Middle Orient

Syrian FM Says Russia, Iran Have Sent New Govt ‘Positive Indications’

Iran and Russia have sent “positive indications” to the new government in Damascus but there remains an “open wound” over their support for the previous regime, Syria’s foreign minister said on Wednesday. Moscow and Tehran provided key military and political support to Bashar Assad after an uprising against the former …

Read More »

Why Trump’s Gaza plan could collapse the ceasefire deal

Analysis: Trump’s vision for Gaza bolsters Netanyahu politically, normalises ethnic cleansing, and emboldens Israel to derail the ceasefire and return to war. US President Donald Trump’s remarks on Gaza, in which he has repeatedly voiced plans to “take over” the Palestinian territory, displace its residents to other countries, and turn …

Read More »

Resettling Gaza: Trump’s Empire-Building Agenda? – Analysis

In his signature style, President Donald Trump has doubled down on his vision for the future of Gaza, suggesting that the United States could assume control of the embattled territory once hostilities subside. Speaking on December 6, Trump outlined a plan in which Israel would transfer the Gaza Strip to …

Read More »

The Phantom Terrorists: Searching for Islamic State in Syria

No, the old militia commander says at the end of a long conversation. Hardly anyone would head into the desert like they used to – didn’t do so for years. “Anyone who did, disappeared.” Time and again, some of the Bedouin shepherds and gatherers who used to follow the sparse …

Read More »

Shibani: New Syrian Government to Be Formed in March – The Syrian Observer

Shibani noted a shift in Syria’s international standing, stating that the country is receiving positive signals from both Russia and Iran, according to al-Modon. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani has confirmed that a new government will be established in March following the expiration of the current caretaker administration’s term. Speaking …

Read More »

Putin Invites Shibani to Moscow – The Syrian Observer

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended an invitation to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani to visit Russia on Wednesday, February 12. During a phone call with Syrian transitional president Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the two leaders exchanged views on the current situation in Syria and the political roadmap for building a new Syria. …

Read More »

Iranian Plot to Assassinate Sharaa and Overthrow His Government Uncovered – The Syrian Observer

The Turkish newspaper Türkiye Gazetesi has revealed an Iranian plan to overthrow President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his government through a military coup, orchestrated during a secret meeting in Najaf, Iraq. The Turkish newspaper Türkiye Gazetesi has revealed an Iranian plan to overthrow President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his government through a …

Read More »

How Will the Syrian Ministry of Defense Deal with Daraa Factions? – The Syrian Observer

The Syrian caretaker government’s Minister of Defense, Marhaf Abu Qasra, stated last Friday in remarks to the American newspaper The Washington Post that some armed groups are still hesitant about integrating into the new Syrian army, including the “Eighth Brigade” in Daraa, led by Ahmad al-Awda. However, the brigade’s media …

Read More »

Power Struggles and Geopolitical Maneuvering: The Eighth Brigade’s Standoff with Syria’s Defense Ministry – The Syrian Observer

The ongoing back-and-forth between the Syrian Ministry of Defense and the leadership of the Eighth Brigade, led by Ahmad al-Awda—verging on an outright dispute—suggests a deep-rooted disagreement that has so far prevented their alignment within the framework of the newly established army. However, the reasons behind this discord are not …

Read More »

Iran Update, February 13, 2025

The newly-appointed Syrian Preparatory Committee provided some details about how it plans to select representatives to attend the National Dialogue Conference. This conference will reportedly facilitate the drafting of a new Syrian constitution, and therefore, the composition of its attendees will influence the trajectory of the post-Assad Syrian state.[1] The …

Read More »