Author: M Barbu

Erdogan Warns of Israel’s Occupation of Damascus

Erdogan claimed that Israel’s intentions to occupy Damascus after Lebanon could bring Israeli forces to Turkey’s border, Enab Baladi writes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Israel’s potential occupation of Damascus would drastically alter Syria’s map. Speaking to reporters on his return from Albania on Saturday, October 12, Erdogan criticized Israeli threats against Lebanon and Syria, asserting that “the occupation of Damascus will represent a serious regional threat,” as reported by the Turkish presidency’s Communications Department.

Syria Today – Strike in Lattakia; 10 Killed in Idlib; Lebanese Police Try to Expel Syrian Refugees

This news round on Syria covers several critical developments. In Latakia, an Israeli airstrike targeted a weapons depot, causing injuries and triggering explosions, as tensions escalate following Hamas’s October 7 attacks. In Idlib, Russian airstrikes killed 10 people, as opposition-held areas continue to suffer from both Russian and Syrian regime bombardment, with rumors of a rebel offensive looming. Meanwhile, the families of French nationals who joined IS are urging the UN to pressure France for their repatriation. Additionally, the French company Lafarge faces trial for financing terrorism in Syria, amidst allegations of complicity in crimes against humanity. Lastly, Syrian refugees in Lebanon, displaced by Israeli bombings, are facing harsh conditions and forced relocations by Lebanese authorities, as the humanitarian crisis deepens.

As World Powers Clash, ISIS Returns for Revenge

The Islamic State militant group is capitalizing on widespread unrest and flaring tensions over major conflicts, including those raging in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, to pave the way for new, deadly attacks across the globe, analysts told Newsweek.

The once-sprawling caliphate declared over a decade ago by the Islamic State (referred to as ISIS or IS) was largely defeated in Iraq and Syria by 2019 at the hands of an array of campaigns waged by local forces and international powers, including the United States, Russia and Iran. But the jihadis have since regrouped within the region and beyond, becoming particularly active in parts of Africa and in Afghanistan, where ISIS’ so-called Khorasan province (referred to as ISIS-K or ISKP) has emerged as an especially capable force when it comes to carrying out operations worldwide.

CONTINENTAL COLLABORATION Nations Establish New Alliancesto Tackle Shared Challenges

A Swahili proverb says, “If a snake bites your neighbor, you too are in danger.” The meaning is clear: A community is safest when everyone is protected. This is as true for a village as it is for a continent.
In the defense realm, this concept is known as “shared security,” and its importance is illustrated all too often. When a country descends into chaos, it becomes a haven for extremists to launch attacks outward. When criminals find ungoverned spaces, they exploit them and destabilize the region. When a civil war shatters peace, it sends refugees fleeing across borders.

Terrorist Attacks Multiply in Junta-Led Countries

The number of violent events involving extremist groups in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger has nearly doubled since 2021.

That is according to a Reuters review of data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data crisis monitoring group, which recorded 224 violent events a month on average since January, up from 128 in 2021.

Iran Pressures the Gulf States to Help Deter Israel

  • Iranian leaders view the Arab states of the Persian Gulf as pivotal to their efforts to deter Israel from attacking key targets in Iran.
  • Iran is pressuring the Gulf states to deny Israel access to their airspace for any retaliatory strike on Iran.
  • Iranian officials display no hesitation to threaten the Gulf states with strikes by Tehran or its regional allies if they help Israel or the United States.
  • Attacks on Gulf energy installations would significantly expand the regional war and rattle the global economy.

The European Council Summit: Migration, Migration, Migration

As the October 17-18 meeting of EU leaders approaches, an axis of right-wing and populist governments and parties in Central Europe has been flexing its muscles on migration.

Immigration will be front and centre of the EU summit on October 17-18 after the European Commission buckled under pressure from member states to explore further steps to curb irregular migration.

The Future of the Security Sector in Ukraine

Executive Summary

The aim of this report is to present practical options for advancing Ukraine’s security sector capabilities to consolidate peace and stability as the country transitions from war to peace; the United States Institute of Peace does not take specific policy positions or advocate for specific forms of assistance. Although winning the war rightly remains Ukraine’s highest priority, this report focuses on the security sector issues at the heart of the country’s ability to win the peace. These include tackling corruption; holding the perpetrators of war crimes accountable; integrating veterans into society; and strengthening civilian security.

The Myopia of Anglo-American Rulers: How They Can’t Face Their Loss to the “Eurasian Miracle”

How the ideology of Eurocentrism, paternalism, racism and imperialism keeps the West in a fog about how badly its situation actually is.

International Relations (IR) theory fails to deliver on one of its key promises, specifically to produce positivist, value free analysis. What we encounter in the vast majority of international theory is the provincial or parochial normative purpose of defending and celebrating the ideal of the West in world politics. IR theory can no longer be represented as positivist, objective or value free.
~ John M. Hobson

USA and its allies must not use double standards if success against terrorism is to be achieved

One of the issues on which consensus should be created and can be treated at world level is that terrorism in all its forms should be firmly rejected. However this needs honesty and sincerity. Problems arise if some bigger powers insist on condemning terror attacks made by others but at the same time justify the use of terror by themselves on a large scale.