🔥NEW @al-monitor.bsky.social event: Join us on Thursday to discuss Sharaa's visit to Washington, the first for a Syrian President.
• From Damascus: Danny Makki
• From Paris: Amberin Zaman
• From Washington: Elizabeth Hagedorn and yours truly
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Hi all! I will be off Bluesky / news platforms during maternity leave, but may periodically sneak back on during nap time 🤫. Follow @al-monitor.bsky.social and my great colleagues there as they bring you full, independent Middle East coverage. 🙏🏼 🌸

New Pope, Robert Prevost, is the first American but not America first pontiff

NEW: How #China gains from Trump-Houthi escalation in #Yemen
1. Side deals with Houthis
2. Lower insurance costs
3. US bogged down
4. Deterrence not in sight
5. US distracted from Asia-Pacific
➡️ emailcampaign.al-monitor.com/t/t-e-suiiku...

NEW: #China’s big week with Iran

• China-Iran-Russia 🚢 drills, largest since 2019
• UAE, Qatar observers
• Talks on nuclear file in Beijing
• Oil flow on rise despite US sanctions
More ➡️ emailcampaign.al-monitor.com/t/t-e-suytjy...

NEW: #China 's special week in Middle East:

• Envoy in Egypt
• Envoy in Oman
• Head of Central Bank in Saudi
• 59 🇨🇳Defense companies at IDEX, UAE
• Deals w Kuwait, Morocco
• Resurgence in oil flow from Iran despite Trump 'max pressure' sanctions. More ➡️ emailcampaign.al-monitor.com/t/t-e-skjsuk...

NEW: How Trump’s ‘Gaza plan’ plays right into #China ‘s hands

1- Helps Beijing score points across the Arab, Muslim world
2- Helps 🇨🇳 mediating role
3- Gives perfect cover for Taiwan ‘take-over’ emailcampaign.al-monitor.com/t/t-e-shklut...

Going on NPR’s 1A soon with @toddzwillich.bsky.social to discuss a week of madness in international affairs: Gaza, Congo, Greenland, DeepSeek.
Tune in 📻

🇱🇧 Congrats Hady Habib, first tennis player from #Lebanon to ever win a match in a grand slam tournament. Mabrouk! 🎾 #AustralianOpen

✨ Merry Christmas & happy holidays to all. In this time of change & uncertainty, may it bring compassion, peace and resilience. 📸 of Syria’s Sadnaya Monastery taken yesterday. One of oldest and most beautiful in the region. (source: Getty)

Last few hrs nothing short of historic in Syria. For 54 long yrs, Assad family ruled with iron fist. Efforts underway to reach underground dungeons of Saydnaya prison. Some of detainees, tortured,haven’t seen day of light in decades. Claude Hanna of Deir Ahmar Lebanon liberated after 40yrs in prison

Beautiful DC day. Helps with mental restorative break from headlines… Wishing folks here nice weekend

BEIRUT: Surreal video of Israeli bombardment today right by #Lebanon’s only functioning airport (BEY) just as a commercial plane makes it landing. War approaching week 7:

Hi all, still in exploration mode of Blue Sky, taking it easy and slow. If you’re here and we know/follow each other, drop a hi. Still don’t know how to find DMs here 😶‍🌫️. ☕️ ☀️

NEW: China not surprised by Trump win, sees opening in Middle East
• 🇨🇳 expected Trump win
• Worried about tariffs but adjusting
• Opportunity: Trump heavily focuses on Israel, hostile to Iran
• Gives China edge on AI
• Gulf ties deep w Beijing emailcampaign.al-monitor.com/t/t-e-sttjri...

Some cool scaffolding in downtown DC

Never gets old. #DCCherryBlossoms🌸