April 18, 2017
Asia Pacific, Geopolitics, NEWS, Op-ed
By Shehab Al Makahleh • What does history have to do with Donald Trump and his presidential decisions and his possible move on the Korean Peninsula (that may lead to the Second Korean War and more)? What we know so far is that his Secretary of State Tillerson dislikes …
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April 17, 2017
Geopolitics, Middle East, NEWS, Op-ed
By Shehab al-Makahleh • March 16 marks the 6th anniversary of a war that has been described as the worst the world has seen in 50 years, and one that resulted in the death of more than 350,000 and the displacement of more than 12 million. Syria, the Cradle …
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April 17, 2017
Middle East, NEWS, Op-ed
By Shehab Al-Makahleh • As Turks cast their votes in historic referendum on constitutional changes, both domestic and foreign public, media and analysts are weighing pros and cons of either outcome. According to latest exit polls Turkish voters have handed President Erdogan sweeping new powers. The ‘Yes’ campaign won 1.25 …
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April 16, 2017
Middle East, NEWS, OPINION
As the US Tomahawk missiles were raining on Syria, the entire Middle East was shaken to its core. Here, even the name itself – Syria – triggers extremely complex and often contradictory sets of emotions. To some, Syria is synonymous with pride and a determined struggle against Western …
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April 15, 2017
Middle East, NEWS, OPINION
Events are moving rapidly to a possible new war involving Israel, the United States, Syria and Russia. Were it to take place, I honestly hope not, it would be yet another stupid war over oil. Only this oil war somehow feels far more dangerous than the US war …
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April 14, 2017
Middle East, Military & Security, NEWS, Op-ed
By Shehab Al-Makahleh • Responding to Trump’s cruise missiles attack on Syrian Shayrat airbase, the tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Syria was held today in Moscow. The meeting ended with a resounding ‘no’ to the Washington’s ‘Great Middle East Project’, and with equally resounding confirmation …
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April 13, 2017
Middle East, Military & Security, NEWS
More than two dozen ex-U.S. intelligence officials urge President Trump to rethink his claims blaming the Syrian government for the chemical deaths in Idlib and to pull back from his dangerous escalation of tensions with Russia. MEMORANDUM FOR: The President FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS)* SUBJECT: Syria: Was It Really …
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April 9, 2017
NEWS, OPINION
By Shehab Al-Makahleh • Less than 24 hours after the strikes the Syrian Air Forces have resumed flights from the bombed airfield in Shayrat. If Trump’s intention to strike Syria was to deter Assad’s Syrian Army from bombing ‘rebels’ and terrorists, the Tomahawk missiles strike of 7 April clearly …
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April 8, 2017
Middle East, NEWS, Op-ed
By Shehab Al Makahleh • The USA and the Kurds had on March 18 a meeting which focused on creating an independent Kurdish State in Syria and Iraq to be named “The Great Kurdistan” after the liberation of Raqqa City, the stronghold of Daesh. Kurdish sources said that the …
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