In 2019, at his most vulnerable, Sharaa recalled a childhood dream, that one day he would become the Emir of Damascus. Five years later, he rules all of Syria. Read our Big Story with @ragipsoylu.bsky.social to understand how he changed to win. www.middleeasteye.net/big-story/sy...

My latest: Turkey eyes second-hand Eurofighter jets from Qatar • Sources say Ankara close to securing a deal as Turkey’s defence minister visits Doha With Ragıp Soylu t.co/eSRe59QEC5

Rabbi Henry Hamra has become a parliamentary candidate in Syria. He will be standing in tomorrow's elections. If Henry Hamra is elected as a member of parliament, he will be the first Jewish member of parliament elected since 1940.

My column: Trump and Blair’s proposed transitional rule for Gaza risks repeating Iraq’s mistakes: dismantling local structures, deepening anger, radicalization and fueling future conflict. www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/trum...

Our article with Ömer Özkızılcık for Atlantic Council about economic engagement between Syria & Turkey. Turkey–Syria trade hits $2B in 2025, with $14B pledged for reconstruction and new pipelines powering ties. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...

Gazans have been fighting, dying, displacing and starved, and for two years the world has done nothing but talk.

Our exclusive report with @ragipsoylu.bsky.social: Turkey to train Niger army in fight against militant groups. - Ankara plans to send battle-hardened military advisers to Niamey as Turkish government crafts a Sahel strategy to deepen relations www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...

My latest: Israel admits it has no precise intel on Hamas or hostages in Gaza City. Yet it’s using robots, tanks & paratroopers to crush the city — treating every civilian as Hamas. This is collective punishment, not counterterrorism. www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-isr...

Russia’s drone strikes in Poland show Cold War deterrence is broken. NATO shoots them down at huge cost, while Moscow bets the West has “a sharp sword but a shaky hand.” Deterrence now needs not just weapons but political courage and cheaper defences. www.economist.com/internationa...

Israel Is Orchestrating an Economic Collapse in the West Bank · Israel revoked 115,000 Palestinian work permits · Unemployment >30% (was 12.9%) · Israel withheld nearly $2.3B in Palestinian tax revenues · PA debt soared to $13B (130% of GDP) foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/i...

In summer, Steve Witkoff met UAE royal Sheikh Tahnoon, who controls $1.5T in wealth. Soon after, Tahnoon’s firm invested $2B in a Trump-linked crypto startup, and the White House approved Emirati access to vast numbers of advanced AI chips. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/u...

The Lies America Tells Itself About the Middle East t.co/V0fJuxZl7j

NEW: Kurdish refugee camp to be evacuated under Turkey, Iraq deal • Makhmour Camp, seen by Ankara as a PKK stronghold, will be emptied by September under a Turkey-Iraq-KRG agreement, sources say www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish...

The UK is still flying surveillance missions over Gaza to help Israel - despite mass civilian deaths and starvation. RAF Shadow R1s flew from Cyprus, gathering intel, as the MoD stays silent on current aircraft. www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...

Support journalism. Those who want to help me to continue my journalism activities can support me by clicking on the link. >> buymeacoffee.com/tklvnttkb

Before Afrin operation, Turkish officials told YPG leaders “When states reach an agreement, it's only a matter of time before organizations like you cease to exist.” But YPG, confident in continued Russian support, refused to withdraw from Afrin. It's a similar situation now.

I’ve never been one of those who study radicalism without ever speaking to a single radical, or who claim expertise on conflict zones they’ve never visited or visit only once a year. Nor do I produce so-called exclusive stories based solely on open sources. I make a point of avoiding that approach.

Forces from Zawiya have entered the capital and are attacking pro-Dabeiba forces in western Tripoli. Haftar is sending forces westward, stoking concerns he may try to exploit the conflict to return to western Libya. In short, the Dabeiba camp's attempt to consolidate power is backfiring big time.

The world is really changing. The former al-Qaeda leader is in Riyadh to meet the US president. Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in Saudi capital Riyadh. bsky.app/profile/leve...

Secretary Rubio will meet with Syria's Foreign Minister in Turkey - at NATO IFMM meeting in Antalya.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow and meet with US President Trump.

Boko Haram launched an attack on a Nigerian army 153rd Special Forces Battalion base in the Marte area in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, killing several soldiers and leaving others missing.

JNIM captured armorued vehicle from Burkinabe army. The JNIM is carrying out intensive attacks challenging the Burkinabe army.

As climate change opens up the Arctic and geopolitical interest grows, Turkey has joined the Svalbard agreement with strategic intent. The US, China and now Turkey are expanding their footprint in the Arctic. t.co/vmR3wZ9BLT

595 Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18.

The U.S. withdrawal is already underway, and Israeli attempts to halt it appear ineffective. Since early April, trucks have been seen entering American bases empty and leaving fully loaded, then crossing into Iraq—clear signs of a drawdown in progress. bsky.app/profile/leve...

According to reliable sources Al-Shabaab militants have captured the strategic Yasooman area in Hiiraan after Somali army units and local militias withdrew from nearby Aborey village. The retreat follows the group’s recent takeover of Adan Yabaal in Middle Shabelle.

Our latest: Rare Earths: The Silent Superpower From jet engines to missile fins, rare earths like neodymium and samarium-cobalt drive the precision and stealth of today’s weapons.

The U.S. is considering cutting its troop presence in Syria from 2,000 to around 1,000, officials say. One supports the move, while another is skeptical due to rising regional tensions and recent U.S. military deployments. - Reuters

240 Iraqi families of ISIS members are preparing to leave Al-Howl camp for Iraq.

The US has informed Israel about a process that has already begun. This topic was talked in the security diplomacy circles at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. bsky.app/profile/leve...

US security officials have informed Israel's defense establishment that a phased withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Syria will begin within two months.

Algeria requests the expulsion of 12 French embassy staff within 48 hours — France 24

BREAKING: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan: Turkey and Israel hold technical talks on a deconfliction line in Syria.

New stocks: Tesla: +15% NVIDIA: +13% Apple: +11% Meta: +9% Amazon: +8% Microsoft: +7.6% Google: +6.5% bsky.app/profile/leve...

Bessent: "We've given 90 days... the United States will negotiate in good faith... What I am certain of is that what China is doing will affect their economy much more than it will ours."

The positive effect of the 90-day tariff pause. After Trump's announcement, the US market gained $3.5 trillion in value in a short time.

EU greenlights first set of tariffs hitting back at US: diplomats. European Commission: Tariffs on the United States can be suspended if we reach a fair and balanced agreement with it.

As the trade war escalates, middle powers will face new opportunities and risks. While China faces stagnation, the real damage may hit the US, as Europe begins turning to Beijing and Asia for trade.

China says it will impose additional tariffs of 84% on U.S. goods, effective April 10. #TradeWar

A Chinese vessel is suspected of mapping the seafloor around United States allies Australia and New Zealand to support submarine deployments, an analyst has said. www.newsweek.com/china-deep-s...

China's Xi has called for striving to open new ground for China's neighborhood work. Xi Jinping stressed the importance of neighboring countries and the need to deepen “all-round cooperation”.

Hezbollah is ready to hold talks with the Lebanese president about its weapons if Israel withdraws from south Lebanon and stops its strikes. “Hezbollah is ready to discuss the matter of its arms if Israel withdraws from the five points and halts its aggression against Lebanese” Hezbollah official.

BIG IF TRUE: Reports claim the Taliban handed Bagram Air Base back to the U.S. following payments and high-level talks, including a UAE meeting between Sirajuddin Haqqani and U.S. officials. C-17s seen landing with military gear. Not officially confirmed.

Egypt and France sign €7 billion agreement to develop green hydrogen production facility. - Joint statement

A counteroffensive against Al-Shabaab was launched in Abooreey this morning by the Somali government and allied local militias. Clashes are now ongoing within the settlement’s urban center.

BIG IF TRUE: Reports claim the Taliban handed Bagram Air Base back to the U.S. following payments and high-level talks, including a UAE meeting between Sirajuddin Haqqani and U.S. officials. C-17s seen landing with military gear. Not officially confirmed.

US and Iran will hold direct talks over a possible nuclear deal on Saturday, says Trump. The meeting, in Oman, has also been confirmed by Iran's foreign minister who said the talks would be indirect but could be "as much an opportunity as it is a test". www.bbc.com/news/article...

Syria recalls ambassadors from Russia and Saudi Arabia as part of new diplomatic reshuffle. Chargé d’affaires to manage both embassies until new appointments are made.

Trump: I told Israel that if they have a problem with Turkey, I think I can solve it. I have a great relationship with Erdogan - I like him, he likes me and it infuriates the media. I have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and its leader. I congratulate Turkey. bsky.app/profile/leve...