Author: Steven Sahiounie

Why Did Israel Seize Control of Syria’s Highest Mountain? After the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israel did not waste any time in bombing all the Syrian military assets it wanted to keep out of the hands of armed groups. However, the seizure of Mount Hermon, the highest peak in Syria, might be one of the most enduring prizes for Israel, despite Israeli officials’ insistence that the occupation is temporary. Ephraim Inbar, director of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, stated, “This is the highest place in the region, overlooking Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. It’s of immense…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Syria is known for its ancient mosaics. A multitude of tiny colored ceramic pieces artfully arranged to create a beautiful scene; a piece of priceless art. The events leading up to the fall of the 24-year dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad involved a multitude of moving pieces that came together finally in the early hours of December 8 when Assad and his family fled in a private plane to Moscow for asylum. One of the main wheels of the machine which brought Damascus to its knees was Abo Muhammed al-Jolani, the commander of Hayat Tahrir…

Former Israeli Defense Minister: Ceasefire Agreement with Hezbollah is a Surrender… They’re Just Mocking Us Avigdor Lieberman, former Israeli Defense Minister, head of the “Yisrael Beiteinu” party, and a member of the Knesset, described the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon as a “surrender agreement to Hezbollah.” In an interview with “Yedioth Ahronoth” newspaper’s Hebrew site (Walla), Lieberman referred to the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which came into effect early Wednesday morning, as a “surrender agreement.” Lieberman stated, “This agreement is akin to the one with Hamas since 2018; it’s the same principle: Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) is…

Messi’s Former Teammate Appointed as Inter Miami Coach The partnership between Argentine star Lionel Messi and his former teammate and compatriot Javier Mascherano has been renewed after the latter was appointed as the head coach of American club Inter Miami, succeeding Tata Martino. Inter Miami announced in a statement on Wednesday that Mascherano has signed a three-year contract with the team. The 40-year-old Argentine joins Inter Miami following his stint as coach of Argentina’s Under-20 national team and the Olympic team, and he will assume coaching responsibilities at the American club upon receiving his work documents. Mascherano will now coach…

Lavrov: Our Patience Will Run Out if Constantly Tested Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on Kyiv’s repeated targeting of Russian territory using long-range Western missiles, emphasizing that Russia’s patience would certainly run out if continuously tested. In a statement to journalist Pavel Zarubin, broadcast on Russia’s Channel One, Lavrov responded to Ukrainian attacks deep into Russian territory using long-range Western missiles, including American “ATACMS”: “We (in Russia) have many popular sayings (for example)… Measure seven times, cut once… The Lord was patient and commanded us to be patient.”He added, “Patience is necessary, but if it is tested endlessly, it…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect at 4 am, local time, on November 27. Israel carried out intensive airstrikes in Beirut prior to the deadline killing 18 people, and by the time the deal went into effect the smell of explosives was hanging heavy the air. By noon, the road leading south from Beirut were full of people anxious to return to their homes in the south, despite warnings from both Israeli and Lebanese authorities. Cars overflowing with people, and mattresses stacked high on the roofs, were in a traffic jam…

UNIFIL statement on attacks on the Lebanese Army UNIFIL is seriously concerned by numerous strikes on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) inside the Lebanese territories, despite their declared non-involvement in the ongoing hostilities between Hizbullah and Israel. The LAF has reported a series of Israeli strikes in recent weeks, resulting in the loss of personnel, damage to premises, and destruction of assets. Such attacks have claimed the lives of 45 LAF soldiers, according to the LAF. On behalf of the entire UNIFIL family, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro has expressed deepest condolences to the families of…

The new legislation reflects growing concern in Russia over demographics Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law banning the promotion of “childfree propaganda” on Saturday. The legislation penalizes anyone advocating the refusal to have children. Critics have said that it will not help with Russia’s demographic problems. The measure targets the spread of childfree ideology through media, films, advertising, and the internet, and aims to prevent the dissemination of materials that encourage the rejection of parenthood. It imposes fines on those found guilty of promoting the concept. Individuals could face penalties ranging from 50,000 ($480) to 100,000 rubles, while…

One of the facilities is reportedly set to host American nuclear weapons Multiple unidentified drones have been detected near three major UK airbases, including RAF Lakenheath, which formerly hosted American nuclear weapons during the Cold War, the US Air Force (USAF) has confirmed. According to a spokesperson for the USAF’s European Command, small unmanned aerial vehicles were observed between November 20 and 22 over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, as well as RAF Feltwell in Norfolk. The number of suspicious drones “fluctuated and ranged in size and configuration,” and it remains unclear whether they posed a hostile threat, the military…

Paris places no “red lines” on its support for Kiev, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said that Ukraine may use French missiles to attack targets in internationally-recognized Russian territory, without confirming whether such strikes have already taken place. In an interview due to be broadcast by British state broadcaster the BBC on Sunday, Barrot said that Paris does “not set and express red lines” on its support for Kiev, and that long-range strikes on Russian soil may be carried out by Ukraine “in the logics of self-defense.” France has provided Ukraine with an…