Podcasts about Lebanese

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.”~Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Scottish writer “God's goodness is a communicative, spreading goodness…. If God had not a communicative, spreading goodness, he would never have created the world. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost were happy in themselves and enjoyed one another before the world was. But that God delights to communicate and spread his goodness, there had never been a creation nor a redemption. God useth his creatures not for defect of power, that he can do nothing without them, but for the spreading of his goodness.”~Richard Sibbes (1577-1635), Anglican-Puritan theologian “So why did God create? Because God delights to spread His goodness. In other words, He is like a sun of goodness, blazing out with love. God didn't create because He needed to, because of any lack. He created because He was so happily bursting with goodness. God is so overflowingly, superabundantly full of life in Himself that He delighted to spread His goodness. His innermost Being is a sun of light, life, and warmth, always shining out; radiant and outgoing!”~Michael Reeves, theology professor and author “God is wonderfully generous by nature; to give is His delight. His gifts are immeasurably precious and are given as freely as the light of the sun. He gives grace to His own because He wills it, to His redeemed because of His covenant, to the called because of His promise, to believers because they seek it, to sinners because they need it. He gives grace abundantly, seasonably, constantly, readily, sovereignly; the value of the blessings is doubled by the manner in which it is given.”~C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), famed London preacher “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”~Amy Carmichael (1867-1951), Irish writer and missionary to India “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.”~Helen Keller (1880-1968), author and activist “Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.”~Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), Lebanese writer, poet, and artistSERMON PASSAGENumbers 6 (NASB95)24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;25 The Lord make His face shine on you,   And be gracious to you;26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,   And give you peace.' Psalm 67 (NASB95)1 God be gracious to us and bless us,  And cause His face to shine upon us—          Selah.2 That Your way may be known on the earth,  Your salvation among all nations.3 Let the peoples praise You, O God;  Let all the peoples praise You. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;  For You will judge the peoples with uprightness  And guide the nations on the earth.                  Selah.5 Let the peoples praise You, O God;  Let all the peoples praise You. 6 The earth has yielded its produce;  God, our God, blesses us.7 God blesses us,  That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.Revelation 7 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 22 1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. Matthew 28 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Trump says called off Iran attack at request of Tehran, Middle Eastern countries. Iran denies agreement reached on Strait of Hormuz. Reports 5 Lebanese army soldiers injured Israeli drone strike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has abandoned a controversial $20 billion World Cup investment plan after a revolt led by football's biggest governing bodies. Meanwhile, a Reuters investigation has uncovered an alleged $4 billion Iranian gambling network that moved funds through a Dubai-linked cryptocurrency exchange, while New York has sued Lebanese-founded prediction market giant Kalshi, accusing it of operating an illegal gambling platform. Three stories examining the intersection of governance, regulation and the future of global finance, technology and sport.

It's Thursday, July 30th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Iranian Muslim authorities shut down oldest Protestant church Iranian officials recently shut down the oldest Protestant church in the country. Christians have held worship services at St. Peter's Evangelical Church in Tehran for 150 years. Authorities have now seized the property and banned church gatherings there. They also ordered 28 families living on the church compound to leave. Iran has been seizing Protestant church properties for years. Mansour Khajehpour previously served as an elder at St. Peter's Church. He told Christianity Today that the church in Iran grows despite persecution. He said, “This is the dynamic reality of the church. The church will not die. The church will grow, and we are a part of that church.” In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” United States launched strikes on Iran last night Speaking of Iran, the United States began launching strikes on Iran at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 29th, according to the U.S. Central Command. The U.S. attacks were “a powerful response to [Tuesday's] attempted Iranian attacks on U.S. forces based in the Middle East.” The attacks by Iran on U.S. forces did not get past U.S. defenses. And The Western Journal reports that foreign governments are taking part in the fighting now, where they hadn't before. For the first time, the Saudi Arabian military joined with the U.S. in striking Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, reports the Associated Press. Retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Harward, a retired SEAL and former deputy CENTCOM commander, said, “You see the Lebanese government making an agreement with Israel to undermine and try to get rid of Hezbollah.” He added, “You're seeing the pressure build on Iran on all fronts.” Ukrainian refugees have planted 160 churches across Europe Millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes since Russia invaded the country in 2022. Despite this, these refugees have planted churches across Europe.  European Christian Mission International reports displaced Ukrainians have started 160 churches in Europe in the last four years.   A report from the organization stated, “Increasingly, Ukrainian believers are refusing to see themselves only as refugees. Instead, many are embracing a different calling - missionaries sent by God into the nations of Europe.” Canadian labor board ruled in favor of COVID-shot rejecter LifeSiteNews reports that a Canadian labor board ruled in favor of a Christian man who objected to the COVID-shot mandate. The Canadian Revenue Agency suspended Steven Porter without pay after denying his religious exemption. The agency must now pay $5,000 in damages to Porter.  He wrote in his exemption request, “Christ is my supreme King and Lord and I am subject to His final authority alone in all matters of life, faith and conscience.” In Acts 5:29, the apostles said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Senator questions CDC's billion-dollar COVID-shot contract to Pfizer The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $1.24 billion in COVID-shot contracts to Pfizer last month. Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin questioned this decision in a letter to Secretary of Health & Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  Johnson wrote, “The CDC's reported awarding of approximately $1.24 billion in new contracts to Pfizer for a vaccine linked to serious adverse events—including potentially the deaths of children—suggests [that the] CDC continues to fail to take its vaccine safety responsibilities seriously.” Pro-lifer Paul Vaughn got settlement over wrongful arrest Praise God! A pro-life, Christian father reached a $1 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The case involved his wrongful arrest under the Biden administration, reports Highlight Truth Ministries. Federal agents raided the Tennessee home of Paul Vaughn in 2022 and arrested him for his pro-life activism.  My family and I had the honor of meeting Paul Vaughn several years ago. He's an amazing Christian patriot. Steve Crampton, Senior Counsel at the Thomas More Society, said, “This settlement is not just about one family. It is a warning and a precedent. The weaponization of federal law enforcement against pro-lifers, against people of faith, against those who dare to stand for the unborn—that era is over.” Treasury has saved $99 million from going to dead recipients The U.S. Department of the Treasury implemented a new payment verification process.  The safeguard has already kept about $99 million from being sent to deceased individuals.  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “Treasury has delivered on a key promise of President Trump's mandate to stop improper payments and fraud before money leaves the Treasury, and strengthen the integrity of the federal payment system.” 70th anniversary of America's “In God We Trust” motto Today is the 70th anniversary of when “In God We Trust” became America's motto. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the law on July 30, 1956. The resolution also required the motto to appear on all U.S. currency.   Democratic Representative Charles Bennett of Florida introduced the resolution. He said, “Nothing can be more certain than that our country was founded in a spiritual atmosphere and with a firm trust in God. ... In these days when imperialistic and materialistic communism seeks to attack and destroy freedom, we should continually look for ways to strengthen the foundations of our freedom.” Texan mother shares that her kids have contributed Here at The Worldview in 5 Minutes newscast, Leticia in Blum Texas wrote, “Adam, we are so thankful for your radio newscast. It is a great encouragement to us! We listen to it on the road or when we're at home. It is great to hear stories that I know wouldn't normally make it into traditional newscasts. “The Worldview is concise and informative! Thankful for the work you are doing!  Our four children -- Fletcher (15), Halen (12), Beck (10), and Murphy (7) -- contributed some of their money to our donation.” McVeda kids' mother in Montana contemplates why sponsor this newscast And Melissa McVeda, the mother of the four kids under the age of 11 in Great Falls, Montana who have raised hundreds of dollars for The Worldview selling chocolate chip cookies, iced tea and hand crocheted puppets on their dairy farm, weighed in with her thoughts. She wrote, “Adam, there are so many ministries that I would like to donate to: earnest missionaries and people hurting from natural disasters, among others. In light of those needs, it has been difficult for me to reconcile giving to The Worldview. And I imagine I'm not alone in that. “Because of my kids' fundraiser, which naturally has come to involve the entire family, I've spent time considering if The Worldview is worth the effort and funds we're putting into it. This is the primary answer I have seen:  “I would not KNOW about many of the other needs if it weren't for The Worldview in 5 Minutes! Your newscast is a connection point -- a bridge, if you will - between Christians and people in need around the world.  “Because of this ‘bridge,' I heard about the dear brother in Uganda who lost both of his hands to his Muslim family's persecution. And God stirred me to pray for his faith not to be shaken! Because of The Worldview, I heard about the steadfast pro-life sister in Britain who recently was killed. I rejoiced to hear how God used her faithfulness and I was stirred to consider if she has family who are grieving.  “The Worldview IS an important ministry. It is connecting those who have a supply to those who have needs as 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 articulates. It is also building the Body of Christ as brothers and sisters across the world hear about each other and pray for and encourage each other as a result.  “I remember when I first heard about The Worldview in 5 Minutes back in 2018. Kevin Swanson was sharing how he had personally invested $30,000/year of his own money to fund it when it started in 2015.  He had recently reached out to this man, Adam McManus, a talk show host down in San Antonio Texas, to see if Adam would voice the newscast. Kevin, obviously, had a vision for how God would use The Worldview. “One final note. Yesterday, when my kids and I heard you cite some of the large donations coming in, where people were giving one-time donations of $500 and $1,000, I realized that those donors were not just donating for the benefit that they, themselves, receive from The Worldview. They were also donating so that someone else could have the same benefits.  I praise God for the work He's doing through this newscast.” 11 Worldview listeners gave $1,775.96 And finally, by Wednesday night at 8:00pm Central, 11 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate and invested their treasure to fund the 6-member team behind The Worldview for another year. Our thanks to Augustine in Auburn, California and Ben in Eureka, California – both of whom gave $20 as well as Carri in Oro Valley, Arizona who gave $25, and Bethany in Austin, Texas who gave $50. We're grateful to God for an anonymous donor in Oxford, New York and David in Houston, Texas – both of whom gave $100, and the McVeda Kids in Great Falls, Montana who gave another $160.96! We appreciate Steven in Ulster Park, New York and James in Lancaster, South Carolina – both of whom gave $200 as well as Leticia and her kids Fletcher, Halen, Beck, and Murphy in Blum, Texas who also gave $200. And we were touched by the generosity of Karl in Grand Rapids, Michigan who gave $700. Those 11 gifts add up to $1,775.96. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (drum roll sound effect) $ 81,119.96 (sound effect of people cheering) We need to raise $42,380.04 by midnight on Friday, July 31! That means in order to hit our final goal of $123,500 by tomorrow night, Friday, July 31st, God needs to prompt folks to give a seemingly impossible amount of $42,380.04 in order for the 6-member Worldview newscast team to be fully funded for another year. I see the finish line from here.  But, without God's help, we are not going to get across it! We still have matches open for the next 4 people who give a one-time gift of $500 because our friend in Naples, Florida will match your gift with another $2,000 of his own money. If those four donations come in, that would leave the difference of $38,380.  Listen. Could you be one of 38 people – just 38 -- to give a one-time gift of $1,000? Or, if that's not doable right now, would you consider a monthly pledge of $83.33? No gift is too big or too small.  We have received a $5 gift and a $2,400 gift.  If everyone does something, we can get there with the Lord's help. Just ask Him. “Lord, how has this newscast made a difference in my life?”  What is that worth to you?  We had a college student sacrificially give $500.  We've had Africans in Eswatini, who have very little funds, invest $10/month. And we've had kids raise hundreds of dollars through creative fundraisers selling cookies and hardboiled eggs and lemonade. Just go to TheWorldview.com, click on Give, select the dollar amount, and make sure to click on the “recurring” button if that's your wish.  This newscast team champions the truth and uses the Bible as our plumbline.  Don't forget: The Worldview in 5 Minutes is commercial free. We have no sponsors. Nor do we have a pay wall.  Anyone who wants to access this newscast can get it for free. So, all we have is you! What is God prompting you to do right now? Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, July 30th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter turn to Lebanon's attempt to establish humanitarian pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) replace withdrawing Israeli troops. Critics argue this model mirrors the failed Gazadisengagement, as Hezbollah remains entrenched and unwilling to disarm. Additionally, Hoenlein discusses a recent Ukrainian attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, which signals a dangerous expansion of the regional conflict that may have broader retaliatory implications for the future. (6)

SCHEDULE  JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-27-26Headline: Signaling Peace Amidst Conflict: The US and Iran Standstill Guest: Ambassador Hussein Haqqani and Bill Roggio Summary: John Batchelor discusses the current tensions between Iran and the United States following a sudden halt in American bombing. Ambassador Haqqani explains that both nations are seeking a diplomatic "off-ramp," though they face severe internal political constraints that prevent either a ground invasion or a total surrender. Bill Roggio adds that while secret talks are likely, reports of depleted US munitions might be influencing the decision to pause military action.Headline: The Threat of Escalation in the Caspian Theater Guest: Ambassador Hussein Haqqani and Bill RoggioSummary: This segment examines the potential for unconventional warfare escalation across Eurasia and the specific risks within the Caspian theater. Haqqani warns that Iran's ability to hold the global economy hostage through the Red Sea and Hormuz Strait creates a complex dilemma for the US. Bill Roggio concurs that limited aerial bombardment is insufficient for regime change and notes that neighboring countries like Kuwait remain hesitant to directly engage for fear of retaliation.Headline: Somalia's Unverifiable Victories: The Death of a Shabaab Founder Guest: Caleb Weiss and Bill RoggioSummary: Somali officials claim the death of Maalim Ibrahim, a co-founder of al-Shabaab and a key military planner who held many executive hats. However, guest Caleb Weiss cautions that such claims often lack third-party verification and may be false. The US is currently threatening to cut funding for the UN mission in Somalia due to a perceived lack of progress against the group and pervasive internal political corruption.Headline: Houthi Blockades and the Siege of Saudi Energy Ports Guest: Bridget Turner and Bill Roggio Summary: Houthi rebels have initiated a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabian ports, causing ship traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait to fall to its lowest level in months. While the Houthis cite local grievances, their actions align with Iran's broader strategy to pressure global energy markets. Despite the threat, Saudi Arabia has retaliated by bombing Houthi ports, even as the rebels receive targeting assistance from Iranian spy ships.Headline: High Stakes Diplomacy: Netanyahu's Visit and the Iranian Threat Guest: Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter Summary: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels to Washington to meet with President Trump and attend the funeral of the late Senator Graham. The agenda focuses heavily on Iran's continued aggression, including reports of the "Pickaxe Mountain" facility containing thousands of centrifuges deep underground. Malcolm Hoenlein notes that despite the diplomatic pause, Iran continues to execute young dissidents and sponsor assassination plots in Israel and the United Kingdom.Headline: The Lebanese Pilot Zones: A Fragile Experiment in Peace Guest: Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotterSummary: Lebanon is attempting to establish humanitarian pilot zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) replace withdrawing Israeli troops. Critics argue this model mirrors the failed Gaza disengagement, as Hezbollah remains entrenched and unwilling to disarm. Additionally, Hoenlein discusses a recent Ukrainian attack on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, which signals a dangerous expansion of the regional conflict that may have broader retaliatory implications for the future.Headline: Hezbollah's Surveillance and the Ineffectiveness of the LAF Guest: David Daoud and Bill Roggio Summary: The IDF recently shot down an unarmed Hezbollah drone gathering intelligence over strategic ridges in southern Lebanon. David Daoud highlights that Hezbollah continues to operate freely despite the presence of the Lebanese Armed Forces in pilot zones. The segment questions why Western leaders trust the Lebanese government, given its failure to demand nationwide disarmament and its history of coordinating with Hezbollah to hide military infrastructure from international monitors.FILE 8: Not provided in the sources.Headline: Brazil's Transnational Politics: Lula vs. the Conservative Alliance Guest: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña Esclusa Summary: President Lula da Silva of Brazil has shifted toward an anti-American stance, aligning himself with "criminal socialism" and the São Paulo Forum. Former Foreign Minister Araújo describes a growing transnational alliance between Donald Trump, Javier Milei, and Flavio Bolsonaro to counter communist penetration in Latin America. The upcoming Brazilian election is seen as a critical battleground for the future of economic freedom and regional stability against organized crime.Headline: The Venezuelan Transition and the Shield of the Americas Guest: Ernesto Araújo and Alejandro Peña EsclusaSummary: Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has received unexpected praise from President Trump, causing concern among opposition members who view her as a gangster. Alejandro Peña Esclusa argues that Rodriguez is a repressive figure and suggests a reconstruction government of experts instead. Meanwhile, Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro seeks to join the "Shield of the Americas" to combat regional criminal gangs and support a democratic transition in Venezuela.FILE 11: Not provided in the sources.Headline: Iran's Drone Test: Challenging the US Strategic Pause Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown and Bill RoggioSummary: Following a US suspension of airstrikes, Iran launched drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq to test the Trump administration's resolve. Edmund Fitton-Brown explains that Iran aims to prove it decides when pauses occur, not the US. The segment warns that without consistent US pressure, Iran could establish a "regional protection racket," leaving Arab states to seek separate accommodations with the bully on the block.Headline: Starship Test 13: Success and Challenges in Reusability Guest: Doug Messier Summary: SpaceX's Starship Test 13 achieved a controlled landing of the spacecraft in the Indian Ocean, though the Super Heavy booster exploded during its Gulf landing. Doug Messier explains that while the mission successfully deployed Starlink satellites, the FAA remains concerned about future overland flights. The ultimate goal is full reusability for NASA's upcoming lunar missions and upgrading the capacity of the Starlink network for laser communications.Headline: Decapitating Hamas: Targeted Strikes in Gaza Guest: Samuel Benner and Bill Roggio Summary: The IDF has conducted targeted strikes against Hamas's internal security commanders, including the head of the police force in central Gaza. Samuel Benner reports that while the upper military echelon has been largely eliminated, Israel is now targeting those responsible for imposing rule on Gazans. Despite these strikes, Hamas continues to control food distribution, effectively using humanitarian aid as a "piggy bank" for the organization.Headline: The Iran War: A Strategy Stuck in Stalemate Guest: Jonathan Schanzer and Bill Roggio Summary: After twelve days of intense US bombing, there is confusion regarding the long-term plan for achieving behavior change in Tehran. Jonathan Schanzer argues that the regime remains ideologically committed to power and is unlikely to offer concessions for money alone. Furthermore, Iran's capability to launch ballistic missiles remains significant, and the IRGC has not yet felt the impression that a total regime collapse is imminent.Headline: The AI Bubble: China's Strategic Intellectual Property Theft Guest: Brandon Ward and Gordon ChangSummary: China is allegedly using stolen American intellectual property to train its artificial intelligence models, such as Moonshot's Kimmy K3. Brandon Ward suggests this is a strategic move to collapse the inflated market value of the American AI sector. Gordon Chang warns that despite export bans, Chinese firms continue to acquire high-end Nvidia chips, complicating US strategic plans and economic dominance while threatening a potential future shooting war.

German police have shot dead the man accused of carrying out a deadly attack at a Pride event in Berlin. Abdul Ballout's death brings a huge manhunt to an end. Ballout, a German citizen with Lebanese heritage, had previously tried to join the Islamic State group. Also: Wildfires in south-western France are continuing to close in on the city of Bordeaux. A wave of attacks by Israeli settlers has continued across the occupied West Bank, after four Palestinians and two Israelis were shot dead in a confrontation near Nablus on Friday. We hear about the opening fixtures at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. A protected area for migratory animals becomes South Sudan's first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, the Sicilian capital, Palermo, is among the first Italian cities to say goodbye to horse-drawn tourist carriages.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Police officers secure the area at an allotment garden complex in the Berlin suburb of Spandau after a known Islamist, suspected of ramming a minivan into a crowd near Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day Pride parade on Saturday evening, was shot and killed in a police operation, in Berlin, Germany, July 26, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Christian Mang TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

This week Howie is joined by Dr. Marie Therese Merhej Seif, a Member of the Political Board of the Green Party of Lebanon (GPL), where she champions a green political vision rooted in ecological responsibility, social justice, transparency, and inclusive decision-making. Within the party, she works to advance climate resilience, renewable energy, sustainable cities, and biodiversity protection, while placing gender equality at the heart of environmental policy and governance.She also serves as UNEP's Regional Facilitator for Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS) for the West Asia Region, representing civil society perspectives in UNEP regional processes and strengthening dialogue between stakeholders, governments, and environmental actors.A committed advocate for women's leadership, Marie Therese is Gender Focal Point for the Arab Region within the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED), promoting gender-responsive climate policy across Arab civil society. She is a member of the UNEP Women's Major Group and the IPEN Women's Caucus, and was elected to the G100 Global Network of Women Leaders, representing the Environment, Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Oceans sector.A Lebanese architect with a PhD in Forestry Engineering and Sustainable Development, and President of the Human Environmental Association for Development (HEAD), Marie Therese continues to bridge green politics, environmental governance, and women's leadership—building a more just, sustainable, and gender-equal Lebanon and Arab region.Streamed on 7/25/26Watch the video at: https://youtube.com/live/t4pmuvZG3m0Green Socialist Notes is a weekly livestream/podcast hosted by 2020 Green Party/Socialist Party presidential nominee, Howie Hawkins.  Started as a weekly campaign livestream in the spring of 2020, the streams have continued post elections and are now under the umbrella of the Green Socialist Organizing Project, which grew out of the 2020 presidential campaign.  Green Socialist Notes seeks to provide both an independent Green Socialist perspective, as well as link listeners up with opportunities to get involved in building a real people-powered movement in their communities.Green Socialist Notes PodcastEvery Saturday at 3:00 PM EDT on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.Every Monday at 7:00 AM EDT on most major podcast outlets.Music by Gumbo le FunqueIntro: She Taught UsOutro: #PowerLoveFreedom

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met US President Donald Trump in Washington this week with a historic proposal: end the war between Lebanon and Israel, force an Israeli withdrawal from the south, and disarm Iran's proxy group Hezbollah. Could it work? On today's bonus episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Lama Amine, arts director at local charity Seenaryo, about the reality for civilians caught up in the conflict in Lebanon, how people are worried the latest escalation in Iran will spillover, and why Hezbollah would just be replaced by a similar group if it was disarmed. Plus, first-person accounts of what it's like to live under the shadow of war. Excerpts from pieces written for Seenaryo by Syrian refugee Eman Fisal Almodhi, read by Irish actor Jessie Buckley, and a WhatsApp conversation between Lebanese women displaced in south Lebanon, read by British-Lebanese-Palestinian actor Sirine Saba. HighlightsTrump's Lebanon dilemma: Why Israel can't win this warVoices from Lebanon on life under the shadow of warCONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyLama Amine, director of arts at SeenaryoWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Lebanon's leader seeks Trump's help to end occupation and insurrectionhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/21/lebanons-leader-seeks-trumps-help-end-occupation/ITL Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026ITL Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter ShevlinResearcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lara Krinsky opens this IDF Live briefing by framing the region as dangerously unstable, with the U.S. striking Iranian targets, Iran retaliating against Arab neighbors, Israel on high alert, and Lebanon still active despite diplomacy. Lt. Col. (res.) Or Horvitz says the immediate U.S. focus is reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but warns that Iran's stubborn refusal to restore free navigation could trigger broader escalation between Washington, Tehran, and potentially Israel. He stresses that Israel's urgent priority remains Iran's roughly 500 kilos of enriched uranium, because if it is not diluted or removed, Iran could still use deception and secrecy to move toward a nuclear weapon. Horvitz argues the regime is fundamentally unstable—fragmented, financially strained, hated by much of its population, and unlikely to survive long-term—but says it will probably fall through domestic pressure rather than outside military force alone. On Lebanon, he sees a real but fragile opportunity: Hezbollah has been badly weakened, Lebanese leaders are speaking more boldly about demilitarization, and Israel should “trust but verify” while insisting on border, port, airport, and army reforms that cut off Iranian money and arms. He closes by warning that Gaza is still not solved because Hamas continues to control significant territory and ideology, and by thanking FIDF for strengthening the U.S.-Israel partnership and supporting Israeli society as a whole.

74 MinutesPG-13 The parents of Hunger the Dye Merchant left Lebanon and immigrated to the US. He frequently travels to Lebanon.Pete and Hunger discussed the various political and religious ideologies at work in Lebanon. He also discusses the tensions that have existed between Israel and Hezbollah for the past 60 years. This was episode 1126.Hunger on Twitter The Delaware Crossing SocietyThe Chatham House Version RecordingsPete and Thomas777 'At the Movies'Support Pete on His WebsitePete's PatreonPete's Substack Pete's SubscribestarPete's VenmoPete's Buy Me a CoffeePete on FacebookPete on TwitterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-quinones-show--6071361/support.

While the world's attention has focused on the Strait of Hormuz and the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, another potentially transformative front has opened in Lebanon. Israeli attacks against the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah have left more than 4,000 people dead and displaced over a million. Now, a fragile ceasefire has raised a question diplomats have struggled with for decades: Can Hezbollah actually be disarmed? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer speaks with Lebanese-born journalist and Middle East expert Kim Ghattas about Iran's shrinking regional influence, Israel's possible plans for a long-term buffer zone, and Lebanon's best chance in decades to reclaim control of its territory. Hezbollah remains armed, but Ghattas argues that it is substantially weaker, while the fall of Syria's Assad regime has severed a crucial link in Iran's regional network. Forcing the Lebanese Army to confront Hezbollah could trigger another civil war. Instead, Ghattas says Lebanon must gradually constrain the group, strengthen state institutions, and show Hezbollah's supporters that diplomacy can deliver more than armed resistance. That will require Israeli withdrawals, international support, and difficult negotiations over the political future of Lebanon's Shia community. “You constrain their capacity to operate. You crowd them out,” Ghattas says. “You demonstrate that diplomacy works and delivers for the Lebanese people in terms of aid, in terms of improved relations with the US.” Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While the world's attention has focused on the Strait of Hormuz and the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, another potentially transformative front has opened in Lebanon. Israeli attacks against the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah have left more than 4,000 people dead and displaced over a million. Now, a fragile ceasefire has raised a question diplomats have struggled with for decades: Can Hezbollah actually be disarmed? On the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer speaks with Lebanese-born journalist and Middle East expert Kim Ghattas about Iran's shrinking regional influence, Israel's possible plans for a long-term buffer zone, and Lebanon's best chance in decades to reclaim control of its territory. Hezbollah remains armed, but Ghattas argues that it is substantially weaker, while the fall of Syria's Assad regime has severed a crucial link in Iran's regional network. Forcing the Lebanese Army to confront Hezbollah could trigger another civil war. Instead, Ghattas says Lebanon must gradually constrain the group, strengthen state institutions, and show Hezbollah's supporters that diplomacy can deliver more than armed resistance. That will require Israeli withdrawals, international support, and difficult negotiations over the political future of Lebanon's Shia community. “You constrain their capacity to operate. You crowd them out,” Ghattas says. “You demonstrate that diplomacy works and delivers for the Lebanese people in terms of aid, in terms of improved relations with the US.” Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Saudi Arabia's tallest ambition is rising again as Prince Alwaleed bin Talal confirms Jeddah Tower has reached another major construction milestone. Kuwait signs the largest foreign direct investment in its history with a $16 billion pipeline deal involving Blackstone, Brookfield and KKR. Plus, prediction market giant Kalshi, founded by Lebanese entrepreneur Tarek Mansour, takes on Netflix over claims made in an upcoming documentary. Here's what it all means for business, investment and the Middle East.

After Elon Musk's first extended interview since SpaceX's blockbuster IPO, The Economist editor-in-chief reflects on what he told her: that AIs will be in charge in ten years, his dark view of Europe and the inevitably of civil war in Britain. At what age is a child responsible for their crimes? And remembering Mona Khalil, Lebanese protector of turtles. Watch extended clips from Elon Musk on “Insider” hereGuests and host:Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The EconomistMaighna Nanu, editor of foreign newsletters Ann Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Elon Musk, AI, killer robots, far right, The Insiderchild criminals, criminal responsibility, gangsMona Khalil, Lebanon, turtles, conservationListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Elon Musk's first extended interview since SpaceX's blockbuster IPO, The Economist editor-in-chief reflects on what he told her: that AIs will be in charge in ten years, his dark view of Europe and the inevitably of civil war in Britain. At what age is a child responsible for their crimes? And remembering Mona Khalil, Lebanese protector of turtles. Watch extended clips from Elon Musk on “Insider” hereGuests and host:Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The EconomistMaighna Nanu, editor of foreign newsletters Ann Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Elon Musk, AI, killer robots, far right, The Insiderchild criminals, criminal responsibility, gangsMona Khalil, Lebanon, turtles, conservationListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. Even for Israeli standards, it's been a pretty wild week in Israel's neighborhood. The ceasefire war between the US and Iran continues to escalate. The threats from US President Donald Trump against Iran grow ever more bombastic, but there is a real feeling that he might carry out a significant attack soon that goes well beyond the limited strikes that we have seen over the past two weeks. Of course, Iran is hitting back, primarily at Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, saying it is targeting US bases in those countries. The Iran-backed Houthis struck two Saudi oil tankers, as that conflict begins to heat up. Houthi threats to the Bab al-Mandeb would mean the Iranian axis is closing the two waterways connecting the Middle East and Europe to Asian markets. There was slightly better news to the north. After six rounds of direct talks and an agreement that envisions peace between Israel and Lebanon, Lebanese forces began moving into the first pilot zone vacated by Israeli forces. Joined by Times of Israel colleague Nava Freiberg, Lazar made sense of the interconnected but distinct theaters that Israeli leaders and citizens are paying close attention to. He explained what Iran is trying to do with its attack on Arab countries. It is determined to impose its reading of the MOU on the world, especially as it comes to control over the Strait of Hormuz. That is why it hasn't hit Israel. Iran knows that Israel, Lazar said, isn't about to run to Trump and ask him to give in to Iran's demands to get it stop firing. Instead, Israel would relish the opportunity to carry out some of the attacks that it had to call off in April, and would likely go well beyond what the Americans are doing. It doesn't make sense for Israel to go out of its way to get involved either. For now, Iran is being degraded, it isn't getting economic relief, and Trump is becoming increasingly frustrated with his Iranian interlocutors. Meanwhile, life is fairly normal in Israel, with flights returning to Ben Gurion Airport and citizens focusing on the election fight. Lazar also shed light on alternative energy pathways being developed in the wake of Iranian threats to the Strait of Hormuz. Israel might have an opportunity to be key element of some of these plans, but it has to change the tenor of relations with some of its Arab partners. Lazar explained why the Saudi-US nuclear deal is a problem for Israel. First of Israel, it shows that Israel is not being consulted by the White House on strategic decisions. In addition, it represents a potential proliferation risk, especially if the current regime in Riyadh is replaced. Turning to Lebanon, Lazar said that progress on the first pilot zone is undoubtedly a positive step. Still, the Lebanese army is incapable of taking on Hezbollah at this stage, and a lot will have to happen before disarming Hezbollah is a likely outcome. It will be important to help the Lebanese government show the public that negotiations with Israel achieve results, especially the return of some civilians to their homes. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Gabriella Jacobs and video edited by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump pledged his support for Lebanon this week during a visit to the White House by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. A four-decade ban on US airlines flying to the country will be overturned, Mr Trump said, who also told of concrete plans to support the Lebanese Armed Forces. This comes at a time when the government in Beirut is under pressure to prove it can deliver on an agreement it signed with Israel and the US in June. The trilateral framework states that Lebanese forces must disarm Hezbollah and reassert control in areas dominated by the group, before Israel “redeploys” its troops from areas it occupies in Lebanon. Critics say the deal imposes the heavier obligations on Lebanon. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people remain forcibly displaced from their homes in southern towns and villages, where Israeli attacks have caused mass destruction. In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher looks at the opportunities and challenges the country faces as it tries to bridge the gap between dialogue and the reality on the ground. She speaks to Nada Homsi, The National's correspondent in Lebanon, and Paul Salem, senior associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

Full Text of Readings Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 399 The Saint of the day is Saint Sharbel Makhlouf Saint Sharbel Makhlouf's Story Although this saint never traveled far from the Lebanese village of Beka-Kafra where he was born, his influence has spread widely. Joseph Zaroun Maklouf was raised by an uncle because his father, a mule driver, died when Joseph was only three. At the age of 23, Joseph joined the Monastery of St. Maron at Annaya, Lebanon, and took the name Sharbel Makhlouf in honor of a second-century martyr. He professed his final vows in 1853, and was ordained six years later. Following the example of the fifth-century Saint Maron, Sharbel Makhlouf lived as a hermit from 1875, until his death. His reputation for holiness prompted people to seek him to receive a blessing and to be remembered in his prayers. He followed a strict fast and was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. When his superiors occasionally asked him to administer the sacraments to nearby villages, Sharbel did so gladly. He died in the late afternoon on Christmas Eve. Christians and non-Christians soon made his tomb a place of pilgrimage and of cures. Pope Paul VI beatified Sharbel in 1965, and canonized him 12 years later. Reflection John Paul II often said that the Church has two lungs—East and West—and it must learn to breathe using both of them. Remembering saints like Sharbel Makhlouf helps the Church to appreciate both the diversity and unity present in the Catholic Church. Like all the saints, Sharbel points us to God and invites us to cooperate generously with God's grace, no matter what our situation in life may be. As our prayer life becomes deeper and more honest, we become more ready to make that generous response.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I'm joined by Sarah Trad, author of A House in the Lebanese Mountains: Recipes and Stories from Beit Trad.  Before we get started, I'd love your help. I'm creating a brand-new class for aspiring cookbook authors who want to build the audience publishers are looking for. If you've ever wondered how to grow your visibility, connect with future readers, or strengthen your cookbook proposal before pitching publishers, I'd love to hear what questions you want answered. I've put together a quick, two-question survey, and your feedback will help shape the class. If you'd like to be the first to know when enrollment opens, you can leave your name and email at the end of the survey. Now, let's meet Sarah. Sarah is the founder of Beit Trad, a beautifully restored guest house in the Lebanese mountains, and the author of A House in the Lebanese Mountains. In our conversation, we discuss: How restoring her family's ancestral home inspired a cookbook that preserves recipes, culture, and family history. Why hospitality, generosity, and gathering around the table become even more meaningful during times of conflict. The thoughtful process of creating a cookbook that is both visually stunning and approachable for home cooks. What cookbook authors can learn about creating a lasting legacy through food and storytelling. Mentioned in This Episode: Survey for upcoming class Beit Trad Sarah Trad on Instagram Recettes Faciles by Françoise Bernard Books by Trish Deseine  

Today's Headlines: Pete Hegseth went to Congress to ask for $1.5 trillion more for the Iran war — on top of the $37.5 billion already spent — while the Pentagon has been quietly underreporting troop injuries, with the New York Times revealing over 400 Americans have been hurt, nearly 100 just in July, which the Pentagon characterized as "mostly mild concussions" which is indeed, an injury. The 17 service members killed in a war we supposedly won several times were also not mentioned with particular urgency. In another Oval Office mess of an interview, Trump met with Lebanon's president to discuss the Israel-Lebanon peace agreement, then took press questions and downplayed Chinese election interference the week after his entire primetime election fraud circus, because consistency is not the vibe. On the election beat, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that a software glitch registered over 6,600 noncitizens to vote between 2023 and 2024, with fewer than 400 ultimately voting — a mix of Democrats, Republicans, and independents — the glitch was fixed in 2024, the vendor was fired, ineligible voters were removed, and Trump is going to love every second of this regardless of context. Graham Platner's replacement in the Maine Senate race is state legislator Troy Jackson, who secured the nomination and had reporting drop about his temper within 24 hours — including allegedly throwing a water bottle during a meeting about red flag gun laws. On public health, cyclosporiasis cases hit a record high with over 4,100 confirmed and 7,400 more under investigation, and measles cases reached a 35-year record with nearly 2,300 cases — the highest since measles was eliminated from the US in 2000 — and we're only halfway through the year. And finally, a judge ruled Trump must hand over detailed financial records for over 400 companies in a family trust as part of the defamation lawsuit he brought against the BBC over a January 6th documentary, which is the legal equivalent of suing someone and accidentally showing them your diary. Resources/Articles mentioned: WSJ: Hegseth Estimates Cost of Iran War at $37.5 Billion NYT: Pentagon Withheld Dozens of U.S. Military Injuries in Iran War WaPo: Trump meets with Lebanese leader, pledges support for peace efforts with Israel CNN: Trump downplays Chinese election interference five days after describing breach of historic proportions  WaPo: Nearly 400 noncitizens voted in elections in New Jersey, governor says WaPo: Democrat set to replace Platner in Maine led state Senate with a temper NYT: Cyclosporiasis Cases in the United States Hit Record High  WaPo: U.S. measles cases hit 35-year record with months left in 2026  Politico: Judge says Trump must hand over financial records to BBC  Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your daily news in under three minutes.For more on these stories, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com And connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Your daily news in under three minutes.For more on these stories, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com And connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

In this situational briefing, MirYam's In-House Analyst, Yaakov Lappin, provides an overview of the following security challenges:Iran & Strait of Hormuz: Assesses U.S. coastal strikes and urges the prioritization of a naval blockade over diplomacy.Pickaxe Mountain: Details centrifuges inside Iran's subterranean site and describes the utility of inspections or military action.Lebanon Pilot Program: Outlines skepticism surrounding the Lebanese armed forces' ability to dismantle Hezbollah in southern test zones.Gaza Control: Highlights IDF control over 60% of Gaza and ongoing targeted eliminations.Support the showThe MirYam Institute. Israel's Future in Israel's Hands.Subscribe to our podcast: https://podfollow.com/1493910771Follow The MirYam Institute X: https://bit.ly/3jkeUyxFollow Benjamin Anthony X: https://bit.ly/3hZeOe9Like Benjamin Anthony Facebook: https://bit.ly/333Ct93Like The MirYam Institute Facebook: https://bit.ly/2SarHI3Follow Benjamin Anthony Instagram: https://bit.ly/30m6uPGFollow The MirYam Institute Instagram: https://bit.ly/3l5fvED

Today on America in the MorningHegseth Faces The Senate Secretary of War Pete Hegseth faced sharp questioning from both sides of the aisle during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing as Democrats pressed him on the Trump administration's handling of the war with Iran, the rising cost of the conflict and the Pentagon's request for billions more in emergency funding.  Correspondent Joan Jones has details.   Trump Meets With Lebanon's President President Trump met in the White House with the president of Lebanon, a meeting that included discussions of Lebanon taking back areas from Hezbollah, Israel leaving Lebanese territory, and the resumption of US flights to Beirut which ended in the 1980's.  Lisa Dwyer reports.   Medicaid Money Pulled From California & Minnesota The Trump administration is pausing $1 billion dollars in ​Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota over what it calls "suspected fraud and noncompliance."  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   NJ Election Glitch Governor Mikie Sherrill said that a glitch in the state's motor vehicle commission computer allowed roughly 66 hundred non-citizens to register to vote in New Jersey from 2023 to 2024.  Roughly 400 of them actually cast votes.   Biggs Wins AZ GOP Primary In Arizona, President Trump-backed candidate Andy Biggs won the GOP primary for governor by a landslide, and will face incumbent Democrat Katie Hobbs for governor.    Americans Stabbed In Greece A shocking scene at one of the world's biggest tourist attractions.  Correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports a man has stabbed and wounded two American tourists near the ancient Acropolis in Athens, Greece.   Hegseth Takes Heat Defense Secretary Pete Hegesth faced sharp questions about the Trump administration's handling of the war with Iran, with no signs from either side of stopping attacks, and concerns that the Iranian-backed Houthis are planning to keep ships at bay in the Red Sea while Iran targets the Strait of Hormuz.  Ed Donahue reports a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing included angst from Democrats, blame from Hegseth for the Biden administration, and a loud protest.   Bertha On The Move It was a wicked weather Tuesday across the nation with severe storms and some tornado activity from New York City to Washington, DC that canceled or delayed thousands of flights, and in the Deep South, tropical storm watches and warnings are in place along the Louisiana coast, and further east, as Tropical Storm Bertha continues moving toward the northern Gulf Coast.  Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.   The Chicago Slap It's the slap that everyone's talking about.  A young man who did not stand for the national anthem at a Chicago Cubs game was smacked in the back of the head by a Viet Nam War veteran.  Sue Aller reports on what happened, and also what took place between the two men following the head slap.   House Clears Budget Bill The House passed a stopgap bill to fund the government into December in an effort to avoid another government shutdown weeks before the midterms, but the effort faces an uphill climb in the Senate.    Biden Loses Appeal Request denied.  Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports on former President Joe Biden's appeal in a highly publicized DOJ investigation.   ESPN Layoffs The sports world is talking about the mass layoffs at ESPN, where it's not just behind-the-scenes personnel that are receiving pink slips.  Lisa Dwyer reports some of their big-name broadcasters are also being shown the door, including one who was on the air when he found out he was being let go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Daoud. Israel has begun a phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon, testing whether the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) can effectively disarm Hezbollah in "pilot zones." David Daoud expresses skepticism, noting Lebanon is already attempting to backtrack on its legal commitments and reverse agreed-upon sequences. Success depends on whether the U.S. will hold Lebanon's feet to the fire or permit Israel to retake territory if the LAF fails. (16)2012

Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus Marta. An experiment with "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon involves Israeli troop withdrawals and replacement by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. In Washington, 103 Democrats signed a resolution to deny aid to Israel, a move Hoenlein attributes to political intimidation rather than violations of law. Furthermore, a reported detention of Ro Khanna in a military zone was characterized as a "concocted" confrontation. (6)1968

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Ukraine appears to have found a new pressure point inside Russia. We examine why Kyiv is now targeting Russia's largest commercial logistics companies—and how disrupting the country's supply network could become the next phase of the drone war. Yemen's Houthis are expanding the fight. We'll explain why the group's newly announced naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could threaten global shipping and energy markets. A U.S.-brokered plan enters a critical new phase in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops begin withdrawing from parts of the country and Lebanese forces move into areas long held by Israel. In today's Back of the Brief: Hamas has chosen a new leader. We introduce you to Khalil al-Hayya and examine what his leadership could mean for the future of the terrorist organization and the conflict with Israel. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Acre Gold: Turn your pocket change into physical 24-karat gold and enter to win a limited-edition Hot Wheels gold bar at https://GetAcreGold.com/PDB Wild Alaskan Company: Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/PDB  Poncho Outdoors: Gear up for summer with Poncho and grab $10 off plus free shipping at https://ponchooutdoors.com/PDB  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During a landmark visit by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the US, President Donald Trump vowed to help Lebanon "a lot" as the country sought Washington's backing for a fragile effort to disarm Hezbollah and forge a path to peace with Israel. Also on the programme: Ebola in the DRC spreading faster than any other outbreak according to health officials; and what is really to blame for Italy's obese children? (Photo: President Trump welcomes Lebanese President Joseph Aoun upon his arrival at the West Wing Portico of the White House in Washington, DC on July 21, 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Israeli intelligence has reportedly assessed that Iran has moved thousands of nuclear centrifuges into a site in the Natanz area known as Pickaxe Mountain, burying them deep underground and making them harder to target in aerial strikes. We hear from Fabian about the IDF's current assessment of Iran's capabilities. Lebanese army troops began deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh this morning after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, the Lebanese Armed Forces said in a statement, in line with a US-brokered plan for “pilot zones” in the south. We learn which areas are in the pilot program and the IDF's readiness to step back into the vacuum. Hezbollah launched over 400 rockets from the Beaufort Ridge toward northern Israel during the current round of fighting, mainly at the border community of Metula, according to the IDF. Fabian visited a massive warren inside the mountain that the terrorists carved out over more than a decade. We get a sense of the scope of the underground base. An analysis by Fabian has found that, despite the ceasefire, the IDF has in the past few months stepped up a large-scale retribution campaign with the avowed aim of hunting down and eliminating every single terrorist who took part in the October 7 massacre. Fabian unwinds the competing narratives surrounding these targeted killings. After the Knesset voted to extend the mandatory military service period for males to 32 months, the chief of the IDF’s Personnel Directorate said Friday that the move did not replace the army’s immediate need for more troops. Fabian explains why. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Iran says it’s in ‘full-scale war’ with US as mediators said to proffer 10-day truce Israeli intel said to show Iran has moved centrifuges to Natanz’s Pickaxe Mountain US indicates Lebanese army deploying to ‘pilot zones,’ including one IDF will withdraw from Beneath Beaufort’s strategic bulwark, a Hezbollah lair built to attack Israel is unearthed Israel steps up campaign to kill all 5,000 Oct. 7 terrorists; 1,200 were killed on the day, 1,500 so far since IDF says it killed terrorist who attacked Nova festival, abducted Inbar Haiman on Oct. 7 IDF manpower chief: Extension of service period doesn’t replace need for more troops Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US administration is hitting its neighbour Canada with a 50% tariff on imports. Products include wine, cement and even hockey sticks. We speak to Canadian businesses about how they are preparing for the latest round of tariffs.Also, President Trump has promised to help Lebanon "a lot" during a landmark meeting with his Lebanese counterpart in Washington. We hear from a food importer about what it is like doing business in the country.Elsewhere, we check in with a football fan from Curaçao to find out how much a trip to the World Cup cost him.And weight-loss drugs are a multi-billion-dollar industry. We explore why its two biggest players are heading to court.(Photo: Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks after touring General Dynamics, a defence manufacturing facility, on the day he announced new measures to strengthen Canada's defence capabilities in London, Ontario, Canada, 16 July, 2026. He wears a navy blazer and a white shirt, with a light blue, patterned silk tie. Credit: Carlos Osorio/Reuters)

Your daily news in under three minutes.For more on these stories, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com And connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

President Donald Trump is set to meet with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House on Tuesday, after Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement in Washington last month following U.S.-mediated talks aimed at ending fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists.Voters are going to the polls on Tuesday in Arizona to choose Republican and Democratic nominees for the U.S. Congress and governor, with races that will set the tone for November's midterm elections.

Speaking alongside the Lebanese president in the Oval Office, President Trump warned Iran that US strikes are going to intensify, claiming Iran "hasn't seen anything yet." This comes on the heels of Pete Hegseth's visit to Capitol Hill, where he's expected to ask Congress for more money for the war.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House Tuesday to discuss ways to implement the Trilateral Framework, the U.S.-backed deal between Lebanon and Israel that was signed on June 26. Both leaders said they would address the deal's goals to expand Lebanese military control in the country's south, reduce Hezbollah's presence, and enable a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the federal government will pause more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota over alleged fraud. Kennedy said HHS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are using artificial intelligence and other tools to identify suspicious activity.New Jersey found around 6,600 non-citizens on its voter rolls due to a software error in the state's Motor Vehicle Commission system between June 2023 and June 2024. Gov. Mikie Sherrill said under 400 voted illegally and that she was “appalled” by the situation. The White House said in a press release that this error highlights the need to pass the SAVE America Act, which Republicans say will ensure election integrity.More Breaking News, Special Reports, and Live Coverage on NTD: https://ept.ms/NTD_LIVE

Lebanese army troops began deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh on Tuesday in a first test of a U.S.-brokered framework between Israel and Lebanon. The plan sees Lebanese army troops confiscating Hezbollah’s weapons in parts of southern Lebanon and phased withdrawals of Israeli troops. Sarit Zehavi, Founder and President of the Alma Research and Education Center, was asked by KAN reporter Naomi Segal for her assessment of the pilot plan. (Photo: Reuters)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Ricardo Karam sits down with Sarah Trad in a conversation about memory, hospitality, reinvention, and the art of transforming a personal story into a place of meaning.Raised between worlds, from Jeddah to Lebanon and beyond, Sarah grew up in a home open to people, encounters, and conversation. That early sense of generosity would later shape many chapters of her life: from her social engagement through Skoun, Lebanon's pioneering outpatient addiction center, to the transformation of her family house into Beit Trad, a guesthouse that has become a living expression of Lebanese hospitality. The conversation explores how a house can become more than architecture; how memory can be preserved through food, beauty, objects, and gestures; and how heritage can be lived rather than simply inherited. Through her book and through Beit Trad itself, Sarah offers a deeply personal reflection on family, belonging, transmission, and the emotional power of place.Join Ricardo Karam and Sarah Trad in a conversation about memory, hospitality, social responsibility, and the beauty of turning a family home into a shared story.في هذا اللقاء، يجلس ريكاردو كرم مع سارة طراد في حوارٍ عن الذاكرة، الضيافة، إعادة الابتكار، ومعنى أن تتحول الحكاية الشخصية إلى مكانٍ نابض بالحياة. بين جدّة ولبنان وعواصم أخرى، نشأت سارة في بيتٍ مفتوح على الناس واللقاءات والحوارات. هذا الإحساس المبكر بالكرم الإنساني رافقها في محطات كثيرة، من انخراطها في تأسيس سكون، أحد أبرز المراكز اللبنانية المعنية بالدعم والعلاج والوقاية من الإدمان، إلى تحويل بيت العائلة إلى "بيت طراد"، دار ضيافة أصبحت تجسيداً حيّاً لفن الضيافة اللبنانيةيتناول الحوار كيف يمكن للبيت أن يكون أكثر من حجارة وجدران؛ وكيف تُحفظ الذاكرة عبر الطعام والجمال والأشياء والتفاصيل، وكيف يمكن للإرث أن يُعاش لا أن يُورث فقط. من خلال كتابها ومن خلال بيت طراد نفسه، تقدم سارة تأمّلاً شخصياً في العائلة، والانتماء، والتوارث، والقوة العاطفية للمكان.انضموا إلى ريكاردو كرم وسارة طراد في حوارٍ عن الذاكرة، الضيافة، المسؤولية الاجتماعية، وجمال تحويل بيت عائلي إلى حكاية مشتركة.

Units of the Lebanese army on Tuesday began deploying in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya in southern Lebanon following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area. This deployment is part of a broader US-brokered framework.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has met with US president Donald Trump at the White House. Associated Press journalist Kareem Chehayeb spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from Lebanon's capital Beirut.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. US forces struck Iran for a ninth consecutive day on Monday as the number of confirmed American military deaths in the renewed fighting rose to three, and concerns grew over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which the Trump administration accused the Islamic Republic of seeking to control “as leverage against the world.” Yesterday, Israel launched interceptors after fragments from Iranian missiles fired at Jordan’s southern city of Aqaba potentially threatened the nearby city of Eilat. We discuss why the Iranians are trying to keep Israel out of the fray and why US President Donald Trump has not asked the Jewish state to join in the fight. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is in Washington, DC, this week in the first trip to the US capital by a Lebanese head of state since Michel Sleiman was received by Barack Obama in 2009. Aoun is slated to meet with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. We learn what is on the agenda and why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not invited. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US strikes Iran for 9th night, confirms American servicemember killed in Iraq IDF fires interceptors over Eilat as Iranian missiles target nearby Aqaba in Jordan At meeting in DC, Rubio lauds Lebanon president’s ongoing push to disarm Hezbollah Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yitzhak Ledee filmed and edited this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The annual film series ANA Contemporary Arab Cinema is back in New York, with screenings at BAM and the Jacob Burns Film Center. Hear a preview of the event from programmer and curator Lina Matta discusses the events. Plus, Lebanese writer and director, Cyril Aris talks about his film “A Sad and Beautiful World,” and what the series means to filmmakers like him. "A Sad and Beautiful World," is showing at BAM on July 23rd.  Cinematography by Joe Saade, image courtesy of the production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The media wants you to think “Greater Israel” is a fringe fantasy belonging to Ben Gvir and the settler far right. It's not. It's a project for dominating the entire Middle East, and it goes far beyond land grabs.Daniel Levy, former Israeli peace negotiator and president of the US/Middle East Project, joins Rania Khalek to explain what “Greater Israel” actually is: annexation in Palestine, military occupation zones in Lebanon and Syria, and beyond that, a region where every state is subservient, dependent, or collapsed. Levy breaks down why Israel has no recognized borders by design, how the Lebanon "framework agreement" serves the Israelis and was signed by a Lebanese government that got nothing in return, why Israeli leaders now openly declare that Turkey is next, and the contradiction at the heart of it all: Netanyahu calls Israel a superpower while insisting it was on the brink of annihilation. Is this project achievable or is it imperial overreach?Plus, Levy reflects on his own evolution from an Orthodox Zionist upbringing in London, with a seat at the negotiating table, to becoming a sharp critic of Israel and Zionism.Follow Daniel Levy's analysis on Substack: https://daniellevy2.substack.comThis is just part of the episode. To watch the full interview, become a Breakthrough News member at https://breakthroughnews.org/subscribe

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah reignited in the days following Israel and the U.S. launching joint strikes on Iran earlier this year. In June, Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement that Hezbollah ultimately rejected. This month, the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran effectively disintegrated, and there are fears that fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah will pick back up. The Lebanese president is expected to meet with Trump and other officials this week in Washington to reportedly talk about not only a stronger ceasefire, but Israel withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon. According to the UN, more than 3,500 people have been killed, thousands more have been injured, and approximately 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon because of the conflict. President and CEO of Oxfam America Abby Maxman joined Brittany Lewis on "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Natalie Khazaal is Associate Professor in the School of Modern Languages at Georgia Tech, where she directs the Arabic and Middle East & North Africa programs. Her work spans teaching Arabic, exploring the lives of atheists and apostates in Arab and Muslim communities, nonhuman animal ethics, and the media's role in normalizing speciesism and racism. Natalie is the co-creator of the MARS test (Media Analysis of Racism and Speciesism), an evaluative framework—similar to the Bechdel and DuVernay tests—that measures racism and speciesism in media.She joins Sentientism episode 248 to talk about growing up in a secular household in Bulgaria, the "pretty lies" media tell to avoid uncomfortable truths (the subject of her book on Lebanese television during the civil war), and how her research on the MARS Test reveals overlapping patterns of racism and speciesism in mainstream media, including Oscar-winning animations.We explore her naturalistic approach to reality and happiness, her path to veganism as a purely ethical decision, and her argument that racism and speciesism are structurally linked through slaughterhouse labour, environmental racism, dehumanising rhetoric about migrants, and the historical use of animals as instruments of racial violence.We close by asking how storytelling and material change together might shift humanity toward a less oppressive, more sentience-inclusive, more reality-based worldview.Here's Natalie's work applying the MARS (Media Analysis of Racism and Speciesism) test to the animated and short film Oscars: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1483941/full and here's Fox News attacking that work: https://www.foxnews.com/media/professors-claim-disneys-lion-king-other-animated-films-promote-white-privilege-new-study.Follow and read Natalie:- https://modlangs.gatech.edu/people/person/natalie-khazaal- https://modlangs.gatech.edu/featured-people/natalie-khazaal- "Nonbelievers, Apostates and Atheists in the Muslim World" (ed) https://uk.bookshop.org/a/15422/9781032484785- "Pretty Liar: Television, Language and Gender in Wartime Lebanon" https://uk.bookshop.org/a/15422/978081565451300:00 Clips01:00 Welcome03:03 Natalie's Intro06:08 What's Real?38:18 What Matters?45:25 Who Matters?01:03:12 A Better World?01:14:06 Follow Natalie and Her WorkFull show notes will be at: https://sentientism.info/In Sentientist Conversations we talk about the most important questions: “what's real?”, “who matters?” and "how can we make a better world?"Sentientism answers those questions with "evidence, reason, & compassion for all sentient beings." The video of our conversation is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.More at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentientism.info⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join our⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠"I'm a Sentientist" wall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ this simple form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Everyone, Sentientist or not, is welcome in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠groups⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The biggest so far is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here on FaceBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Come join us there!

In this episode we sat down with Mai El-Sadany, Executive Director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, to discuss the escalating crisis in Lebanon and its implications for civilian protection and international law. Drawing on her experience as a human rights lawyer, Mai examines the humanitarian consequences of repeated military escalation, the erosion of ceasefire agreements and the urgent need to center Lebanese voices in discussions about the country's future. The conversation also explores the relationship between accountability, reconstruction and long-term peace, as well as the broader consequences of the erosion of international legal norms. This episode was recorded on 23 June 2026 and does not reflect subsequent developments or the most recent casualty figures in Lebanon. his episode was recorded on 23 June 2026 and does not reflect subsequent developments or the most recent casualty figures in Lebanon. For more information see this article co-authored by Mai here: What Does the Trilateral Framework Mean for Lebanon? https://timep.org/2026/07/01/what-does-the-trilateral-framework-mean-for-lebanon/

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. The US House on Wednesday defeated a vote to end Israel aid. Still, with nearly 50% of Democrats backing the measure, Magid notes the significance of the measure and the vote, which he says sends the message that Israel will not have the bipartisan support it used to have if it continues its current policies toward the Palestinians. Magid reviews the recent visit of US lawmaker Ro Khanna to the West Bank, where he was briefly detained in a Palestinian village by Israeli settlers. Magid examines whether the incident was later amplified by Khanna or constitutes another case of settler violence. He touches on the venting JD Vance did during a recent podcast hosted by Joe Rogan, in which the US vice president expressed frustration over an Israeli social media campaign that criticizes the Iran deal. The latest round of Israel-Lebanon talks ended in Rome, and while the tone was positive, Magid tells us that it's unclear whether Israel will be withdrawing anytime soon from the two agreed-upon pilot zones in southern Lebanon. He opines that Israel's reluctance is probably tied to the upcoming elections and notes that the lack of progress is a sore spot for the Lebanese. The Board of Peace is progressing with plans for Gaza, with its own set of pilot zones, says Magid, but those plans are still theoretical for now. And he tells us that the Palestinian Authority has brought in an outside consultancy to vouch for progress in its reform of West Bank prisoner payments, in an attempt to prove that it is no longer incentivizing attacks on Israelis. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US House defeats amendment to end Israel aid, but nearly 50% of Democrats back measure US lawmaker detained by settlers says lack of punishment shows Israeli complicity ‘Go to hell’: Vance lashes out at reported Israeli-backed online campaign smearing Iran MOU Lebanon talks in Rome wrap up without specific timeline for pledged IDF withdrawals Board of Peace plans launch of pilot Gaza housing project, but green light elusive PA says external audit proves payments incentivizing attacks on Israelis have ended Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: US bureau chief Jacob Magid appears on the Daily Briefing podcast with host Jessica Steinberg (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marcia is publishing the first English translation of early 20th century woman of letters and feminist icon May Ziadhe; Ursula has been working on a review of the award-winning Lebanese novelist Rabih Alameddine. We also talk about a devastating book based on interviews with Gazan evacuees by the Syrian writer/activist/journalist Samar Yazbek; and a memoir of art and politics, set in Lebanon and France, by Lamia Ziadé.    Show Notes: You can read about the “Lignes de Faille” Arabic literature conference in Marseille here.   You can sign up to receive May Ziadeh's Musings of a Young Woman here.   Samar Yazbek's book of interviews with Gaza survivors is Your Presence is a Danger to Your Life   The new memoir by Lebanese-French graphic artist Lamia Ziadé is Rue de Phénicie. You can read an excerpt here.    Rabih Alameddine's books include The Angel of History (2014); An Unnecessary Woman (2016); The Wrong End of the Telescope (2021) and The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) (2025) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Daoud — Hezbollah fighters are integrated into southern Lebanese villages, making evacuation north of the Litani River unfeasible; while Lebanese law requires disarmament, the government lacks the will to confront Hezbollahdue to its significant social support, turning Lebanon into a hollowed-out, failed state. (7)

SCHEDULE JBS, 7-13-26.1914 PALESTINESamuel Ben-Ur — Israel controls 70% of Gaza, creating a buffer zone while Hamas remains on the coast; 98% of the population resides on the Hamas-controlled side, where the group exploits humanitarian aid for revenue, and the Board of Peace proposes a "pilot zone" in Tel Sultan for non-Hamas civilians. (1)Samuel Ben-Ur — The Board of Peace remains underfunded, with only $23 million confirmed of the $17 billion pledged; Hamas rejected an eight-month disarmament plan, its leadership has largely relocated from Qatar to Turkey, and Netanyahu's political standing depends on his hardline refusal to cede Gaza territory. (2)Bill Gertz and Gordon Chang — Rose Gottemoeller suggests Vladimir Putin nearly used tactical nuclear weapons in 2022 to stop a military rout, allegedly dissuaded by private pressure from the U.S., China, and India; reports indicate China is now providing covert military training to Russian forces. (3)Mark Simon and Gordon Chang — China released Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri following a request from Donald Trump, showing Xi Jinping can make concessions without losing face; however, billionaire publisher Jimmy Lai remains imprisoned for political crimes, viewed by the Chinese government as a significant threat and a "one-man wrecking crew." (4)Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter — Guests pay tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, highlighting his role in the Abraham Accords and US-Israel relations; Israeli elections are set for October 27th, and regional tensions rise as the U.S. reimposes a naval blockade on Iran following renewed attacks on Gulf neighbors. (5)Malcolm Hoenlein and Thaddeus McCotter — Anti-Semitism is surging in the UK, leading to a £250 million government allocation for protection; Iran continues to act as an "octopus" of instability across the Middle East, and guests argue that dealing with Iran is the only way to achieve regional peace and allow the area to bloom. (6)David Daoud — Hezbollah fighters are integrated into southern Lebanese villages, making evacuation north of the Litani River unfeasible; while Lebanese law requires disarmament, the government lacks the will to confront Hezbollahdue to its significant social support, turning Lebanon into a hollowed-out, failed state. (7)David Daoud — Prime Minister Netanyahu uses theatrical tours of the border to project strength ahead of the October elections; he faces criticism for being unable to say "no" to President Trump, and ultimately the fate of Israeli military deployments in Lebanon and Gaza depends more on Washington than Jerusalem. (8)Bridget Toomey — Saudi Arabia struck Sanaa airport to prevent Iran from establishing direct flights to Houthi-controlled territory; the Houthis have vowed retaliation, potentially targeting Saudi oil infrastructure or airports with drones and missiles, though they have avoided attacking U.S. vessels to prevent renewed air campaigns. (9)John Hardie — President Trump signaled he will grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missile systems, though standing up production will take years; meanwhile, Germany is financing 50,000 AI-guided drones for Ukraine, which use terminal guidance to strike targets despite electronic warfare interference. (10)Edmund Fitton-Brown — The U.S. is reimposing a naval blockade on Iran after the collapse of the poorly drafted memorandum of understanding; Iran's economy is "choking to death" under these measures, and guests argue the U.S.must prioritize controlling the Strait of Hormuz through international cooperation and naval power. (11)Edmund Fitton-Brown — The truce between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis may be over following strikes on Sanaaairport, with retaliatory attacks potentially targeting major Saudi international airports and oil facilities; despite Iranianinfluence, the new Iraqi prime minister appears to be drifting toward the United States for security and stability. (12)Ahmad Sharawi — President Trump has agreed to review lifting Syria's state sponsor of terror designation to aid its economic recovery; however, the country remains unstable, with rampant ISIS activity and foreign leaders facing security risks in Damascus, while Turkey and Saudi Arabia position themselves to invest heavily in Syria. (13)Jonathan Schanzer — The naval blockade on Iran represents the "maximum pressure" campaign, effectively dropping Iranian oil exports to zero; this economic strangulation poses an existential threat to the regime, which struggles to pay its personnel, and recent direct missile exchanges suggest diplomatic understandings between the U.S. and Iran have collapsed. (14)Bob Zimmerman — China successfully recovered a reusable rocket stage, joining SpaceX and Blue Origin in the race for cheaper launches; on the ISS, a private company successfully manufactured human kidney and liver tissues, and SpaceX continues to break records, with boosters flying up to 36 times, significantly reducing satellite launch costs. (15)Bob Zimmerman — SETI has tightened protocols for announcing alien life to prevent "clickbait" claims lacking evidence, with scientists encouraged to be more transparent about mistakes and maintain anonymity during discoveries; future missions include deploying helicopters to Mars and launching the Habitable Worlds Observatory in the 2040s. (16)Corrections: Samuel Bener → Samuel Ben-Ur; Bill Girtz → Bill Gertz; Pastor Jyn / Ezra Jin Mingu → Ezra Jin Mingri; Jimmy Lie → Jimmy Lai; Thaddius McCotter → Thaddeus McCotter; Bridget Tumeh → Bridget Toomey; John Hardy → John Hardie.One question: the batch ended with "1-8" — I've numbered the full run (1)–(16), but if you wanted this split as tails (1)–(8) across paired segments, or only the first eight numbered, say the word and I'll renumber.