January, 2026

• 19 January

  What is the True Death Toll in Gaza?

  

  According to the latest figures released by the Gaza Ministry of Health (GMoH) on December 23rd 2025, Israel had killed at least 70,937 Palestinians and wounded 171,192; of those identified fatalities, 53% were women, children or elderly. Despite the decimation of Gaza’s healthcare system, the GMoH has demonstrated remarkable resilience …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  European Union and Mercosur bloc of South American nations sign landmark free trade agreement

  The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought free trade agreement on Saturday, strengthening commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world. The signing ceremony in Paraguay’s capital, Asuncion, caps more than a quarter-century of torturous negotiations. …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  Israël craint de ne pas pouvoir se défendre contre l’Iran

  

  Benjamin Netanyahu a appelé Donald Trump pour le presser de ne pas bombarder l’Iran car, selon certaines sources, Israël se sent vulnérable à une contre-attaque iranienne, écrit Joe Lauria. Israël craint que ses systèmes de défense aérienne, affaiblis par les Iraniens lors du conflit de douze jours en juin dernier, …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  Turkey’s Dangerous Defense Pivot

  

  Is the new Turkish-Saudi-Pakistani defense pact an attempt at an Islamic NATO or a strategic self-sabotage? The idea of a budding “Islamic NATO” under Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia might seem bold and fresh in a period of Middle Eastern “realignment.” But don’t dismiss it out of hand as the …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  Hijri: Full Independence for Suweida Is Our Demand, and Israel Is the Only Guarantor

  

  Hijri expressed his gratitude to the Israeli occupation and to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as to the United States and the European Union, Syria TV reports. Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the Druze community’s senior spiritual leaders in Suweida, declared that his group may be willing to enter a …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  The March Agreement Is Stalling Between Government and SDF, Military Escalation Grows – The Syrian Observer

  

  The 10 March Agreement between Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi appears increasingly frozen, though no party has yet declared it void. Developments on the ground—most notably the Syrian Army’s takeover of the Sheikh Maqsoud and Al-Ashrafiyah neighborhoods in Aleppo—have fundamentally altered the balance …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  Syrian Offensive Against Kurds in Aleppo Clouds Prospects for Stability

  

  Damascus’ effort to force remaining Kurdish militia fighters out of the northern city of Aleppo will set back efforts to construct an inclusive, national political structure in post-Assad Syria. The Syrian offensive undermined U.S. negotiations to integrate its anti-ISIS partner, the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), into the central government …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  Iran Protests Build Despite Regime Crackdown

  

  Anti-government demonstrations in nearly 200 Iranian cities continue to expand and intensify despite the increasing use of force by regime security forces. The failure of the security forces to quell the unrest indicates that the opposition is highly motivated and that security personnel might be hesitant to carry out orders …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  “The Autonomous Administration”: al-Sharaa’s decree is insufficient to protect Kurdish rights

  

  The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria commented on Saturday, 17 January 2026, on a decree issued by Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, regarding Kurdish rights in Syria. It said the decree could be considered a first step, but that it does not meet the aspirations and hopes of …

  Read More »
• 19 January

  Syrian army expands control in eastern Aleppo countryside

  

  The Syrian army’s Operations Command announced new field developments in eastern Aleppo countryside on Saturday, Jan. 17, saying its forces secured 14 villages and towns east of Deir Hafir, as advance units reached Maskanah in eastern Aleppo. In a statement carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the Operations …

  Read More »