When Epstein said, “I have a good mirror,” he—a relatively low-level sexual predator—was, in his own way, telling the truth: the real devils are those, whether politicians, the wealthy, or celebrities, who prey on children and, in the most horrific cases, even take their lives.

In an era of great power rivalry, Canada is choosing to be principled and pragmatic. To name reality, to act together, and to build what we claim to believe in.

#Syrians have a right to celebrate the fall of the #Assad regime. However, this joy may be short-lived due to the potential for internal struggles and conflicts among armed groups, along with various religious and ethnic factions. Such divisions could lead #Syria into prolonged chaos, similar to

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

The end of the #Assad regime seems nearer after the recent capture of #Hama by #Syrian rebel forces, following their takeover of Aleppo. However, #Syria could become another #Libya, where different factions fight for power.

Today, Canada recognises the State of Palestine.   My statement: www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...

Türkiye is ‘key’ on new road to peace in Middle East: US envoy www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...

Türkiye is ‘key’ on new road to peace in Middle East: US envoy

‘We've always reflected on Türkiye as being a great NATO ally,’ US Ambassador Tom Barrack tells Anadolu - Anadolu Ajansı

aa.com.tr

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

b-) new #Kurdish peace process in #Turkey & the projected exit of the U.S. from #Syria & #Iraq under the administration of President Trump. The U.S. appears to be positioning Turkey to fill the vacuum left by its departure, potentially paving the way for a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue.

Rubio warns Syria could be weeks away from 'full-scale civil war' www.bbc.com/news/article...

Rubio warns Syria could be weeks away from 'full-scale civil war'

The US secretary of state calls for Syria's transitional authorities to be supported to prevent their "potential collapse".

bbc.com

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

#Syrians have a right to celebrate the fall of the #Assad regime. However, this joy may be short-lived due to the potential for internal struggles and conflicts among armed groups, along with various religious and ethnic factions. Such divisions could lead #Syria into prolonged chaos, similar to

The growing influence of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf monarchies over al-Sharaa—who adheres to a Salafi ideology—is not in Turkey’s strategic interest. Yet Erdoğan appears indifferent.

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · last yr.

❗Turkey should be wary of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s growing international recognition, especially given that HTS under his leadership has previously targeted Turkish-backed groups in Assad’s Syria. De facto or de jure Kurdish autonomy in Syria offers several strategic advantages for Turkey—chief among them,

❗Turkey should be wary of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s growing international recognition, especially given that HTS under his leadership has previously targeted Turkish-backed groups in Assad’s Syria. De facto or de jure Kurdish autonomy in Syria offers several strategic advantages for Turkey—chief among them,

Kurdish Militant Group PKK to End Four-Decade Conflict With Turkey www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Kurdish Militant Group PKK to End Four-Decade Conflict With Turkey

The decision by the PKK will have significant security and political ramifications for the region.

wsj.com

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

b-) new #Kurdish peace process in #Turkey & the projected exit of the U.S. from #Syria & #Iraq under the administration of President Trump. The U.S. appears to be positioning Turkey to fill the vacuum left by its departure, potentially paving the way for a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue.

China Eyes Syria as Next Frontier for Strategic Investment slguardian.org/china-eyes-s...

China Eyes Syria as Next Frontier for Strategic Investment

by Our Correspondent in Doha Chinese officials have held high-level meetings with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa to explore avenues for expanding Chinese business operations in Syria, signaling a po...

slguardian.org

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · last yr.

Al-Sharaa’s message is clear: if the West refuses to lift sanctions, provide financial aid, deter Israeli aggression, and support Syria’s reconstruction, his government will have no choice but to turn to Russia — and potentially even CHINA — to fill the vacuum.

Al-Sharaa’s message is clear: if the West refuses to lift sanctions, provide financial aid, deter Israeli aggression, and support Syria’s reconstruction, his government will have no choice but to turn to Russia — and potentially even CHINA — to fill the vacuum.

I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis. My heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community and all of humanity. He was the Pope of the poor, of refugees, of justice, of love, and of peace. A true champion of interfaith dialogue. May God grant him the highest place in heaven.

A sizzling hot Stater Pack full of great people and organisations on security studies and international relations go.bsky.app/TQjeoVe #natsec #internationalrelations #IR #securitystudies #security #military #politics #polsky #politicssky

Kurdish-led SDF agrees to integrate with Syrian government forces www.bbc.com/news/article...

Syria: Kurdish-led SDF agrees to integrate with government forces

The militia alliance that controls much of north-eastern Syria will merge with new state institutions, the presidency says.

bbc.com

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

b-) new #Kurdish peace process in #Turkey & the projected exit of the U.S. from #Syria & #Iraq under the administration of President Trump. The U.S. appears to be positioning Turkey to fill the vacuum left by its departure, potentially paving the way for a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue.

"More than 500 people have been killed in fighting between forces of the new government and remnants of the ousted regime, according to a war monitor, which said more than 300 were civilians." www.nytimes.com/2025/03/08/w...

Scores of Civilians Killed by Government Forces in Syria, War Monitors Say

More than 500 people have been killed in fighting between forces of the new government and remnants of the ousted regime, according to a war monitor, which said more than 300 were civilians.

nytimes.com

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

#Syrians have a right to celebrate the fall of the #Assad regime. However, this joy may be short-lived due to the potential for internal struggles and conflicts among armed groups, along with various religious and ethnic factions. Such divisions could lead #Syria into prolonged chaos, similar to

Today, after the discussion involving Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vance, it is evident that the U.S. has increasingly taken on the characteristics of a tribal state.

Trump's plan to move Palestinians out of Gaza may be accepted by Jordan, but Egypt's Sisi is likely to be adamantly against it because it might lead to a coup attempt and jeopardize his hold on power.

Defense Department drafting plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria after recent Trump comments www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...

Defense Department drafting plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria after recent Trump comments

Trump and officials close to him expressed interest in pulling all U.S. troops out of Syria, prompting the Pentagon to draw up plans for a full withdrawal in 30, 60 or 90 days.

nbcnews.com

The Russia-Iran Coalition Deepens👇 www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder...

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

In this situation, the U.S. may emerge as the biggest loser, inadvertently uniting and strengthening its enemies, making them more focused in the region where the primary geopolitical competition will unfold.

#Trump intends to withdraw US troops from Syria: Israeli media 👇 www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...

Trump intends to withdraw US troops from Syria: Israeli media

Trump’s intention to pull thousands of US troops from Syria 'will raise significant concerns in Tel Aviv,' Israel's official public broadcasting Kan reports - Anadolu Ajansı

aa.com.tr

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

b-) new #Kurdish peace process in #Turkey & the projected exit of the U.S. from #Syria & #Iraq under the administration of President Trump. The U.S. appears to be positioning Turkey to fill the vacuum left by its departure, potentially paving the way for a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue.

#Syria-Xinjiang link: #China warns leaders in #Damascus not to threaten security elsewhere 👇 www.scmp.com/news/china/d...

China warns leaders in Syria not to threaten security elsewhere

Chinese envoy addresses UN briefing days after Turkestan Islamic Party publishes video encouraging Xinjiang Muslims to wage jihad.

scmp.com

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

a- The HTS and other Salafi factions backed by #Turkey and the West may function as geopolitical instruments or proxies to counter #Russia and #China. These factions possess the capacity to incite separatist movements among #Chechens and other #Muslim minorities in Russia, potentially resulting in

UN envoy warns Syria’s war ‘has not ended yet’ as US says truce extended www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/202...

UN envoy warns Syria’s war ‘has not ended yet’ as US says truce extended

US State Department spokesman says ceasefire between Kurdish armed group and Turkey-backed fighters extended.

aljazeera.com

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

The end of the #Assad regime seems nearer after the recent capture of #Hama by #Syrian rebel forces, following their takeover of Aleppo. However, #Syria could become another #Libya, where different factions fight for power.

#Trump says #Turkey holds the key to #Syria 's future www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Trump says Turkey holds the key to Syria's future

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that Turkey will "hold the key" to what happens in Syria, where rebels backed by Ankara toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

reuters.com

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

b-) new #Kurdish peace process in #Turkey & the projected exit of the U.S. from #Syria & #Iraq under the administration of President Trump. The U.S. appears to be positioning Turkey to fill the vacuum left by its departure, potentially paving the way for a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue.

a- The HTS and other Salafi factions backed by #Turkey and the West may function as geopolitical instruments or proxies to counter #Russia and #China. These factions possess the capacity to incite separatist movements among #Chechens and other #Muslim minorities in Russia, potentially resulting in

The end of the #Assad regime seems nearer after the recent capture of #Hama by #Syrian rebel forces, following their takeover of Aleppo. However, #Syria could become another #Libya, where different factions fight for power.

Turkish spy chief makes symbolic visit to pray in Damascus after Assad’s fall www.ekathimerini.com/politics/for...

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

a-) The shocking attack by the #Syrian opposition on #Aleppo, which is the second-largest city in #Syria, could not have been carried out without the approval of both the United States of America and #Turkey. It is quite probable that this new development is taking place against the backdrop of the

Chute de Bachar Al-Assad : Vladimir Poutine et Recep Tayyip Erdogan, frères ennemis en Syrie www.lemonde.fr/internationa...

Chute de Bachar Al-Assad : Vladimir Poutine et Recep Tayyip Erdogan, frères ennemis en Syrie

Malgré la chute du dictateur syrien, qui affaiblit la Russie et renforce la Turquie, la relation entre les présidents semble inébranlable. Tous deux pourfendent l’Occident et leurs pays sont interdépe...

lemonde.fr

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

The offensive also shows that #Erdogan was never genuinely committed to making peace with #Assad. Instead, he maneuvered strategically, playing along with #Putin by pretending to be open to reconciliation with Assad.

- Nearly thirty years ago, former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski issued a prophetic warning. “Potentially, the most dangerous scenario,” he said, “would be a grand coalition of #China, #Russia, and perhaps #Iran, an ‘anti-hegemonic’ coalition united not by ideology but by

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

In this situation, the U.S. may emerge as the biggest loser, inadvertently uniting and strengthening its enemies, making them more focused in the region where the primary geopolitical competition will unfold.

I do hope that there are people in Trump's circle to point this out. I am holding out hope that Trump is transactional more than anything else, and if he can be convinced it is more in his interests not to let Putin run the board, then other scenarios become possible... (hope spring eternal!)

In this situation, the U.S. may emerge as the biggest loser, inadvertently uniting and strengthening its enemies, making them more focused in the region where the primary geopolitical competition will unfold.

Zeyyat Bandeoğlu @zeyyatbandeoglu.bsky.social · 2y ago

#Russia and #Iran may seem like the losers in the short term, but in the medium to long term, the situation could change significantly if #Trump stops supporting Ukraine's war efforts and ends the conflict in #Ukraine in Russia's favor.