Laith Marouf

DW—The video features an in-depth discussion with Scott Ritter, a former Pentagon analyst and intelligence officer, about the ongoing 12-day war between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other. The conversation centers on the tragic and controversial events of the war’s first day, specifically a devastating Tomahawk missile strike on a primary school in Iran that killed over 180 children. Ritter exposes significant failures in U.S. military targeting procedures and the disregard for international law, particularly the cancellation of the civilian harm and mitigation team by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, which led to unchecked strikes on civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals.

DW—The video features an in-depth discussion with Laith Marouf, a commentator from Beirut, on the escalating conflict involving Lebanon, Israel, Iran, and their regional proxies as of early March 2026. Laith outlines the current military developments primarily focusing on the southern Lebanon front where Hezbollah has entered the war alongside Iranian forces. He explains the strategic dynamics of the conflict, emphasizing Hezbollah’s successful resistance against Israeli incursions despite Israeli attempts to declare South Lebanon a military zone and forcibly evacuate civilians. The conversation highlights the coordinated missile and drone attacks launched by Iran and Hezbollah targeting northern and central Israel, including key military command centers and surveillance bases.

LAITH MAROUF–Laith’s critique of Mamdani’s election underscores a critical insight into the limitations of Western electoral politics for revolutionary movements. While elections may provide visibility and symbolic victories, they often co-opt radical figures, leading to moderation or abandonment of transformative agendas. This dynamic is evidenced by the trajectories of Muslim and black politicians in Western democracies who, despite promising platforms, ultimately fail to dismantle systemic oppression. This insight stresses the importance of grassroots mobilization over reliance on electoral success for genuine liberation.

GARLAND NIXON—In this comprehensive dialogue between Garland Nixon and Laith Marouf, the discussion centers on the recent conflict involving Palestine and Israel, analyzing the implications of the ceasefire, the military and propaganda outcomes, and the broader geopolitical and societal repercussions. Laith Marouf argues that despite overwhelming military might from Israel and its Western allies, the Palestinians have effectively won this war by surviving and exposing the Zionist colonial project’s destructive nature. The conversation highlights the profound shift in public opinion globally, especially in the United States, where traditional pro-Israel stances are eroding rapidly, including within the American Jewish community.

Maru emphasizes the collapse of Western propaganda around international law, human rights, and democracy in the face of the Gaza conflict and points to the rise of extreme right-wing and fascist elements as a desperate attempt by Zionists to maintain control. This has exacerbated social divisions and energized marginalized groups in the West to resist colonialist policies. The discussion further explores how Zionism contradicts core religious principles in Christianity and Islam, forcing non-Jewish Zionists to deny their own cultural and religious identities.

IGL–In this episode of India & Global Left, Laith Marouf joins us to discuss what the Gaza ceasefire really means for the future of Palestinian resistance. We explore how the ceasefire and prisoner exchange are reshaping the balance of power in Palestine, their ripple effects across Lebanon and the wider West Asian region, and what they reveal about the limits of Israeli power. The conversation also examines how Gaza has exposed the deep contradictions of Western imperialism and the global order that sustains it.