In a significant security and diplomatic move, the State of Kuwait officially announced the inclusion of eight Lebanese hospitals on its national list of entities designated as terrorist organizations. This decision, issued today (Sunday) by the Committee for the Implementation of Security Council Resolutions of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is based on Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter concerning combating terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

List of hospitals covered by the decision

Kuwaiti state media clarified that the decision encompassed medical institutions located in various geographical areas of Lebanon, specifically in the south, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. The list included the following names:

• Sheikh Ragheb Harb University Hospital: Located in the city of Nabatieh.
• Salah Ghandour Hospital: Located in the city of Bint Jbeil.
• Al Amal Hospital: Located in Baalbek.
• St. George Hospital: Located in the event area.
• Dar Al Hikma Hospital: Located in Baalbek.
• Al-Batoul Hospital: Located in Hermel in the Bekaa region.
• Al-Shifa Hospital: It is located in the Khaldah area.
• Al-Rasoul Al-A'zam Hospital: Located on Airport Road in the capital, Beirut.

Legal action: Immediate freezing of assets

Under Articles 21, 22, and 23 of the Committee's Implementing Regulations, this listing entails strict and immediate financial measures. Article 21 stipulates that every person must freeze the funds and economic resources owned or controlled by these entities, whether directly or indirectly, "without delay and without prior notice.".

Article 23 also prohibits any person within Kuwait, or any Kuwaiti citizen abroad, from providing any financial services or economic resources to these hospitals, whether directly or through intermediaries. The prohibition encompasses all financial transactions except for the addition of accrued interest on frozen accounts, effectively isolating these institutions financially from the Kuwaiti banking and financial system.

Context of the decision and its international dimensions

This decision comes within the framework of the State of Kuwait's strict commitment to international standards for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The committee implementing Security Council resolutions operates under the auspices of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the application of international and national sanctions against entities suspected of involvement in or support for terrorist acts.

The reliance on Chapter VII reflects the seriousness of the situation, as this chapter obligates UN member states to implement resolutions related to maintaining international peace and security. Observers note that targeting this specific group of hospitals is linked to efforts to cut off funding sources for entities designated as terrorist organizations, since oversight of service and financial institutions is a key component of global counter-terrorism financing strategies.

This decision is expected to have direct effects on the financial dealings of these hospitals with donors or financial institutions that have ties to the Kuwaiti and Gulf banking system, increasing international financial scrutiny of the health sector in the regions where these institutions are located.

In a dramatic development reflecting the depth of the crisis facing one of the world's most prestigious newspapers, The Washington Post announced the departure of its publisher and CEO, Will Lewis. This sudden move comes just days after the newspaper implemented one of the most severe restructurings in its history, laying off nearly a third of its workforce and sparking widespread outrage within media and union circles.

Details of the administrative change and temporary replacement

The newspaper confirmed in its statement that Jeff D'Onofrio, currently the chief financial officer of the company owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, will assume the roles of publisher and acting CEO. This appointment comes at a critical time as the newspaper attempts to regain its financial and administrative stability following a period of turmoil.

In a farewell letter to staff published by Matt Feiser, the newspaper's White House bureau chief, Lewis defended his tough decisions, stating that the steps taken during his tenure were necessary to ensure the newspaper's "sustainable future." He emphasized that the goal was to maintain the organization's ability to provide high-quality, nonpartisan journalism to millions of readers for years to come, despite the pain those decisions caused.

Background to the crisis: Financial losses and a decline in subscriptions

The appointment of Will Lewis, the former CEO of Dow Jones, in 2023 was nothing more than an attempt to rescue the newspaper, which was suffering severe financial losses. Lewis succeeded Fred Ryan at a time when the paper was facing existential challenges related to declining advertising revenue and the digital transformation. During his tenure, the paper experienced successive waves of cost-cutting and staff layoffs.

The newspaper’s crisis has worsened significantly recently, especially after the controversial decision to stop the tradition of endorsing candidates for the US presidency, which many considered a shift in the newspaper’s identity. This led to the cancellation of hundreds of thousands of digital subscriptions in an angry reaction from readers, which increased the financial pressure on management.

Union reactions: “Destroying a great institution”

Lewis's departure was met with a cautious welcome mixed with sharp criticism from the unions representing Washington Post employees. The union described Lewis's tenure as an attempt "to destroy a great American newspaper," noting that his resignation was overdue but necessary. The union called on owner Jeff Bezos to intervene immediately to reverse the recent layoffs or find a new buyer willing to invest in the future of journalism, rather than shrinking it.

General context: The crisis of traditional media in the digital age

What is happening at The Washington Post cannot be separated from the broader context of the global media landscape. Major newspapers are facing unprecedented challenges due to the dominance of large technology platforms in the advertising market and the shift in reader habits towards fast-paced digital content. The Washington Post, renowned for its landmark coverage of the Watergate scandal and its exposé of the Pentagon Papers, exemplifies the struggle between preserving its journalistic legacy and the imperatives of economic survival in a volatile market environment.

Experts point out that these administrative shake-ups could have a long-term impact on the newspaper's ability to retain its outstanding journalistic staff, putting its reputation and credibility at risk at a time when the world needs strong and independent investigative journalism.

In a significant development in the Middle East's geopolitical landscape, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi affirmed his country's strong desire for a swift resumption of negotiations with the United States, indicating the existence of common ground for reaching an agreement that would guarantee international assurances regarding Iran's nuclear program. These statements come at a sensitive time, as the region witnesses concerted efforts to de-escalate tensions following a period of unprecedented military escalation.

In his recent remarks, Araqchi explained that although a precise date for the second round of negotiations has not yet been set, there is a preliminary agreement between Tehran and Washington on the necessity of holding these talks as soon as possible. The Iranian minister revealed his country's readiness to provide concrete guarantees regarding uranium enrichment, including reducing enrichment levels as a goodwill gesture to reach a sustainable agreement—a significant shift in Iran's negotiating position.

On the military front, Araqchi balanced diplomacy with deterrence, warning in no uncertain terms that the Iranian armed forces were prepared to deliver devastating blows to US bases throughout the region should Iranian territory be subjected to any new American attack. This warning reflects Tehran's strategy of negotiating under fire, ensuring that diplomatic flexibility is not interpreted as military weakness.

Behind the scenes of the Muscat negotiations

The Omani capital, Muscat, hosted a round of indirect negotiations between the two sides. The Iranian delegation was headed by Abbas Araqchi, while the American delegation was led by Steve Wittkopf, President Trump's envoy to the Middle East, with notable participation from the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The presence of these high-level figures underscores the paramount importance the US administration attaches to this issue at present.

The context after the 12-day war

These diplomatic moves gain significance from their timing, as these negotiations are the first of their kind since the dangerous military escalation in the region last June. At that time, the United States launched targeted strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, amidst a 12-day war initiated by Israel, bringing the entire region to the brink of a full-blown regional conflict.

Oman's role and regional importance

Historically, the Sultanate of Oman has played the role of an impartial and trusted mediator between Tehran and the West, and Muscat's hosting of these talks is a continuation of this pivotal role in defusing crises. Observers believe that the success of these negotiations will not only impact bilateral relations between Washington and Tehran, but will also have a direct effect on the stability of global energy markets and the security of waterways in the Arabian Gulf. This makes reaching an agreement an urgent necessity for the entire international community to avoid catastrophic scenarios that could return the region to square one of military conflict.