Author: Steven Sahiounie

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On March 23, Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul, was sent to prison awaiting trial on terrorism and corruption. He had been arrested on March 19 at his home. Before the arrest, he had answered questions at the prosecutor’s office concerning his alleged relationship with the PKK, an internationally recognized terror group who have killed 30,000 people over three decades of attacks. He is also accused of various corrupt abuses of his office. On March 22, Imamoglu posted on his X account: “There is no salvation alone; either all of us together or none of…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On March 20, before dawn, Israeli attacks on Gaza intensified killing 71 Palestinians sleeping in residential buildings in Khan Younis, Rafah, and Beit Lahiya. Among the dead, were babies, children, women, and men who had been with their families in temporary shelters. Injured people have arrived at hospitals, while many people are still trapped and missing under the rubble. On March 18 and 19, Israeli occupation forces carried out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 500 deaths, and over 500 injured. The attacks targeted various areas across the coastal enclave, exacerbating an…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Ekrem Imamoglu, the popular two-term Mayor of Istanbul, was arrested at his home today on charges of terrorism and corruption. The former businessman turned politician and major opposition figure has beaten President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) at the opinion polls, suggesting the Mayor could be the next president. Imamoglu was to be nominated by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Sunday as their presidential candidate in the 2028 race. Critics of Erdogan had been hoping for an early election. CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel told the media the meeting…

By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Russian air base at Hmeimin, near Latakia, Syria has rescued over 8,000 Syrian minorities fleeing the recent sectarian massacres. Kremlin spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said Russia is shocked by the tragic events in Syria. “The victims were innocent, peaceful civilians. The use of force against civilians is categorically unacceptable. It can in no way be justified,” she pointed out. “We are certainly concerned about the developments in Syria and strongly condemn the massacres. Of course, we sympathize with the families of the victims,” the diplomat added. According to testimonies of some of those…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Diplomats from China, Russia and Iran met in Beijing today demonstrating support for Iran. Today’s meeting involved China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. Following the talks, Ma stressed China’s support for “political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on mutual respect.” He added that the relevant parties should address the root causes while abandoning sanctions, pressure, or threat of force. China-Russia-Iran ties Both China and Russia enjoy close relations with Iran following various energy resource deals, and all three countries are…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On March 10, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi wrote on X that the agreement signed between himself and interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa represents a “real opportunity to build a new Syria.” The historic deal will ultimately see the integration of SDF-controlled armed forces into Syrian state institutions by the end of the year. The agreement is vague and does not detail how the SDF forces will be merged into what is to become a new Syrian national army. In previous negotiations with Damascus, Abdi had wanted the SDF to join the defense ministry as…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The grim job of graves being dug, and burials has finally begun up and down the Syrian coast as calm is slowly restored, and the survivors of Alawite families can return home to bury their dead. According to Western diplomatic sources, the Damascus administration of interim President Ahmad Sharaa will be arresting Abu Amsha, the head of the 25th division, in the investigation of sectarian crimes on the coast. His real name is Mohammed Al-Jassin, from eastern Syria. On March 10, Sharaa said mass killings of members of a minority sect were a threat…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Experts, such as Britain’s MI6 intelligence agents, have observed President Obama’s policies toward Russia in 2014 sowed the seeds for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Democrats like Obama and Biden have championed the war in Ukraine, and have instilled fear in the minds of Europeans, that they will be next if Russia should win. President Trump recognizes the war in Ukraine as a failed project by the Democrats which must be stopped while he “drains the swamp”. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Donald Courter, a news correspondent covering Russian and Ukrainian issues. 1. Steven…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned Kurdish leader of the PKK, announced a historic call to lay down arms and end a 40-year armed conflict with Turkey. The announcement was delivered on February 27 by his spokesperson, who called for increased freedom for Ocalan who has been in solitary confinement in Imrali island prison near Istanbul, following his arrest in 1999. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted to the new promise with wariness that comes after 40,000 people have died at the hands of the PKK over three decades of terrorism. Erdogan knows talk is cheap, and…

The US president has said, however, that the flow of weapons could be sustained “for a while, until we have a deal with Russia” US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington is currently not providing any new military assistance to Kiev, insisting that American taxpayers should first recover the money they have already invested in the conflict with Russia, while the EU and European NATO states should take on greater responsibility for Ukraine’s security. Trump has been demanding access to Ukraine’s natural resources as compensation for the aid provided to Kiev throughout its conflict with Russia. Reports suggest that…