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DECEMBER 2024

Levant, A Knot Of Insoluble Contradictions: Latest Developments And Political Forecast

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Levant, A Knot Of Insoluble Contradictions: Latest Developments And Political Forecast

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  Syria

The current map of this country, with some reservations, is looking more and more like the 100-year-old map of the French Mandate of Syria and Lebanon.

As the conflict there has progressed, the chances of the country to remain united have plummeted. A century ago, six new countries could have emerged in its place, and some of them may now get a second chance for statehood.

In the worst-case scenario, Syria could split into several parts. One of them could be “the Kurdish-populated north-east”.

Clashes between the Turkey and U.S. proxy forces have already caused an angry reaction in Washington. The pro-Kurdish lobby, which is particularly strong in the team of incoming President Donald Trump, is already threatening Ankara with sanctions in case a large conflict with the Kurds erupts. At the same time, the Israeli lobby in the United States is agitating for the idea of creating Kurdistan.

The second contender for independence is the Alawites of Latakia in the northwest of the country. They are separated from the rest of Syria, albeit by small mountains, and also have access to the sea. They will get particular attention because of Russian military bases and important ports in Latakia.

The Great Syrian Desert stands out against this backdrop, with an innumerable militants in the area. These are gigantic, sparsely populated territories. It is difficult to form a state there. It is equally difficult to catch all the militants there because they are backed by part of the local population.

Damascus, the oldest inhabited capital in the world, is now in new hands. On December 14, 2024, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian administration, formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani, now called al-Sharaa, gave a big interview to the Qatari channel al-Jazeera. His main talking points were as follows:

  • the MoD will dissolve all Syrian armed groups;
  • the new administration has close contacts with Christians and Druzes;
  • the transitional government has a plan to correct the mistakes of the ousted president’s regime;
  • Israel “violated the demarcation line with Syria” on the Golan Heights, and there is no argument from the Jewish state that justifies the invasion (on Dec. 7-8, Israeli troops crossed the Syrian border in the Golan Heights for the first time in over half a century. Meeting no resistance, the they took control of the Syrian side of the Hermon mountain range).

Along with the typical phrases about “world peace and building a new Syria,” the current authorities have designated their geopolitical vector quite clear: they do not intend to enter into a conflict with Israel (if it stops its advance deep into Syrian territory), are negotiating with the UK on the reopening of its embassy, and “give Russia a chance to reconsider its relations with the Syrian people.”

  Lebanon

The cease-fire in Lebanon turned out to be another tactical move on the way to achieving Israel’s main goal, which it declared years ago – the elimination of the threat posed by Iran.

Whether the attack by armed opposition forces was initiated by Israel or the US is not known. So far, these are only theories, but the fact remains that Bashar al-Assad has lost his power, and the air defense systems that could deter Israeli planes and missiles on their way to Iran are no longer operational. It is also symbolic that Benjamin Netanyahu has already issued a propaganda appeal to the people of Iran against the Ayatollahs’ regime.

As for Hezbollah, its military potential has apparently not yet completely depleted. Only the top commanders have been eliminated, but new people will soon take their place.  The movement’s stockpile of missiles is highly likely quite substantial, since Hezbollah is not Hamas, which has been “locked up” in Gaza. Hezbollah has all of Lebanon for warehouses, factories and workshops. Why do they keep a low profile? Not because they are complying with the ceasefire. Everyone realizes that a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran is inevitable, which is why Hezbollah is storing ammunition and preparing its high-precision missiles. Hezbollah’s underground facilities are very deeply buried, much better equipped and more ready than we saw it in Gaza.

At the same time, Iran is objectively weakened now, and there may not be a better time to attack its nuclear facilities.

  Palestine

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump held a telephone conversation. They discussed the current situation in the Middle East. Details of their conversation are not yet available, but, as the saying goes, sapienti sat.

Recall that on December 8, the Israeli army announced that it had taken positions in the buffer zone on the Golan Heights, since 1974 separating the territories under Israeli and Syrian control. Netanyahu assured that this is a temporary defensive measure aimed at stopping potential threats to his country in the Syrian direction. He also emphasized that the troops will remain there until Israel has security guarantees on the border.

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Martillo

the abomination in occupied palestine will have to be destroyed before there is peace in the region. this time the demon has bitten off more than it can swallow. meanwhile nut’nyahoo flounders in blood as the zionazi stain extends into syria. $atan is out of control. the end of the beast approaches as the orange man threatens iran. karma will not be denied.

hash
hashed
Daniel

you talk religion which until now has never helped palestine , lebanon, syria, iraq or iran! this is because religious thinking is incapable of understanding the reality as objective! where is that god that would help you?!

hasbarats

the jews greatest weaknesses is their arrogance and delusions of grandeur. every day, their list of enemies grows, just like the americans. they are hated globally. many jews are getting nose jobs and changing their surnames. not because they are winning but because they understand what the future has in store for them

DrunkenDimitri

🫵🤡 😆😆😆

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