Middle East

by Fady Noun | LEBANON - SYRIA - EU

Lebanon considers it ‘imperative’ that the Syrian refugees in the country, at least 1.5 million, be repatriated. The change of leadership in Damascus also changes their status. At the meeting of donor countries organised by the EU, the Foreign Minister calls for ‘stopping crisis management and starting to resolve the crisis’, starting with the sanctions that must be cancelled.

by Fady Noun

Kurdish and Druze conditional reintegration is an important sign for Ahmed al-Sharaa's Syria, despite great fragility. However, the draft constitution recognises Islamic law as the basis of legislation. Meanwhile, Israel tries to temp Druze in Suwayda. Alawite massacres cast a dark shadow.

| 14/03/2025
| LEBANON – ISRAEL – SYRIA

Abbas Soori, Mehran Shamloui and Narges Nasri, about halfway through her pregnancy, have been sentenced without extenuating circumstances. Among the charges: ‘activities contrary to Islamic law’, belonging to ‘opposition groups’ and ‘propaganda against the state’. In addition, additional penalties including fines, deprivation of civil rights and a ban on travelling abroad. Somayeh Rajabi released on bail of 40 thousand dollars.

| 13/03/2025
| IRAN
by Fady Noun

The representatives of the two countries agreed yesterday to start talks on the land border. The mediation of the United States was decisive, with the Israeli government then releasing five Lebanese detainees, including a member of Hezbollah. Surprise among the ranks of the Party of God, who tried to hinder the agreement by refusing disarmament and a diplomatic solution.

| 12/03/2025
| LEBANON - ISRAEL
by Dario Salvi

After days of violence and more than a thousand dead, including some Christians, the al-Sharaa government has declared the operation against the Alawites on the west coast of the country over. Damascus also signed a merger agreement with the Kurds. For the archbishop of Homs, peace requires an international presence and the end of sanctions. So far, the authorities have not fulfilled their promises.

| 11/03/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

Scores of Christians – priests, mothers, children – were caught up in the violence triggered by a revolt that broke out in Assad's former stronghold. In a message, Syrian patriarchs bemoan the “dangerous escalation of violence, torture and murder” against “innocent civilians, including women and children”. Syria’s Islamist president makes a belated appeal for unity. Fr Jihad calls for “fasting and prayers” for peace.

| 10/03/2025
| SYRIA
by Fr. Bajat Barakash *

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights speaks of over 500 victims in the last two days. The testimony of the Franciscan parish priest of Aleppo: ‘Despite the countless voices calling for a government that represents all components of Syrian society, no concrete action is seen. The weapons threaten to destroy what remains of our hope’.

| 08/03/2025
| SYRIA
Editor's choices
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
The Israeli academic and scholar of “intractable conflicts” talked to AsiaNews about the way the Gaza war is going and its consequences for Israeli society. Talking about peace today is considered a threat. Seventeen-year-olds “don't ...
| 18/03/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
by Giorgio Licini *
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| 18/03/2025
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by A Voice from Shanghai
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| 18/03/2025
| CHINA
 
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| 17/03/2025
| CENTRAL ASIA
 
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| 14/03/2025
| SRI LANKA
 
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| 13/03/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
by Stefano Vecchia
The former president was flown overnight to be arraigned before the International Criminal Court for “crimes against humanity”. His lawyers, family members and supporters tried to stop his departure. The trial risks further widening the gap ...
| 12/03/2025
| PHILIPPINES
 
by Fr. Bajat Barakash *
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights speaks of over 500 victims in the last two days. The testimony of the Franciscan parish priest of Aleppo: ‘Despite the countless voices calling for a government that represents all components of Syrian ...
| 08/03/2025
| SYRIA
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