(2020-09-21). Russian jets strike rebel-held bastion in northwestern Syria. middleeasteye.net 
Russian jets strike rebel-held bastion in northwestern Syria | Witnesses say Sunday's bombings in Idlib were the most extensive since a ceasefire was agreed in March by Russia and Turkey | Mon, 09/21/2020 – 10: 39 | Smoke billows following a reported Russian air strike on the western countryside of the mostly rebel-held Syrian province of Idlib, on 20 September 2020 (AFP) | Syrian oppositi…
(2020-09-21). Arabic press review: Kuwait renews its rejection of normalisation with Israel. middleeasteye.net 
Arabic press review: Kuwait renews its rejection of normalisation with Israel | Meanwhile, UAE rabbi blows a shofar to mark Jewish new year in Dubai, and Lebanon faces severe shortages of essential medicine | Mon, 09/21/2020 – 14: 08 | Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim speaks inside the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Kuwait City on 15 May 2018 to protest against the US decis…
(2020-09-21). US sanctions in Syria are killing people, even if Trump never killed Assad. therealnews.com 
U.S. sanctions are "stopping any rebuilding of Syria" and "promoting civil wars," says Joshua Landis, a University of Oklahoma Middle East scholar. He says rather than hurting Assad, sanctions have hurt Syrian civilians.
(2020-09-21). Deux obstacles au succès de la France au Liban : l'Arabie saoudite et les USA. thealtworld.com Un responsable américain de la lutte antiterroriste a affirmé que le Hezbollah ´ entrepose du nitrate d'ammonium en France, en Italie, en Grèce, en Espagne et en Suisse ª. Le ministère des Affaires étrangères de la France a répondu que ces allégations étaient fausses, portant ainsi un coup direct à l'administration américaine, qui travaille de connivence avec Bruxelles pour mettre les ailes militaires et politiques du Hezbollah sur la liste des organisations terroristes de l'UE. La France possède une influence suffisante dans les couloirs de l'Union européenne et du Parlement européen pour faire obstac…
(2020-09-21). Obstacles to French success in Lebanon: Saudi Arabia and the US. thealtworld.com A US counterterrorism official has claimed that Hezbollah "is stocking ammonium nitrate in France, Italy, Greece, Spain and Switzerland". The French Foreign Ministry responded that these allegations were untrue. Consequently, it dealt a direct blow to the American administration, which is working in Brussels to place Hezbollah with its military and political wings on the EU's terrorist list. France enjoys enough influence within the corridors of the European Union and the European Parliament to stand as an impediment to the American plans. For France, it is not a matter of love or support for Hezbollah, but rathe…
(2020-09-21). 77% conflict-hit people lost income amid virus: Study. yenisafak.com The Norwegian Refugee Council's report — titled Downward Spiral: the economic impact of Covid-19 on refugees and displaced people — said a survey was conducted in Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Uganda and Venezuela and additional research in Somalia, DR Congo, Lebanon, Jordan, Burkina Faso and Yemen."The devastating economic impact is tipping many into a hunger, homelessness and education crisis," it said.According to the findings from the 1,413 people surveyed, 77% of people had lost a job or income from work since March, 70% of people had to cut the number of meals for their househ…
(2020-09-21). Turkey supports rural development projects in Lebanon. yenisafak.com Turkey's state-run aid agency is continuing to support projects in Lebanon to end unemployment and poverty caused by economic crisis. | Orhan Aydin, the coordinator of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Lebanon, on Monday said they were providing training and necessary materials such as chickens, feedstuff and medicine for poultry farming to Lebanese housewives. | He said the aid was meant to improve rural development, agriculture and husbandry in the Middle Eastern country. | Aydin said local people have had an opportunity to produce and trade chickens and eggs. | At least 50 people receiv…
(2020-09-20). Coronavirus: Lebanon reports record 1,006 cases in 24 hours. middleeasteye.net 
Coronavirus: Lebanon reports record 1,006 cases in 24 hours | Eleven deaths from Covid-19 also announced in crisis-hit country as minister calls for new two-week lockdown | Sun, 09/20/2020 – 22: 22 | A nurse tends to a patient suffering from Covid-19 in an intensive care unit at the Rafik Hariri public hospital in the Lebanese capital Beirut on 7 April 2020 (AFP) | Lebanon on Sunday said i…
(2020-09-20). Maronite Christian patriarch takes swipe at Lebanon's Shia leaders over cabinet delay. middleeasteye.net 
Maronite Christian patriarch takes swipe at Lebanon's Shia leaders over cabinet delay | Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai blamed 'a sect' for the 'political paralysis' in forming a new government | Sun, 09/20/2020 – 12: 51 | Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai speaks after meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda (Reuters) | The head o…
(2020-09-20). Three new ambassadors submit credentials to Zarif. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 20 (MNA) — The new ambassadors of Iraq, Denmark, and Norway submitted copies of their credentials to the Iranian Foreign Minister on Sunday.
(2020-09-20). US policies against JCPOA completely failed. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 20 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to the UK Hamid Baeidinejad said that the US is facing unprecedented isolation and its policies against the JCPOA have completely failed.
(2020-09-19). Extrajudicial Executions Portrayed as "An Instrument of Peace". Trump Wanted to "Take Out" Syria's President Assad… globalresearch.ca President Donald Trump wants to take out president Bashar Al Assad. Controversy over his statements. | "I would've rather taken him out. I had him all set"… Mattis didn't want to do it" | . | Déjà Vu: The history of extrajudicial assassinations…
(2020-09-19). Damascus berates Dutch legal action on human rights record. middleeasteye.net 
Damascus berates Dutch legal action on human rights record | The Netherlands has launched a bid through international bodies to hold the Syrian government to account for abuses | Sat, 09/19/2020 – 13: 36 | The Syrian government stands accused of committing widespread human rights abuses (AFP) | The Syrian government berated the Netherlands on Saturday for launching a new bid through intern…
(2020-09-19). US army announces new deployments in Syria. middleeasteye.net 
US army announces new deployments in Syria | The move follows a collision between Russian and American vehicles which left seven American soldiers injured | Sat, 09/19/2020 – 10: 36 | Armoured vehicles have been sent as part of the reinforcements (AFP) | The US Army announced Friday it was stepping up its military deployment in northeastern Syria despite a push to limit its presence there,…
(2020-09-19). Trump Had Contemplated Ordering the Assassination of Bashar al-Assad. globalresearch.ca Donald Trump
(2020-09-19). Vienna to host 64th IAEA General Conference. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 19 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to Vienna-Based International Organizations said that the 64th Annual Regular Session of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference will be held in tAustrian capital Vienna on Mon. Sept. 21.
(2020-09-19). At least nine still missing after Beirut port blast: Lebanon army. yenisafak.com The Lebanese army said on Saturday that nine people were still missing after last month's explosion at the Beirut port.A military statement said that two Syrian nationals were among those still missing after the port blast."This file will not be closed as long as investigations continue," the statement said.On Aug. 4, a huge explosion in the port of Beirut rocked the city, killing 192 people and injuring over 6,000 people.The blast caused damage estimated at $15 billion, according to official figures.The explosion occurred as Lebanon was experiencing its worst economic crisis, including a dramatic drop in the val…
(2020-09-19). Attack foiled as explosives-laden car found in NW Syria. yenisafak.com A potential terrorist attack was thwarted as authorities seized a vehicle rigged with explosives in northwestern Syria on Saturday.A car found in Syria's Afrin region was fitted with 75 kilograms (165 pounds) of explosives connected to mobile phones for remote detonation, according to a statement by the governor's office of Turkey's southern Hatay province.Police in Afrin received intelligence reports that a bomb-laden vehicle prepared in the Tal Rifat region, under the control of the PYD/YPG/PKK terrorist organization, was sent to the Operation Olive Branch area in Afrin for an attack on security forces or civil…
(2020-09-18). 'Mugged and robbed': Worried Lebanese turn to buying guns amid soaraway crime. middleeasteye.net 
'Mugged and robbed': Worried Lebanese turn to buying guns amid soaraway crime | As the economy sinks and crime rises, citizens are doing what they say was previously unthinkable, arming themselves | Fri, 09/18/2020 – 09: 26 | A man is seen stealing nappies and some petty cash at a local pharmacy in Beirut (Screengrab) | "Come on you, put them in the bag," a man in a surgical mask and holding…
(2020-09-18). Coups on allies: HTS rids Syria's Idlib of opponents. middleeasteye.net 
Coups on allies: HTS rids Syria's Idlib of opponents | HTS was a magnet for foreign fighters from Europe, but now they are in its prisons as part of the group's efforts to gain international support | Fri, 09/18/2020 – 11: 59 | The car of a Hurras al-Deen second-ranked leader after being targeted in Idlib by the international coalition on 14 September (MEE/Ali Haj Suleiman)
| At the foot of…
(2020-09-18). UN calls on Turkey to investigate possible war crimes in northern Syria. middleeasteye.net 
UN calls on Turkey to investigate possible war crimes in northern Syria | UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said there was an 'alarming pattern in recent months of grave violations' | Fri, 09/18/2020 – 21: 51 | The UN said increased infighting among the various Turkish-affiliated armed groups was causing civilian casualties (AFP/File photo) | The United Nations on Friday urged Turkey t…
(2020-09-18). Washington deploys armored vehicles to Syria & steps up air patrols after dust-up with Russian forces. rt.com 
The Pentagon has sent a number of armored vehicles, radar systems and additional troops to Syria in a show of force, bolstering the US military presence in the country following a run-in with Russian forces last month. | The deployments, accompanied by increased air patrols over eastern Syria, were announced by US Central Command on Friday. | "The United States has deployed Sentinel radar, increased the frequency of US fighter patrols over US forces, and deployed Bradley Fighting Vehicles to augment US forces in the Eastern Syria Security Area (ESSA)," CENTCOM spokesman Captain Bill Urban said in a statement,…
(2020-09-18). New US Ambassador to Germany Attracts the Usual Enemies: Doug Macgregor Feels the Wrath of the Pro-Israeli Lobby. globalresearch.ca There is an old saying that allegedly came out of the French Revolution, that revolution, like the god Saturn, devours its own children. It was reportedly uttered by Georges Danton at the trial that preceded his execution and could be …
(2020-09-18). 'Substantive' talks on new constitution bring hope of forging path out of Syria's near decade-long conflict. news.un.org While deep distrust persists among warring parties in Syria, a "faint but real ray of hope" emerged with the convening in Geneva of the Constitutional Committee after a nine-month hiatus, the top UN envoy helping chart a path out of the near decade-long conflict, told the Security Council on Friday.
(2020-09-18). UN and partners promote sport as a tool to prevent violent extremism. news.un.org Ambassadors, senior UN officials, representatives of global sports organizations, and managers of some of the world's top athletes met virtually on Friday to underline the role that sport can play in combating violent extremism and radicalization.
(2020-09-18). UN rights chief calls for Turkey to probe violations in northern Syria. news.un.org The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged Turkey to launch an immediate independent investigation into violations and abuses committed in parts of north, northwest and northeast Syria, which are under the control of its forces and affiliated armed groups.
(2020-09-18). Russia breaks the US 'Caesar Act' and Syria refuses the Lebanese & Iraqi models. thealtworld.com Russia is showing its willingness to consolidate its role as a superpower and its readiness to challenge the United States of America. Moscow will not return to the lethargy that began after Perestroika and lasted for two long decades (from 1991 until 2011). Its decision to wake up and return to the world stage began in Syria. It was 2015 when it sent its military forces to protect its interests and allies and to fight terrorism in the Levant. Today, it has sent its ´ diplomatic heavies ª to Damascus, President Vladimir Putin's envoy, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavro…
(2020-09-18). Israel regime's nuclear weapons threat to world's security. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 18 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to the Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi said that the Zionist regime's acquisition of nuclear weapons is a serious threat to the security and stability of the region and the world.
(2020-09-17). Israeli newspaper rows back on Friedman quote on Dahlan. middleeasteye.net 
Israeli newspaper rows back on Friedman quote on Dahlan | US ambassador originally quoted as saying Washington was considering supporting the former Fatah leader as Palestinian president | Thu, 09/17/2020 – 10: 55 | David Friedman predicted that the normalisation deals marked the beginning of the end of 'the Arab-Israeli conflict' (AFP) | An Israeli newspaper has rowed back on a quote by US Ambassador David Fr…
(2020-09-17). Iran urges termination of foreign interference in Afghanistan. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 17 (MNA) — The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan underlined the significance of putting an end to all sorts of external interventions in Afghanistan.
(2020-09-17). Turkey fights for justice as region demands it, says Erdogan. yenisafak.com Critics of Turkish foreign policy should stop accusing Ankara and instead oppose the conditions in the region that make it necessary for Turkey to champion peace and justice, said the nation's president on Thursday."They say, 'Why is Turkey involved in Syria, Libya, the Eastern Mediterranean, Africa, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Central Asia?" Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a group of ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's provincial heads at party headquarters in the capital Ankara.But, he added, "If Turkey retreats, will Syria enjoy peace and freedom?…"If Turkey turns its back to what is happening in Libya,…
(2020-09-17). France, Lebanon at stalemate over proposed deadline. yenisafak.com French President Emmanuel Macron expressed disappointment Wednesday over Lebanon's failure to form a new government by mid-September in accordance with a schedule laid out by both countries.The agreement on Sept. 1 came in the wake of a colossal explosion at the main port in the capital Beirut on Aug. 4 after 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate left untended for years ignited in a warehouse there. The chemical compound is often used in making bombs and fertilizer.The explosion, felt for miles, left 190 dead, 6,500 injured — including 19 French citizens — and 300,000 displaced.Macron visited Beirut two days after the…