Author: Steven Sahiounie

Turkish combat drone targeted a vehicle of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as it was heading form the town of Tell Tamer to al-Hasakah city in northeastern Syria. According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, two fighters of the SDF’s Tell Tamer Military Council were killed in the drone strike. The Hawar News Agency said that the targeted vehicle was a part of reinforcements which were sent from Tell Tamer to al-Hasakah city to help put an end to a large-scale attack by ISIS cells on Geweran prison. ISIS cells launched the attack late on January 21 to free…

Clashes continue in the northeastern Syrian city of al-Hasakah despite repeated claims by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that ISIS’ large attack on Geweran prison has been repelled. ISIS terrorists attacked the SDF-run prison, which is located in the southern part of the city, late on January 20 with the aim of freeing their comrades. During the attack, the terrorists detonated a car bomb and a booby-trapped motorcycle at the prison’s main gate. They also blew up a number of nearby fuel tankers and tanks. The terrorists managed to breach SDF defenses, freeing some of the prison’s 5,000 Syrian and foreign…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Kazakhstan recently was in chaos as violence broke out on the streets, in what looked like the beginning of a popular uprising, similar to the 2011 ‘Arab Spring’. Once the dust had settled and arrests were made, the full story emerged that it originated with the Muslim Brotherhood and was supported by President Erdogan of Turkey, as part of his dream of a Neo-Ottoman Empire, with Erdogan playing the role of Sultan. Steve Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Ararat Kostanian in an effort to understand the back-story of the events in Kazakhstan, and how they…

The three countries will launch their 2022 Marine Security Belt exercises in the Indian Ocean on Friday, 21st of January, 2022. The spokesman for the 2022 Marine Security Belt exercises, Mustafa Tajeddin, announced that the maneuvers between Iran, Russia and China will be launched in the northern Indian Ocean Friday, with the participation of navy warships and aircraft of the three countries. The Admiral explained that the aim of the exercises is to “strengthen security in the region and express the goodwill and capabilities of Iran, Russia and China in joint support for global peace and maritime security, and to create a…

Occupied Jerusalem, SANA- The Israeli occupation forces arrested on Thursday seven Palestinians in the West Bank. The occupation forces stormed towns of al-Ram and Beit Anan, and Qalandia camp in occupied Jerusalem and Qabatiya town south of Jenin, and raided the Palestinians’ houses and arrested seven of them, Wafa news agency reported. The occupation troops continue their aggressive acts against the Palestinians through assaulting them, raiding their cities and towns and launching daily arrest campaigns, aiming at displacing them, seizing their lands and Judaizing them. Source: SANA

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks before the Russian Duma, and stresses that the model of cooperation between Russia and Iran in Syria bore fruit thanks to the resistance of the Syrian people, and that terrorism is a result of hegemony. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Thursday that strengthening relations with Russia reflects Iran’s position of dealing with all countries, especially neighboring countries for the benefit of our peoples. Raisi added, during a speech he gave to the Russian State Duma, that Iran trusts and believes in improving relations with Russia, noting that there are great prospects for this today.…

The West is threatening Russia with crippling sanctions over potential conflict with Ukraine The Western media, as well as multiple US officials, have repeatedly warned of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine over the past few months and threatened Moscow with severe sanctions if this happens. Washington and its allies have cited the movement of Russian troops within the country’s vast Western territory as ‘proof’ of such plans. Moscow has consistently denied the allegations, insisting it has a right to carry out military maneuvers within its borders as it pleases. What additional sanctions could Russia face? Washington and its allies…

The USS Benfold illegally enters the South China Sea in another one of Washington’s provocations against China. On Thursday, a US warship – the USS Benfold – sailed through the South China Sea, which prompted a warning from Chinese military as tensions escalate in the region. The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said that the ship “illegally” entered Chinese waters, and that the PLA “organized naval and air forces to engage in tracking and monitoring as well to warn and drive [the destroyer] away,” according to the statement. In response, the US navy said that the…

On Tuesday, benchmark oil prices rose to their highest level since 2014, owing to the possibility of supply disruption following attacks in the Middle East Gulf, which contributed to an already tight supply outlook. At 14:46 GMT, Brent crude futures were up $0.74, or 0.9%, to $87.22 per barrel. WTI crude futures in the United States rose $1.07, or 1.3%, to $84.89. Due to a federal holiday in the United States, trading was light on Monday. Concerns about supply have grown this week when Yemen’s Armed Forces attacked the UAE, in response to an ongoing aggression on Yemen. Geopolitical tension After launching…

The Russian-Iranian summit took place in Moscow today, Wednesday, where Russian President Vladimir Putin received his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi, at the beginning of the meeting, made it clear that there will be no limits to “expanding and developing relations with friendly Russia,” noting that “relations with Russia will develop into strategic ones.” He said, “In light of the policy of the United States and the West, our relations must be stronger,” adding, “We have been confronting the United States with Russia for 40 years.” The Iranian president hopes that Iran’s efforts to lift the sanctions off Iran will…