Book series "Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society"​’s Post

The future of #Lebanon under #Trump. Support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, and even potential #Abraham_Accords between Lebanon and #Israel. But we must remember that the pathologies of non-state actors and militias left and right and the very non-statist non-Weberian approach in the Middle East over decades were perpetuated by U.S. administrations and a United States that constitutionally allows for militia formations within, and an Israel that didn’t want to see a strong Lebanese army next door, given that there hadn’t been a peace treaty between Lebanon and Israel. As I said years ago, Egypt will be the model for Lebanon and even Iran in the future: How to maintain a very strong army, rated among the strongest armies in the world, yet not be perceived as an expansionist threat to your neighbors; thereby maintaining an exclusively defensive and successfully deterrent posture. #Egypt is the example: An exclusively Weberian definition of the state: maintaining the monopoly over the legitimate use of violence within its territory. But also not posing an expansionist threat to its neighbors. #Israel has to be careful with this last part. It’s becoming the new Iran, perceived as replacing Iran in all these fronts. Israel’s projected image is a militarized theocracy. And any expansionist tendencies in the region do not last. They become resisted and entire projects are foiled once the rest of the players gang up against the one expansionist power that becomes full of itself.

#Turkey is helping the Syrian National Army (#SNA) transform into an organized army under civilian leadership as Turkey reorients its relationship with the Syrian opposition in the international arena. “SNA reforms, led by the SIG and supported by Turkey, will expand beyond the military sphere to the public sphere and civil society. The ultimate goal of reforming the SNA, which dominates the political, economic, and social spheres with its military power, is to create space for a self-sufficient political actor that organizes public policies. Withdrawing the SNA from the political sphere and turning it into a defense force under the rule of law will pressure the SIG to become a civilian political body subject to local and general elections,” explains Levent Kemal. Read his take highlighting the challenges and opportunities of reforming the Syrian opposition ⬇️

#Turkey is helping the Syrian National Army (#SNA) transform into an organized army under civilian leadership as Turkey reorients its relationship with the Syrian opposition in the international arena. “SNA reforms, led by the SIG and supported by Turkey, will expand beyond the military sphere to the public sphere and civil society. The ultimate goal of reforming the SNA, which dominates the political, economic, and social spheres with its military power, is to create space for a self-sufficient political actor that organizes public policies. Withdrawing the SNA from the political sphere and turning it into a defense force under the rule of law will pressure the SIG to become a civilian political body subject to local and general elections,” explains Levent Kemal. Read his take highlighting the challenges and opportunities of reforming the Syrian opposition ⬇️

Revolutionary Night – Assad's Regime Collapses in Syria 🔴 Rebels Take Damascus: Syrian rebels have captured the capital. Assad Flees: Assad has fled to an unknown location. Regime Declared Collapsed: Syria's Prime Minister announces the fall of Assad's regime. IDF Deploys: The IDF has entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria. Airstrikes Reported: Arab sources report the IDF struck advanced Syrian military weapons and targeted the border crossing near Qusayr. Rebels in Qusayr: Rebels have entered Qusayr, near the Syria-Lebanon border. Syrian Army Retreats: Assad's forces have withdrawn from the northeastern mountains of Latakia toward coastal cities.

Euphemisms aside, such as “mission” and “footprint," the U.S. remains in a shooting, deadly, toxic, traumatic, and expensive war in and around Iraq since August 1990. That’s about 34 years and two months. Will the U.S. actually “end” the Gulf War / Iraq War … again … or will the U.S. public suffer another humiliating kick and fall tease similar to Charlie Brown? From the Associated Press: WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced an agreement with the Iraqi government Friday to wrap up the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group by next year, with U.S. troops departing some bases that they have long occupied during a two-decade-long military presence in the country. But the Biden administration refused to provide details on how many of the approximately 2,500 U.S. troops still serving in Iraq will remain there or acknowledge it will mark a full withdrawal from the country.

U.S. troops in the Middle East: Soldiers in the line of fire By Cathrin Schaer Their original mission ended years ago, but U.S. soldiers are still stationed in Syria and Iraq. As regional tensions mount, some are questioning the ongoing U.S. military presence in the Middle East. https://lnkd.in/eRpDQeFD — Their original mission ended years ago, so why are US soldiers still operating in Iraq and Syria??mobileApp=true

#Turkey is helping the Syrian National Army (#SNA) transform into an organized army under civilian leadership as Turkey reorients its relationship with the Syrian opposition in the international arena. “SNA reforms, led by the SIG and supported by Turkey, will expand beyond the military sphere to the public sphere and civil society. The ultimate goal of reforming the SNA, which dominates the political, economic, and social spheres with its military power, is to create space for a self-sufficient political actor that organizes public policies. Withdrawing the SNA from the political sphere and turning it into a defense force under the rule of law will pressure the SIG to become a civilian political body subject to local and general elections,” explains Levent Kemal. Read his take highlighting the challenges and opportunities of reforming the Syrian opposition ⬇️

So who is attacking who in Syria in the last few days? The green is attacking the red. If you want to understand more about who is who please read the following post. Political-military situation in Syria 🟡In northeastern Syria, there is a Kurdish-dominated sector called the Syrian Democratic Forces, which has a situation similar to the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. The Syrian army is present in important cities in this sector, such as Hasakah and border centers with Turkey, and they have a balanced approach with Bashar al-Assad. 🟣In the northern parts of Syria, there are areas that were conquered by Turkish military operations and are the main center of presence of the Syrian Liberation Army. This group is run by the Syrian opposition and forces separated from the Syrian army, as well as Turkish political and military assistance. 🟢In the northwestern part of Syria, there is the Tahrir al-Sham, This group controls the important and strategic city of Idlib, Syria. This group is apparently opposed to Turkey, but in fact it provides all its weapons and needs through Turkey. ⚫️ In the east, towards the central regions of Syria, there are scattered ISIS cells, and if this area is neglected, there is a possibility of a new ISIS group forming in this area.

A Mass Withdrawal of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Iranian Militias is occurring from the City of Hama towards Homs, as Opposition Forces approach the City from the North. 1. Mass Withdrawal: This refers to a large-scale, coordinated movement of troops away from a specific area. In this context, it involves the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Iranian militias leaving the city of Hama. 2. Syrian Arab Army (SAA): This is the land force branch of the Syrian Armed Forces, loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. It has been a primary combatant in the Syrian Civil War. 3. Iranian Militias: These are groups sponsored or supported by Iran, often consisting of Shia fighters. They have been involved in the Syrian conflict to support the Assad regime, helping in various military operations across the country. 4. City of Hama: A significant city in west-central Syria, known historically and currently as a focal point during conflicts, including the ongoing civil war. 5. Homs: Another major city in Syria, located to the south of Hama. It has also been a significant site during the Syrian civil war, experiencing much conflict and destruction. 6. Opposition Forces: These are groups that oppose the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad. They include a wide range of factions, from moderate rebels to extremist groups, and have varying levels of support from foreign nations. 7. Approaching the City from the North: This indicates the direction from which the opposition forces are advancing towards Hama, implying a strategic movement to capture or influence the city. This context suggests a significant strategic shift in the ongoing Syrian conflict, with potential implications for the control and stability of the region. #internationalrelations #geopolitics #defense #security #syria #iran

Ukraine, you have our unwavering support. The latest #Eurobarometer results show that our citizens strongly support humanitarian, financial, and military assistance to Ukraine: ▪️ 92% of Lithuanians support the provision of humanitarian aid to the victims of Russia's war against Ukraine; ▪️ 9 out of 10 Lithuanians support the admission to the EU of people fleeing Ukraine; ▪️ 81% support EU financial support to Ukraine; ▪️ 80% support the purchase and transfer of military equipment to Ukraine. More results of the latest Standard Eurobarometer survey 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dPkuhRQd