Author: Steven Sahiounie

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has lashed out at the Israeli regime for launching occasional airstrikes on the Syrian territory, noting that such strikes only lead to further escalation of tensions in the region. Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, which was published on Thursday. “Regarding arbitrary Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian territory, we have never concealed a negative attitude towards such actions that further destabilize the situation and could lead to an escalation,” Russia’s top diplomat said. The Zionist regime launches airstrikes on the Syrian territory from time to time. Such aggressive moves are usually viewed…

Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem says Syria is resolved to rid the entire Arab country of foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants. In a recent interview with Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen television news network, the top Syrian diplomat said “every inch” of the Syrian territory will be liberated from terrorists very soon. Al-Muallem said terrorists positioned in the country’s northwestern province of Idlib had lost “numerous opportunities for the settlement of crisis” after they failed to honor a ceasefire and continued to target civilian neighborhoods. His remarks came as Syria’s army launched ground operations inside Idlib and adjacent areas which are under the control of foreign-backed terrorists. Syria has stepped up its bombardment of militant hideouts…

By Prof. Vijay Prashad On 19 December 2018, an uprising began in Sudan. This uprising would culminate in the removal of Sudan’s president – Omar al-Bashir – from power on 11 April 2019. The army staged a conservative military coup to abort the revolutionary tide and keep the same old policies. It dissolved the parliament and established a two-year military regime led by the Transitional Military Council. The revolutionary forces – galvanized into the Alliance of Freedom and Change, with the Sudanese Communist Party and the Sudanese Professionals Association at the front – continued their march forward, determined to make a full revolution.…

By Sarah Abed Last week’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, presented the perfect opportunity for dialogue and diplomacy between the United States and Iran, in what would have been a historical meeting, the first of its kind between American and Iranian leadership, since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979. World leaders from France, Germany, Britain, among others attempted to bring the two world leaders together, to no avail. President Rouhani has said that he is ready to end a nuclear standoff with the United States, if they follow through with lifting sanctions. Last year, President Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015…

Russia has successfully tested its most advanced air-defense system, the S-500 Prometey, in Syria, according to the Russian daily Izvestia. Citing sources in the Russian Ministry of Defense, the outlet reported on October 2 that the test included the “ most important elements of the S-500.” The sources told Izvestia that experts identified “certain problems” with the system during the tests. However, they were quickly fixed and the tests were declared successful. “Special attention is paid to the smooth operation of all components … the equipment was tested in harsh technical and climatic conditions,” the outlet quoted former deputy commander-in-chief…

Senior US Trade Representative (USTR) officials revealed Wednesday that the US will be imposing new tariffs on European Union products, specifically on aircraft and agricultural goods, among others. A 10% tariff will be imposed on EU aircraft, while a 25% tariff will be placed on agricultural products and goods. The measure will take effect on October 18. A full list of the products to be struck with tariffs was subsequently released by the USTR. It includes hams, cheeses, olives and even Irish and Scotch whiskies, among other products. The bulk of US tariffs will impact the UK, France, Germany and Spain since…

Seven people have been killed and over 200 injured, as Iraqi security forces crack down on protests. Demonstrators angry over corruption and unemployment put a government building on fire in one of the cities. Iraqi counter-terrorism troops opened fire on protesters with live ammunition and tear gas outside Baghdad airport on Wednesday, according to a Reuters report. The crowd had apparently been trying to storm the airport, prompting the heavy-handed response. Elsewhere in the country, seven people have been killed and more than 200 injured in clashes with security forces this week. Gunfights broke out in Nassiriya and across the…

The world must take action if Iran sells oil to Damascus, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has stated, claiming that satellite images show an Iranian tanker transferring its cargo off the coast of Syria. In a tweet posted on Wednesday, Pompeo said there was reason to believe that an Iranian tanker, temporarily detained by British authorities in July, was selling oil to Syria, despite assurances from Tehran that it would not violate sanctions placed on the country. “Despite Iran FM Zarif’s promise to the UK that the #AdrianDarya1 would not deliver oil to Syria, it is now transferring oil…

US stocks fell on Wednesday for the second day in a row for a two-day loss of more than 800 points, only accelerating fears that an economic slowdown is on the horizon. US stock indices fell further on Wednesday, continuing a decline set in motion the day before following the worst manufacturing report in a decade. On Wednesday, however, a new report showed the labor market tightened in September, with employers hiring fewer new workers than in the previous month. The Dow Jones fell by 494.42 points, having fallen 343.79 points on Tuesday and being down 3% for the quarter. The Nasdaq…

By Andrew Korybko The 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China is a worthwhile time to reflect on its struggles and successes with a view towards better understanding where it’s headed across the coming future. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) celebrated its 70th anniversary on 1 October, which provides a worthwhile opportunity to reflect on the struggles and successes that it’s experienced since its founding. There’s no need to talk about what everyone already knows, namely that its economic growth over the past few decades is historically unprecedented and that it’s now the world’s second superpower…