Author: Steven Sahiounie

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On November 18, the United Nations Security Council approved U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip, endorsing a draft resolution submitted by Washington. Trump hailed the vote as a “historic moment”, while Palestinian factions—particularly Hamas—condemned the resolution as an act of “international guardianship” imposed on the coastal enclave. The approved plan authorizes the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza and outlines political pathways that could eventually lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained without exercising their…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On November 10, U.S. President Donald Trump received Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, and the pair shared a two-hour meeting behind closed doors. According to recent reports, Washington and Damascus are on the verge of a significant political realignment, detailed in a proposed U.S.–Syria framework. The meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa outlined sweeping security, political, and economic measures that could dramatically alter the balance of power in the Middle East. This ambitious U.S. attempt to reshape Syria’s role comes as the new government in Damascus moves rapidly to reverse a decade…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On November 11, tens of thousands of Iraqi voters took to the polls to elect a new parliament, marking the country’s sixth legislative election since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the regime of late president Saddam Hussein. More than 20 million Iraqis were eligible to cast their ballots to choose 329 members of parliament, with 46 seats allocated to the Kurdistan Region, including five reserved for minority communities. According to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), voter turnout exceeded 55% of registered voters — a figure described by observers as a positive sign…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Israel carries out multiple attacks across Lebanon on an almost daily basis, despite a US-brokered ceasefire almost 1-year-old. Israel has refused to comply with the terms of the ceasefire, which include withdrawal from five occupied points and the cessation of attacks on Lebanon. Part of the ceasefire agreement is the goal to disarm Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance organization. However, Hezbollah refuses to disarm while the country has been invaded, attacked and the Israeli military has shown no signs of leaving, or living up to the agreed ceasefire. The Lebanese government is stuck between demanding…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi is a Major general in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) who served as the chief military advocate from September 1, 2021. Previously, she served as the gender affairs advisor to the chief of staff of the IDF. On October 31, she resigned after admitting to leaking footage showing the gang rape of a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman prison facility on July 5, 2024. The shocking video was broadcast on Channel 12 on August 6, 2024. Tomer-Yerushalmi is a whistleblower now under arrest, and supporters fear for her safety. Supporters of…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator In September, in New York City, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU stands “firmly united” behind a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine after meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of UN General Assembly. Von der Leyen used the word “united”, but the EU is anything but united. The EU is guilty of double standards. In the case of the war in Ukraine, the EU placed sanctions on Russia. But, the EU failed to sanction Israel after they have committed crimes against humanity in Gaza. The EU…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Russia is a potential counterweight to Israel, which has invaded parts of southern Syria after the fall of Assad, and has carried out over 1,000 airstrikes and 400 ground incursions across the country. Syria sees the good relationship between Moscow and Tel Aviv as potentially solving some of its issues in the south of Syria. Moscow is signaling a potential redeployment of military forces to southern Syria, a strategic maneuver being actively discussed with both the government in Damascus and with Tel Aviv. The initiative, first floated in Russian media, aims to re-establish Russia…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Israel has once again been accused of stealing the organs, and eyes of Palestinian bodies in their possession. The newest claims by health officials in Gaza have mirrored past confessions by Israeli forensic experts in Tel Aviv. A high-level health official in Gaza has reported that a specialized committee is working to identify the bodies of 90 Palestinians returned by Israel as part of a recent ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement. The remains, transferred to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, have sparked accusations of war crimes, including torture, field executions, and organ theft, by…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa concluded his first official visit to Moscow since assuming power last year, marking a significant step towards normalizing and recalibrating the relationship between the two nations following the overthrow of the former regime. The high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, described by Russian experts as “pragmatic,” covered a comprehensive range of issues, including security guarantees, military cooperation, economic support, and the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Security and Military Dimensions The Syrian delegation, which included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Murhaf…

By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator After a two-year conflict that had dramatically destabilized the Middle East concluded on Monday, following the release of the last living Israeli captives from the Gaza Strip by the Hamas movement and a simultaneous exchange of Palestinian prisoners from Israel. US President Donald Trump declared an end to the war, and hours later, gathered Muslim and European leaders in Egypt to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip and broader regional peace. Analysts remain skeptical of the 20-point Trump peace plan, which is deliberately vague in many areas. The official Israeli policy is…