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Articles by Nour Samaha
They Want To Divide The Working Class
This August, during Z’s fundraising drive, we are asking you to take action with us. It’s time to get up and stand up, not just in opposition to all the horrors unfolding around us, but to stand up FOR something in unity and strength. To provide a forum and tools for diverse activists to propose, not just oppose, has been Z’s mission for nearly 50 years.
US-Russia rivalry in the Middle East is now spilling over into the Mediterranean Sea
Home Opinions Energy & Environment Energy Pipeline politics US-Russia rivalry in the Middle East is now spilling over into the Mediterranean Sea DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this column reflect the views of the author(s), not of EURACTIV.COM Ltd. By Nour Samaha | Syndication Bureau 19-08-2019 Most oil and gas experts agree that the East Med Pipeline Project is a pipe dream that cannot compete with cheap Russian gas.
US-Russia battle for influence spills into the Med
In March, Cyprus, Greece and Israel signed a trilateral declaration that would, among other things, increase cooperation on regional security, focus on energy independence and work on a project to bring natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe, thus reducing dependence on Russia.
Europe must pivot away from sanctioning Syria
Europe must pivot away from sanctioning Syria Syrian women walk along a destroyed street in Raqqa, Syria. (AFP/File) It is time for Europe to re-examine how it chooses to treat Syria. After eight years of a brutal conflict that has ripped apart a society, destroyed a country and forced millions to flee their homes, the outcome the West was hoping for — the downfall of the regime — has not yet materialized. And nor will it.
Europe must re-examine how to deal with Syria
It is time for Europe to re-examine how it chooses to treat Syria. After eight years of a brutal conflict that has ripped apart a society, destroyed a country and forced millions to flee their homes, the outcome the West was hoping for â the downfall of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad â has not yet materialized. And nor will it. Rather, the Syrian government has survived, albeit battered and scathed.
Can Assad win the peace?
Policy Brief Nour Samaha @@nour_samaha 15th May, 2019 +Summary +Introduction +The regime’s post-conflict aims +Threats to stability +The regime’s survival tactics +European policy responses SUMMARY As Syria transitions into a post-conflict phase, its government is trying to survive in much the same way it has over the last eight years. This involves a series of short-term fixes, heavy reliance on foreign allies, and a process of endurance it calls the “long breath”.
Syrians in Golan Heights to boycott municipal election by Israel
Beirut, Lebanon: Thousands of Syrian residents of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights are expected to boycott the first municipal elections imposed by Israel on the area, rejecting what they call the 'Israelization' of the territory.
The Brothers Larijani: A sphere of power
Five brothers occupy five key posts within Iran's complex political system. Between them they dominate two of the top three institutions in the country; the parliament and the judiciary. The others hold positions within the human rights council, the ministry of health, and the diplomatic corps. Add them all together, and the result is one family with an incredible amount of power in their hands.
Will Israel create safe zone in southern Syria?
Israeli soldiers from the 605 Combat Engineering Corps battalion take part in a training session on the Israeli side of the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, June 1, 2016. (photo by REUTERS/Baz Ratner) It began in May with the announcement of an Israeli liaison unit to coordinate with Syrian residents living in opposition-held territory in southern Syria, followed by the distribution of Israeli aid during Ramadan across 35 villages in the same area.
Hezbollah’s Crucible of War
BEIRUT — It was around 9 a.m. on July 12, 2006, and Katyusha rockets from Lebanon had crashed into northern Israel. As Israeli soldiers assessed the scene, a team of Hezbollah fighters slithered through the first wire fence, then the second wire fence, and ran up the road where two Israeli army Humvees were positioned. The team fired an anti-tank missile at one of the Humvees, destroying it and killing three Israeli soldiers.
The Eagles of the Whirlwind
SADAD, Syria — Walking through the nearly deserted streets of this ancient Syriac Orthodox town, roughly 35 miles southwest of the city of Homs, Adonis Nasr pointed to the posters plastered along the walls of fighters who died defending the area, describing in detail the role each person played.
Hezbollah’s Death Valley
SHEBAA, Lebanon — This small Lebanese town straddles a steep valley, with Syria on one side and Israel on the other. It sits under the watchful eye of an Israeli military base perched on the top of a nearby mountain, while an observation post manned by U.N. peacekeepers watches from another. The Lebanese army holds an assortment of positions within the town and its outskirts, and the snow-capped mountaintops of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights can be seen clearly from the town center.
Lebanon's Christians bury the hatchet amid turmoil
Beirut - January 18 was a historic day for Lebanon: The leaders of the country's most powerful Christian factions decided to put 30 years of bloodshed and political bickering behind them. Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces (LF), announced last week his endorsement of Michel Aoun, an ex-army general and head of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), for president. In doing so, Geagea essentially withdrew his own bid to be nominated president.
Hezbollah targets Israeli military on Lebanon border
Beirut, Lebanon - A large improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated by Hezbollah targeting Israeli forces at the Lebanese border. Hezbollah said it carried out the attack that targeted two Israeli military vehicles on Mount Dov in response to the assassination of Samir Kantar, one of its leaders who was killed in Syria by an Israeli airstrike last month. Israel's army said the attack took place in the Shebaa farms area and its forces responded with artillery fire.
Besieged Syria rebels evacuated in rare deal
Beirut, Lebanon: Dozens of wounded rebel fighters, along with members of their families, are being evacuated from a besieged Syrian border town as part of a deal that will also see the safe passage of scores of people from two Shia-dominated villages surrounded by rebels in northern Syria.
Slain Hezbollah operative’s role shrouded in mystery
Some sources say Samir Kantar was setting up a resistance movement in Golan Heights against Israeli occupation. Published On 22 Dec 201522 Dec 2015 Beirut, Lebanon – Amid an array of Lebanese, Palestinian and Hezbollah flags, thousands gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Monday to attend the funeral of Samir Kantar, 54, a high-profile member of the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, who was killed in a suspected Israeli air strike in neighbouring Syria.
The real story behind the killing of Samir Kantar
Beirut, Lebanon - Amid an array of Lebanese, Palestinian and Hezbollah flags, thousands gathered in Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday to attend the funeral of Samir Kantar, 54, a high-profile member of the Lebanese movement Hezbollah, who was killed in a suspected Israeli air strike in neighbouring Syria. The crowd marched behind the coffin - shrouded in Hezbollah's yellow flag - as residents and mourners alike threw flower petals from the neighbouring balconies.
Hezbollah chief vows to retaliate for Kantar killing
Hezbollah blamed Israel on Monday for the killing of its high-profile commander Samir Kantar in Syria, vowing to avenge his death. "Tonight I say to the enemy and to the friend, the martyr Samir Kantar is one of us, a leader in our resistance and with all certainty he was killed by the Israelis," said Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese Shia movement, in a televised speech.
Why are Lebanon's Palestinians leaving for Europe?
Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp, Lebanon - The once-bustling main street of Lebanon's most over-populated Palestinian refugee camp is noticeably empty. Storefronts, where dozens of chain-smoking young men perched on plastic chairs used to hold court, are now shuttered as talk of emigrating dominates the narrow alleyways snaking through the camp. "Everyone is leaving; the streets are empty," Hussam, who did not provide a last name, told Al Jazeera.
Lebanese hostages released in prisoner swap
Beirut - The body of one of the Lebanese hostages killed while held hostage by Syria's al-Nusra Front has been handed over to the Lebanese authorities, with the rest of the living captives to be released throughout Tuesday in an official prisoner exchange. The body of Mohammed Hamieh left the Lebanese border town of Arsal on Monday morning in a convoy headed to Beirut. His relatives, who have been camped out in downtown Beirut for over a year, cried tears of joy.
Tackling Lebanese corruption - one photo at a time
Beirut, Lebanon - Habib Battah, a slight man, whose eyes are usually covered by a cap pulled low over his brow, is one of Lebanon's most determined investigative journalists, much to the chagrin of many of those who have been the subjects of his reports.
Haidar's story: Orphaned by an ISIL bomb in Beirut
Dahiyeh, Beirut - What if Leila Taleb and her husband, Hussein Mostapha, had decided not to visit Leila's sister on that Thursday evening? What if they hadn't stopped en route to buy their three-year-old son Haidar his favourite cake?
Hezbollah chief vows to continue fight against ISIL
Beirut, Lebanon - Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has said his group is determined to continue its fight against the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant (ISIL) following a double suicide bombing in Beirut’s southern suburbs that killed 43 people and left over 200 injured. Nasrallah made the remarks in a somber speech delivered on Saturday evening, two days after the country was rocked by ISIL's attacks and a day after coordinated attacks in Paris left more than 120 dead.
Lebanon bombings cast shadow over political progress
Beirut - Shattered glass, remnants of clothes and blocks of rubble shrouded the pavement in the Bourj el-Barajneh area of Ain el-Sikeh after two deadly suicide explosions, claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, rocked Beirut's southern suburbs, killing 43 people and wounding more than 200 others.
Tear gas and water cannons fired at Lebanese protesters
Security forces used tear gas and water cannons against protesters as several hundred took to the streets of Lebanon's capital Beirut to protest the ongoing political. At least five activists were detained in Thursday's incident, according to sources on the ground, including Waref Sleiman who conducted a hunger strike to protest the ongoing garbage crisis. The Lebanese Red Cross said that at least 35 people were treated for suffocation.
Lebanon - At the Crossroads
By Nour Samaha and Alia Chughtai Lebanon’s political scene has been in turmoil since 2005, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the subsequent withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon in April 2005, bringing an end to 30 years of military presence. Lebanon: At the crossroads an @AJLabs explainer The country has since been broadly split between two camps: the US and Saudi-backed March 14 camp and the pro-Syrian March 8 camp.
Protests as Lebanon officials fail to reach deal
Beirut, Lebanon: Riot police have clashed with protesters in Beirut as a meeting by Lebanese government officials failed to reach an agreement on key issues that have brought the country to a standstill. Protesters from the "You Stink" citizens' group said that at least 25 people were detained and several others were injured on Wednesday afternoon as police rushed the crowd, beating several people with batons.
Protests in Lebanon against burial of 'biggest traitor'
Beirut, Lebanon- Traffic came to a standstill on Beirut's airport road as hundreds of activists gathered to protest against the burial of one of Lebanon's most controversial figures in Lebanese territory. Inside Story - Lebanon's deepening crisis Those taking part in Monday's protests against the burial of Antoine Lahd included civil society activists, leftists, and members of the Communist Party and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.
Mass protests in Lebanon as leaders hold meeting
Beirut - Thousands of protesters have taken over the Martyrs Square here in Lebanon's capital to protest against the government after political officials failed to produce any solutions following a national dialogue session. At least 5,000 residents from across Lebanon poured into downtown Beirut on Wednesday evening following a fruitless meeting between political factions seeking to resolve issues that have caused the country to come to a political standstill for over a year now.
Lebanon dialogue 'a move to stifle protest momentum'
Beirut - As Lebanon braces itself for another round of popular protests this week by civil society activists, the country's politicians are scrambling to achieve an agreement on pressing political issues that have so far kept the government in a political deadlock for months.
#BuyPens refugee: ‘I want to help other Syrians’
Beirut – Abdul Halim Attar looked drained, puffing on a locally manufactured Cedars cigarette as he paused to collect his thoughts on everything that has happened to him over the last few days. Originally from Yarmouk in Syria, the 35-year-old Palestinian-Syrian fled to Lebanon three years ago with his two children: Reem, who is almost four years old, and Aboudi, who is nine.
Mass protests expected as Lebanese leaders meet
Despite a deadly sandstorm blanketing the country, thousands of people are planning to protest in Lebanon's capital Beirut, the latest demonstration in a campaign against government's failure to provide basic services like rubbish collection. Inside Story - Lebanon's deepening crisis The protests on Wednesday will coincide with a dialogue session by political leaders to tackle the issues that have led to months of political deadlock.
#BuyPens refugee: 'I want to help other Syrians'
Beirut - Abdul Halim Attar looked drained, puffing on a locally manufactured Cedars cigarette as he paused to collect his thoughts on everything that has happened to him over the last few days. Originally from Yarmouk in Syria, the 35-year-old Palestinian-Syrian fled to Lebanon three years ago with his two children: Reem, who is almost four years old, and Aboudi, who is nine.
How Lebanon's rubbish spurred a budding revolution
What ostensibly began as public frustration over the Lebanese government's failure to tackle the country's rubbish crisis has since swelled into massive street protests, with residents from across the political spectrum calling for a change in government. Al Jazeera examines what is really behind the public outcry and how the situation might evolve from this point. RELATED: Public anger grows as Beirut's trash crisis persists How did it all start?
Syria's wounded seek rehabilitation in Lebanon
Tripoli, Lebanon - In 2011, Zaher had a bright future ahead of him. He had completed his law degree and finished his compulsory military service with the Syrian army. But then the conflict in Syria started, and employment opportunities disappeared, forcing him to spend most of his time at home in the mountainous city of Yabroud, about 80km north of Damascus. In 2014, his house was hit by a missile.
Public anger grows as Beirut's trash crisis persists
Matn, Lebanon - A winding road to the mountainous region that rises over Beirut offers an unobstructed view of the capital, surrounded by the sea. Today, the road itself is littered with garbage; huge piles have accumulated on the side of the road, along with burned scraps of trash. Lebanon's garbage crisis, unprecedented in the country's recent history, continues to persist nearly a month since the mid-July closure of Naameh, the city's main landfill, due to overcapacity.
Lebanon's capital drowning in an ocean of trash
Beirut - Hundreds of protesters showed up in the sweltering summer heat on Saturday evening in downtown Beirut to demonstrate against the sea of garbage taking over the capital's streets, as Lebanon's politicians have failed to find a solution. Using the slogan "You Stink!", and amid a significant security presence, the protesters called for the government to fall. They chanted about moving the garbage - uncollected for a week now - from the streets to the homes of Lebanon's parliament members.
'How are we supposed to feed our children'
Qobb Elias, Bekaa Valley - The UN World Food Programme is making further cuts to its food assistance for Syrian refugees in both Jordan and Lebanon, forcing refugees to grapple with even tougher living conditions as voucher amounts drop drastically. Since the beginning of July, food coupon amounts have been half of what they used to be in January. Now, $13.50 is allocated every month for each registered refugee, causing many refugees to struggle for survival.
Druze residents in Israel denounce its Syria policy
Beirut, Lebanon - When news broke that Islamist-led opposition fighters, including al-Qaeda's Syrian branch, the Nusra Front, were besieging the Druze village of Hadar in southern Syria, a stone's throw away from the ceasefire line separating Syria's Golan Heights from the Israeli-occupied one, Druze inside the occupied territories took to the streets to protest the lack of action being taken by Israel to protect the village.
Riots in Lebanese Roumieh prison over living conditions
Beirut, Lebanon - Inmates in Lebanon's largest prison have rioted to protest against poor conditions, days after videos were leaked online depicting Lebanese prison guards beating prisoners. Scores rioted inside Roumieh prison on Tuesday demanding concessions and better living conditions, damaging several cells and injuring fellow inmates in the process.
Syria's Druze reject calls for anti-government uprising
Beirut, Lebanon - As thousands of people from Druze communities in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan gathered to pay their respects this week for slain Syrian Druze Sheikh Wahid al-Balous, the Druze of Syria are refusing to heed calls to rise up against the state.On September 5, Balous, a popular anti-government Druze leader, had just finished eating lunch in a village in Syria's southern Sweida governorate.
Trapped Between Assad, Israel, and al Qaeda
BEIRUT — On June 5, a Druze sheikh in Qalb Lozeh, a village in Syria’s northwest Idlib province, sent out a desperate voice message over WhatsApp calling for help against fighters from the steadily approaching al-Nusra Front, al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate. “They’ve been coming to our homes, and [they] want to remove our sons, our boys between 10 and 14 years old, and put them in a training camp for two months.
Lebanese police seen beating prisoners in leaked videos
Beirut, Lebanon - Videos leaked on social media have revealed police officers beating and torturing several prisoners held in Lebanon's Roumieh prison, prompting the justice minister to call for an investigation into the incidents. Calling the incidents "brutal and barbaric", Ashraf Rifi on Sunday pushed to identify those behind the beatings, "in order to refer them to specialised judiciary and punish them duly".
Sudan: Portraits of Child Labourers
According to the International Labour Organization's 2015 report, around 120 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour around the world - boys and girls in this age group are almost equally affected. On the World Day Against Child Labour, child labourers from Pakistan, Lebanon, and Sudan share their stories and their hopes for the future with Al Jazeera. Karachi, Pakistan - Sonia is part of Pakistan's huge informal economy.
Portraits of child labourers
According to the International Labour Organization's 2015 report, around 120 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are involved in child labour around the world - boys and girls in this age group are almost equally affected. On the World Day Against Child Labour, child labourers from Pakistan, Lebanon, and Sudan share their stories and their hopes for the future with Al Jazeera. By: Zehra Abid Karachi, Pakistan - Sonia is part of Pakistan's huge informal economy.
Scores killed in clashes between Hezbollah and ISIL
Dozens of fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group and at least nine fighters belonging to the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have been killed as the two sides clashed along the Lebanese border with Syria. Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s secretary general, announced on Wednesday that the battle against ISIL has begun, stating the militant group started the fight but Hezbollah will continue it until the end. "The fight with ISIL in Qalamoun has begun.
Hezbollah Is ‘Stronger Than Ever’
QALAMOUN MOUNTAINS, Syria — Along the vast mountain range that marks the Lebanon-Syria border, Hezbollah fighters point out recently captured al-Nusra Front training sites and military positions, and describe how they’ve been able to clear the area of the jihadis. They pick their way over the remnants of the al Qaeda affiliate’s makeshift camp, where clothes, tins of foods, and shell casings are strewn across the ground.
Nasrallah declares victory in Syria's Qalamoun
Hezbollah's leader has claimed to have made significant progress in the ongoing clashes in the Qalamoun mountain range on the Syrian-Lebanese border, but warned that the battles are far from being over. "A strong defeat was dealt to the armed militants and they left the areas of battlefield," Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address on Saturday night.
Why Qalamoun matters for Hezbollah
Britel outskirts, Bekaa, Lebanon - On one of the roads leading back into Britel, a large town nestled at the foot of Lebanon's eastern mountain range, small Hezbollah convoys drove past; some fighters raised their hands in a victory sign, while others carried military equipment. The convoy demonstrated the significance of Hezbollah's battle to secure control of the area.
The Defenders of Yarmouk
YARMOUK CAMP, DAMASCUS, Syria — The streets here are all but deserted, except for the odd fighter running from one alley to the other. Buildings in this northern quarter are completely gutted: Holes have been punched through the internal walls to allow fighters to move without passing through the sniper’s alleys outside, and massive curtains hang across the gaping holes to obscure the movement of opposing fighters.
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