Author: Steven Sahiounie

Scholz on Trump’s Greenland Comments: “Borders Cannot Be Changed by Force” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s intentions regarding Greenland, asserting that the inviolability of borders is a principle enshrined in international law and that “borders are not changed by force.” In a press conference held in Berlin on Wednesday, Scholz stated, “The sanctity of borders is a fundamental principle in international law… borders cannot be changed by force.” Scholz noted that he had “exchanged views on this issue today with several heads of state and government of European countries,” adding, “During my discussions with our…

Egypt Achieves Historic High in Foreign Tourist Arrivals in 2024 Egypt has set a new record for the influx of foreign tourists in 2024, having welcomed 15.7 million visitors. The Egyptian Cabinet’s Media Center celebrated this achievement, noting on its official Facebook page that “Egyptian tourism has achieved a historic record despite the geopolitical conditions in the region.” The statement highlighted that these tourists came from various tourist markets around the world. Yesterday, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sharif Fathi stated that this unprecedented number was achieved “thanks to the security, safety, and support provided by the Egyptian state to the…

Syria Calls for Complete Lifting of Sanctions After the Cause for Their Imposition Has Ceased Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has emphasized that economic sanctions are now targeting the Syrian people since the reason for their imposition has vanished, calling for their full removal. In a statement, the ministry said, “We welcome the exemptions and exceptions related to the economic sanctions imposed on Syria, which were issued by the U.S. administration.” It added, “We have achieved this progress as a result of the intensive sessions we held recently, and we thank all the wonderful Syrian cadres who have…

Steven Sahiounie, Journalist and political commentator We are just days away from the inauguration of President Donald Trump. He has made many promises to reverse the course of American foreign policy from the past four years under the President Joe Biden administration. The war in Ukraine is seen by many analysts as the “Biden War”, similar to the “Obama War” in Libya and Syria, the “Bush War” in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the “Clinton War” in Yugoslavia. Trump says he will end the “Biden War” in Ukraine before the last Ukrainian blood is spilt in a rivalry between the US…

Trump Challenges Traditional Diplomatic Norms, Stirring Widespread Controversy with His Statements In recent times, President-elect Donald Trump has ignited widespread controversy with his statements regarding control over Panama, Canada, and Greenland. Amidst Christmas greetings, Trump outlined his expansionist ambitions, which include the Panama Canal, Greenland, and even proposing Canada as the 51st state of the U.S. Control Over the Panama Canal: Trump has made statements criticizing the tolls imposed by Panama on American ships passing through the Panama Canal, calling these charges “ridiculous” and “unfair.” He threatened to reclaim control of the canal unless Panama reduces these tolls. Trump views…

Gold Prices Rise Amid Risks from Trump’s Upcoming Policies Gold prices climbed on Wednesday, bolstered by the risks associated with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to impose new tariffs, while investors eagerly await more economic data to predict the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates this year. Spot gold rose by 0.2% to $2,653.35 per ounce by 0928 GMT. U.S. gold futures also edged up by 0.1% to $2,667.20. Ole Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank, stated that Trump’s potential to ignite a trade war, ongoing inflation concerns, and fears about financial stability with rising U.S. Treasury…

Greek Prime Minister Calls for Syrian Territorial Integrity from Cairo During a trilateral summit in Cairo, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of ensuring the territorial integrity of Syria and respecting minority rights. The summit, which included the Egyptian and Cypriot presidents, was part of the 10th session of the tripartite mechanism between Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece. Mitsotakis advocated for a time-bound transitional process to guarantee that the situation does not spiral out of control, stating, “There is a need to ensure the integrity of Syrian territory, respect for minorities, and to initiate a non-permanent, time-limited transitional process…

Completion of 400 Kilometers of Concrete Wall with Syria In a new security development, the Iraqi administration has announced the completion of constructing 400 kilometers of concrete wall along its border with Syria. Brigadier General Tahseen Al-Khafaji, head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell, stated: “We have completed 400 kilometers of the concrete wall with Syria. The Ministries of Interior and Defense, along with the Joint Operations Command and the Popular Mobilization Forces, have taken stringent measures to fortify the border with Syria for over three years now. The stability of the Iraqi-Syrian border is significantly enhanced from our side,…

Qatar to Finance Salary Increase for Syrian Public Sector Employees In a development that could cast shadows over the region’s economic and political relationships, Qatar has announced its intent to help fund a salary increase for public sector employees in Syria. This announcement, coming from multiple sources, reflects a form of economic support for Syria’s transitional government, which faces significant challenges in recovering the country after years of war and economic isolation. Context Following the fall of the Assad regime, the new Syrian government is seeking ways to rebuild the nation and stimulate the economy. One policy under discussion is…

Anticipated Meeting Between US Secretary of State and European Counterparts in Rome Regarding Syria The U.S. Department of State issued a statement announcing that Secretary of State Antony Blinken intends to travel to Rome, Italy, next Thursday for a meeting with European foreign ministers to discuss the situation in Syria. The statement further noted that Blinken will discuss with his European counterparts, whose identities were not disclosed, support for a peaceful and inclusive political transition led and owned by the Syrian people. Earlier, the U.S. Secretary of State emphasized his country’s support for a Syrian-led political process that leads to…