On January 26, 2025, I wrote here an article titled “Forget the Noise,” reminding readers of news that deserves attention. The campaigns of distortion and disinformation are intense and relentless. I am returning to this idea now because it seems the theme should be addressed regularly so long as the noise continues.
We must focus on several important developments in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and the region as a whole, instead of getting distracted by the noise. Let us begin with Gaza: its land, its people, and the situation as a whole, from the Palestinian Authority to the long-sought Palestinian state.
Since the October 7, 2023 operation, the moderate Arab states have been the one actually defending Gaza, foremost among them Saudi Arabia. The merchants of slogans and empty rhetoric, as well as those who confined themselves to media posturing, have done nothing to help. Saudi Arabia has pursued shuttle diplomacy and conferences at all levels, achieving results.
While the main goal of October 7 was to derail the peace process, Saudi Arabia and its Arab partners succeeded in generating global momentum that culminated in the Two-State Solution Conference, a Saudi-French initiative overwhelmingly endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly.
Nearly 160 countries have now recognized the State of Palestine, among them Britain, France, Australia, Portugal, and Canada, meaning that Palestine has now secured recognition from four of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Thanks to Saudi-led international efforts, we are drawing closer to an end to the war in Gaza. The outlines of the “day after,” are taking shape: the framework of governance in Gaza, building global consensus against any role for Hamas, envisioning reconstruction, and reforming the Palestinian Authority.
Saudi Arabia also announced the launch of the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority, which includes Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain. Such a coalition had been unimaginable in the wake of October 7 and the worn-out slogans of “victory.”
As for Syria, President Ahmed al-Sharaa was right to say that his country is “no longer isolated from the world.” Sharaa was a star at the United Nations - a bulwark against the campaigns of distortion. In a key development at New York, foreign ministers of Syria and Egypt met and stressed their support for Syrian institutions.
In New York, President al-Sharaa met with President Trump, held talks with his former adversary General David Petraeus, and deliberated with European and other international leaders. He presented an important image of a new Syria that the region has been seeking for over decades.
Turning to Iran, what must be followed closely, ignoring the noise, is the reimposition of UN sanctions. Moreover, Israel and the United States have broken the taboo militarily targeting Tehran. President Trump, the man behind the “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran, is back.
In Lebanon, the real news, again without the distortion and now, is the effort to revive the old game of “squaring circles” to undermine the prime minister’s authority and breathe life back into Hezbollah. Success would mean no reconstruction and the specter of the ceasefire with Israel collapsing.
Regarding Iraq, Netanyahu’s pledge at the United Nations to target militias was noteworthy. It helps explain the recent timidity of the militias in Baghdad whose silence contrasts with noise of the Houthis, who have brought their inevitable and predictable end upon themselves.
These are the facts. The rest is nothing more than distortion and disinformation.
