Author: Steven Sahiounie

The US trade conflict with China may not have spared the kitchen sink, or even kitchen cabinets, as Washington on Thursday announced another round of steep tariffs. About $4.4 billion of wooden cabinets and vanities imported from China will face additional duties because they are being dumped on the American market at less than fair value, the Commerce Department said. Chinese exporters will face tariffs of 28.7 percent to 251.6 percent to level the playing field, Commerce said in its preliminary decision. The imported cabinets already faced tariffs August 8 after Commerce determined the Chinese manufacturers received government subsidies. The…

Libya’s National Oil Corporation warns of a possible decrease in oil production over the coming nine months amid the government’s policy to withhold budgets approved for the company. “National Oil Corporation (NOC) warned that Libyan oil production may fall precipitously over the next nine months if the government continues to withhold already approved budgets. NOC recorded August 2019 revenues of approximately 2 billion USD, a decrease of 117 million USD (5%) compared with July, and an increase of 466 million USD (30%) compared with August last year,” the corporation said in a press release late on Wednesday. On the same…

 Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi announced a curfew across the capital of Baghdad beginning at 05:00 a.m. (02:00 GMT) on Thursday amid large anti-government protests that have rocked the city, local media reported. The INA news agency reported, citing the prime minister’s statement, that the curfew would be in force until further notice. The protests have been underway in Baghdad and other areas in the south of Iraq since Tuesday. The demonstrators are calling for economic reforms and end to corruption. Earlier, Participants of anti-government demonstrations in Iraq’s capital of Baghdad were trying to break into the city airport…

According to Iranian media, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian commander who worked to assist Iraqi and Syrian forces in their battle against Daesh (ISIS)* terrorists and other extremists between 2014 and 2017, was not harmed. Iranian authorities have thwarted an assassination plot against Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force commander Soleimani, with three alleged plotters arrested, Iran’s Fars News Agency has reported. According to authorities, the attempt to assassinate the commander was a “regional,” “joint Israel-Arab” plot, with no information provided yet regarding the identities and/or nationalities of those arrested. According to Hossein Taeb, the head of the IRGC’s Intelligence…

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has lashed out at the Israeli regime for launching occasional airstrikes on the Syrian territory, noting that such strikes only lead to further escalation of tensions in the region. Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, which was published on Thursday. “Regarding arbitrary Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian territory, we have never concealed a negative attitude towards such actions that further destabilize the situation and could lead to an escalation,” Russia’s top diplomat said. The Zionist regime launches airstrikes on the Syrian territory from time to time. Such aggressive moves are usually viewed…

By Prof. Vijay Prashad On 19 December 2018, an uprising began in Sudan. This uprising would culminate in the removal of Sudan’s president – Omar al-Bashir – from power on 11 April 2019. The army staged a conservative military coup to abort the revolutionary tide and keep the same old policies. It dissolved the parliament and established a two-year military regime led by the Transitional Military Council. The revolutionary forces – galvanized into the Alliance of Freedom and Change, with the Sudanese Communist Party and the Sudanese Professionals Association at the front – continued their march forward, determined to make a full revolution.…

By Sarah Abed Last week’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, presented the perfect opportunity for dialogue and diplomacy between the United States and Iran, in what would have been a historical meeting, the first of its kind between American and Iranian leadership, since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979. World leaders from France, Germany, Britain, among others attempted to bring the two world leaders together, to no avail. President Rouhani has said that he is ready to end a nuclear standoff with the United States, if they follow through with lifting sanctions. Last year, President Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015…

Steven Sahiounie political analyst, observer The border-crossing between Abu Kamal on the Syrian side and Qaim on the Iraqi side has reopened after eight years of closure.  Military commanders from both armies met at the opening ceremony resplendent with flags, rope cutting, and handshakes. Syrian Interior Minister Mohammad Khaled al-Rahmoun declared it a victory over terrorist groups, and Iraqi border authority chief Khadhim al-Ikabi looked forward to renewed economic prosperity. The crossing is an economic artery of trade and movement of people, and a new trade zone is being built on the Iraqi side of the border at Qaim, which…

Russia has successfully tested its most advanced air-defense system, the S-500 Prometey, in Syria, according to the Russian daily Izvestia. Citing sources in the Russian Ministry of Defense, the outlet reported on October 2 that the test included the “ most important elements of the S-500.” The sources told Izvestia that experts identified “certain problems” with the system during the tests. However, they were quickly fixed and the tests were declared successful. “Special attention is paid to the smooth operation of all components … the equipment was tested in harsh technical and climatic conditions,” the outlet quoted former deputy commander-in-chief…

Senior US Trade Representative (USTR) officials revealed Wednesday that the US will be imposing new tariffs on European Union products, specifically on aircraft and agricultural goods, among others. A 10% tariff will be imposed on EU aircraft, while a 25% tariff will be placed on agricultural products and goods. The measure will take effect on October 18. A full list of the products to be struck with tariffs was subsequently released by the USTR. It includes hams, cheeses, olives and even Irish and Scotch whiskies, among other products. The bulk of US tariffs will impact the UK, France, Germany and Spain since…