Recent Posts

Congo in chaos

Government forces and local militias have clashed south of the provincial capital of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In the meantime governmental troops fall back in the face of an advance by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, military sources and townsfolk say, according to Reuters.

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The Middle East awaits as Trump and Netanyahu meet

The meeting in Washington between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump is likely to set a new tone and a new page in Israel-US relations, after a sometimes tense relations during the Biden administration. Before leaving for America, Netanyahu clearly set his agenda by saying that he hopes his talks in Washington will help further redraw the map of the Middle East. That also means Iran will be high on the list of topics.

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EU again on UNRWA

Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative Kaja Kallas on the entry into force of the UNRWA legislation EEAS Press Team The European Union reiterates its concern at the far-reaching consequences of the Israeli legislation on UNRWA for its operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Gaza. The EU condemns any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between …

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Europe redeploys EUBAM

EEAS Press Team EUBAM Rafah: Statement by the Spokesperson on the redeployment of the mission at the Rafah Crossing Point The European Union’s civilian Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah) was today redeployed to the Rafah Crossing Point (RCP) at the request of the Palestinians and the Israelis in agreement with the Egyptians, and in line with …

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Radical changes in Syria’s economy

Syria's new Islamist leaders are undertaking a radical overhaul of the country's broken economy, including plans to fire a third of all public sector workers and privatising state-run companies dominant during half a century of Assad family rule, a Reuters article shows.

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Congo – M23 rebels seize town

Democratic Republic of Congo’s M23 rebels have seized the eastern town of Minova, a main supply route for the provincial capital Goma, a rebel leader and the provincial governor said. The Tutsi-led M23 group has been waging a renewed insurgency in the Central African country’s east since 2022. Congo and the United Nations accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the group …

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The shadow of ISIS in Syria

A Reuters exclusive report shows that the Kurdish forces guarding Islamic State fighters at a jail in northern Syria say they are opposed to handing the facility to the new Islamist rulers in Damascus as they brace for attacks by the ultra hardline group and monitor its attempts to re-emerge. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led force which …

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Marco Rubio’s first action – “Quad”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host a meeting in Washington of his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan one day after President Donald Trump started his second term in office. The meeting of the so-called "Quad", four countries sharing concerns about China's growing power, is designed to signal that countering Beijing is a top priority for the new president.

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Trump 2.0 expectations

President Donald Trump has said that under his presidency, the United States will fundamentally rethink "NATO's purpose and NATO's mission."Trump had said there would be "hell to pay" if Israel and Hamas did not reach a ceasefire deal resulting in the return of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group in Gaza before he takes office.Trump's advisers have indicated they will renew the so-called maximum pressure campaign of his first term against Iran.

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US, Japan, Philippines talk of China

U.S. President Joe Biden met virtually with his counterparts from Japan and the Philippines to advance cooperation among the three countries. The three leaders discussed trilateral maritime security and economic cooperation, and China's "dangerous and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea," the White House said in a statement.

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$1 trillion on defense, if Trump agrees

Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has recommended a boost in defense spending by about $50 billion more than the current 2026 projections. This move would push the defense budget beyond $1 trillion in the coming years, according to Bloomberg News.

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Tears and Smiles in Iran After the Fall of Bashar Assad

The collapse of Bashar Assad marks a significant and impactful event for Iran. On one hand, grief and regret can be observed among the leaders of the Islamic Republic, as they have lost their most critical regional ally. On the other hand, this event has sparked a wave of joy and optimism among the Iranian people, as the weakening of a religious regime in the region amplifies hope for the eventual downfall of the Islamic government in Iran. In a situation where the Islamic regime faces the dual challenges of losing its proxy forces and strategic ally while confronting a more determined population, the question arises: what pivotal changes await Iran after the fall of Assad's government?

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