𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢
@MArizanti • 26,330 subscribers
Levant contributor: @turkiyetodaycom | MENA Analyst: @CapitolInstitut | Co-founder @inhalationof | Human Rights Advocate | 🇳🇱/🇸🇯 based in Sweden
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Enjoying powerful music - tribute to Al Sharaa and Syria "I was marching with my people, our hearts were burning bright ‘Til the war tore through our homes in the dead of night The bombs, they tried to break us, left echoes in my chest They may have scarred our cities, but they’ll never take the best We are heroes of this homeland, Syrian remains We live in many faces and answer many names We will not be forgotten, we won’t be left behind Our memories live on in poets’ minds Through Sharaa’s hands, we’ll rise again"
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢72,806 görüntüleme • 9 ay önce
The islamist president vs the leader of the free world
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢64,759 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
Should Syria join the Abraham Accords? President Al Sharaa has so far declined- politely and diplomatically. But let’s be honest: if Israel finally withdraws from occupied Syrian territory, normalization could unlock massive economic recovery, regional trade, and security guarantees.
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢28,581 görüntüleme • 11 ay önce
In Syria, Easter is more than a tradition - it’s a declaration of endurance. For the country’s Christian minority, it is a sacred reminder of identity, faith, and survival. But even this holy season does not come without caution. After years of war, displacement, and economic freefall, Syrian Christians remain on high alert - not just from the lingering threat of violence, but from a calculated campaign of disinformation designed to sow fear and division. In a region where jihadist ideologies once ran unchecked, Syria stands firm. Damascus has drawn a hard line: there will be no tolerance for extremism, no safe haven for those who target minorities, and no space for sectarian chaos to return. This Easter, that promise was visible. Churches in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and beyond were surrounded - not by fear, but by security. Police and soldiers stood watch, not to intimidate worshippers, but to ensure they could worship in peace. This wasn’t symbolic. It was policy. The government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa has sent a clear signal: Syria belongs to all Syrians. Christians are not guests in their own land - they are part of its foundation. Any threat to them is treated as a threat to national integrity. Period. When masked men in Hama set fire to a Christmas tree, they didn’t ignite sectarian hatred & they ignited national outrage. Damascus responded swiftly. Across the capital, protests erupted. And from church pulpits to government offices, the message was unified: Syria will not be a playground for jihadists or their proxies. Despite the trauma of the past decade, roughly 300,000 Christians have chosen to stay - not because it’s easy, but because they believe in the future of their country. And this Easter, for the first time in years, many felt that belief returned. There was calm. There was pride. There was strength. This isn’t just about Christian survival - it’s about national sovereignty. Syria’s pluralism is not a weakness. It’s a strength that must be defended against both internal threats and external manipulation. Easter in Syria 2025 is a quiet victory - not just for Christians, but for the idea that a secular, sovereign nation can protect its own, resist imported fanaticism, and rise from the rubble with dignity intact. And that is something worth celebrating - not with fear, but with conviction.
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢25,941 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
Over the past few months, I’ve seen a wave of fear- sometimes even anger- directed at Syria’s new government. Some of this comes from predictable sources: Assad loyalists clinging to a fallen regime and PKK supporters pushing their own agenda. But there’s also unease among secular, liberal Syrians who reject both Assad and the PKK. I get it. Change is unsettling, and in November, many of us feared the worst: “Is this ISIS 2.0?” Yet, within days, a different picture emerged. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies didn’t fight like fanatics. They operated as a disciplined, strategic force, avoiding civilian casualties and atrocities. Assad fled. His demoralized troops laid down their arms. The regime crumbled- not because of chaos, but because of a calculated, unified push. HTS, once a hardline group, has evolved significantly since 2016, becoming more pragmatic and governance-focused. To topple Assad, they allied with some hardline jihadist factions, a move that raised eyebrows. Since taking power in December, President Ahmad al-Sharaa has faced the delicate task of holding this coalition together while steering Syria toward stability. It hasn’t been flawless. Some factions in his government have pushed for strict Sharia-inspired laws, like modesty codes or public morality campaigns. Each time, public outcry- often led by Syria’s diverse civil society—has forced a course correction. Early photo-ops featuring the Shahada flag, mistaken by some for Taliban symbolism, sparked concern. But the pattern is clear: Al-Sharaa’s government is responsive to its people. For some Islamists in the coalition, the dream may be a rigid theocracy like Afghanistan. But history shows that extremism doesn’t build nations- it fractures them. Al-Sharaa seems to grasp this. His actions- prioritizing reconstruction, inclusivity, and law enforcement- suggest a leader focused on unity over ideology. Whether all his allies share this vision remains a question, but so far, he’s navigated these tensions with remarkable skill. Let’s be honest: Al-Sharaa is Syria’s best hope. The alternatives are grim. Mazloum Abdi’s PKK-aligned forces, despite billions in aid, have failed to deliver basic services, leaving chaos in their wake. Moaz al-Khatib, a political chameleon, lacks the credibility to unify the country. The early Free Syrian Army leaders? Too many devolved into warlords, not statesmen. Contrast that with Al-Sharaa’s track record. In Idlib, under his leadership, HTS built functional governance despite relentless pressure from Turkey, the West, Assad, Russia, and Iran. Idlib recorded Syria’s lowest rates of human rights violations over the past five years, according to independent monitors. It was the only region where civilians could walk without fear of militias. That’s not just rhetoric—it’s a measurable achievement. Al-Sharaa is playing a tough hand with pragmatism and resolve. As Trump recently noted, he’s a “tough guy” with a “real shot” at stabilizing Syria. I agree. He’s not perfect, and the road ahead is fraught. But for a nation scarred by decades of tyranny and war, Al-Sharaa offers something rare: a chance to rebuild, not just rule. Let’s give him the space to prove it.
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢20,778 görüntüleme • 11 ay önce
#Balochistan is bleeding. In the face of oppression and injustice, the Baloch people stand strong. But the cost is high. In the past week alone, we've seen the tragic loss of innocent lives, including 5-year-old Satara Shabbir in Kech. The Pakistani security forces claim to be fighting a war on terror, but their actions tell a different story. They've turned their guns on civilians, targeting even the most vulnerable among us. This is not a war on terror; it's a war on the Baloch people. The Baloch are not terrorists. They are a proud and resilient people, fighting for their rights and their land. The Pakistani government may try to silence them, but they will never succeed. The Baloch spirit is unbreakable! The international community must take notice of the atrocities being committed in Balochistan. The world cannot stand idly by while innocent children are being killed. We must demand an end to the violence and a peaceful resolution to the conflict! To the Baloch people: stay strong, stay united. Your struggle is just, and your voices will be heard. The world is watching, and we stand with you. #StopBalochGenocide
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢29,781 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
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The world has waited long enough. Somaliland must be recognized as an independent nation now - not next year, not after more diplomatic delays. Every day that passes gives more power to authoritarian regimes looking to control one of the most important regions on Earth. Let’s be clear: Somalia is a failed state. Its government doesn’t fight terrorism effectively, can’t protect its own people, and has a terrible human rights record. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has shown again and again that he is not a leader, but a threat to stability. Despite this, the international community continues to act as if Somalia is in control - when it clearly is not. In contrast, Somaliland is functioning like a real country. It holds free elections, keeps order, and runs its institutions - all without help from the global powers. Its people have built a working democracy, and yet they are ignored by the West. Now Somalia is making false claims over Somaliland’s key infrastructure - like Berbera Port and Berbera Airport — trying to take control of what doesn’t belong to them. This is nothing more than a power grab, using the same bullying tactics we see from Putin. Somalia wants to crush Somaliland’s independence, even though it can’t manage its own territory. And what does the world do? Nothing. It stands by, frozen, while aggressors move in. Russia, China, and Iran are not waiting. They’re watching this power vacuum and moving fast to expand their influence. They want control of key trade routes, ports, and governments - and if the West doesn’t act, they will succeed. Somaliland is the frontline - not just geographically, but politically. It stands between democracy and dictatorship. Berbera Port matters. It sits right at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait - where nearly 12% of all global trade passes through. If Iran’s militias or China’s navy gain a foothold there, it would be a disaster for global trade and security. The EU and its allies must step up. This is about more than loyalty to a democratic partner - it’s about protecting our own interests. Recognizing Somaliland gives us a trusted ally, access to key intelligence, and a stable partner in a region where the West is losing ground. It would send a clear message: we stand with democracy, not chaos. Somalia, meanwhile, is collapsing. More than half its population lives in poverty, and its government does little to help. Somalia ranks last in Africa on the Human Development Index. That’s not just a number - it’s a failure of leadership. So why is the world still pretending Somalia should speak for Somaliland? Somaliland is already a nation in everything but name. It governs, it protects, and it builds. The only thing missing is the world’s recognition. Refusing to acknowledge Somaliland doesn’t just insult its people - it empowers pirates, warlords, and hostile regimes. The West is running out of time. Iran is turning Yemen into a weapons base. China is expanding its reach. Ships are being harassed in the Red Sea. The signs couldn’t be clearer. To ignore Somaliland is to invite chaos. To recognize it is to support peace, democracy, and a more secure future. The choice is obvious. The time is now.
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢19,228 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
Meanwhile in Damascus (late september): For the first time in decades, Henry Hamra - founder of JHS - blew the shofar inside Damascus’ historic Elfrange Synagogue to mark the High Holidays. And here’s the truth Western pundits choke on: under Assad, Jews lived in fear. Under the PKK’s chaos, minorities fled. Under Israeli bombs, synagogues stayed silent. But under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, for the first time in 60 years, Jews can openly, freely, and safely practice their faith in Syria. Like it or not, Al-Sharaa ended a civil war, stabilizing Syria, and aligned U.S. interests with peace in the Levant. That’s why Assad remnants, Netanyahu loyalists, and PKK propagandists are losing their minds - because the new Syria they said was “impossible” is already here. History has moved on. The enemies of Syria can’t stand it!
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢12,796 görüntüleme • 8 ay önce
Over a decade ago, I watched with interest President Al Sharaa’s publicly denounced ISIS- calling them exactly what they are: extremists and Khawārij. That move mattered. Then in 2016, Al Sharaa led HTS formally broke away from Al-Qaeda, choosing to define their own path with their own leadership. For me, that was a major shift in Syria’s fight against the radicalism that had been imported and imposed on the country. Personally, I think it would be a powerful and necessary step for Damascus to also denounce the Muslim Brotherhood as Khawārij. It's not about political scorekeeping- it’s about ideological clarity. Both ISIS and Al-Qaeda draw their roots from the Brotherhood's chief ideologue, Sayyid Quṭb, whose writings laid the foundation for modern jihadist extremism. But knowing how Syria operates, I trust this will come when the time is right. Damascus has so far been deliberate and strategic in its moves. I’ve always seen Syria as a deeply pluralistic society. It’s not just something they say on paper- it's something you feel in the people, in the culture, in everyday life. Different ethnicities, sects, and creeds have long coexisted there. The idea that Syria is somehow ruled by extremists, or that it’s unsafe for anyone who isn't a Sunni Arab Muslim, is just pure disinformation. It’s propaganda pushed by those who either don’t understand Syria- or who never wanted to see it survive intact. The truth is, the Syrian state is in control. And I believe the vast majority of Syrians- no matter their background- know exactly who brought stability and who tries to tear the country once again apart. After years of war, terrorism, and foreign intervention, people are simply tired. They want peace. And President Al Sharaa has channeled that exhaustion into unity. I really respect how his government has worked to bring people together across all divides. Now it’s time for something new. I believe the world should finally support Syria’s recovery. Rebuilding the economy isn’t just about infrastructure- it’s about creating conditions where extremist ideologies can no longer take root. Where hope replaces hardship, and no one is vulnerable to exploitation again. Syria deserves that chance. Damascus 2025:
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢17,378 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
Syria rejected the Abraham Accords- not out of hostility, but because Washington’s approach was wrong. The Trump administration offered sanction relief as a bargaining chip, but Syrians aren’t for sale. They’re a proud people who demand respect, not blackmail. Cooperation must be built on sovereignty and dignity. As Syria’s Foreign Minister made clear: “We will not be a party that hinders the stability of any party, including Israel.”
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢16,573 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
In a few days, all eyes will turn to Gaza as Netanyahu lands in Washington to meet President Trump. But don’t expect this to be a friendly photo op- Trump is determined to end the war between Hamas and Israel, and he won’t tiptoe around Netanyahu’s endless escalation tactics. Syria will be on the agenda too. President Al Sharaa has made clear he wants a phased normalization process with Israel, aiming for Syria to join the Abraham Accords no earlier than 2028. Naturally, Israel has shown zero interest in peace. But waiting until 2028? That doesn’t fit Trump’s timeline. Expect Trump to pressure Netanyahu to abandon perpetual war and start engaging seriously with Damascus! And the PKK in Syria? The SDF project is running out of road. Trump wants Syria to assume control of the ISIS detention camps holding around 50,000 detainees- fighters, women, and children- to end the SDF’s practice of using them as political leverage. Syria is on the path to restoring its sovereignty and rebuilding ties with its neighbors. The era of foreign-backed proxy militias is coming to a close.
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢13,675 görüntüleme • 11 ay önce
When HTS and its allies toppled Assad in December, many were surprised by how they operated- not like a scattered militia, but like a real army. They showed discipline, structure, and professionalism that few expected. But for five months now, the PKK, Iran, and Israel have been trying hard to paint the new government in Damascus as just another version of Al Qaeda or ISIS. That’s why it’s so important for Damascus to take control- not just over the country, but over how its forces behave and present themselves. As seen in this video from today, there are still units acting in ways that echo the worst elements of the past. That can’t continue. Any group operating under the government’s name must act professionally. No more jihadi aesthetics, no more rogue behavior. The era of chaos must end. Even the small things matter. A haircut, a shaved beard- these might seem minor, but they send a clear message: this is a break from the past. The world is watching, and Syria can’t afford to give its enemies ammunition for their disinformation campaigns. If Damascus wants to prove it's building something new and legitimate, it needs to start acting like it- across the board.
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢12,638 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
Former Defense Minister Ashton Carter, during his testimony before a Senate panel on April 28, 2016 (led by Senator Lindsey Graham), confirmed the significant connections between the PYD and the PKK. He also highlighted that the SDF is primarily composed of the PYD's military wing, the YPG:
𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢14,902 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce
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