Mahmoud Abbas has sent a delegation to Damascus to deliver a letter to Bashar Assad, expressing support and a desire for closer relations. It’s part — a distinctly unimportant part — of a wider effort by Arab states to bring Syria back into the Arab fold, and to pressure it, at the same time, […]
Hamas’ growing closeness to Iran and Assad regime enrages Syrian opposition
According to MEMRI, “The recent Hamas-Israel conflict brought into focus the years-long close relationship between Hamas and Iran. During the operation, Hamas leaders were in constant contact with Iranian offsssicials [sic], and each side fulsomely praised the other. Both stressed Iran’s contribution to the development of Hamas’ military capabilities…..Various opposition elements see expressions of support […]
Tom Friedman, World’s Greatest Authority, Has A ‘Big Idea’: US Should Pay Assad to Expel Iran From Syria
A well-pleased pleaser, mightily impressed with himself, the New York Times columnist Tom Friedman — the World’s Greatest Authority — has just announced that he has had a Big Idea about Syria, one that should solve all kinds of problems for Israel and the U.S. Ira Stoll was not impressed. His critical analysis is here: “Tom […]
Saudi Arabia aims to reduce tensions with Iran, moves to normalize relationship with Syria
In the post-Trump world, countries are realigning fast, leaving America behind. The alliances being formed for expedience and mutual convenience are not in American interests, or for that matter, in the interests of the West (or Israel). Speculation has vanished about any possibility of Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel. Not that it was a […]
Israel Keeps ‘Mowing the Lawn’ In Syria
Israel describes as “mowing the lawn” its repeated strikes on a particular target – say, on a Hamas base in Gaza from which missies are launched into Israel, or on a particular building in Aleppo where weapons are hid; after that enemy base, or that weapons cache, are hit, and the enemy then repairs […]
Assad and the Ruination of Syria
In the tenth year of the Syrian Civil War, Bashar al-Assad continues to rule, against all the odds. He’s supported by Iran, by Hezbollah, by Russia. Meanwhile the opposition to him is splintered; there are secular liberals and Islamic fundamentalists, and everything in between, fighting to overthrow his rule but agreeing on little else. Assad […]
Syrian Regime Emphasizes Its Protection of Christians By Building Miniature Hagia Sophia
The story is here: The Syrian regime under President Bashar Al-Assad has announced that it will build a miniature replica of the Hagia Sophia, in opposition to the Turkish government’s reversion of the building from a museum into a mosque. “The construction of this mini Hagia Sophia, taking place in the central province of Hama, […]
The Islamic Republic of Iran is Pulling Out of Syria
The Israeli news site Walla has some unexpected good news about Syria. From The Algemeiner: “Under the pressure of continuing IAF air strikes, Iran is beginning to draw down its military presence in Syria, unnamed Israeli security officials were quoted as saying on May 4. Iran’s economy is in free fall. It cannot spend nearly […]
Kurdish forces strike deal with Syrian government to oppose Turkish incursion
Handling the problem themselves? What? How can this be used to destroy Trump if they do that? “US-backed Kurdish forces strike deal with Syria’s Assad,” by Helen Regan and Eliza Mackintosh, CNN, October 14, 2019: (CNN) – Abandoned by the United States and facing a deepening Turkish military offensive, Kurdish forces near the northern Syrian […]
Islamic Republic of Iran to be declared in breach of chemical weapons bans
Trump again moves to undo the massive damage done by his predecessor, who did so very much to enable and empower the Islamic Republic of Iran. “Iran to Be Declared in Breach of Chemical Weapons Bans,” by Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, November 16, 2018: The Trump administration is set to announce that Iran is […]