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Gulf Insider
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
US Pressures Syria To Normalize Ties with Israel
President Trump believes Syria may soon join the Abraham Accords, based on comments given to reporters by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday. The reasoning seems to be that with Assad out, this provides an opportunity to control the outcome and force Damascus to make peace with Israel. After all, Syria under the Assad family was the single fiercest, longtime enemy of Israel, with a de facto state of war on for half-a-century, centered on the occupied Golan told reporters that Trump remains optimistic about expanding the peace agreement. She confirmed that the president brought up the issue directly with Syria's new de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa (aka. US-terror designated Jolani) during this Riyadh visit and Gulf tour. 'One of President Trump's main requests during his meeting with President Sharaa was for Syria to join the Abraham Accords,' Leavitt said. 'Achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East is a core objective for this administration.' Sharaa had reportedly told US Representative Cory Mills during a visit in April that Syria was open to joining the accords under the 'right conditions.' US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack has also been bringing the pressure. He has recently referenced quiet discussions with Damascus underway, amid the reopening of the ambassador's residence in Damascus – a first since 2012. Barrack encouraged the international community to give Syria's new leadership 'an opportunity to prove its new direction.' However, so far the government stacked with Jolani's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham members has turned a blind eye to massacres targeting Alawites, Christians, and Druze – along the coast and in Damascus and elsewhere. Sadly, this whole ugly reality seems to be missing from White House statements. Why didn't Trump name as a firm condition the protection of churches, for example, as a basis for dropping sanctions on Syria? Just last week Mar Elias Orthodox Church in Damascus was attacked by a suicide bomber, resulting in the deaths of 25 people and scores more wounded. Following the church bombing in Damascus, unknown individuals wrote "You're next" on the walls of Mar Elias Church in Kfarboum, Hama countryside. — Beirut Wire (@beirutwire) June 22, 2025 What government is looking out for Syria's religious minorities? Certainly Washington appears to have shrugged as Damascus' new hardline Sunni masters engage in deal-making, and a blind eye is turned to their ISIS and Al-Qaeda read: White House Says Trump To Decide On Attacking Iran 'Within Next 2 Weeks'
Al-Ahram Weekly
08-03-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Trump appoints Lebanese-American businessman Michel Issa as US ambassador to Lebanon - Region
US President Donald Trump announced Friday that he had selected Michel Issa, a businessman of Lebanese origin, to be the US ambassador to Lebanon. Trump praised his selection, calling him an "outstanding businessman, a financial expert, and a leader with a remarkable career in banking, entrepreneurship, and international trade," in a post on his social networking platform. Truth Social. According to LBC International, Issa, born in a Lebanese village near Beirut, spent his childhood in the capital before moving to Paris and later New York. He is now retired and lives in Florida. "I have no doubt that he will serve our country with honor and distinction," Trump added. "Congratulations, Michel!" U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he has chosen Michel Issa to be the United States Ambassador to Lebanon. Trump wrote on Truth Social: Michel is a prominent businessman, financial expert, and leader with an outstanding career in banking, entrepreneurship, and… — Beirut Wire (@beirutwire) March 8, 2025 Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
