The evidence suggests that empires often react to periods of their own decline by over-extending their coping mechanisms. Military actions, infrastructure problems, and social welfare demands may then combine or clash, accumulating costs and backlash effects that the declining empire cannot manage. Policies aimed to strengthen empire—and that once did—now …

Today’s news round on Syria highlights a complex array of developments reflecting the ongoing conflict and shifting alliances in the region. Amid rising tensions in Lebanon, some residents are considering relocating to Syria as a precautionary measure, despite the nation’s prolonged civil war. Meanwhile, Syrian Kurds have released 50 IS-linked …

The newspaper said Russia is expected to be the losing side in the Ukraine war, according to Syria TV. In a report titled “The Syrian Scenario of Russia,” the reformist Iranian newspaper Aftab News highlighted the accelerating regional and international events and their negative economic and geopolitical repercussions on Putin, …