Recent Posts

The EU ‘Elites’, Part I

Corruption and Foreign Influence Operations [T]he EU organization itself… — once again –- is at the center of a new corruption scandal…. While Huawei has been effectively banned in the US – and has closed all its official and direct lobbying operations in Washington in early 2024 – the company …

Read More »

North and East Syria Conference Calls for Inclusive, Decentralised Syrian State – The Syrian Observer

Representatives of the diverse communities of north and east Syria convened this week for a landmark conference, issuing a final declaration that set out a vision for a democratic, decentralised Syria built on equal citizenship and shared governance. The gathering brought together Kurdish, Arab, Syriac Assyrian, Turkmen, Armenian, and Circassian …

Read More »

Lebanon Comes Under Pressure to Disarm Hezbollah

Bottom Line Up Front Trump officials have given Lebanon’s government an ultimatum to take control of Lebanese Hezbollah’s arsenal of heavy weapons or forgo U.S. efforts to compel Israel to withdraw from its positions in southern Lebanon. U.S. officials expect Lebanon’s cabinet, at a meeting this week, to issue an …

Read More »

Plan to Reoccupy Gaza Further Isolates Israel

Bottom Line Up Front Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to reoccupy all of the Gaza Strip has caused tensions with his defense establishment and with his allies in Washington. Top Israel Defense Forces (IDF) leaders and the families of remaining Israeli hostages are trying to scuttle the re-occupation plan, …

Read More »

Iran Update, August 7, 2025

The Lebanese Council of Ministers agreed on August 7 to the objectives of US Envoy Thomas Barrack’s proposal to disarm Hezbollah.[1] The proposal’s objectives include a phased plan to completely disarm Hezbollah by December 31, 2025, and to ensure an Israeli withdrawal from its five permanent positions in southern Lebanon.[2] …

Read More »