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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Aug 14

Hi all! I will be off Bluesky / news platforms during maternity leave, but may periodically sneak back on during nap time 🤫. Follow @al-monitor.bsky.social and my great colleagues there as they bring you full, independent Middle East coverage. 🙏🏼 🌸

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Aug 5

Interesting here:
- China moving more openly on UNSC stage on a hot Middle East issue
- Trump going full distance in supporting Sharaa. US removed its own designation of HTS as FTO
- All happening before potential visit to Sharaa to NY next month

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Aug 5

💥NEWS: Trump admin. is lobbying to remove #Syria's Sharaa + HTS from UNSC terror-related sanctions...main obstacle: China. Interesting details @al-monitor.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

As Trump warms to Syria, US pushes UN to lift Sharaa sanctions

The move comes as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prepares to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month.

www.al-monitor.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Aug 4

Where we are: nowhere good
- Israeli cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss options among them occupation of Gaza
- Lebanon cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss Hezbollah weapons
- Iran defiant as IAEA visit looms, says no inspections
- Trump diplomacy making no progress on Gaza

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Aug 4

UPDATE:
• >600 Fmr Israeli officials ask Trump to end Gaza war
• Greece warns Turkey on EU loans
• Egypt holds Senate🗳️: Pro-Sisi
• Iran: No IAEA inspectors
• China to continue to buy Iranian oil
• Bibi-Putin 📞
• Tension in Suwayda, Syria www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Over 600 former Israeli security officials call on Trump to end Gaza war

Former Israeli security officials, including former heads of the Mossad, the Shin Bet internal security agency, the Israeli military, Israel police and ambassadors are pleading with Trump to pressure ...

www.al-monitor.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 30

Moving pieces on Syria
- Talks underway re Suwayda governance
- Israel-Syria normalization still long shot but direct talks re security arrangement in Sep. at UN
- Russians want to maintain mil foothold
- Azerbaijan using close ties to Turkey, Israel. Sharaa was there this month

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 30

UPDATE: #Syria FM ✈️ Russia
• First visit tomorrow
• Putin interested in keeping bases
• Shibani to stop in Baku to meet Israel's Dermer: AFP
• Week after France meeting www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Syria FM heads to Russia in first high-level Moscow visit post Assad

As the new Syrian government looks to redefine its ties with Moscow, Russia aims to maintain its naval and air bases in Syria.

www.al-monitor.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 29

"The intention is to first annex territories in the perimeter & buffer zone, along Israel’s border,” a security source told
@al-monitor.bsky.social "and if that doesn't help, then annex areas along the northern boundary, between the Palestinian urban area and Israel."

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 29

🚨NEW: Israeli delegation in Washington is discussing 3 Gaza proposals with White House:
1- Annexation
2- Siege
3- Population transfers
Netanyahu increasingly feeling bogged down 'desperate' to change situation vs Hamas. Details www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Annexation, siege or transfers: Netanyahu's 3 options as Israel's Gaza quagmire deepens

With world focused on starvation in Gaza, Israel consults with US on options for ending conflict, including annexing parts of the territory to appease extremist ministers.

www.al-monitor.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 28

BEIRUT: Feyrouz, the legend, makes appearance at her son’s funeral, Ziad Rahbani. Something heart-wrenching, yet also healing about seeing Feyrouz (90) whose life and hardship is intertwined with Lebanon’s… www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

In rare appearance, Fairuz mourns son Ziad Rahbani as Lebanon bids farewell

Legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz attended the funeral of her son, renowned composer and playwright, Ziad Rahbani, at a church in a town north of Beirut, in her first public appearance in years.

www.al-monitor.com

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Reposted by Joyce Karam

Al-Monitor @al-monitor.bsky.social · Jul 26

Ziad Rahbani, enfant terrible of Lebanese stage and song, dies at 69 www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Ziad Rahbani, enfant terrible of Lebanese stage and song, dies at 69

Renowned Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani, son of music icon Fairuz and pioneer of Oriental jazz, died on Saturday aged 69 after revolutionising Lebanese theatre and music."On Saturday at…

www.al-monitor.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 24

Don't underestimate public sentiment around Gaza in both Europe and Arab world. France has often tried to capitalize, present itself in different light from US (Iraq war etc.). Macron picked day when Gaza talks collapsed, after he met Lebanon PM Nawaf Salam (fmr ICJ prez) to announce.

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 24

Why France is going for recognition of Palestine:
- Gaza war getting worse, negotiations faltered again
- France sees void on int'l stage on issue
- Strong FR coordination w Arab states esp. Saudi Arabia,UAE
- Tension high with Netanyahu gov.
- Improved ties, commitments from PA

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 24

🚨 JUST IN: FRANCE to recognize Palestine as a state, major break with US, most powerful EU country to do so. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Macron declares France will recognize Palestine as a state

Macron said he will formalize the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

www.al-monitor.com

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Reposted by Joyce Karam

Richard Gowan @richardgowan1.bsky.social · Jul 24

I talk to @joycekaram.bsky.social about the U.S., China and @unesco.org.
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...

How US exit from UNESCO helps China

China is poised to expand its influence within UNESCO and the broader UN as the Trump administration once again retreats from the agency.

www.al-monitor.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 24

While US accused UNESCO of pushing “woke” policies, the org. has worked close with China to promote opposite. With its funding no longer dependent on US, expect this trend to continue. You can subscribe to China-MidEast NL here

al-monitor.com/newsletter/sub…

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 24

🗞️NEW: How #China benefits from Trump’s pullout of UNESCO

• Expand footprint inside UN
• Push agenda on BRI, Heritage sites
• Use org in Global South
• Partner with Mideast, EU inside 🇺🇳
• Expert: A blow to counter-China bipartisan wing www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...

How US exit from UNESCO helps China

China is poised to expand its influence within UNESCO and the broader UN as the Trump administration once again retreats from the agency.

www.al-monitor.com

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Reposted by Joyce Karam

Al-Monitor @al-monitor.bsky.social · Jul 24

NEW: How US exit from UNESCO helps China
@joycekaram.bsky.social & @roscarroll.bsky.social explore this in the latest dispatch for Al-Monitor China.
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...

How US exit from UNESCO helps China

China is poised to expand its influence within UNESCO and the broader UN as the Trump administration once again retreats from the agency.

www.al-monitor.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 19

The US brokered ceasefire has verbal support from stakeholders but on ground it’s a different story.
Sharaa in a bind: he can’t upset the Bedouin tribes but he needs to give guarantees to reassure the Druze.
This is his (and Syria’s) most challenging crisis since Assad’d fall.

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 19

UPDATE: #Syria

• Clashes inside Suwayda city between Bedouin tribes & Druze fighters
• Ceasefire (third) not holding
• Videos of looting, bodies in streets
• Gov security deploys outside Suwayda
• Sharaa thanks US, rejects partition
• Attempts to stop fighting in Suwayda

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 18

Main divergence between Trump and Netanyahu is Washington views events in Suwayda "as a local clan war" a senior Israeli diplomatic source told @al-monitor.bsky.social , while Israel sees it as threat to Druze and its interests in southern Syria.

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 18

NEWS: Senior Trump official voiced US displeasure to Israel over #Syria - Druze events: 'You can’t embark on a new war every few days', official said as Washington tries to protect its interests with Sharaa. Details: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

'You can’t embark on new war every few days': Israel-US daylight grows over Syria Druze, Sharaa

The Israeli prime minister is being pressed by the Trump administration to avoid escalating the situation in Syria but also by Israeli Druze to protect their brethren there.

www.al-monitor.com

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 17

Without agreements that Sharaa has to forge with Syrian minorities, transition will remain fragile. Goes hand in hand with dealing w foreign fighters in security, ending impunity for all.
Israel will continue to act brazenly. Why? because it can and wants foothold in South. 3/3

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 17

• Druze not one faction, well armed but were left exposed in fighting

• Israel took opening to tip scales, score points w minority

• Trump caught off guard; Turkey faced w limited leverage in South

• Fragmentation of Syria real risk with no political understandings 2/3

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Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Jul 17

🧵#Syria: Lessons from Suwayda

• Sharaa overreached, miscalculated, had to retreat

• Sharaa still has no control over rogue Jihadist elements in new Syrian army

• Sharaa had to cede control to Druze, local leaders. Pragmatic

• Only way forward is political concessions 1/3

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