Author: Steven Sahiounie

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On December 10, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a massive defense bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizing a record $901 billion in annual military spending. The bill also includes the repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, signaling a major shift in U.S. policy toward Syria and generating widespread anticipation in Syria’s political and economic circles. The repeal of the Caesar Act—one of the harshest measures imposed on Syrians for many years—has sparked significant optimism in Syria, as the law had long constrained economic recovery and…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Trump administration seems determined to deliver peace in Gaza, but the people continue to suffer from Israeli attacks, lack of humanitarian aid, and the bitterly cold winter rain storms. Many living in Gaza have questioned if there is any agreed upon peace plan, because they are not feeling it. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Malek Nabil Al-Jaabari, a journalist and writer on Palestinian issues. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): How was the ceasefire and peace agreement implemented on the ground in Gaza, and what challenges or violations have been reported since its adoption? Malek…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been excluded from the list for the “Peace Council” proposed by US President Donald Trump to oversee Gaza’s post-war transition. The decision follows strong Arab and Islamic opposition to Blair’s inclusion due to his leading role in the US-UK attack, invasion, destruction and occupation of Iraq in 2003, which killed thousands of unarmed civilians. Blair, who was initially the sole publicly known candidate for a senior position in the council, had been discussed as part of Trump’s 20-point plan announced in late September to end the war…

The Center for Geostrategic Studies in Belgrade continued its tradition of organizing gatherings dedicated to the preservation of spiritual and national identity. The International Conference entitled “The Crucifixion of Orthodoxy in the 21st Century: Spiritual Wars, Ecumenical Offensive, and Global Politics” was held in Belgrade on December 4, 2025, at the Press Center of the Association of Journalists of Serbia. This event, part of the cycle “Blocking the Aggression Against the Church”, focused on the growing geopolitical struggle that increasingly penetrates the spiritual sphere and uses religion as an instrument of political influence. The conference brought together representatives of the…

International Conference “The Crucifixion of Orthodoxy in the 21st Century: Spiritual Wars, Ecumenical Offensive, and Global Politics” The Center for Geostrategic Studies in Belgrade continued its tradition of organizing gatherings dedicated to the preservation of spiritual and national identity. The International Conference entitled “The Crucifixion of Orthodoxy in the 21st Century: Spiritual Wars, Ecumenical Offensive, and Global Politics” was held in Belgrade on December 4, 2025, at the Press Center of the Association of Journalists of Serbia. This event, part of the cycle “Blocking the Aggression Against the Church”, focused on the growing geopolitical struggle that increasingly penetrates the…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Lebanon has formally entered a new phase of direct negotiations with Israel under the framework of the Five-Party Committee in Naqoura, marking a significant shift in Beirut’s approach to mounting international pressures. Analysts view this development as an important indicator of a qualitative transformation in how the Lebanese state is responding to the current military and political dynamics along its southern border. Reactivation of Technical Dialogue Under U.S. Pressure Experts note that Lebanon’s participation aligns with a U.S. request to reactivate the technical negotiation mechanism at a moment when global powers are seeking to…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On the 50th day of the Gaza ceasefire, Israel carried out continuing airstrikes in defiance of the Trump brokered peace plan. What US President Donald Trump planned on is not holding up in the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s impunity. Israeli aircraft launched strikes on the Al-Tuffah and Al-Shujaiya neighborhoods in Gaza City, while artillery units targeted the eastern area of Jabalia. The Nasser Medical Complex reported the killing of a Palestinian in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli armored vehicles opened fire overnight on the…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On November 24, US President Donald Trump began a process to legally label some chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Although the Muslim Brotherhood is a global organizations, which includes inside America, this specific order addresses chapters in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt engaged in or facilitating and supporting violence and destabilization campaigns that harm their own regions, United States citizens, and United States interests. However, the exact wording of the Whitehouse statement leaves it open to perhaps include domestic chapters in the future: “…any Muslim Brotherhood chapters or other subdivisions, including…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On November 18, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. Separately, the White House stated the U.S. Saudi Arabia signed a Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation, which would see American companies partnering with the kingdom to produce civilian electricity, not bombs. The Saudi Arabian Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), returned to the U.S. after seven years, and was successful in going home with almost everything he asked for. However, Trump came out empty handed on one key item…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On November 18, the United Nations Security Council approved U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip, endorsing a draft resolution submitted by Washington. Trump hailed the vote as a “historic moment”, while Palestinian factions—particularly Hamas—condemned the resolution as an act of “international guardianship” imposed on the coastal enclave. The approved plan authorizes the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza and outlines political pathways that could eventually lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favor, while Russia and China abstained without exercising their…