Author: Steven Sahiounie

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Middle East news media are nervously covering the evacuation orders for Americans in Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain, which include some U.S. government personnel. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the Kennedy Center that Americans were advised to leave the region “because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens”. Iran’s defense minister, Aziz Nasirzadeh, has said his country would target U.S. military bases in the region if conflict breaks out with the United States. On June 15, the US-Iran negotiations concerning a possible new deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The crippling U.S. and EU sanctions have been lifted from Syria, and the stage of rebuilding Syria has begun. Syrians from all occupations and levels of society are anxious to rebuild their lives and their homes. Already, Syrian refugees from abroad have begun returning with the hope of a chance for safety and prosperity in their beloved homeland. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse, interviewed the Syrian journalist and writer, Saddam Hussein, who is with RT and based in Moscow. #1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): Syria has entered into a $7 billion energy deal recently with a…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On June 5, the eve of the Muslim Al Adha holiday, Israel carried out the largest air attack on Beirut since the November 27 ceasefire. All the Arab news channels carried live coverage of the repeated attacks on the southern residential section of Beirut, home to hundreds of thousands of civilians. Men, women and children were scrambling to leave the area as the devastating attacks sent mushroom-clouds into the evening sky. Commercial planes were easily seen in the live coverage coming in to land at Rafik Hariri International airport. Every few minutes, another plane…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator In a historic step toward rebuilding a nation scarred by years of conflict, Syria has embarked on an ambitious journey to restore its energy sector and revitalize its economy. On May 29, 2025, President Ahmad al-Sharaa witnessed the signing of a $7 billion memorandum of understanding in Damascus, marking the largest post-war infrastructure investment in Syria’s history. This transformative deal, led by Qatar’s Urbacon Holding alongside a global consortium, promises to reshape Syria’s energy landscape, create jobs, and lay the foundation for long-term recovery. A New Dawn for Syria’s Energy Sector The centerpiece of…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Syria needs everything. After 14 years of conflict, the economy, infrastructure and security status are devastated. The UAE was one of the first Arab countries to hold out a helping hand to Damascus. Once the transition on December 8, 2024 took place, UAE has continued to strengthen its ties and commitment with Syria. On June 1, Hassan Ahmed Al Shehhi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Syrian Arab Republic, at the Damascus International Airport, “We are pleased to announce the resumption of operations by the UAE national carrier, FlyDubai, to the Syrian…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator As Iraq approaches its parliamentary elections scheduled for November 2025, the nation stands at a critical juncture. The upcoming vote, the sixth since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, is poised to shape Iraq’s political landscape amid ongoing challenges of sectarian tensions, economic recovery, and regional influences. With preparations intensifying, including exceptional parliamentary sessions to finalize electoral laws, the 2025 elections are already generating significant attention both domestically and internationally. Iraq’s political system, established under the 2005 Constitution, operates as a parliamentary democracy with a multi-party system. However, the country has faced…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Tomorrow, Lebanese voters will go to the polls in the first municipal elections in nine years. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reported on Thursday that three people were killed in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon on Wednesday. Despite daily Israeli airstrikes, which have killed at least 71 civilians since the ceasefire, the electoral process is on schedule for South Lebanon and Nabatiyeh governorates, according to Minister of Interior Ahmad al-Hajjar. Yesterday, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called on voters to turn out on Saturday. Local authorities have been stepping up logistical and security arrangements on the…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator NBC news reported on a plan devised by U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate about 1 million Gazans to Libya, according to five people close to the plan. Denials of the plan were issued from various US and Libyan sources, but that doesn’t mean the plan was not real, or might not go ahead. Leaks from Washington, DC. is often a calculated method of determining a plan’s feasibility. Trump is looking at the situation in Gaza, from the perspective of the people living through a hell on earth experience delivered to them daily by…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator US President Donald Trump will hold separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today. Trump is seeking a ceasefire deal to end the bloodshed for both parties in Ukraine. Ukraine has reported that Russia launched its largest drone barrage since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022, firing a total of 273 exploding drones and decoys. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has discussed the war in Ukraine with leaders of the U.S., Italy, France and Germany in advance of Trump’s call with Putin. While Trump has insisted on…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator U.S. President Donald Trump told a packed house at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, that he would lift all the sanctions against Syria, fulfilling a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Trump’s decision marks the biggest chance for Syrian prosperity since the beginning of the conflict which began in March 2011 in Deraa. After a lavish welcome to the Kingdom, Trump praised the transformation in Saudi Arabia, and credited it on MBS, and his major reform program known as Vision 2030. “In Syria, they’ve had their share of travesty, war, killing many…