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I've just interviewed @AkbarSAhmed for my Beirut Calling Substack, in which he discusses his new book on the Biden administration's behavior during the Gaza war. It could have stopped mass murder, but decided not to do so. Do subscribe, it's free: beirutcalling.substack.com/p/podcast-akba…
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Michael Young retweeted
I look back on a photo essay I did for Diwan with @MohanadHageAli, asking what remained of Kim Philby's Beirut. The reference is to the Soviet double agent who reached the highest levels of MI6, and who moved to Lebanon after being forced to resign. Here is the background to that o. Do subscribe to my Substack, it's free: beirutcalling.substack.com/p/kim-philby-b…
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Michael Young retweeted
Absolutely disgraceful from this utter embarrassment of a secretary of state, and in complete contradiction with known facts. When IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari stated “the emphasis [in Gaza’s bombardment] is on damage and not on accuracy,” did that not show an intention to harm?
Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken:
The Israelis didn't intend to harm Palestinians.
The target was Hamas.
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Michael Young retweeted
I've just interviewed @AkbarSAhmed for my Beirut Calling Substack, in which he discusses his new book on the Biden administration's behavior during the Gaza war. It could have stopped mass murder, but decided not to do so. Do subscribe, it's free: beirutcalling.substack.com/p/podcast-akba…
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Absolutely disgraceful from this utter embarrassment of a secretary of state, and in complete contradiction with known facts. When IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari stated “the emphasis [in Gaza’s bombardment] is on damage and not on accuracy,” did that not show an intention to harm?
Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken:
The Israelis didn't intend to harm Palestinians.
The target was Hamas.
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I look back on a photo essay I did for Diwan with @MohanadHageAli, asking what remained of Kim Philby's Beirut. The reference is to the Soviet double agent who reached the highest levels of MI6, and who moved to Lebanon after being forced to resign. Here is the background to that o. Do subscribe to my Substack, it's free: beirutcalling.substack.com/p/kim-philby-b…
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Michael Young retweeted
Will the United States and Israel resume military operations against Iran, as many have predicted? I argue in my latest Substack article that the U.S. election results and their consequences may tell a different story. Do subscribe, it's free: beirutcalling.substack.com/p/is-a-us-atta…
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Will the United States and Israel resume military operations against Iran, as many have predicted? I argue in my latest Substack article that the U.S. election results and their consequences may tell a different story. Do subscribe, it's free: beirutcalling.substack.com/p/is-a-us-atta…
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Michael Young retweeted
Sorry, but the first two things Blinken lists — “alienate allies” and “appease autocrats” — were non-issues in the election. By contrast, U.S. support for Israel was front and center, and Blinken doesn’t even mention it.
The midterm results send a clear message: How we show up in the world affects our lives at home, and Americans understand that. When we alienate allies, appease autocrats, impose arbitrary tariffs, and drive needless conflict, American families pay the price. The Administration’s actions over the last two years have had real consequences for our security, our economy, and our everyday lives. Americans have spoken loud and clear. We should act on the message they're sending. A good place to start: a diplomatic resolution to President Trump's war of choice with Iran.
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Following on from my tweet earlier, it took only a few hours for Vance to try to impose restraint on Trump (and issue an indirect warning to Israel) with regard to resuming the Iran war. In effect, he’s made some sort of solution with Iran his own. Under these circumstances, it will be very difficult for the Israelis to push the U.S. into a renewed war with Iran. nytimes.com/live/2026/11/0…
When it comes to the Middle East, Trump’s Berezina means that his administration has just become that of countless others who either want to succeed the president or save their careers, above all people like Vance and Rubio. These people have a vested interest in ending the catastrophic war with Iran quickly, as they know it can’t be won. That doesn’t necessarily mean Trump won’t attack Iran, but it does mean he no longer has the enabling environment he once did, and many officials will intervene to argue against or derail war plans. Plus, people will soon start leaving the administration and the new Senate will have to approve Trump’s appointees, which may further gum up the war machine. In this environment, is it fair to say a war with Iran is less likely today than it was yesterday?
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When it comes to the Middle East, Trump’s Berezina means that his administration has just become that of countless others who either want to succeed the president or save their careers, above all people like Vance and Rubio. These people have a vested interest in ending the catastrophic war with Iran quickly, as they know it can’t be won. That doesn’t necessarily mean Trump won’t attack Iran, but it does mean he no longer has the enabling environment he once did, and many officials will intervene to argue against or derail war plans. Plus, people will soon start leaving the administration and the new Senate will have to approve Trump’s appointees, which may further gum up the war machine. In this environment, is it fair to say a war with Iran is less likely today than it was yesterday?
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Is it me, or is the delay in calling Michigan quite surprising given that 82 percent of votes have been counted and Sayed has a 5.6 percentage point lead? Your thoughts @NoeNicholas?
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The year began so well for Lindsey. He and the Israelis got the war they wanted, and he was caught on camera jubilating. But things went south as the war turned into a disaster, and now his sister has managed to lose his seat. What goes around… nytimes.com/2026/11/03/us/…
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Michael Young retweeted
Fascinating …
A Taste of Eternity: Bshaaleh, its millennial olive trees, and nature’s most wondrous rebels. Read the full story on the Lebanese Without Frontiers Substack: lebanesewithoutfrontiers.substack.com/p/a-taste-of-e…
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Michael Young retweeted
If only this could have been predicted...
UPDATE: 62% of voters say the war in Iran was the wrong decison; 74% say it was a "crucial" or "major" factor in their vote.
responsiblestatecraft.org/iran-war-midte…
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Michael Young retweeted
China is entering the fray to avert a new conflict in the Middle East that may spread to other regions, such as the Horn of Africa. In light of this, it hosts the sultan of Oman. washingtonpost.com/world/2026/11/…
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