Rena Netjes
@renanetjes.bsky.social
Arabist. Journalist. Entrepreneur.
With 17 field trips to Syria since 2019, I bring perspectives grounded in firsthand experience and authentic local engagement.
@RenaLingua.
[email protected]
With 17 field trips to Syria since 2019, I bring perspectives grounded in firsthand experience and authentic local engagement.
@RenaLingua.
[email protected]
Pinned
Religiöse Minderheiten - Drusen sind für das Schicksal Syriens entscheidend
Die Glaubensgemeinschaft der Drusen in Syrien ist politisch zerstritten. Das macht sie zum Spielball von Akteuren im Ausland und Islamisten im Inland.
www.deutschlandfunk.de
#Suwayda Our 20-minute report for @DLF from Suwayda, Jaramana, and Daraa is out. We spoke with (displaced) Muwahiddeen Druze, Bedouins, and Christians, a Muw. Druze Sheikh, intellectuals, and a security official.
With @_MarionSendker.
Auf Deutsch.
www.deutschlandfunk.de/religioese-m...
With @_MarionSendker.
Auf Deutsch.
www.deutschlandfunk.de/religioese-m...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
“America needs to secure his release NOW.”
Call your lawmakers, the State Department, and the US Embassy, and demand they act now to save the life of an American teenager.
linktr.ee/freeMohammed...
Call your lawmakers, the State Department, and the US Embassy, and demand they act now to save the life of an American teenager.
linktr.ee/freeMohammed...
November 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
“America needs to secure his release NOW.”
Call your lawmakers, the State Department, and the US Embassy, and demand they act now to save the life of an American teenager.
linktr.ee/freeMohammed...
Call your lawmakers, the State Department, and the US Embassy, and demand they act now to save the life of an American teenager.
linktr.ee/freeMohammed...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Dutch air force personnel have tried to down several drones that were spotted over Volkel air base in the south of the country last night. The ministry of Defence said unspecified weapons were used and the drones disappeared. Some 20 U.S. B61 nuclear free-fall bombs are stored at Volkel air base.
November 22, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Dutch air force personnel have tried to down several drones that were spotted over Volkel air base in the south of the country last night. The ministry of Defence said unspecified weapons were used and the drones disappeared. Some 20 U.S. B61 nuclear free-fall bombs are stored at Volkel air base.
I felt like I was in Damascus under Assad; only Iranian, Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite, and Houthi TV channels were available, and the PYD/YPG/SDF channel was one of them.
When you're on the ground, information is everywhere. I especially love these completely unexpected gems of information!
When you're on the ground, information is everywhere. I especially love these completely unexpected gems of information!
In mid September, just back from a long and intense day in East Daraa and (destroyed) West Suwayda, we checked into a hotel in Damascus.
Then I asked the staff to turn on the TV for me and find (Saudi) Al Arabiya or another major Arabic channel.
The man kept scrolling....
Then I asked the staff to turn on the TV for me and find (Saudi) Al Arabiya or another major Arabic channel.
The man kept scrolling....
November 23, 2025 at 9:38 AM
I felt like I was in Damascus under Assad; only Iranian, Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite, and Houthi TV channels were available, and the PYD/YPG/SDF channel was one of them.
When you're on the ground, information is everywhere. I especially love these completely unexpected gems of information!
When you're on the ground, information is everywhere. I especially love these completely unexpected gems of information!
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Interesting episode about Iranian loans to Syria. Iran wants the same treatment as Russia in that regard.
The host claims that Russia had no militias on the ground. That's not true. Is this the UAE's Russia-friendly line coming through?
youtu.be/S4AsZuP7GJc?...
The host claims that Russia had no militias on the ground. That's not true. Is this the UAE's Russia-friendly line coming through?
youtu.be/S4AsZuP7GJc?...
إرث الأسد الهارب.. إيران تريد أموالها وسوريا ترفض دفع الحساب! - في الواجهة
YouTube video by Al Mashhad المشهد
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Interesting episode about Iranian loans to Syria. Iran wants the same treatment as Russia in that regard.
The host claims that Russia had no militias on the ground. That's not true. Is this the UAE's Russia-friendly line coming through?
youtu.be/S4AsZuP7GJc?...
The host claims that Russia had no militias on the ground. That's not true. Is this the UAE's Russia-friendly line coming through?
youtu.be/S4AsZuP7GJc?...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Russia is expanding again in Syria, back to Daraa and Quneitra. This must have happened in coordination with Washington and Tel Aviv, a commentator says.
youtu.be/PhqeQXJGGho?...
youtu.be/PhqeQXJGGho?...
تقارير: روسيا ستعزز وجودها في جنوب سوريا بموافقة إسرائيل
YouTube video by AlHadath الحدث
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Russia is expanding again in Syria, back to Daraa and Quneitra. This must have happened in coordination with Washington and Tel Aviv, a commentator says.
youtu.be/PhqeQXJGGho?...
youtu.be/PhqeQXJGGho?...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Four IDF soldiers charged with trafficking weapons from Syria into Israel | The Times of Israel share.google/C1Ufi5zLpWgc...
Four IDF soldiers charged with trafficking weapons from Syria into Israel
Troops among several arrested in major arms smuggling bust linked to crime in northern Israel; prosecutors say gun-running took place during summer's Syrian Druze clashes
share.google
November 22, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Four IDF soldiers charged with trafficking weapons from Syria into Israel | The Times of Israel share.google/C1Ufi5zLpWgc...
Four IDF soldiers charged with trafficking weapons from Syria into Israel | The Times of Israel share.google/C1Ufi5zLpWgc...
Four IDF soldiers charged with trafficking weapons from Syria into Israel
Troops among several arrested in major arms smuggling bust linked to crime in northern Israel; prosecutors say gun-running took place during summer's Syrian Druze clashes
share.google
November 22, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Four IDF soldiers charged with trafficking weapons from Syria into Israel | The Times of Israel share.google/C1Ufi5zLpWgc...
Russia is expanding again in Syria, back to Daraa and Quneitra. This must have happened in coordination with Washington and Tel Aviv, a commentator says.
youtu.be/PhqeQXJGGho?...
youtu.be/PhqeQXJGGho?...
تقارير: روسيا ستعزز وجودها في جنوب سوريا بموافقة إسرائيل
YouTube video by AlHadath الحدث
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Russia is expanding again in Syria, back to Daraa and Quneitra. This must have happened in coordination with Washington and Tel Aviv, a commentator says.
youtu.be/PhqeQXJGGho?...
youtu.be/PhqeQXJGGho?...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
NEWS: Lawmakers receive thousands of threats, including bomb threats, because of Trump's call for their execution, Greene set to resign and shrink the GOP majority, Veterans turn on Trump over threats to lawmakers.
A very serious update. Spread the word because people need to see this:
A very serious update. Spread the word because people need to see this:
NEWS: Lawmakers Receive Thousands of Death Threats and Bomb Threats After Trump Called for Their Execution
Lawmakers receive thousands of threats, including bomb threats, because of Trump's call for their execution, Greene set to resign and shrink the GOP majority, Veterans turn on Trump over threats
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
NEWS: Lawmakers receive thousands of threats, including bomb threats, because of Trump's call for their execution, Greene set to resign and shrink the GOP majority, Veterans turn on Trump over threats to lawmakers.
A very serious update. Spread the word because people need to see this:
A very serious update. Spread the word because people need to see this:
Interesting episode about Iranian loans to Syria. Iran wants the same treatment as Russia in that regard.
The host claims that Russia had no militias on the ground. That's not true. Is this the UAE's Russia-friendly line coming through?
youtu.be/S4AsZuP7GJc?...
The host claims that Russia had no militias on the ground. That's not true. Is this the UAE's Russia-friendly line coming through?
youtu.be/S4AsZuP7GJc?...
إرث الأسد الهارب.. إيران تريد أموالها وسوريا ترفض دفع الحساب! - في الواجهة
YouTube video by Al Mashhad المشهد
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Interesting episode about Iranian loans to Syria. Iran wants the same treatment as Russia in that regard.
The host claims that Russia had no militias on the ground. That's not true. Is this the UAE's Russia-friendly line coming through?
youtu.be/S4AsZuP7GJc?...
The host claims that Russia had no militias on the ground. That's not true. Is this the UAE's Russia-friendly line coming through?
youtu.be/S4AsZuP7GJc?...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
The President of the United States just called for my arrest and execution.
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
November 20, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The President of the United States just called for my arrest and execution.
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage:
Reposted by Rena Netjes
The Gazan doctors still languishing in Israeli prisons
While some were released in the ceasefire, Israel still holds 80 Palestinian medical workers without charge. Their families are demanding their freedom.
By Dr Michal Feldon
www.972mag.com/gazan-doctor...
While some were released in the ceasefire, Israel still holds 80 Palestinian medical workers without charge. Their families are demanding their freedom.
By Dr Michal Feldon
www.972mag.com/gazan-doctor...
The Gazan doctors still languishing in Israeli prisons
While some were released in the ceasefire, Israel still holds 80 Palestinian medical workers without charge. Their families are demanding their freedom.
www.972mag.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:57 AM
The Gazan doctors still languishing in Israeli prisons
While some were released in the ceasefire, Israel still holds 80 Palestinian medical workers without charge. Their families are demanding their freedom.
By Dr Michal Feldon
www.972mag.com/gazan-doctor...
While some were released in the ceasefire, Israel still holds 80 Palestinian medical workers without charge. Their families are demanding their freedom.
By Dr Michal Feldon
www.972mag.com/gazan-doctor...
About 7 weeks later, James was beheaded by ISIS.
#Syria An interesting video detailing the rescue operation for American journalist James Foley and several others in July 2014.
Very unfortunately it failed.
youtu.be/cIFQ-FHOmLE?...
Very unfortunately it failed.
youtu.be/cIFQ-FHOmLE?...
Delta Force, 75th Rangers & the Al-Akirshi Operation | July 2014
YouTube video by Liveth For Evermore
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 4:06 PM
About 7 weeks later, James was beheaded by ISIS.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Elizabeth Warren on how members of Congress will check to make sure Epstein files haven't been tampered with: "Whatever gets released, you're gonna have to now start doing comparisons. 'Why is this thing numbered? Page 1, 2, 3, 9 ... uh ... "
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Elizabeth Warren on how members of Congress will check to make sure Epstein files haven't been tampered with: "Whatever gets released, you're gonna have to now start doing comparisons. 'Why is this thing numbered? Page 1, 2, 3, 9 ... uh ... "
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Cryptocurrency backed by Farage donor is used for Russian war effort, investigators say www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Cryptocurrency backed by Farage donor is used for Russian war effort, investigators say
Tether tokens found to facilitate scheme that enables sanctions evasion and launders money for the Kremlin
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Cryptocurrency backed by Farage donor is used for Russian war effort, investigators say www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
#Syria An interesting video detailing the rescue operation for American journalist James Foley and several others in July 2014.
Very unfortunately it failed.
youtu.be/cIFQ-FHOmLE?...
Very unfortunately it failed.
youtu.be/cIFQ-FHOmLE?...
Delta Force, 75th Rangers & the Al-Akirshi Operation | July 2014
YouTube video by Liveth For Evermore
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
#Syria An interesting video detailing the rescue operation for American journalist James Foley and several others in July 2014.
Very unfortunately it failed.
youtu.be/cIFQ-FHOmLE?...
Very unfortunately it failed.
youtu.be/cIFQ-FHOmLE?...
Wow. Saudi Al-Arabiya reports via Israeli media - ידיעות אחרונות - that Israeli aircraft flew via Quneitra/Mount Hermon to West Damascus, then to Homs and Hama, Latakia and Idlib countryside..
Israel is obviously escalating.
Israel is obviously escalating.
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Wow. Saudi Al-Arabiya reports via Israeli media - ידיעות אחרונות - that Israeli aircraft flew via Quneitra/Mount Hermon to West Damascus, then to Homs and Hama, Latakia and Idlib countryside..
Israel is obviously escalating.
Israel is obviously escalating.
Syria is done with Israel.
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Syria is done with Israel.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Epstein survivor Haley Robson refutes Mike Johnson: "The survivors that don't want to be public are Jane Does. They've been protected and their names have been redacted the whole time ... I don't care if my name is redacted is not."
November 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Epstein survivor Haley Robson refutes Mike Johnson: "The survivors that don't want to be public are Jane Does. They've been protected and their names have been redacted the whole time ... I don't care if my name is redacted is not."
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Nothing sounds as authoritarian as threatening the free press. (All other things aside.)
November 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Nothing sounds as authoritarian as threatening the free press. (All other things aside.)
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Russia has abducted thousands of Ukrainian children.
f24.my/BZLM
f24.my/BZLM
‘Their rights are being violated’: Ukrainian families call for return of their stolen children
Family members of Ukrainian children deported from Kherson by Russia made a rare public appeal for their return on Monday in Paris. Since the start of its full-scale invasion, Moscow has deported Ukra...
f24.my
November 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Russia has abducted thousands of Ukrainian children.
f24.my/BZLM
f24.my/BZLM
MBS can't believe his ears. After all these years of the US criticizing Saudi Arabia at least mildly, the US is starting to resemble authoritarian Saudi Arabia. #upside-down
Trump in response to an Epstein question: "ABC, your company, your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that."
November 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
MBS can't believe his ears. After all these years of the US criticizing Saudi Arabia at least mildly, the US is starting to resemble authoritarian Saudi Arabia. #upside-down
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Why did not a single male reporter who were standing next to the president and the female reporter he called "piggy" say a word to the president about this and call him out then and there? Those who keep quiet in these moments are part of the problem.
November 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Why did not a single male reporter who were standing next to the president and the female reporter he called "piggy" say a word to the president about this and call him out then and there? Those who keep quiet in these moments are part of the problem.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
As Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) visits the White House, DAWN joins rights advocates outside the Saudi Embassy in D.C. to remind the world that MBS ordered Saudi agents to kill DAWN's founder Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
November 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
As Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) visits the White House, DAWN joins rights advocates outside the Saudi Embassy in D.C. to remind the world that MBS ordered Saudi agents to kill DAWN's founder Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Epstein survivor Haley Robson: "To the President of the United States of America, I want to send a clear message to you…I can't help to be skeptical of what [your] agenda is…I am traumatized. I am not stupid. You have put us through so much stress…It's not right."
November 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Epstein survivor Haley Robson: "To the President of the United States of America, I want to send a clear message to you…I can't help to be skeptical of what [your] agenda is…I am traumatized. I am not stupid. You have put us through so much stress…It's not right."