Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh In a world where justice systems are evolving to meet the demands of increasingly interconnected societies, Kazakhstan emerges as a model of progress. Nestled at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the nation is undertaking bold and comprehensive reforms to ensure its judiciary is independent, …
Read More »Trump 2.0: The Uncertain Future of Middle East’s Wars
President J. Donald Trump will serve as the 47th president of the United States of America, four years after reluctantly leaving office as the 45th, the first politician since Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s to lose re-election to the White House and later mount a successful run. …
Read More »Syrian army command tells officers that Assad’s rule has ended
The Syrian army command has notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad’s rule has ended as militants enter the capital Damascus, an officer says. The unnamed officer made the remarks to Reuters on Sunday after reports said President Assad had flown out of Damascus for an unknown destination. Meanwhile, …
Read More »Syria’s Future – Five Paths That Could Shape the Region
1. A Democratic Republic: A Difficult but Unified Path Forward This scenario envisions a Democratic Republic of Syria established by a coalition of opposition groups with diverse ideologies. While challenging to achieve, this path could gain support from key international players and promote Syria’s unity and stability. 2. …
Read More »The Emerging Storm in Northern Syria: Seeds of a New Conflict and the Geopolitical Ramifications
Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh As I have stated repeatedly in television interviews and op-eds published in various newspapers and magazines across multiple languages, the Middle East is on the brink of a major conflict. I have warned that the real war will erupt by the end of December 2024 …
Read More »The Return of Syria’s Rebels: Neither Unexpected Nor Final
The survival of the Assad regime now depends on coordination and mutual understanding between Iran, Russia, and Turkey. The sudden territorial gains of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in northern Syria, including Aleppo—Syria’s second-largest city—have reawakened the nation’s dormant civil war. Although these developments may catch some off guard, …
Read More »Nuclear Escalation Doctrine – What America and Russia’s “Firebreaks” Mean for Israel’s Security
As Israel edges closer to decisions about preemptive strikes on Iran, it must navigate an increasingly complex global security landscape shaped by U.S. and Russian nuclear doctrines. These doctrines—markedly divergent in their thresholds for nuclear engagement—carry profound implications for Israel’s strategic calculus, particularly as it weighs anticipatory self-defense …
Read More »Trump’s Second Term and the Middle East: A Forecast of Challenges and Opportunities
On November 6, 2024, Donald Trump secured victory in Wisconsin, surpassing the required 270 electoral votes, confirming him as the 47th president of the United States—a second term of the presidency after losing to Joseph Biden in the 2020 election. After Grover Cleveland, Trump is the second U.S. …
Read More »King Abdullah’s Speech from the Throne
By Shehab Al-Makahleh His Majesty King Abdullah articulated in his Speech from the Throne a roadmap for the Kingdom’s future as it navigates the volatile realities of the Middle East. His address was laden with meaning, offering clarity on Jordan’s steadfast principles, its approach to the Gaza crisis …
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