Middle East Experience

The conversation was part of a push to “pressure wherever pressure can be placed to keep the issue” of the hostages in mind, the familiar party claimed.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Herzog enlists Elon Musk’s help to revive hopes for a hostage deal

The individual had allegedly shared videos promoting and praising Islamic State on his social media.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: German authorities arrest Iraqi man suspected of planning ramming attack on Christmas market

This is the time of year we need to start boosting our immune systems with foods high in vitamin C. 
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: In the kitchen with Henny: C is for citrus

Wafaa Omar spent eight months in a Syrian jail in 2014 before being released. The English teacher has lived in Istanbul ever since but is desperate to return to Damascus."From one week ago, I feel a very beautiful feeling. Yesterday I was crying and crying and crying," she told AFP, convinced that the advance of Syrian rebels will lead to a political solution before they reach the capital.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Rebel advance fuels dreams of home among Istanbul's Syrians

The image is particularly symbolic: A statue of former President Hafez al-Assad, the father of Syria's current ruler Bashar, was toppled in Hama after Islamist-led rebels overran the country's fourth-largest city, video authenticated by AFP showed.A machine's long mechanical arm tipped the towering statue over to cheers and cries of "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) and "Thank God" from the crowd, along with a deafening sound of celebratory gunfire, the night-time footage published Thursday night on social media showed.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Statue of former Syrian president toppled in Hama

Rebels on a lightning advance through Syria said they were nearing Damascus on Saturday, although Bashar al-Assad's government denied that the army had withdrawn from areas around the capital."Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital," said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Syria rebels say nearing Damascus as govt denies falling back

More than 13 years since Bashar al-Assad's security forces opened fire on protesters demanding democratic reforms, the Syrian president's grip on power may finally be weakening.The 59-year-old son and heir of late dictator Hafez al-Assad has faced several setbacks during the long civil war triggered by his brutal crackdown in March 2011, but has so far managed to cling on to power.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Is the 'writing on the wall' for Syria's Assad?

Yemen's warring parties and beleaguered people cannot wait indefinitely for a roadmap to peace before the country slips back to war, the UN special envoy told AFP.Hans Grundberg insisted it was "still possible" to solve the conflict in impoverished Yemen, where Iran-backed Huthi rebels control much of the country.But any chance of implementing a roadmap has effectively been put on hold by escalating regional crises sparked by the war in Gaza.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Yemen can't wait 'forever' for peace roadmap, UN envoy says

Similar to video of Edan Alexander released last week, Zangauker states "the guards informed us of the new instructions, we are very afraid."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'Time is running out': Hamas releases video of hostage Matan Zangauker

Trump's comments echo those he gave in his first term when he pushed for the removal of all US personnel from Syria.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Not our war: Trump warns against interfering in Syrian civil war