Severe drought is devastating war-torn Syria

The worst drought in decades is gripping much of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, drying out rivers and lakes, shriveling crops and leading to dayslong tap water cutoffs in major cities.

The situation is particularly dire in Syria, where experts say rainfall has been declining for decades and where the fledgling government is trying to stitch the country back together following a 14-year civil war that left millions impoverished and reliant on foreign aid.

Xi’s military parade showed just how dangerous China has become

With the leaders of Russia, Iran, and North Korea watching, Beijing conducted a massive parade on Wednesday, demonstrating the results of a years-long effort by the Chinese Communist Party to build a military it hopes can defeat the United States in the Pacific.

Beijing’s growing prowess has eroded American security and increased the likelihood of war in the Taiwan Strait, but it is not too late for Americans to respond.

‘Greater Israel’: The Israeli settlers eyeing land in Syria, Lebanon, and beyond

As Israel seeks to reshape the region, the settler movement senses an opportunity to make ‘Greater Israel’ a reality, eyeing land in Syria, Lebanon, and beyond

In a move that sparked international condemnation, a group of Israeli settlers crossed into Syrian territory near the village of Bariqa in Quneitra province on 18 August and attempted to establish a new settlement on Israeli military-controlled land.

The fake energy revolution

“A clean energy revolution is helping to save this planet.” Thus spoke President Barack Obama in 2015.

“The age of fossil fuel is coming to an end. The rise of renewable energy is irreversible.” Thus spoke Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in July of this year.

New Syrian Army’s Senior Officials Linked to Jihadist Ideologies, Raising Concerns

Despite efforts to integrate diverse rebel factions into a unified military structure, a report notes significant challenges, including defections, tribal conflicts, and difficulties in maintaining regular salary payments.

A recent report has revealed that 22 senior military officials in the New Syrian Army, including key figures such as the Minister of Defense, Deputy Minister of Defense, and Chief of Staff, have backgrounds tied to jihadist organizations, raising significant concerns about the stability of Syria’s new regime and potential security threats to neighboring countries, including Israel.

Syria Resumes Crude Oil Exports After 14-Year Hiatus

Syria has reached a significant milestone in its economic recovery with the export of its first crude oil shipment in 14 years. On Monday, 1 September 2025, 600,000 barrels of heavy crude were dispatched from the port of Tartous aboard the tanker Nissos Christiana, as announced by the Syrian Ministry of Energy.

The Intertwined Destinies of Syria and Iraq: A Historical and Political Nexus – The Syrian Observer

The relationship between Syria and Iraq resists simple classification within conventional models of regional systems, yet it stands as one of the defining features of the Arab Levant’s modern history. This unique and enduring bond cannot be explained solely through the lens of ancient sectarian or theological divisions. To reduce it to historical rivalries—such as those between the Umayyads and Hashemites, or Sunni and Shia factions—is to perpetuate a flawed narrative of perpetual sectarian conflict.

The EU ‘Elites’, Part III

The report (“The EU’s Propaganda Machine: How the EU funds NGOs to promote itself”) shows how the European Commission – the unelected executive branch of the European Union – is using taxpayer money “to promote its political agenda under the guise of advancing ‘EU values’.” In short, the EU is funding NGOs and think-tanks to spread its own propaganda.