permission to conceal true intentions and present a milder face until the moment of strength arrives. It has happened in Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria, Pakistan and Iran, among other places. It has been repeated elsewhere. Americans would do well to recognize the pattern.
Wherever this ideology has taken control, countries that once had greater openness and potential have sped backward. The process starts gradually — gaining positions in education, government, building influence, and waiting. Then the enforcement comes: mandatory dress codes, suppression of dissent, and restrictions on faith and speech. Few in Iran expected the sudden total transformation that followed the advent of the ayatollahs. Once power was secured, new laws appeared virtually overnight. Similar patterns have already become entrenched in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe Informal Sharia councils have proliferated, supposedly handling "just" personal and family matters — marriage, divorce, and inheritance according to Islamic principles — but heaven help anyone who might try to protest a ruling. These bodies lack all formal legal authority under national law and operate as voluntary or advisory forums, yet their growth — estimated in the dozens across Britain — has fueled parallel systems: unequal treatment of women in divorce and inheritance rulings, and pressures against free expression or freedom of action.
Broader Islamist networks, including those associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, have drawn attention in several European countries for violent societal pressure, parallel communities, and increasing political pressure at the ballot box that accompanies demographic proliferation. Only occasionally are there calls for countermeasures. They usually amount to nothing -- both from fear by the leaders of violent opposition on the streets, as seen now in France and as far as South Korea, from fear of being abandoned at the altar of the ballot box. Supporting candidates whose identity is bound to Islamist Sharia law risks sending the country backward — for you, your children, and your grandchildren. The examples around the world are clear: once these forces reach significant numbers or high levels of power, they show their true face. If you care about the values of the West, you would be better off voting instead for people whose loyalty is to this country, whose identity is not an imported Islamist ideology, and whose priority is the opportunity for a freer, more prosperous life and constitutional guarantees that send America forwards. Going backwards — fast — can happen here too.
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
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https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22938/policies-that-sharia-demands
© 2026 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute.

The Church Massacre in Karak
Mamdouh al-Muhainy/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
The terrorists who stormed a church in the Jordanian city of Karak did not simply wake up one morning and decide to attack the church and commit a horrific massacre. They had absorbed extremist ideology until every trace of humanity had been stripped from them, turning them into savages consumed by a thirst for blood. What makes a person who was once an ordinary, peaceful child become a terrorist who kills innocent people in cold blood, believing that he is performing a righteous deed that will earn him a place in paradise? There is only one answer, and no other: religious hatred. The equation is clear, despite attempts to confuse and obscure it. Religious hatred leads to extremism, and extremism leads to terrorism. Eliminating religious hatred is the foundation of any solution. Without it, we will continue to see terrorists emerge, time and again, in one country after another.Reverse the equation, however, and the outcome changes. Building a culture from the outset on genuine tolerance, not merely the appearance of it, and respect for human dignity will raise well-adjusted children and foster a healthy society that does not breed extremists and terrorists. In other words, eliminating extremism is a necessary condition for eliminating terrorism. Otherwise, we will remain trapped in a vicious cycle. We have repeated the same story so often that it has become tiresome. Security personnel perform heroic acts to prevent terrorists from committing massacres, but they face an impossible task. They are like people trying to hold back the waves of the sea with their bare hands. They cannot wrest the gun from a terrorist's hand at the last possible moment every single time. Nor can security forces prevent the spread of the culture of extremism and hatred propagated by hardliners. That is neither within their power nor their responsibility.That responsibility belongs to educational, religious and social institutions, as well as families. Instilling tolerance in the minds and hearts of new generations from the very beginning is one of the greatest responsibilities governments must undertake.
It is no easy task, given the legacy of extremism that has taken shape over recent decades as extremist groups and their rhetoric came to dominate Arab societies through the media and education. But it is a responsibility that cannot be avoided. Otherwise, we will witness more massacres committed by terrorists who were once ordinary, well-adjusted children, but whom we left vulnerable to extremist ideology until we ourselves became its victims.

Europe: Protests, the Far Right and a Struggling Economy
Emile Ameen/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
For nearly an entire year, from 1848 to 1849, Europe experienced what became known as the "Spring of Nations" or the "Springtime of the Peoples," a wave of revolutions and unrest that spread from France to some 50 European countries and provinces. That period witnessed the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history. Although predominantly political, with democratic aspirations, the uprisings sought to dismantle old feudal structures and establish independent nation-states. Historically, what is striking is that the spark of Europe's first revolutionary spring came from France. As the old saying goes, when Paris sneezes, the rest of Europe's capitals catch a cold.Is Europe now entering an autumn that could rewrite the history of that earlier spring?Any comparison requires a degree of historical perspective. The scenes of violence unfolding across Europe today will not necessarily develop into the kinds of revolutions that shook the European order in the 19th century. This time, the forces driving Europe's autumn of anger center on a crisis of confidence in ruling elites, economic pressures that fuel social and humanitarian unrest, the rise of nationalism and protests against traditional institutions.
Above all, in this writer's view, there is the recurring question of Europe's identity, its roots and its future. Some senior European politicians argue that the left, accused of extremism and of making common cause, however haphazardly rather than through any organized alliance, with criminals and thieves, has managed to turn the French Republic upside down in a matter of hours. A closer examination reveals a dangerous triangle of interconnected forces, not only in France but probably in most, if not all, European countries: severe economic headwinds; waves of immigration, with large segments of migrant populations struggling, and sometimes unwilling, to integrate, though this certainly does not apply to everyone; and a ruling political class that appears to have run out of ideas and become almost incapable of creativity or innovation on various fronts. The current situation raises a fundamental question about the fate of Europe's liberal, Enlightenment-inspired civilization. Is a continent that has enjoyed such a long age of enlightenment now heading toward darkness? The answer lies in the European street, where hard-right movements, some verging on extremism, are gaining ground. From the Alternative for Germany (AfD) to France's National Rally, which could capture the French presidency in a matter of months, similar political forces are advancing across the continent. Yet Europe's troubles will not simply disappear, even if the political elites currently clinging to power are replaced. The continent's economic predicament will persist, particularly as Europe loses its ability to compete economically with East Asia on one side and the United States on the other. Its inability to meet the demands of economic reform will therefore remain unresolved. Dark clouds of austerity programs will hang over the continent, deepening social tensions and intensifying populist anger.
But what if the populists fail to gain power across Europe and the status quo remains unchanged? Here, another set of European theories emerges, connected to an even more intriguing external dimension that takes us into the world of Russophobia and hybrid warfare. Some observers of the European scene believe Russia has a hand in recent events, using Europeans themselves to destabilize the continent rather than bearing the burden of another direct military confrontation.The Kremlin is at odds with recent European moves, particularly those of Germany and Britain, which continue to support Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles and billions of euros despite severe economic crises at home. This support is intended to compensate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Washington's reluctance to remain engaged, as President Donald Trump presses ahead with diesel deals and the easing of sanctions with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of a broader arrangement aimed at rescuing an America struggling with crises on other fronts.On walls across Paris, protesters have written the words: "Pitch Darkness in the City of Light."Will the flames of this anger spread across the rest of Europe? The outcome of the revolutions of 1848 will not necessarily be repeated. But Europe's existential questions remain: Who governs? In whose interests? And what keeps societies together when confidence in the established order begins to crumble?

Safe Passageways: Global Interests and a Shared Responsibility
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Othaimin/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Saudi Arabia has long warned, ever since the Houthis overthrew Yemen's legitimate government and began threatening maritime navigation, that the consequences of this danger would extend far beyond the region and has called for an international response. Yet those warnings were not taken seriously by the international community. Today, the full picture has become clear, and the world is experiencing firsthand what disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait truly mean. Interruptions in shipping through these waterways have disrupted production, increased shipping costs, and driven up commodity prices. Consumers around the world are now bearing the consequences of these disruptions and tensions, even in countries far removed from the region. This comes as no surprise given the scale of energy and trade flows that pass through these two strategic chokepoints, which together account for nearly 30 percent of the world's energy trade. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), an average of 21.8 million barrels per day of crude oil and petroleum products pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while 9.3 million barrels transit Bab al-Mandab daily.
The effects of these tensions and supply disruptions from the Middle East and Russia are evident in a recent International Energy Agency (IEA) report, which noted that global diesel exports in September fell by approximately 700,000 barrels per day compared with the previous year.
In Asia, the report indicated that disruptions to oil flows through Hormuz reduced refinery operations, particularly in China, India, and South Korea. Wholesale diesel prices exceeded $200 per barrel in Singapore and reached around $220 per barrel in Europe and the United States.
There is no need to dwell further on what the world now clearly understands: disruptions to energy supplies and maritime navigation spread like wildfire, eventually reaching factories, markets, and household budgets worldwide. The scale of these interconnected interests means that protecting these two straits is a responsibility that extends beyond the littoral states to all nations that benefit from them. This raises an important question: How can this shared interest be transformed into a genuine shared responsibility, with countries collectively bearing the burden? In my view, this can be achieved through five key avenues.
The first is supporting the multinational defensive maritime coalition led by Saudi Arabia as a practical framework for sharing responsibility in safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring the continuity of international trade and global supply chains. Such support requires broader participation from countries that benefit from secure navigation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden, including the provision of naval, intelligence, logistical, and financial capabilities according to each country's capacity. In this way, shared responsibility becomes tangible protection for vessels, trade routes, and energy supplies.
In addition, countries such as China, Russia, and Türkiye can leverage their relations with Iran to press for secure navigation in Hormuz and encourage Tehran to use its influence over the Houthis to halt attacks on vessels in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea. Political and diplomatic influence is an important tool for protecting common interests. China has already demonstrated this when it reportedly warned Tehran, according to Reuters, that continued Houthi attacks could harm their commercial relations.
Another important avenue is addressing the sources of financing and supply that sustain these threats. This includes tracking intermediary companies used to procure missile and drone components, verifying the end users of dual-use technologies, and monitoring financial transfers linked to financing attacks. It also requires coordination among countries from which shipments originate or through whose ports they transit, enabling the exchange of information and the prevention of supplies reaching implicated actors within established legal frameworks. Protecting vessels will remain difficult as long as these groups can continue acquiring the means to carry out their attacks. Therefore, intelligence sharing and stricter oversight of such activities are essential elements of a shared maritime security responsibility.
From this perspective, no single country can bear the cost of guaranteeing the continued flow of supplies that benefit the entire world. Nations that depend on the region's energy and trade should contribute to protecting ports, repairing damaged facilities, and helping sustain shipping operations to keep global commerce moving. When piracy off the coast of Somalia threatened trade routes, countries from outside the region took part in protecting commercial shipping. Likewise, when energy markets were disrupted following the war in Ukraine, consuming nations helped alleviate the crisis by drawing on strategic petroleum reserves. Just as countries share in the benefits of trade and stable supplies, they should also share the burden of protecting them. It is unreasonable for the benefits to be global while the cost of safeguarding them is treated as a purely regional concern.
All of these approaches, however, will remain little more than aspirations and good intentions unless they are translated into clear and sustained action, with each country specifying the funding, capabilities, or technical support it is prepared to provide.
Protecting maritime routes requires continued cooperation even after tensions subside and escalation is contained, in order to prevent future crises and avoid repeating the same losses whenever regional tensions re-emerge. The International Energy Agency's emergency stockpile system provides a useful example of how countries can commit to maintaining specific reserves, regularly reviewing preparedness, and participating in coordinated responses during supply disruptions. Such cooperation could take the form of a joint committee tasked with monitoring the implementation of national contributions and addressing causes of delay, in coordination with relevant international organizations. Finally, I believe Saudi Arabia's position is grounded in an undeniable reality: stability in this region and the security of its maritime corridors are fundamental pillars of global economic stability. Consequently, contributions from beneficiary nations to protect the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab are, in essence, investments in their own economies and the well-being of their citizens.
The time has come to share responsibility in the face of these crises.

Something in Tehran Resembles What Once Unfolded in Moscow
Mohammed al-Rumaihi/Asharq Al-Awsat/October 24/2026
Reading On the Edge of Empire: From Brezhnev to Putin by Salam Musafir, a journalist who spent many years living in the Soviet Union and its aftermath, prompted me to compare the Soviet Union with Iran. The similarities between the two are striking. Both can be classified as authoritarian systems, though one was secular and the other religious. In both cases, power erected a wall of intellectual isolation, leaving people with two choices: obedience or survival. I do not believe history repeats itself, but I do believe that political systems may differ in ideology while sharing the same sources of weakness. The factors that make a state appear strong abroad can also render it incapable of addressing its internal ailments. The testimonies of journalists who witnessed the Soviet Union's decline reveal a society that gradually drifted away from the language spoken by its leadership. The Communist Party boasted of socialism's triumphs while ordinary citizens stood in long lines for basic necessities. The privileges enjoyed by officials and their families conveyed a reality very different from the one proclaimed by official platforms. The first cracks appeared in the gap between rhetoric and lived experience. The state could send a man into space while farmers still harvested crops with sickles. It could manufacture missiles while its leaders remained trapped in ritualized displays of power.
I see something similar in Iran's experience. The revolution was launched under the banner of defending the oppressed, yet a network of institutions and vested interests emerged around the state that proved difficult to hold accountable. Citizens who hear promises of justice want to see them reflected in their incomes, employment opportunities, and their children's future. Constant appeals for patience are not enough, especially when sacrifices appear unevenly distributed and those closest to power seem least burdened by their costs. The second factor is economic. The Soviet economy did not collapse overnight. Stagnation accumulated, incentives weakened, and meaningful reforms were delayed. In Iran, repression is compounded by poor governance, inflation, and distorted investment patterns. Then there is the cost of foreign ambitions. The Soviet Union carried the burdens of an arms race, military commitments, allies, and wars, even as domestic needs continued to grow. In Iran's case, regional expansion through armed proxies has, in my view, imposed costs beyond available resources and narrowed opportunities for domestic development. What value is influence in an Arab capital if citizens at home endure power outages and a steadily depreciating currency?
The two experiences also converge in the belief that ideology grants those in power a unique understanding denied to others. The Communist Party claimed a monopoly over interpreting the course of history, while Iran's leadership derives part of its legitimacy from a particular religious interpretation of politics. The problem arises when political judgment is elevated into a truth beyond criticism. In such circumstances, the ruler himself becomes a doctrine. The Soviet leadership eventually recognized that the system required change, but it acted too late. Its hesitant reforms unleashed conflicts it could no longer control. In Tehran, fear of a similar fate appears to inform resistance to political opening. Yet blocking the path to reform does not eliminate the need for it; it merely postpones addressing underlying imbalances, allowing them to deepen within institutions that increasingly depend on security measures for protection. Nor does society remain frozen at the moment of a revolution. In the Soviet Union, new generations emerged that no longer responded to old promises. In Iran, younger generations seek a normal life, personal freedoms, and greater engagement with the wider world. The case of Mahsa Amini in 2022, whose death after demanding her rights sparked widespread protests, illustrates this. So too does the worker demanding fair wages and the student rejecting paternalistic control. Their grievances cannot all be dismissed as the work of foreign agents. Such explanations may comfort those in power, but they prevent genuine understanding.
The writings of Iran's opposition add another layer to this picture, criticizing the concentration of wealth, deteriorating public services, and the prioritization of foreign commitments over domestic needs. I do not treat everything the opposition says as unquestionable truth. It is diverse, divided, and driven by its own calculations. Yet the persistent repetition of economic and political grievances deserves examination, particularly when economic indicators lend them credibility. They cannot simply be dismissed by questioning the motives of those who voice them.
There is also the question of the center and the periphery. The Soviet federal structure enabled local elites to transform dissent into demands for independence. Iran is different, and it would be wrong to assume that its ethnic and sectarian diversity will inevitably lead to fragmentation.
What can be compared, however, is the impact of discrimination and exclusion from political participation. Equal citizenship strengthens the state, whereas responding to local grievances primarily through security measures makes national cohesion more fragile, as can be seen among Kurds, Turkmen, Baluchis, and Arabs. Finally, the Soviet Union's fate was not determined by popular dissatisfaction alone. Divisions within the leadership and the breakdown of its ability to reach consensus were decisive factors. This point is worth considering when examining Iran. Public approval may decline, yet the system can endure as long as its core institutions remain cohesive. For that reason, monitoring tensions among Iran's centers of power is particularly important. In my view, such internal divisions are among the main obstacles preventing Iran from reaching lasting accommodation with the outside world. External pressure, I believe, accelerates the appearance of existing flaws rather than creating them from nothing. It may allow governments to postpone accountability in the name of confronting an enemy, but it cannot repair failed governance or turn political slogans into bread on people's tables.
My conviction is that the fundamental factors are shared: an ideology resistant to self-examination, an economy weighed down by poor political choices, an elite determined to protect its privileges, and a society changing more rapidly than its rulers. What differs is the form and timing of the outcome. The result may be a long process of transformation rather than a sudden collapse. The real task is not to predict the date of a system's fall, but to understand the causes of its gradual erosion. Final thought: Abandoning a belief may sometimes be less painful than continuing to live with its contradictions.

Analysis: Muslim Brotherhood - Part Chameleon, Part Octopus
Yigal Carmon/MEMRI/October 24/2026
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2026/10/158553/
Pattern recognition is a mental process in human beings and in other animals. It is a way to understand our surroundings and to identify best practices, to uncover pending threats. An animal sees a differently colored patch in a field of grass and surmises that a predator could be hiding there.Avoiding the pattern, disguising the threat, delaying recognition, also exists in warfare. That is where camouflage comes in. The same is true in political warfare: Political, social, and organizational camouflage is also essential in the battle for supremacy.
Two broad-based political movements – ironically these days sometimes in close alliance with each other – have been heavily invested in this strategy of political camouflage, part chameleon and part octopus: Revolutionary Communism in its various manifestations and Revolutionary Political Islam, the Muslim Brotherhood, and its many, varied iterations.
Hamas in Gaza, various political parties under different names, organizations of clerics, media outlets, fatwa councils, social justice and civil society groups of Muslims in the West, business associations, the ideological founders of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, student groups, professional organizations of lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, dentists and engineers in some Arab states, the founders of Turkey's ruling AKP; all of them are part of that very broad Islamist front marching – more or less, with local variations and diversity present – along the same path and toward the same goal. Supremacy. Dominance. Victory.
In the 1930s, it was the Communists in various countries that forged popular fronts that included like-minded but separate groups aligned towards a greater common goal. The Popular Front concept was a way to make the demands of Communists more palatable to a larger group of people, some of whom may have been hesitant to embrace the pure, unadulterated original under the Hammer and Sickle. Some of the popular front members were genuinely authentic – allies – while others were actually puppets, stand-ins, or subsidiaries for the Communists and quietly controlled by the party.
When thinking of the Communists back then and of today's Muslim Brotherhood and burgeoning "Red-Green Alliance," which brings leftists and Islamists together, it is useful to think of these fronts as a very broad spectrum rather than a tightly regimented union, a political spectrum incorporating true believers, allies of convenience, puppets and any other possible variation along a common theme.[1]
Islamists, like Communists, have turned out to be extremely flexible and pragmatic on a tactical level while never losing sight of the larger strategic goal.[2] You will find Islamists in rallies that, as has happened in the United States and recently in France, seem to have little or nothing to do with Islam. So it is not surprising when Islamist/MB-type entities like Erdoğan's AKP and the State of Qatar are sometimes "helpful" to the West, to American Administrations, in certain fields while also seeking to promote the fall of the West to Political Islam. Pragmatism whether in high-stakes diplomacy or on the streets of Paris.
So when we see Hamas, we can and should think that this is the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood under arms. When we think of Turkey's AKP, we can imagine a Turkified Muslim Brotherhood inspired by Neo-Ottomanism.[3] When we think of Al-Qaeda and its offspring in the Islamic State we are talking of a melding of the Muslim Brotherhood under arms with militant Salafism.
Media would present Hamas, the AKP, Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State as four different organizations and they are indeed four different organizations, but all four are variations along a roughly common theme. Hamas has persecuted AQ/ISIS type Jihadists in Gaza, ISIS has targeted AKP-ruled Turkey, Al-Qaeda and ISIS war against each other in Africa, Afghanistan, Somalia, and elsewhere. They are rivals that differ, often greatly, in tactics, strategies, and methods. But they are similarly focused on the same ultimate objective – the victory of Islam, their specific, often contending, version of that Islamified end state.
Our problem then with dealing with the Muslim Brotherhood in the West is not only a legal one – how to prosecute or ban entities which are – not now anyway – not actually practicing violence in the West or breaking existing laws while pursuing a hostile anti-Western agenda.[4] It is also a semantic one, a problem of labels.
Ironically, almost a century ago, when Hassan Al-Banna first founded the original Muslim Brotherhood in Ismailiyah, Egypt, the question of mislabeling, of waging war by political means was present. Al-Banna and six others "took an oath to God to be troops [jund] for the message of Islam."[5] The group initially prioritized building cadres and launching propaganda efforts but Al-Banna saw the movement as encompassing a broad front appealing to a diverse audience from the beginning: "he defined the movement as a Salafiyya message, a Sunni way, a Sufi truth, a political organization, an athletic group, a cultural-educational union, an economic company and a social idea."[6]
It is a good thing that the danger of the Muslim Brotherhood is finally on the radar of the Trump Administration.[7] It is good that the state of Texas issued a proclamation on the danger of the group, even if the practical aspects of the proclamation are extremely limited.[8] But these steps are mostly symbolic. Western governments urgently need to broaden their perspectives, think creatively and constructively, to better understand the MB's imperial project and to fully grasp and delineate the networks, connections and formal and informal ties that define it.
*Alberto M. Fernandez is Vice President of MEMRI.
[1] Meforum.org/fwi/fwi-news/muslim-brotherhood-leftist-axis-sweeps-french-student-union-elections, April 24, 2026.
[3] Fdd.org/analysis/islamist-turkey-a-base-for-muslim-brotherhood-jihadism, April 1, 2026.
[5] Richard P. Mitchell, The Society of the Muslim Brothers (1969, Oxford University Press), p. 8.
[6] Ibid, p. 14.
[7] Apnews.com/article/muslim-brotherhood-terrorist-organizations-trump-sanctions-d862fcc5b04558f9af8d648dd4e9a0d1, January 13, 2026.
[8] Gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-designates-muslim-brotherhood-cair-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations, November 18, 2025.

Selected Face Book & X tweets on October 24/2026