May, 2022

• 21 May

  Iran vows harsh crackdown on economic protests

  

  Despite a massive security presence, many Iranian cities continue to witness rallies triggered by soaring prices, with protesters chanting slogans against the country’s top leadership. Deputy commander of Iran’s police Brig. Gen. Qasem Rezaee issued a severe warning against Iranian protesters infuriated by a sharp steep in prices of basic …

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• 21 May

  In Washington, Israeli defense minister reiterates warnings on Iran

  

  The Iranian nuclear program and its support of regional and global terror were the focus of the meeting in Washington May 19 between Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. On a work visit to the United States, Defense Minister Benny Gantz met May 19 in …

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• 21 May

  Jordan Accuses Syrian Regime of Supporting Drug Traffickers

  

  Undisciplined forces in the Syrian regime’s army and security services are supporting drug traffickers, Jordan said, according to Syria TV. The Jordanian army accused undisciplined forces in the Syrian regime’s army and security services of supporting drug traffickers and carrying out smuggling operations, noting that “Jordan’s border with Syria is …

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• 21 May

  Jordan Concerns Over Iran Filling Vacuum Left By Russians In Syria

  

  King Abdullah II warned that Iran and its proxies may fill a vacuum left by Russia in southern Syria, according to North Press. Jordan’s King Abdullah II warned on Wednesday that Iran and its proxies may fill a vacuum left by Russia in southern Syria which could lead to issues …

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• 21 May

  How the Ukraine War is Advancing Iran Influence in Syria

  

  Earlier this month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad paid a surprise visit to Tehran, where he met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi. This was Assad’s second visit to Iran since Syria’s civil war broke out in 2011. In Tehran, Khamenei told the Syrian president that Damascus …

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• 21 May

  Pedersen in Damascus on Saturday to Discuss Eighth Round of Constitutional Committee

  

  Geir Pedersen arrives in Damascus on Saturday for a two-day visit during which he will meet with Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad, according to al-Watan. UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, arrives in Damascus on Saturday for a two-day visit during which he will meet with Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad. …

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• 21 May

  Erdogan Insists on Changing Northern Syria Demographics

  

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his regime’s insistence on implementing a plan to transfer Syrian refugees to northern Syria, according to al-Watan. On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his regime’s insistence on implementing a plan to change demographics in northern Syria. Erdogan announced that his regime has …

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• 21 May

  Pro-Assad Figures Ousted from Parliament in Lebanon

  

  In many aspects, the results of the Lebanese elections last Sunday were surprising. Not only because of the score achieved by the groups representing the 17th of October uprising, which were able to seize 14 out of the 128 seats in parliament, but also because voters eliminated many figures, central …

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• 21 May

  The Time to Incentivize the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue is Now

  

  There is a window of opportunity for the EU to revive the stalled dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo – against the backdrop of war in Ukraine and with strong governments in Paris and Berlin. The Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process is lagging again. The last time that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and …

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• 21 May

  Democracy Digest: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, by Viktor Orban

  

  The Hungarian prime minister’s irascibility gets the better of him, while the Slovak and Polish presidents put their weight behind a plan to grant Ukraine EU candidate status. Horse trading over the EU’s contested sixth sanctions package, mostly the oil embargo against Russia, continued in Hungary this week, with a …

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