Netanyahu asks Herzog for pardon in ongoing corruption trial - Akiva von Koningsveld

 

by Akiva von Koningsveld

“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications,” Herzog's office stated.

 

President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at event for outstanding soldiers as part of Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on April 26, 2023. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted a formal request for a pardon to President Isaac Herzog, the head of state said Sunday.

“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications,” Herzog’s office stated.

“After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” it added.

In the request submitted through his attorney, Netanyahu explained to Herzog that a pardon would “enable the prime minister to devote all of his time, abilities and energies to advancing the State of Israel in these critical times, and to address the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Halting the legal process will also allow for “mending the rifts between different parts of the nation and open the door to lowering the flames, all for the purpose of strengthening the national resilience,” he wrote.

Israel’s longest-sitting prime minister faces corruption charges in three separate cases—Cases 1000 and 2000 (the charge is “breach of trust” in both instances), and Case 4000 (bribery, fraud and breach of trust).

In a video statement released shortly after Herzog’s announcement, Netanyahu said that his “personal interest has been, and remains, to continue the process until the end, until full acquittal on all charges.

“However, the security and diplomatic reality, the national interest, demand otherwise,” the premier continued. “The State of Israel faces enormous challenges, and alongside them, tremendous opportunities.

“To repel the threats and to seize those opportunities, national unity is required,” Netanyahu stated. He added, “The continuation of the trial tears us apart from within, fuels this division and deepens the rifts.”

According to the prime minister, putting an immediate end to the thrice-weekly court sessions “will greatly help lower the flames and advance the broad reconciliation our country so desperately needs.

“I expect that all those who place the good of the country above all will support this step,” the two-and-a-half-minute statement concluded.

מסר חשוב ממני אליכם >> pic.twitter.com/EwUc8361DJ

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 30, 2025

Defense Minister Israel Katz called on the president to “support a decision that will allow the State of Israel to move forward united.

“Israel is facing a security reality more complex than ever: Old enemies are trying to rebuild their strength, while new forces in the region are emerging with the aim of threatening the security of Israel’s citizens,” said Katz. “At this time, we need united leadership focused on the strategic threat before us.”

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid Party) in response called on Herzog not to grant the pardon unless Netanyahu admits guilt, expresses remorse and immediately retires from political life.

Netanyahu told Australian journalist Erin Molan of “The Erin Molan Show” podcast on Nov. 13 that he was “thinking about” requesting a pardon, but said he would not admit guilt as part of the procedure.

“Nobody suggests that that’s what I’ll do, and I certainly won’t do that. That’s not going to happen,” he said, responding to Lapid’s assertion that Israeli law requires an admission of guilt and expression of remorse to receive a pardon.

On Nov. 12, Herzog announced he had received a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump requesting a full pardon for Netanyahu.

Trump said that, while he respects the independence and requirements of the Israeli judicial system, he believes the case against Netanyahu is a “political, unjustified prosecution.” He added that “it is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending lawfare once and for all.”

Herzog responded to the missive, stressing to his American counterpart that “anyone seeking a presidential pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures.”

Akiva von Koningsveld

Source: https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-asks-herzog-for-pardon-in-ongoing-corruption-case/

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IDF Chief of Staff orders independent investigation of Hamas massacre plan - Israel National News

 

by Israel National News

New independent review to examine how Hamas’ massacre plan was identified already in 2018 but never thoroughly investigated.

 

Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir                                                                           IDF Spokesperson

 

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered the formation of a special investigative team that will conduct an in-depth review of the failure surrounding “Jericho Wall,” Hamas’ detailed plan for a mass infiltration and assault on Israel. The plan was detected by the security establishment as early as 2018, yet was never subjected to an independent, comprehensive inquiry.

According to a Channel 12 News report, Zamir’s decision follows the harsh findings of the Turjeman Committee, which sharply criticized the way the IDF handled one of the key intelligence documents later understood to be central to the events of October 7, 2023.

The new team, expected to be appointed in the coming days, will receive a broad mandate to map out the IDF’s handling of “Jericho Wall” - from the first identification of the plan, to the training activities conducted by the Hamas terror organization that were observed on the ground, and the unusual intelligence report submitted by a young officer just three months before the massacre.

Military officials say the inquiry is likely to become one of the most sensitive and far-reaching investigative stages undertaken since the war. The decision to launch the review was made despite the fact that Zamir himself had been exposed to the raid plan at an early stage during his tenure as head of Southern Command.

Related articles:

• Arafat would have expanded war after Oct. 7, not condemn it
• Defense Minister's associates criticize the Chief of Staff
• Zamir slams Defense Minister’s move to halt IDF appointments
• October 7 was a systemic failure, responsibility must be upheld

Central to the investigation will be the report submitted by the intelligence officer known as “S,” who warned that Hamas was systematically training to implement “Jericho Wall.” She described a significant conceptual shift within Hamas and cautioned of a realistic threat of a large-scale attack. Her warnings, however, did not translate into operational action. The Turjeman Committee later concluded that the IDF “did not investigate the primary whistleblower.”

In the coming days, Zamir is expected to appoint the head of the independent team. Its mandate will include assembling a complete picture of the years preceding October 7: which steps were taken, who was informed, what decisions were made - and most critically, why the severity of the threat was not recognized early enough by the defense establishment.

Israel National News

Source: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/418564

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U.S. gas prices fall to lowest point since 2021 - Steven Richards

 

by Steven Richards

The low prices come amid record U.S. oil output.

 

Gasoline prices across the United States have dropped to their lowest levels in more than four years. 

According to data from GasBuddy, the national average price per gallon recently dipped below $3, the lowest level since May 2021. The decrease comes amid declining global crude oil prices, strong refinery output and lower demand. 

The decline in oil prices mainly comes from an increase in supply from both OPEC nations and record U.S. oil production. The drop in gas prices comes at a time when many Americans are grappling with inflation and cost of living, making the decline especially meaningful for household budgets. 

The low prices also come during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. 

In Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas, some stations are selling gasoline for under $2 per gallon. California has the highest average at $4.50, but some counties saw prices below $4 on Friday, the gas market monitor reported.  

Steven Richards

Source: https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/transportation/us-gas-prices-fall-lowest-point-2021

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Venezuela calls Trump airspace closure declaration a 'colonialist threat' to sovereignty - Brie Stimson

 

by Brie Stimson

Earlier Saturday, the president said on Truth Social that Venezuela’s airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety'

 

 

 

Venezuela on Saturday condemned President Donald Trump saying the South American country’s airspace should be considered closed as a "colonialist threat."

Venezuelan officials accused Trump of threatening the country’s sovereignty, adding that his comments went against international law.

The country’s foreign minister called Trump’s post "another extravagant, illegal and unjustified aggression against the Venezuelan people," BBC News reported.

Earlier Saturday, the president said on Truth Social that Venezuela’s airspace should be considered "closed in its entirety."

MADURO BRANDISHES SWORD AT RALLY AS HE RAILS AGAINST 'IMPERIALIST AGGRESSION' AMID RISING TENSIONS WITH US

Overview of Caracas amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.  (Reuters/Gaby Oraa / Reuters Photos)

"To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY," he wrote without elaborating.

This came a week after the Federal Aviation Administration warned airlines of a "worsening security situation" in the area.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES POSSIBLE MILITARY STRIKE ON VENEZUELA

Some international airlines canceled flights after the warning.

Venezuela on Saturday condemned President Donald Trump saying the South American country’s airspace should be considered closed as a "colonialist threat." (Pete Marovich/Getty Images / Getty Images)

"Operators are advised to exercise caution when operating in the Maiquetia flight information region at all altitudes due to the worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela," the FAA said in a pre-Thanksgiving advisory.

"Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departure phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground," it added, asking airlines to provide at least 72-hour advance notice to the FAA if they plan to fly through the area.

The warning came amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela as the U.S. builds up its presence in the Caribbean to deter drug smugglers.

Iberia Airlines of Spain previously said it was canceling its flights to Venezuela indefinitely. (Reuters/Isabel Infantes/File Photo / Reuters)

Direct flights from U.S. passenger and cargo carriers to Venezuela have been suspended since 2019, but some airlines still fly over the country on their South American routes, according to Reuters. 

The U.S. doesn’t have the authority to close another country’s airspace.

FOX Business' Greg Norman and Reuters contributed to this report. 

 

Brie Stimson

Source: https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/venezuela-calls-trump-airspace-closure-declaration-colonialist-threat-sovereignty

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Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood networks ties fractured as millions of dollars earmarked for Gaza missing - Waseem Abu Mahadi

 

by Waseem Abu Mahadi

Reham Owda, an Istanbul-based Palestinian political analyst, says the scandals “erode public trust in genuine charitable work and in the civil society groups that actually deliver relief.”

 

An illustration of armed terrorists above a backdrop of Hamas's flag.

(photo credit: zmotions/Shutterstock)

 

A sprawling fundraising scandal is convulsing Islamist circles from Istanbul to Amman after allegations that nearly $500 million collected in the name of Gaza never reached the Strip. The money ended up under the control of Muslim Brotherhood-linked networks operating across Turkey and Jordan, triggering an unusually public rupture with Hamas.

For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org

Hamas abruptly distanced itself from a cluster of longstanding pro-Gaza charities, accusing them of acting without authorization, exploiting outdated endorsements, and channeling donations through opaque structures that bypassed the movement's oversight. The announcement sent shockwaves through the wider Islamist ecosystem, where fundraising for Gaza has long served as both a political project and a moral rallying cry.

“During the war months, people in Gaza developed a deeply negative view of anyone raising money in their name,” Mansour Abo Kareem, a Gaza-based political researcher, told The Media Line. “They have seen cases of sudden, extreme wealth built on the suffering of Gaza’s residents.”

The scandal began when a young Palestinian activist posted online allegations that a prominent Istanbul-based charity had commandeered donations meant for Gaza. Within hours, the claims triggered a regional firestorm. Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, an international Islamist movement banned in Egypt but influential across the Middle East, defended the charity. Critics amplified suspicions of financial misconduct, and social media platforms became battlegrounds for conflicting narratives.

The dispute escalated rapidly. Screenshots, leaked messages, and competing denunciations spread across Arabic and Turkish digital spaces. When prominent Islamist figures began weighing in behind the scenes, the controversy broke out of activist circles and entered mainstream political debate.

Palestinians shop at a market in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on November 21, 2025. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

In January 2024, Hamas issued a statement disavowing three organizations: Waqf Al Umma, Minbar al-Aqsa, and Kulna Maryam, along with seven of their administrators: Saeed Abu al-Abd, Fouad al-Zubaidi, Samir Said, Abdullah Samir, Khaldoun Hijazi, Ahmed al-Omari, and Zaid al-Ais.

Hamas asserted that these institutions had become unregulated, seized by individuals exploiting outdated endorsements to collect donations in a manner detrimental to the people of Gaza and Jerusalem.

Waqf Al Umma, founded in Istanbul in 2013, presents itself as a charitable endowment dedicated to supporting Jerusalem, Gaza, and vulnerable Palestinian communities. The organization operates as a waqf, an Islamic charitable trust. Across the Muslim world, home to nearly 2 billion people, tens of thousands of waqfs provide essential social services, from maintaining mosques and burial grounds to running hospitals and schools. The vast majority operate legitimately under government oversight.

But in Turkey, the organization has long operated in a legal gray zone. Although Turkish waqf institutions are formally regulated, in practice they often operate with broad administrative latitude, which critics say can create opportunities for abuse. 

Over the past decade, Waqf Al Umma has built a large public profile through mass fundraising campaigns, social media appeals, and conferences, positioning it as a major gateway for global donations to the Palestinian cause. It cultivated religious legitimacy and donor confidence by promoting projects in education, welfare, and heritage preservation. Waqf Al Umma’s campaigns regularly invoked the sanctity of Jerusalem and the urgency of relief for Gaza, helping it attract millions of dollars in contributions from across the Muslim world. That reputation now sits at the center of the controversy.

Operating from Istanbul, long a hub for exiled Brotherhood figures following the movement’s crackdown in Egypt, Waqf Al Umma built a multimedia fundraising machine mixing religious messaging, livestreamed appeals, emotional footage from Gaza, and an extensive influencer network. 

Over the past decade, the group launched thousands of campaigns, many framed as urgent relief efforts for Gaza or Jerusalem. It marketed its latest drives as the largest ever for the Strip since the war began, amplified by celebrity clerics and coordinated digital marketing teams.

Regional analysts estimate that the recent campaigns processed sums reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Whether the figure reached the rumored $500 million remains unverified; no audited statements have surfaced, and no regulator has confirmed the numbers. Even conservative estimates point to enormous financial flows, raising pressing questions about transparency and accountability.

Treasury Dept. sanctions Turkish-based charity due to Hamas ties

The US Treasury Department in June 2025 sanctioned Filistin Vakfi, another Turkey-based charity, accusing it of raising funds for Hamas’ military wing following the October 7, 2023, massacre. The Treasury said the charity’s president “orchestrated these fundraising efforts, exploiting Turkey’s position as a hub for Hamas’ clandestine financial operations.”

The fundraising scandal surrounding groups such as Waqf Al Umma has tapped into an already deep reservoir of public frustration inside Gaza. Abo Kareem said trust in overseas fundraisers has collapsed, leading to widespread distrust of charities, organizations, and individual fundraisers. Past experiences, when donations collected for Palestinians never reached those in need, have only reinforced this loss of confidence, he said.

Hamas’ statement appeared more strategic than moral, Abo Kareem said. The movement wanted to distance itself from responsibility since many of the figures involved are religious personalities or institutions connected to Hamas or the broader Islamist current, he said. The movement sought to avoid the fallout of a scandal that could damage its image.

The pattern has become dangerous for ordinary Palestinians, he said, adding that Gaza needs fundraising limited to official, credible bodies operating under legal oversight. Strict supervision and adherence to local regulations are the only guarantees that such abuses will not repeat.

While Hamas and its critics traded accusations online, new testimonies from former insiders added fuel to the controversy. A Palestinian businessman who worked inside Waqf Al Umma nearly seven years ago told The Media Line that the institution’s internal practices sharply contradicted its charitable image. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fears of legal retaliation and damage to his business interests in Turkey.

The institution operated under the banner of supporting Jerusalem, but the way it managed money had nothing to do with transparency, he said. The projects the waqf announced simply didn’t exist on the ground. The group raised tens of millions of dollars in the name of Jerusalem, yet a large portion of that money ended up in the personal accounts of people inside the group, he added.

Some managed to circumvent oversight by the board of trustees and the waqf authority through investment arms and companies, he said, adding that funds were transferred to buy and sell real estate for personal gain, with commissions taken on every transaction. He explained that projects they advertised in Jerusalem were nothing more than lies, and the information posted on the waqf’s website was not accurate; it was completely opaque.

He described deliberate money-laundering channels. The association created companies as fronts and later declared some bankrupt to hide the true flow of funds, he said. Meanwhile, transfers continued into private accounts within the institution.

The institution routinely deflected questions about projects in Jerusalem, he explained. Whenever anyone raised questions about projects in Jerusalem, they responded with excuses about the occupation and security challenges, claiming the money went through undisclosed charities, he said. In reality, the group handled much of it internally or diverted it to personal accounts, far from any official oversight.

Everything happened behind the curtain, he continued. The public heard emotional appeals about Jerusalem, but what was really going on inside the institution was completely different.

For analysts, the scandal extends beyond one institution; it exposes the broader ecosystem of transnational Islamist fundraising. Reham Owda, an Istanbul-based Palestinian political analyst, told The Media Line that global sympathy and informal donation channels created ideal conditions for abuse.

“This issue is closely tied to the wave of global public sympathy, especially in Muslim communities, for the Palestinian cause and for civilians in Gaza,” she said. “Donations are often given in good faith, whether in cash or in-kind support, without receipts or any documentation confirming the transfer.”

That makes official oversight of these funds nearly impossible, she said.

Informal money-transfer networks, common across the Middle East, where many people lack access to formal banking, make tracking nearly impossible, Owda explained. These networks, operating through currency-exchange offices, allow donations to move outside the formal banking system, making them even harder to track.

Hamas’ decision to publicly withdraw its cover from the contested organizations signals more than a simple dispute over bookkeeping. It exposes growing tensions between Hamas and broader Muslim Brotherhood networks across Turkey and Jordan. For years, these groups shared ideological affinity but competed for influence, donor loyalty, and political legitimacy.

The war in Gaza intensified these rivalries. With unprecedented global sympathy and a surge of online fundraising, controlling money flows became a source of political leverage. Several Islamist organizations outside Gaza positioned themselves as primary conduits for global solidarity, while Hamas, consumed by war and siege, struggled to regulate the donations flowing through diaspora structures.

Hamas leaders, including Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashal, who are based primarily in Doha, Qatar, but also spend time in Turkey, have maintained close ties with Turkish officials throughout the conflict. The fundraising controversy has complicated these relationships, forcing Hamas to balance its need for external political support against growing internal pressure to account for aid money.

Hamas has formed internal committees to reclaim oversight of the disputed organizations, though its ability to influence entities based abroad remains uncertain. Waqf Al Umma continues to deny wrongdoing and has launched new campaigns despite the scandal.

With no transparent accounting, official investigations, or independent audits, the dispute remains clouded by rumor, ideology, and political rivalry. But one reality stands clear: As long as Gaza remains a symbol, a tragedy, and a global cause, its name will continue to attract vast sums of money and equally vast opportunities for misuse.

Until verifiable financial records surface, the controversy will linger, leaving donors unsure and Islamist networks divided. For Palestinians in Gaza, the damage runs deeper.

“These scandals don’t just discredit the institutions involved,” Owda said. “They erode public trust in genuine charitable work and in the civil society groups that actually deliver relief. After so many controversies, people in Gaza have begun doubting any humanitarian initiative, even the honest ones. This makes it harder for NGOs to raise funds, weakens community cooperation, and ultimately harms the most vulnerable. It is also killing the spirit of volunteerism and humanitarian work in Palestinian society.”

Waseem Abu Mahadi

Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-876637

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Iran's New Race to the Bomb - Majid Rafizadeh

 

by Majid Rafizadeh

Iran's leadership sees that one nuclear-armed missile aimed at Israel could accomplish what decades of proxy warfare, rhetoric, and regional maneuvering have failed to do. A nuclear weapon, in their ideological worldview, offers the possibility of wiping out Israel, fulfilling what they see as a historic, strategic, and religious prophecy.

 

• Iran's leaders appear to see nuclear weapons not simply as a strategic tool, but as an existential necessity — a shield for the regime's survival and a sword to advance its revolutionary ideology.

• Iran's leadership sees that one nuclear-armed missile aimed at Israel could accomplish what decades of proxy warfare, rhetoric, and regional maneuvering have failed to do. A nuclear weapon, in their ideological worldview, offers the possibility of wiping out Israel, fulfilling what they see as a historic, strategic, and religious prophecy.

• In the minds of Iran's rulers, a nuclear weapon is doubtless the ultimate insurance policy. They believe it can secure the regime's longevity by projecting an image of strength similar to North Korea's strategy: a nuclear-armed dictatorship that cannot be toppled from within or pressured from abroad. In their thinking, nuclear weapons elevate them to invulnerability.

• Iran has repeatedly used talks as a tactical pause, a chance to ease sanctions, gain financial relief, and reconstitute its nuclear capabilities behind closed doors. A flawed or partial agreement would allow Iran to continue enriching uranium, advance in missile technology, and expand its scientific base under the protection of international diplomacy. Far from slowing down Iran's nuclear ambitions, weak negotiations risk institutionalizing them.

• The Iranian regime clearly wants nuclear weapons – desperately – driven by strategic weakness, ideological ambition and fear for its own survival. The West must not give Iran the time or space it needs to complete its mission. The free world's objective must be to dismantle Iran's nuclear program completely, preserve no loopholes, and maintain pressure until Tehran's path to nuclear armament is permanently blocked. Anything less risks empowering a regime that seeks both regional dominance and ideological Islamist conquest under the secure shield of nuclear weapons.

Iran's leaders appear to see nuclear weapons not simply as a strategic tool, but as an existential necessity — a shield for the regime's survival and a sword to advance its revolutionary ideology. They see that one nuclear-armed missile aimed at Israel could accomplish what decades of proxy warfare, rhetoric, and regional maneuvering have failed to do. (Illustrative image generated by Google Gemini)

The Iranian regime has always sought nuclear weapons, but at the moment, this ambition may have taken on an unprecedented urgency. For decades, the ruling clerics have perceived nuclear capability as a symbol of power and ideological triumph. Now, more than ever before, the regime may be prepared to use every trick, tactic, and deception it has cultivated over the years to achieve that goal. Iran's leaders appear to see nuclear weapons not simply as a strategic tool, but as an existential necessity — a shield for the regime's survival and a sword to advance its revolutionary ideology.

One of the core reasons Iran has reportedly been ratcheting up its pursuit of nuclear weapons again might be the shock it experienced during the recent 12-day war. The conflict exposed, in a brutally clear manner, how deeply inferior Iran's military capabilities are compared to Israel and the United States, especially its air force and advanced warfare infrastructure. Iran watched its proxy forces struggle and realized that in a direct confrontation, it lacks the conventional military strength either to deter or defeat its adversaries. This realization may well have intensified the regime's belief that a nuclear weapon is "the great equalizer."

Iran's leadership sees that one nuclear-armed missile aimed at Israel could accomplish what decades of proxy warfare, rhetoric, and regional maneuvering have failed to do. A nuclear weapon, in their ideological worldview, offers the possibility of wiping out Israel, fulfilling what they see as a historic, strategic, and religious prophecy. This belief is embedded in the regime's revolutionary narrative, and the recent military vulnerabilities may well have made the pursuit of nuclear arms feel both urgent and inevitable to Tehran's elite.

Iran currently faces a convergence of internal and external pressures that most likely make the regime feel cornered. Externally, renewed sanctions — particularly under Washington's tougher policies — have squeezed Iran's economy. Regionally, Iran finds itself more isolated now that the Assad regime in Syria collapsed, weakening the backbone of Tehran's influence corridor stretching from Iran through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon. With Assad's departure, Iran's regional leverage suffered a severe blow: its power projection capabilities have been disrupted.

Internally, for the regime, the situation must seem even more alarming. Domestic dissatisfaction is widespread, driven by unemployment, inflation, and the deteriorating quality of life for ordinary Iranians. The country faces a worsening water crisis that threatens agriculture, industry, and social stability. Such conditions create fertile ground for mass protests and uprisings — something the regime has repeatedly struggled to contain. In the minds of Iran's rulers, a nuclear weapon is doubtless the ultimate insurance policy. They believe it can secure the regime's longevity by projecting an image of strength similar to North Korea's strategy: a nuclear-armed dictatorship that cannot be toppled from within or pressured from abroad. In their thinking, nuclear weapons elevate them to invulnerability.

Some Western politicians and policymakers argue that negotiations remain the best path forward. Negotiations, however, which provide stretchable time, have historically empowered and emboldened the Iranian regime rather than restrained it. A diplomatic agreement that does not require dismantling Iran's nuclear infrastructure — fully, permanently, and verifiably — would only give the regime the opportunity to race to a nuclear weapons breakout, legitimacy, and room to maneuver. Iran has repeatedly used talks as a tactical pause, a chance to ease sanctions, gain financial relief, and reconstitute its nuclear capabilities behind closed doors. A flawed or partial agreement would allow Iran to continue enriching uranium, advance in missile technology, and expand its scientific base under the protection of international diplomacy. Far from slowing down Iran's nuclear ambitions, weak negotiations risk institutionalizing them.

The regime must be confronted with a clear choice. Either Tehran cooperates fully and dismantles its nuclear weapons program once and for all, or it must face escalating consequences. These consequences must be meaningful — stronger economic sanctions, greater diplomatic isolation, and, if necessary, credible military pressure. Equally important, the West needs to increase its support for the Iranian people rather than for the regime. Supporting dissidents and amplifying the voices of Iranians who seek democratic change can weaken the regime's grip and challenge its belief that nuclear weapons guarantee eternal survival. The longer the West waits, the more entrenched the regime becomes.

The Iranian regime clearly wants nuclear weapons – desperately – driven by strategic weakness, ideological ambition and fear for its own survival. The West must not give Iran the time or space it needs to complete its mission. The free world's objective must be to dismantle Iran's nuclear program completely, preserve no loopholes, and maintain pressure until Tehran's path to nuclear armament is permanently blocked. Anything less risks empowering a regime that seeks both regional dominance and ideological Islamist conquest under the secure shield of nuclear weapons.

• Follow Majid Rafizadeh on X (formerly Twitter)

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

Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22085/iran-new-race-to-the-bomb

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When the 'Big Mute' Speaks Out - Amir Taheri

 

by Amir Taheri

A few days before the French general dropped his bombshell, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had come out with a similar warning, with the difference that he cited 2029 instead of Mandon's 2030 as the possible date for the putative Russian attack.

 

• [France's Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces General Fabien] Mandon... suggest[ed] that Russia was preparing for a war against Europe, with 2030 as a possible starting date.

• That the general wasn't talking through his cap became clear when President Emmanuel Macron, legally Commander-in-Chief, appeared to sanction the statement with his silence.

• A few days before the French general dropped his bombshell, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had come out with a similar warning, with the difference that he cited 2029 instead of Mandon's 2030 as the possible date for the putative Russian attack.

• Despite claims of "some progress" by all sides, including Moscow's, the latest Trump attempt at playing peacemaker may fade in the fog of hoped-for but seldom realized possibilities.

• What was lacking, Mandon hinted, was the psychological-political readiness of Europeans to switch to a bellicose mood rather than quarreling over early retirement, adding to public holidays and dreaming of their next touristic escapade.

• The current mood in Europe may be summed up this way: We are ready for sacrifices if Russia attacks us directly but are reluctant to pay for defending Ukraine, let alone die for it.

• [W]ith an estimated four million young men leaving the country, Russia faces a shortage of fighting men that cannot be corrected by bringing Wagner mercenaries from Africa and cannon fodder from North Korea. Though surprisingly resilient, the Russian economy is already showing signs of structural fatigue.

France's Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces General Fabien Mandon recently suggested that Russia was preparing for a war against Europe, with 2030 as a possible starting date. Pictured: Mandon arrives at Elysee Palace in Paris on November 17, 2025. (Photo by Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)

"The Russians are coming!" Throughout the Cold War, that phrase expressed the anxiety felt by Western democracies about the possibility of a surprise nuclear attack by the Soviet Union. Half jest, the tongue-in-cheek quip evoked Russian chief Nikita Khrushchev's notorious braggadocio in 1956 addressed to Western powers: "We will bury you!"

Later in an address at the United Nations, the Communist leader hinted that the promised burial could come by the year 2000.

By 1992, however, another phrase was making the rounds in Western capitals: "The Russians are going!"

While "the Russians are coming" had been a putative cause for concern, "the Russians are going" posed practical problems. The giant "superpower" didn't have the logistics to take its 300,000 troops and civilian staff plus unknown quantities of weapons out of eastern and central Europe.

Starting in 1992, the retreat took more than two years to complete. German and French national railways provided trains to help Russians go home. Instead of Russian trains bringing triumphant Soviet troops to a conquered Paris, SNCF and Deutsche Bahn trains carried Russian soldiers happy to return home.

So, it was a surprise, not to say a shock, last week to hear the phrase "the Russians are coming" from no lesser a personality than France's Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces, General Fabien Mandon.

In an address at a meeting of French mayors, Mandon didn't use the exact phrase, but in a sense sounded more alarmist by suggesting that Russia was preparing for a war against Europe, with 2030 as a possible starting date. In pseudo-Churchillian tones, he invited his audience to prepare for "losing our children" and suffering hardship while upgrading France's and the EU's defenses in preparation for war.

The general's jeremiad was surprising because under a 150-year-old golden rule, serving French military are not allowed to make public statements on political matters.

In fact, French political lexicon labels the armed forces "la grande muette," that is to say, "the big mute one."

That the general wasn't talking through his cap became clear when President Emmanuel Macron, legally Commander-in-Chief, appeared to sanction the statement with his silence.

A few days before the French general dropped his bombshell, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had come out with a similar warning, with the difference that he cited 2029 instead of Mandon's 2030 as the possible date for the putative Russian attack.

In what could be one of history's delicious ironic moments, the European beating of the war drums came hours before US President Donald J. Trump tweeted his 28-point "peace plan" for Ukraine.

It is clear that neither Europeans nor Ukrainians had detected any hint that Trump was about to steal the show. The 28-point plan was presented as a take-it-by-Thursday my-way-or-the-highway offer but within 48 hours had been reshaped as "a basis for further talks" with no fixed finishing line.

The curious coincidence of Europeans calling for preparing for a big war with Russia and Trump ostensibly trying to get Russia and the EU off the hook while making some money for US businesses in the process showed that, as far as Ukraine was concerned, NATO allies were not singing from the same hymn sheet.

And that could persuade Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky to continue an absurd war because neither Russia nor Ukraine has yet reached its threshold of pain. Despite claims of "some progress" by all sides, including Moscow's, the latest Trump attempt at playing peacemaker may fade in the fog of hoped-for but seldom realized possibilities.

Both Mandon and Merz claimed that Europe had all that was needed in terms of economic and scientific knowledge to upgrade its defenses to a degree that would deter Russia or to win any war against it. What was lacking, Mandon hinted, was the psychological-political readiness of Europeans to switch to a bellicose mood rather than quarreling over early retirement, adding to public holidays and dreaming of their next touristic escapade.

While Europe, at least in theory, has the material wherewithal to build a mighty war machine, it may be light years from feeling a true sense of existential threat to allocate more resources to a military buildup that would inevitably require deep cuts in the benefits that the welfare society offers.

The current mood in Europe may be summed up this way: We are ready for sacrifices if Russia attacks us directly but are reluctant to pay for defending Ukraine, let alone die for it.

A similar mood seems to be developing in Russia, where even those who still support the war, and they are still a majority, show signs of discontent with Putin for not winning "this damn thing" which he started as a "special military operation" to last only a few days or weeks.

Russia has already done most of what it can do to seek victory in Ukraine, with meager results.

Its annual defense budget has almost tripled to $140 billion, compared to 2021. That represents 6.2 percent of GDP and almost 40 percent of the overall national budget. That has been accompanied by a 10 percent cut in social welfare allocations and a 20 percent reduction in allocations for infrastructure projects.

In comparison, the Europeans are still struggling to increase defense expenditure above 2 percent of GDP, with 5 percent bandied around as a hoped-for figure within the current decade.

Putin has also conducted a massive though quiet purge of the Russian officers' corps. The recently appointed Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has carried out what some observers see as the most thorough anti-corruption and reorganization program Russian forces have undergone since the fall of the Evil Empire.

On the minus side, with an estimated four million young men leaving the country, Russia faces a shortage of fighting men that cannot be corrected by bringing Wagner mercenaries from Africa and cannon fodder from North Korea. Though surprisingly resilient, the Russian economy is already showing signs of structural fatigue.

With a third of its population displaced internally or abroad as refugees and its economy cracking at the seams, Ukraine is in an even more dicey situation.

Russia and Ukraine are not out of breath yet. But both are approaching the point at which they must throw in the towel. The Trump "peace plan" might then serve as a face-saving pirouette for both.

Gatestone Institute would like to thank the author for his kind permission to reprint this article in slightly different form from Asharq Al-Awsat. He graciously serves as Chairman of Gatestone Europe. 

Amir Taheri was the executive editor-in-chief of the daily Kayhan in Iran from 1972 to 1979. He has worked at or written for innumerable publications, published eleven books, and has been a columnist for Asharq Al-Awsat since 1987.

Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22084/when-the-big-mute-speaks-out

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Report: Egypt training police force to be stationed in Gaza - Dalit Halevy

 

by Dalit Halevy

The new police force includes 5,000 police officers who will undergo training in Egypt, and 5,000 police officers who worked under the Hamas government.

 

Egyptian Army                                                                               Reuters, Egyptian presidency

Egypt is training Palestinian policemen, to integrate them into the security force that will be responsible for managing Gaza after the end of the war, a senior Palestinian source told Agence France-Presse.

According to the report, in March of this year, more than 500 Palestinian police officers and operatives underwent physical, professional and theoretical training in Egypt, and hundreds of others have been assigned to similar training since September.

Several months ago, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Ati said that Cairo intended to train and equip 5,000 Palestinian officers and operatives for deployment in Gaza.

The newspaper Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed notes that according to the agreement between the Fatah and Hamas organizations under the auspices of Egypt from the end of 2024, the technocratic government that will be established in Gaza after the end of the war will recruit 5,000 police officers who will undergo operational training, in addition to the 5,000 police officers who worked under the Hamas government.

A Palestinian source said that the Egyptian training and exercise program is being carried out in direct coordination with the Palestinian Authority, and the police officers will receive their salaries from the Palestinian Authority based in Ramallah.

Dalit Halevy

Source: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/418580

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Syria celebrates regime’s collapse while clashes flare near the Israeli border - analysis - Seth J. Frantzman

 

by Seth J. Frantzman

'From the walls of Aleppo, we saw Damascus liberated, and from the walls of this citadel, we saw the fighters in the heart of Damascus. For us, Aleppo was the gateway to entering all of Syria.'

 

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa waves as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025.

(photo credit: REUTERS/KHALIL ASHAWI/FILE PHOTO)

 

Syria is focusing on the anniversary of the offensive that began in late November 2024, which led to the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024. The Syrians are celebrating a victory. They do so amid the tensions with Israel that continue to dominate southern Syria near the Golan.

A deadly raid last week in the village of Beit Jinn led to the death of several Syrians and wounding of Israeli soldiers. However, Damascus is focused elsewhere. It is celebrating the liberation of Aleppo from Assad’s rule, which occurred a year ago.

The Syrian state media SANA noted that “Syrian provinces witnessed widespread mass gatherings on Friday marking the first anniversary of the Liberation Battle, ‘Deterring the Aggression,’ reaffirming national unity and rejecting division. The goal of Syrians now is to rebuild the country.

They also know there are hurdles. They know that the new Syrian government has tensions with the Druze in Sweida. There are also tensions with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in eastern Syria, a force largely led by Kurds.

Syrians in the major cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Damascus are trying to focus on celebrating this week. “Participants emphasized their commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity and condemned all forms of division and separatist projects.

They expressed solidarity with the residents of Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside, who were targeted early Friday by a "cowardly Israeli attack that claimed the lives of 13 civilians, injured dozens, and caused significant material damage,” SANA noted.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/KHALIL ASHAWI/FILE PHOTO)

Celebrated Syria’s resolve to defend their rights, unity, and national sovereignty

As such, some Syrians have been chanting sectarian slogans. The tensions with Israel could boil over. There have also been recent clashes between Bedouin and Alawites in Homs. These are complex times for Syria. Critics say that the leadership in Damascus, largely made up of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham members who swept Assad from power last year, is not doing enough to protect and incorporate minorities.

SANA said that while people condemned the Israeli raid, they also celebrated Syria’s “resolve to defend their rights, unity, and national sovereignty, and to continue the country’s reconstruction following liberation from the Assad regime. Celebrating the anniversary is seen as a tribute to the martyrs, a reaffirmation of national cohesion, and a pledge that Syria’s unity will remain unshaken against all attempts at division.”

In Aleppo, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told the gathering: “At moments like these, we remember the first hours of entering the city of Aleppo - hours in which we lost so much at its gates. Our people sacrificed dearly until we reached what we have achieved today.”

Syrian media noted he spoke about when “the heroes entered Aleppo to liberate its people from the fallen regime,” the city was reborn.

“From the walls of Aleppo, we saw Damascus liberated, and from the walls of this citadel, we saw the fighters in the heart of Damascus. For us, Aleppo was the gateway to entering all of Syria. After Aleppo was liberated, the prisons were opened and smiles returned to the faces of Syria’s children.” He said the liberation of Aleppo a year ago brought hope to the country. Aleppo fell in 2016 to the Syrian regime. It was one of the many cities that Syrian rebels had fought for during the civil war.

Seth J. Frantzman

Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-876629

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Iran denies launching ballistic missiles towards Kurdistan region of Iraq - report - Amichai Stein

 

by Amichai Stein

The Islamic Republic has denied that it launched an attack.

 

AN IRANIAN ballistic missile on display in Tehran.

(photo credit: REUTERS) 

Ballistic missiles appeared to have been launched towards the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq over the weekend, according to local social media reports.

The reports linked the missiles to Iran, but the Islamic Republic has denied that it launched an attack.

The reports come days after a drone attack on an important gas and energy installation caused power outages in the region.

Reports of ballistic missiles come despite Iran-Iraq ties

Last month, it was reported that the IDF and Mossad are preparing for possible increasing threats against Israel from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Walla cited sources from the military's Northern Command as saying. The report also said that IRGC Commander Esmail Qaani had visited Iraq and met with senior militia leaders.

In January of this year, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid highlighted ties to Iranian state media, saying that "Iran is an important and large neighbor to Iraq…Iran cannot be ignored by Iraq, and Iraq cannot be ignored by Iran.”

Amir Bohbot contributed to this report. This is a developing story.

Amichai Stein

Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-876617

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