Author: Steven Sahiounie

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator A wave of volatile security events has swept across Syria recently, highlighting the fragility of the peace one year into the post-Assad era. While the new administration celebrates significant counter-terrorism victories—including the high-profile arrest of a top ISIS leader—a deadly bombing in Homs has renewed fears of sectarian violence and insurgency. Tragedy in Homs: Deadly Mosque Bombing On Friday afternoon, tragedy struck the central city of Homs. An explosion ripped through the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab district during Friday prayers, killing at least eight civilians and injuring 18…

Steven Sahiounie of MideastDiscourse interviewed Iraqi journalist and political commentator Ali Al-Habib for his analysis on the key issues facing Iraq today. #1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): What are the implications of Iraq shutting down oil production at the West Qurna-2 field due to a pipeline leak, and how might this affect the country’s oil output and economy? Ali Al-Habib (AAH): This reveals a scene of grave weakness threatening the very pillars of the Iraqi state. A catastrophic leak in an export pipeline has led to the shutdown of production at the West Qurna-2 oil field, depriving Iraqis of 480,000 barrels…

By: Dragana Trifković, General Director of the Center for Geostrategic Studies The Four Pillars of Foreign Policy and Strategic Energy Cooperation with Russia In order to understand Serbia’s current international and energy policy, it is necessary to look back at the period of the democratic government, when the main directions of Serbia’s development were defined—directions that, at least formally, have not changed to this day. In the field of foreign policy and energy, during the administration of Tadić and Koštunica (2004–2008), the foreign policy concept of the “four pillars” was established, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Lebanon is entering a delicate political and security phase, in which internal projects to rebuild the state intersect with unprecedented regional and international pressure—amid ongoing Israeli aggression in the South, a deepening economic crisis, and the erosion of citizens’ confidence in state institutions. In this context, several pivotal issues emerge that will shape the features of the coming stage. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Brigadier General Mounir Shahada, former Lebanese Government Coordinator to UNIFIL, to get his unique analysis on Lebanon at the crossroads. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): How is Lebanon’s new plan to…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The attack in Palmyra last Saturday killed three Americans—two soldiers and one civilian interpreter—and wounded an additional three U.S. personnel. The Syrian government condemned the operation as a “terrorist attack.” Today, U.S. personnel remain in northeastern Syria and at the al-Tanf base near the Jordanian border, focusing on ISIS containment and support for local partners. Palmyra—listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980—fell to ISIS in 2015 before government and coalition forces retook it in 2019. Despite losing territorial control, ISIS retains a desert presence and launches intermittent strikes. U.S.–Syria Relations: Condemnations, Condolences,…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On December 10, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a massive defense bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing a record $901 billion in annual military spending. The bill also includes the repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, signaling a major shift in U.S. policy toward Syria and generating widespread anticipation in Syria’s political and economic circles. The repeal of the Caesar Act—one of the harshest measures imposed on Syrians for many years—has sparked significant optimism in Syria, as the law had long constrained economic recovery and…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Trump administration seems determined to deliver peace in Gaza, but the people continue to suffer from Israeli attacks, lack of humanitarian aid, and the bitterly cold winter rain storms. Many living in Gaza have questioned if there is any agreed upon peace plan, because they are not feeling it. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Malek Nabil Al-Jaabari, a journalist and writer on Palestinian issues. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): How was the ceasefire and peace agreement implemented on the ground in Gaza, and what challenges or violations have been reported since its adoption? Malek…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been excluded from the list for the “Peace Council” proposed by US President Donald Trump to oversee Gaza’s post-war transition. The decision follows strong Arab and Islamic opposition to Blair’s inclusion due to his leading role in the US-UK attack, invasion, destruction and occupation of Iraq in 2003, which killed thousands of unarmed civilians. Blair, who was initially the sole publicly known candidate for a senior position in the council, had been discussed as part of Trump’s 20-point plan announced in late September to end the war…

The Center for Geostrategic Studies in Belgrade continued its tradition of organizing gatherings dedicated to the preservation of spiritual and national identity. The International Conference entitled “The Crucifixion of Orthodoxy in the 21st Century: Spiritual Wars, Ecumenical Offensive, and Global Politics” was held in Belgrade on December 4, 2025, at the Press Center of the Association of Journalists of Serbia. This event, part of the cycle “Blocking the Aggression Against the Church”, focused on the growing geopolitical struggle that increasingly penetrates the spiritual sphere and uses religion as an instrument of political influence. The conference brought together representatives of the…

International Conference “The Crucifixion of Orthodoxy in the 21st Century: Spiritual Wars, Ecumenical Offensive, and Global Politics” The Center for Geostrategic Studies in Belgrade continued its tradition of organizing gatherings dedicated to the preservation of spiritual and national identity. The International Conference entitled “The Crucifixion of Orthodoxy in the 21st Century: Spiritual Wars, Ecumenical Offensive, and Global Politics” was held in Belgrade on December 4, 2025, at the Press Center of the Association of Journalists of Serbia. This event, part of the cycle “Blocking the Aggression Against the Church”, focused on the growing geopolitical struggle that increasingly penetrates the…