Author: Steven Sahiounie

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Lebanese authorities have reported a chemical attack on February 1 carried out by Israeli aircraft over southern Lebanon, targeting forested and agricultural areas near the border. The attack caused environmental, health, and security concerns. The laboratory analysis confirmed Israel had used glyphosate. The Netherlands, Belgium and France have banned its household use. Germany forbids the use of glyphosate in public spaces. This development follows similar incidents reported in southern Syria, particularly in the Quneitra governorate, where Syrian authorities said Israeli aircraft sprayed chemical on three occasions last week. On Nov 26, 2025, the Jerusalem…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator In a seismic shift for the Syrian geopolitical landscape, Syrian Internal Security forces began their official entry into the city of Qamishli on February 3. This movement marks the operational phase of a landmark agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), effectively signaling the end of years of administrative fragmentation in the country’s northeast. The entry into Qamishli follows a similar deployment in Al-Hasakah on February 2. These strategic maneuvers are the direct result of a comprehensive treaty signed on January 18 by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which mandates the permanent…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Saif al-Islam, 53, Muamar Gaddafi’s son, was killed in Zintan where he had been based since 2011. The 2008 PhD holder from the London School of Economics had in June 2011 announced that his father was willing to hold elections and to step down if he did not win; however, NATO rejected the offer, and the bombardment of Libya continued. Saif al-Islam’s father and brother, Mutassim, were killed in Sirte on October 20, 2011. On January 30, documents released by the US government included an email to Jeffrey Epstein dated July 2011 describing the…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Iraq has reached a decisive moment, caught between escalating U.S. pressure, unresolved internal political deadlock, and mounting regional tensions linked to Iran. Following a high-level phone call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, Washington has signaled a recalibration of its Iraq policy—combining military drawdown with unprecedented financial leverage—while accelerating the transfer of thousands of ISIS detainees from Syria into Iraqi custody. At the heart of this recalibration lies a stark message: Iraq must distance itself from Tehran-aligned political and armed factions or risk severe economic consequences.…

By: Dragana Trifković، Journalist and political commentator In George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm, one slogan stands out in particular: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” The farm satirically depicts a society in which “all are equal,” yet some (the pigs) enjoy privileges, while the same actions are punished when committed by others. Principles change whenever convenient, representing a classic example of hypocrisy and double standards. The policy of the European Union can rightly be described as the policy of an “animal farm.” The cases of Kosovo, Crimea and Greenland reveal a deep contradiction in…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) has announced a comprehensive, phased plan to significantly increase oil and gas production, aiming to boost natural gas output within six months and achieve self-sufficiency in light crude oil within two years. The restoration of state control over key fields formerly held by the US-sponsored Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) have placed Damascus back in the driver’s seat, following the SDF withdrawal. During the second day of an ongoing field visit to oil and gas facilities in Deir Ezzor Governorate, Engineer Youssef Qablawi, Chief Executive Officer of the Syrian Petroleum…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has officially announced the launch of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, a move that marks a critical turning point in efforts to stabilize the besieged Palestinian enclave after more than two years of devastating conflict. According to Witkoff, the second phase centers on three core pillars: the formation of a Palestinian technocratic government to administer Gaza, a comprehensive reconstruction process, and the complete demilitarization of the territory, including the disarmament of Hamas and all other Palestinian factions. “The United…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Cairo hosted on Wednesday the fifth meeting of the Consultative Mechanism for Enhancing Coordination of Peace Efforts in Sudan, bringing together representatives of regional and international organizations and key international stakeholders. Among the participants was Ramtane Lamamra, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan. The meeting called for renewed momentum toward a humanitarian truce that would pave the way for a sustainable ceasefire and a comprehensive political settlement that preserves Sudan’s unity. Statements made by the US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, during the Cairo meetings reflected a clear shift in…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The regional security architecture of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean appears to be entering a new phase of realignment, as multiple overlapping defense initiatives take shape amid intensifying geopolitical competition. According to reports by Bloomberg, Turkey is engaged in advanced negotiations to join a strategic defense framework with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, potentially giving rise to a new trilateral security bloc with far-reaching implications. Discussions between Ankara, Riyadh, and Islamabad have reached an “advanced stage,” with a strong likelihood of a formal agreement. If finalized, the pact would bring together three states with…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On January 9, a ceasefire was in effect from 3 am. to 9 am. in order to allow for the safe evacuation of the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) fighters who were embedded in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and industrial capital. The Ministry of Defense declared a ceasefire “out of concern for civilian safety and to prevent further military escalation within residential neighborhoods.” According to the statement, the ceasefire granted Kurdish fighters a deadline to withdraw from the neighborhoods until 9:00 a.m. Fighters were permitted to carry only…