MENA Weekly

December 16, 2024

Blinken to Tour Middle East

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed a Gaza ceasefire with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan after a joint press conference at the minister’s headquarters in Ankara. Following meetings with Jordan and Turkey, Blinken is set to tour the Middle East, stopping recently in Iraq and, potentially, Syria, citing “direct contact” with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels.

Last Monday, Secretary Blinken stated that the Islamic State would try to use this period to re-establish its capabilities in Syria. The United States has reaffirmed ist desire to see Syria transition into a politically inclusive state, with respect for minority groups such as the Kurdish, Yazidi, and Syriac. Conflicts in Syria’s north between the Turkish-supported rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which are backed by the United States, were another important topic of discussion.

In Syria, schools have reopened and Syrian Christians are attending Sunday services, despite hesitance about the new authority’s minority protections.

A Middle East Policy article by Samer Bakkour and Gareth Stansfield examines ISIS’s attempt at state building in Syria and its inherent weaknesses. 

Israel-Gaza War

An Israeli strike on a former UN school in Gaza’s Khan Younis killed at least 20 people (including children) on Monday morning, according to Palestinians health officials. Israel stated that it struck Hamas militants, referring to the compound as a training camp. Netanyahu recently asserted that Israel must “complete its victory” during a conversation with president-elect Donald Trump regarding a hostage release, as the rest of the Israeli government approves the plan for the Golan Heights occupation. Within the last 24 hours, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed or wounded more than 250 Palestinians.

In Ireland, Israel is shutting its embassy down over “extreme anti-Israel policies.” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the decision extremely unfortunate, saying “Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.”

Middle East Policy published an interview by Roger Gaess with Irish Member of European Parliament Grace O’Sullivan on the EU’s options when it comes to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Turkey Fines Google

Turkey’s competition authority and antitrust regulator has issued a fine of $75 million to Google for allegedly favoring its own supply-side platform service over rivals, issuing a deadline of six months to ensure that competitors are not disadvantaged.

An article in Middle East Policy by Ayşe Y. Evrensel examines the history of Turkey’s democracy through its constitutions, as new revisions may be on the horizon. 

Iranian Court Jails Iranian-American Journalist

According to his lawyer, an Iranian court has sentenced an Iranian-American journalist to 10 years in prison for working at a U.S. funded radio outlet, overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media. This is coupled with a ban on residence in Tehran province and neighbouring provinces, a ban on leaving the country and membership in political parties for two years.

Middle East Policy contributor Farshad Roomi analyzes Iran’s ideological approach to its conflict with Israel.