Author: Steven Sahiounie

A 10-week decline in Covid cases in Europe ended as infections rise, prompting the head of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European branch to implore citizens and decision makers to exercise caution.Hans Kluge raised concern over the 10% rise in new coronavirus infections in Europe and warned that “there will be a new wave in the WHO European region unless we remained disciplined.”The WHO leader said that cases have risen due to a combination of the easing of social distancing measures and the restarting of travel.Along with this, the Delta variant – a highly transmissible Covid strain that is suspected of…

The Japanese embassy in Manila has announced that Japan and the Philippines will deepen their defense ties by holding their first-ever joint exercises next week, in an apparent attempt to counter Chinese influence in the region.In a statement on Thursday, the Japanese embassy hailed the drills as a “significant milestone” in defense cooperation between the two nations. They will begin on July 5 at Clark Air Base, on the Philippines’ Luzon Island, and last for three days. The exercises will focus on air-to-air bilateral training in humanitarian and disaster relief, and feature a Japanese Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules that will simulate the delivery of…

Russian President “Vladimir Putin” declared that Moscow was and will continue to support Belarus in the face of Western pressure. “Putin” stressed, during his participation with his Belarusian counterpart “Alexander Lukashenko” today, Thursday, via video communication technology, at the plenary session of the eighth session of the Forum of the two countries’ regions, that Belarus “is not only a good neighbor, but also our closest ally in the first place.” He said, “We will continue to provide all kinds of support to the brotherly Belarusian people in the complex internal political conditions they are currently going through against the background…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator David McBride calculates he faces up to 50 years in prison for being a whistleblower. McBride is an Australian whistleblower and former British Army major and Australian Army lawyer.  He served two tours of duty in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2013 and received a combat services medal. But, his troubles began when he uncovered serious war crimes committed by Australian soldiers.  He honored his duty to humanity and truth by leaking the information to the Australian press, who in turn were searched, and threatened with legal action for bringing the information forward in the…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The US and EU are holding 13 million Syrians living inside Syria as hostages to their project to effect ‘regime change’ in Damascus. Western and European governments have continued to ignore the reality on the ground. The Syrian government remains in control of the majority of the territory and the voters have re-elected the same leader in 2014 and 2021. The Syrians who never left, but stayed to protect their homes, lands, and businesses had thought if they resisted lawlessness and terrorism they would one day be rewarded with peace. Peace has arrived, except…

By: Khaled Iskef, Syrian Journalist The Russian Ministry of Defense has monitored 34 new violations of the ceasefire agreement in the “de-escalation” area in northern Syria, by the Turkish-backed armed factions. The Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria announced that the 34 attacks were all monitored on Friday, through artillery and missile attacks, most of which were carried out by the terrorist “Jabhat al-Nusra” organization, and distributed with 21 attacks on the countryside of Idlib, and 6 on the countryside of Idlib. Latakia, in addition to 5/ 5 attacks in the countryside of Hama, two attacks in the countryside of Aleppo. The…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator A German political party has launched an inquiry into Germany’s refugee policy in light of the situation in Hong Kong, and the granting of asylum to activists and protesters. The reaction by some to the inquiry highlights how some NGOs are trying to interfere in German decisions. At the end of May, the German oppositional AfD party issued an inquiry to the federal government regarding the “German refugee policy towards the Chinese special administrative region Hong Kong and the granting of asylum status”. The reaction towards this request appeared unusually prompt and extreme. In…

By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Iranian President Hassan Rouhani negotiated the original Iran nuclear deal in 2015, but is due to leave office in August. On Saturday, Iran’s lead envoy in Vienna, Abbas Araghchi, said a new deal was unlikely before presidential elections in his country this Friday. World powers are trying to revive the 2015 agreement that the US abandoned three years ago. It restricted Tehran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief and the Vienna talks are focused on how Washington can reverse Trump-era sanctions and return to the accord so that both sides can resume…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Turkey’s armed forces are known for their efficiency. However, officers bungled the coup attempt so badly that critics describe the events of July 15, 2016, as a “self-coup” organized by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to justify consolidating his grip on power, which resulted in 300 deaths and more than 2,000 injured. Turkish officials say that nearly 6,000 members of the judiciary and military, including generals, have also been detained on suspicion of having links to the coup attempt, while 8,000 police officers have been suspended. Law enforcement started arresting political opponents within hours,…

By: Patrick Paulov, Swedish writer depicts a decade of war in Syria through the eyes of Syrians who do not agree with the media image in the West. It is, simultaneously, a critical review of the Western countries and their allies’ involvement and interests in the war. Syria’s Silenced Voices also examines the unknown role played by Sweden, a country which has declared itself a “humanitarian superpower”. Sweden has in fact been backing a Syrian opposition movement allied with terrorist organizations. Patrik Paulov concludes that what has happened in Syria and why is important to discuss since it is not…