by Oui
Mon Jan 19th, 2026 at 11:45:41 AM EST
Joshua Landis on the United States abandoning their allies: Syria Democratic Forces (SDF).
'The goal is to destroy the Syrian Democratic Forces': Clashes break out between army and Kurds
Joshua Landis, the director of the University of Oklahoma's Centre for Middle East Studies, talks about how the Syrian military's advance across the country's north aims to end years of autonomy won by the country's Kurdish community - and why the US appears to be abandoning its former allies.
From the diaries ...
Free Syrian Army Defeated, US Entices Saudi Led Terror Group | by Oui - 16 Dec 2013 |
Out of the main media, I repeatedly read that Free Syrian Army general Idriss has withdrawn to the Syrian-Turkish border. Searching for more news, it appears the FSA has lost the civil war, not defeated by Assad's Army but by terror groups funded by Saudi Arabia under command of Zahran Alloush. According to several jihadist commanders, "Zahran Alloush receives his orders directly from the Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan" and Liwaa al-Islam is Saudi Arabia's private army in Syria.
That the Obama administration is divided on Syria policy is clear, now more so as the Geneva II conference is planned for January 22 and there is no agreement as to the opposition delegation. I understand Ambassador Ford is talking to terrorist Zahran Alloush as to his conditions to participate in name of the opposition force in Geneva talks. How completely void of sound thinking by whoever send this envoy to negotiate with this enemy commander.
Terrorists met in Syria's Idlib to prepare false flag gas attack ... the Saudi-Turks’ alliance of terror.
Foreign jihadists - including Britons - are flooding into Syria to join al-Qaeda from safe houses in Turkey (Photo: Getty images)
[...]
Backing new alliances contrary to the post-WWII Global Order initiated by the League of Nations and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
America 🇺🇸 in the corner of totalitarianism.
Türkiye the new master in the Middle East in a fractured stew of "states." The slow rise of a new Ottoman Empire grabs the opportunity to expand its influence across the extended region of Turkic peoples. From Central Europe to the Chinese province of Xinjiang and the freedom fighters for independence, the Uyghurs.
Netanyahu’s Embrace of Selected Protesters in Iran
Netanyahu's cynical embrace of Iran's protesters | The New Arab |
Netanyahu doesn’t support Iranian freedom, he wants a weakened Iran and a restored Pahlavi monarchy aligned with Israel, writes Richard Silverstein.
Reza Pahlavi, the oldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran in high level visit in Israel, April 2023. (Photo Getty images)
That's one reason why Israel opposed the new Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. He "threatened" to unite the country. Doing so would mean it could put up a fight against Israeli hegemony. That explains why Israel has not only annexed the Syrian Golan, but has invaded and occupied further Syrian territory. It claims the goal is to protect its Syrian Druze allies. Though many of the Druze want nothing to do with this arrangement.
Similarly, Israel would like Iran split into different ethnic fiefdoms (Baloch, Kurd, Azeri) preferably warring with each other, or against a central government. It would like MeK warring with the monarchists, and supporters of the clerics warring with all of them. The more dissension the better. The weaker Iran, the better.
I have not read many voices offering the scepticism I offer here. Barbara Slavin along with Parsi are among the few I've found who've offered caution. She posted on X that Iranians should ‘be cautious about asking for US military intervention. As Venezuela shows, Trump is willing to cut deals with regimes if he thinks it's in his interest and with scant concern for democracy or human rights.’
The world seems both enthralled and appalled by events in Iran. But in its emotional response, it doesn't fully appreciate how much worse it could get if Netanyahu, Trump and Pahlavi get their way.
Construction of first reactor of Akkuyu plant almost completed
Türkiye step closer to nuclear energy as 1st reactor 99% complete | Daily Sabah |
Türkiye is steadily approaching its aim of producing its first electricity from nuclear power as the first reactor of its first nuclear plant is now 99% complete, a top official said on Monday while conducting inspections on-site.
"We conducted inspections at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant site, where Türkiye's 70-year nuclear dream is turning into reality," Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said in a post on X.
"Together with Rosatom Director General Mr. Alexey Likhachev, we examined on-site the ongoing work in the control room – the brain of the first reactor, whose construction is 99% complete. We then held a comprehensive meeting to discuss progress on the project," he added.
The $20 billion Akkuyu project, situated in the Mersin province in the country's south, stands out as the cornerstone of Türkiye's strategy to diversify energy supplies and reduce import dependence. Once fully operational, the 4.8 gigawatt (GW) plant, with its four reactors, is expected to generate around 10% of Türkiye's electricity.
Bayraktar, as well as Rosatom executives, announced earlier plans for commissioning the first reactor this year.
