Author: Steven Sahiounie

By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On May 7, the Israeli military (IDF) launched a wide series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon while Hezbollah escalated drone and rocket attacks against Israeli forces occupying Lebanon near the southern border. The IDF announced that it had struck more than 15 Hezbollah-linked sites in southern Lebanon during overnight operations and Thursday morning raids. According to the IDF, the targets included weapons depots, command centers, missile-launching platforms, weapons manufacturing facilities, and infrastructure allegedly used to coordinate attacks against Israeli troops and northern Israeli communities. Israeli military officials stated that several rocket launchers used…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Iraq is navigating a precarious geopolitical landscape as the conflict between the United States and Iran intensifies, threatening the nation’s security, its primary revenue source, and its fragile political stability. High-ranking U.S. officials have revealed a staggering increase in hostilities, with American facilities in Iraq enduring over 600 attacks involving missiles and drones since the outbreak of the Iran-U.S. war. The targets of these sustained assaults include the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, the U.S. Diplomatic Support Center, and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil. Washington has heightened its rhetoric, demanding “actions, not words” from the…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The UAE has taken a significant and unexpected step by announcing its withdrawal from both OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance, effective May 1. This move marks a notable turning point in regional and global energy policy. The decision to cut free from the supply constraints of OPEC and OPEC+ is not just about the price of crude. This goes beyond oil, because the UAE has moved its base of wealth beyond depending just on oil. The finances of the UAE are tied to the global economy, not the price of crude. Abu Dhabi…

Within the framework of the international conference “Protection of Religious Rights and Orthodox Heritage,” held on April 30, 2026, in Belgrade and organized by the Center for Geostrategic Studies, participants discussed contemporary challenges in the field of religious freedoms, the position of Orthodox communities, and the preservation of cultural-historical heritage in different geopolitical contexts. Based on the presentations of participants from Serbia, Ukraine, Latvia, France, Georgia, and Belarus, the following conclusions can be highlighted: Religious freedom as a key element of modern society Participants agreed that freedom of religion is one of the fundamental human rights, but in practice…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Lebanon stands on the brink of a new civil war. A 25-year-long civil war in Lebanon was fought from 1975 to 1990. Analysts warn that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be hoping to push Lebanon into a civil war, and take advantage of the chaos to permanently occupy Lebanon, with the approval of the US and its allies. While Lebanese society is split between those who support Hezbollah, and those who oppose them, there is a growing segment of society who view the Israeli occupation as a bigger and more imminent threat than…

Global News Pakistan (GNP) and Syria-based Mideast Discourse have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration in news exchange and promoting professional journalism across regions. The agreement, signed by GNP Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asif Noor, and Executive Director Mideast Discourse, outlines a framework for cooperation in sharing news content, including articles, photographs, and video material. Both organizations will have the right to publish and translate each other’s content with proper attribution. Under the MoU, the two media outlets will work together to enhance coverage of cultural, economic, trade, sports, and political developments. The partnership…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the disruptive effects on global energy supplies caused by the U.S.-Israel-Iran war is bigger than the oil shocks of the 1970s and the 2022 loss of Russian pipeline gas. Many countries are discussing alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, but in reality, all of these alternatives are likely to fail. The main reason is the vulnerability of such infrastructure—oil pipelines running from the Gulf to places like Syria or Turkey can be easily targeted by drones. Modern warfare is increasingly driven by drones and artificial intelligence. We…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Israel has announced an occupation zone in Lebanon, including some Syrian territory. Israel is calling the new boundaries the “Yellow Line”. This is similar to the lines Israel has drawn within the Gaza Strip, where a US-sponsored ceasefire was in effect, yet has never been respected by the Israeli Army. Lebanese officials, and citizens are worried this is the beginning of a forever-war, and permanent occupation of Lebanon. The memories of a past 18-year brutal military occupation pf South Lebanon conjure up painful recollections of torture, death and imprisonment in Khiam of men, women…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri confirmed that America wants to extend the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanese and Israeli representatives will hold talks in Washington on Thursday, with Ambassador Simon Karam heading the Lebanese delegation. The meeting will focus on extending the truce and setting a framework for direct negotiations. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the goal of the talks is to stop the military conflict, end Israel’s occupation in the South, and to deploy the Lebanese army along internationally recognized borders. Hezbollah party MP Hassan Fadlallah, called for a sustained ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal,…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Efforts to secure a peace agreement between the United States and Iran remain fraught with difficulty, as both sides continue to hold firm on core demands. Deep political, military, and economic disagreements—combined with domestic and regional pressures—have stalled progress, despite ongoing mediation and backchannel diplomacy. At present, the prospects for a near-term agreement appear limited. Washington and Tehran remain far apart on fundamental issues, while the broader geopolitical environment continues to deteriorate, with significant consequences for global stability and economic markets. A Fragile Diplomatic Process Recent negotiations, mediated by Pakistan, highlight both the persistence…