Author: Steven Sahiounie

By: Ahmed Abdu-Almalik Al-ansi, Yemeni translator and journalist. His Excellency Marshal Mehdi Al-Mashat, President of the Supreme Political Council, visited Al-Madan and Shaharah directorates in Amran Governorate. During the visit, President Al-Mashat received well-wishers from citizens for Eid Al-Adha Al-Mubarak. President Al-Mashat has directed Amran Governor and Government with provisions of basic services to citizens with available means, and encouraging the operational initiatives of the community. His Excellency expressed thanks, appreciation and gratitude for the honourable attitudes of Al-Madan in the face of the United States-Saudi aggression, the sacrifices of martyrs for God’s sake, and the defence of the homeland,…

By: Ahmed Abdu-Almalik Alansi, Yemeni translator and journalist. All Yemeni people are celebrating the blessing Eid Al-Adha as all Muslims do every year. This occasion historically related to religious rituals of the prophet Ibrahim when he came back to Macca where he left his family and his son Ismail. This occasion takes along three days. In this occasion, Yemeni people go out happily for practicing wonderful customs such as wearing new and traditional costumes while children wearing new clothes with innocent smile, and shaking hands with all people and visiting all relatives and giving them Assb (money that is given…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator An immigrant in Sweden, Salwan Momika, burnt the Quran on the first day of the Muslim holiday, Eid al Adha. He first stomped on the book, kicked it, wrapped it in bacon strips which is a forbidden food under Muslim laws, and then burnt the book while standing on a stage in front of onlookers outside a Mosque in Stockholm. Momika has said previously that he believed the Muslim religion had such a negative impact that the Quran should be banned globally. The United States, Morocco, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and many Muslim countries expressed…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Middle East is entering a new era, which is has seen the US side-lined while China and Saudi Arabia take new leadership positions. Gone are the days when a Middle Eastern monarch marched to orders written in the Oval Office. Newly exerted independence and diplomacy tracks have led to paths designed to support peace and prosperity in the region. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse has interviewed Kevork Almassian, Syrian political commentator and founder of Syriana Analysis. #1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia has taken an abrupt turn eastward.…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The largest migrant boat disaster recently off the coast of Greece involved 750 persons wanting to get to Germany and elsewhere in Europe. Though this was the largest tragedy, similar voyages are happening almost daily with loss of life. The US and EU sanctions prevent Syrians from a livelihood at home, and desperate people make deadly choices to feed their families. If sanctions were lifted, Syrians could find a job in the many reconstruction projects and new factories which could open if the sanctions were lifted, which currently prevent any reconstruction projects, or factories…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Astana peace talks for Syria began in 2017 and recently met in Kazakhstan on June 20-21. It surprised many when the Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Kanat Tumysh called the process over while saying the goals were achieved and declared that the 20th Astana meeting was the last. “Syria’s gradual emergence from isolation in the region could be regarded as a sign that the Astana process has completed its task,” he told reporters. The meeting was attended by Russian negotiator Alexander Lavrentyev, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar,…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on June 16. One of the items on their agenda was Lebanon, which has close historical and language ties to France. The tiny Mediterranean country has been in financial collapse for several years, and has been without a president at its helm since October 31, 2022. Lebanon suffers from financial problems linked to fraud accusations against the Central Bank chief, the military occupation of Shebaa Farms by Israel, and further suffers from a sectarian ruled political system that…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Hundreds of Syrian men, women and children have drowned early Wednesday in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Greece after the sinking of an Egyptian trawler headed for Italy. It is being called one of the deadliest migrant ship disasters in the Mediterranean Sea. As many as 750 persons were packed into the boat, with women and children under the deck, which may be why the 104 survivors were all young men. 78 bodies were recovered 75 kilometers offshore Kalamata, Greece. Nine Egyptian human traffickers have been arrested in Greece and blamed as…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Dr. Faisal Mekdad, Syria’s Foreign Minister, is in Saudi Arabia for meetings held on June 11 and 12, which marks his third visit to the Kingdom in the last three months. In April, he made his initial visit and accompanied President Assad to Jeddah to attend the Council of the League of Arab States summit on May 19. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MbS, promoted the aid and recovery of Syria through his position as host of the Arab League Summit in May. MbS asked for an Arab decision to bring…

By:Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Iranian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was “officially reopened” on June 6 after the momentous signing of a Saudi Arabian-Iranian normalization deal brokered by China in March. The winds of change have been blowing from East to West, bringing fresh air to the Middle East and reconciling tensions that had been exacerbated by foreign meddling. Next, we are waiting for the reopening of the embassy of Saudi Arabia in Tehran, and the exchange of ambassadors. Saudi Arabia and Iran had been enemies, but now these two powerful nations in the region are committed…