King Salman

Syrians reject the US ‘regime change’ and re-elect President Assad

https://www.mideastdiscourse.com/2021/05/28/syrians-reject-the-us-regim… Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was re-elected to a fourth term in office, his second term under the 2012 constitution, with 95.1% of the votes, according to Hamouda Sabbagh, the head of parliament. Sabbagh announced the results in a news conference on Thursday, saying voter turnout was around 78%, […]

Syria comes in from the cold: Saudi-Syria relationship warms up

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is embarking on a new beginning that could change the Middle East.   To enhance security and stability, a Saudi delegation headed by the head of the intelligence service, Lieutenant General Khaled Al-Humaidan, visited Damascus on Monday and met Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and […]

“There is no longer any political legitimacy for the Crown Prince,” says fiancée

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator President Joe Biden has disappointed human rights activists, journalists, and many in Congress who expected him to exact a punishment on Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) in the gruesome murder of Jamal Khashoggi.  While sanctions were placed on 76 Saudi nationals as a result of the newly released […]

Yemeni journalist: “Saudi Arabia failed in Yemen despite US support”

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Yemen has suffered through a violent war on its population by forces backed by Saudi Arabia for nearly seven years, during which 233,000 people have been killed, and has left the majority of the civilians’ dependent on aid, according to the UN. The Saudi-led Arab coalition, supported by the […]

Will Syria benefit from the recent Gulf unity?

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator With an end to the Qatar blockade and a possible rapprochement with Turkey, Saudi Arabia may soon move towards reconciliation with Syria. The Persian Gulf states’ opposition to Iran’s role in the region, while limiting Turkey’s influence, may bring Saudi Arabia and the Gulf back to Damascus. The Gulf […]

Gulf unity as the curtain falls on the Trump term

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Persian Gulf monarchies have met today at the 41st annual six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held at Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia.  This marks the first step toward ending a three-year diplomatic crisis that divided US defense partners. “The 41st summit marks the beginning of a new chapter for the GCC […]

Finally, a Woman Leader Speaks at the UN General Assembly Debate: Slovakia

President Zuzana Caputova of Slovakia was the first woman to speak at the opening of the 75th General Assembly session, more than 50 speakers in. The dearth of women speaking at the virtual gathering generated lament if not outrage on social media sites. JOHN PENNEY
A pre-recorded statement from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s President Sefik Dzaferovic kicked off Day 2 of the 75th General Assembly, and like many other world leaders, he called for heightened multilateralism amid today’s pandemic and global conflicts.