Epstein Obtained Objects From Islam’s Holiest Site for His Island ‘Mosque’

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Jeffrey Epstein’s messages cast light on an unusual building on his private island and show how his connections helped him secure tapestries from Mecca for it.

Screenshot from this NYT article. | A photo released by the House Oversight Committee showed a building once owned by Jeffrey Epstein on Little Saint James, his private island in the Caribbean. He referred to it as a mosque. | Credits: Unavailable
Tapestries embroidered with Quranic verses were shipped from the Kaaba in Mecca, Islam’s holiest shrine. Tiles came from a mosque in Uzbekistan. A golden metal dome was made to replicate the architecture of ancient Syria.

Jeffrey Epstein spent years making connections across the Middle East, in pursuit of business deals and two intertwined hobbies: acquiring rare Islamic artifacts with which to decorate an unusual building on his private island, and expanding his network of wealthy, powerful people.

Through connections that extended into the royal court of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Epstein secured a meeting with Mohammed bin Salman, now the Saudi crown prince, and also obtained elaborate tapestries that once adorned the sacred spaces inside the Kaaba and covered its exterior walls. » | Ephrat Livni | Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Four Ways Trump’s War Is Weakening America

THE NEW YORK TIMES — OPINION: When President Trump attacked Iran on Feb. 28, we called his decision reckless. He went to war without seeking congressional approval or the support of most allies. He offered thin and contradictory justifications to the American people. He failed to explain why this naïve attempt at regime change would end better than earlier attempts by the United States in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

In the six weeks since, the recklessness of his war has become clearer yet. He has disdained careful military planning and acted on gut instinct and wishfulness. After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel predicted to Mr. Trump that the attacks would inspire a popular uprising in Iran, the director of the C.I.A. countered that the notion was “farcical,” The Times reported. Mr. Trump proceeded nonetheless. He was so confident that he assembled no plan to respond to an obvious countermove available to Iran: causing a spike in oil prices by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Nor did he develop a feasible strategy for securing the enriched uranium that Iran can use to rebuild its nuclear program.

Last week he careened from illegal and immoral threats about erasing Iranian civilization to a last-minute cease-fire that accomplishes few of his announced war aims. Iran continues to defy a central part of the deal and block most traffic from crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Mr. Trump’s irresponsibility has left the United States on the cusp of a humiliating strategic defeat.

As we have emphasized, Iran’s regime deserves no sympathy. It has spent decades oppressing its people and sponsoring terrorism elsewhere. And the current war, combined with the June attacks by the United States and Israel and other Israeli operations since 2023, weakened Iran in important ways. Its navy, air force and air defenses have been degraded, and its nuclear program has been set back. Its murderous network of regional allies — including Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria’s fallen government — has been eroded.

Yet these successes cannot mask the ways in which the war has weakened the United States. We count four main setbacks for America’s national interests that are the direct result of Mr. Trump’s carelessness. These setbacks likewise weaken global democracy when authoritarians in China, Russia and elsewhere were already feeling emboldened. » | The Editorial Board | The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstanding values. It is separate from the newsroom. | Sunday, April 12, 2026

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Gulf Countries Warn of Rising Threat from Iran-backed Militias and Proxies

THE GUARDIAN: Fears grow that Tehran may start activating sleeper cells across Middle East as part of war with US and Israel

Gulf countries have raised concerns over the prospect of attacks by Iran-backed militias and proxy armed groups in the region, which they fear could destabilise their regimes and escalate the war in the Middle East.

In a joint statement this week, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan condemned Iranian attacks on their soil, both as strikes carried out directly from Iran and “through their proxies and armed factions they support in the region”.

On Wednesday, Kuwait said it had foiled a plot to kill state leaders, and arrested six suspects believed to be associated with Iran’s most powerful proxy group, Hezbollah.

For decades, Iran has used proxy militias as a pillar of its foreign and security policy, as a means to export its revolution, expand its regional influence and destabilise enemy countries. The most prominent examples are Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen but other brutal and influential Iran-backed militias also operate in Iraq and Syria.

On Friday, the Houthis confirmed they had launched a missile strike on Israel, the first time the proxy group have admitted involvement in the war in Middle East. » | Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Dubai | Saturday, March 28, 2026

Family of Death: The Fall of Syria’s Mass-Murderer Dynasty | ENDEVR Documentary

March 1, 2026

How Assad Moved to Crush Syria’s Uprising | The Regime | Full Documentary | FRONTLINE (PBS)

March 11, 2026

‘Deep Dark Son of a B**ch’: Jeffrey Sachs Loses Cool at Netanyahu's Iran War | US News

Mar 4, 2026 | American economist Jeffrey Sachs launches a fierce critique of U.S. foreign policy, accusing Washington and President Donald Trump of misleading the public over wars in the Middle East, including Iran. He questions whether American democracy truly functions on life-and-death decisions, claims wars were sold through narratives and focus groups, and argues interventions from Iraq to Syria were based on phony pretences. Sachs also criticises regime change operations, CIA secrecy, and what he calls a “game” of power politics. He warns America’s greatest risks come from within, not from China.

The President of War

THE NEW YORK TIMES — OPINION: The U.S. military was once a tool of last resort for American presidents.

The tough decision to deploy armed troops for conflict in another country came after diplomacy, political pressure and other peaceful options were exhausted. This clearly doesn’t hold true in the second Trump administration.

In a short video posted on Saturday morning, President Trump stood in a darkened room at a lectern in a white “U.S.A.” hat and announced that the United States military had begun “major combat operations in Iran” and called for the overthrow of its government. He warned that this could be a costly fight, and that American lives could be lost.

In his attempt to project power to all corners of the globe during his second term, Mr. Trump has routinely relied on both the threat and the use of military action to coerce opponents and allies alike into giving him what he wants. Warnings of American military involvement — traditionally viewed by commanders in chief as “break glass in case of emergency” — have now become a weekly, if not daily, occurrence.

The world has watched Mr. Trump launch military operations in Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, Iraq and Syria; capture and remove Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, from power; threaten to use military force to take control of Greenland; pressure Mexico to allow U.S. troops in the country to target fentanyl labs; and direct an air campaign to kill suspected drug smugglers at sea. » | W.J. Hennigan | Mr. Hennigan writes about national security for Opinion. | Saturday, February 28, 2026

Huckabee’s Israel Land Remarks Condemned as ‘Dangerous’ as Controversy Rumbles On

THE GUARDIAN: Arab and Islamic governments issue joint statement denouncing the comments made on Tucker Carlson podcast

Arab and Islamic countries jointly condemned remarks by the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who suggested Israel had a biblical right to a vast swath of the Middle East.

Huckabee, a former Baptist minister and a fervent Israel supporter, was speaking on the podcast of Tucker Carlson.

In an episode released on Friday, Carlson pushed Huckabee on the meaning of a biblical verse sometimes interpreted as saying that Israel is entitled to the land between the Nile River in Egypt and the Euphrates in Syria and Iraq.

In response, Huckabee said: “It would be fine if they took it all.”

When pressed, however, he continued that Israel was “not asking to take all of that”, adding: “It was somewhat of a hyperbolic statement.”

The backlash widened sharply on Sunday as more than a dozen Arab and Islamic governments – alongside three major regional organisations – issued a joint statement denouncing the US diplomat’s comments as “dangerous and inflammatory”. » | Agence France-Presse | Sunday, February 22, 2026

Trump Expands Travel Ban and Restrictions to 20 More Countries

THE NEW YORK TIMES: People from Syria, South Sudan and those with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are included in the latest restrictions. More than 35 countries are now under U.S. travel restrictions.

President Trump on Tuesday expanded travel restrictions to include 20 more countries, just weeks after he promised to do so when authorities arrested an Afghan national in the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington.

The revised policy, which takes effect on Jan. 1, fully blocks travel for individuals from five additional countries — Syria, South Sudan, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso — and also for people with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The Trump administration also added partial travel restrictions for individuals from 15 additional countries, predominantly in Africa. With the expansion, there are now more than 35 countries with U.S. travel restrictions.

Mr. Trump first instituted a travel ban on 12 countries, including Afghanistan, in June and vowed after the shooting last month to “permanently pause migration from all third world countries.” Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, said she recommended to Mr. Trump “a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”

The partial travel restrictions apply to people from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe. » | Tyler Pager and Hamed Aleaziz | Reporting from Washington | Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Assad Family Live in Russian Luxury as Bashar ‘Brushes Up on Ophthalmology’

THE GUARDIAN: Family friend, sources in Russia and Syria, and leaked data help give rare insight into life of dictator’s reclusive household

In 2011, a group of teenage boys spray-painted a warning on to a wall in their school playground: “It’s your turn, Doctor.” The graffiti was a thinly veiled threat that Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, a London-trained ophthalmologist, would be next in the line of Arab dictators toppled by the then raging Arab spring.

It took 14 years, during which 620,000 were killed and nearly 14 million displaced, but eventually the doctor’s turn came and Assad was deposed, fleeing to Moscow in the middle of the night.

But after relinquishing his dictatorship for a gilded exile in Moscow, Assad is reportedly giving his medical training another go. The leader of the Middle East’s last Ba’athist regime now sits in the classroom, taking ophthalmology lessons, according to a well-placed source.

“He’s studying Russian and brushing up on his ophthalmology again,” said a friend of the Assad family who has kept in touch with them. “It’s a passion of his, he obviously doesn’t need the money. Even before the war in Syria began, he used to regularly practice his ophthalmology in Damascus,” they continued, suggesting the wealthy elite in Moscow could be his target clientele. » | William Christou and Pjotr Sauer | Monday, December 15, 2025

Life in Lebanon as the Country Falls

Oct 23, 2025 | Lebanon, the former “Switzerland of the Middle East”, stands on the brink of becoming a failed state. Years of civil war, border conflicts and corrupt government has left the country bankrupt and spiralling into chaos. The Beirut port explosion reduced the capital to tatters and exposed the utter failure of sectarianism politics. Lebanon now finds itself more vulnerable than ever to foreign influence, once again a key stake for international powers playing out their broader ambitions across the Mideast. But in this deeply divided country, a young generation is ready to battle for reform.

At the supermarkets in Beirut, hyperinflation has led to the food changing price every day. Lilian, 24, hoped to become a diplomat but the economic crisis forced her to quit her studies. Now she is has joined the protest movement and pawns her clothes to buy food. The man most people blame for this desperate situation is Riad Salameh, head of the central bank for the past three decades and accused of embezzling close to a billion dollars. The IMF and World Bank has offered to bail out Lebanon if the central bank opens up its account books. Something that Salameh – with the support of the whole political class – absolutely refuses to do.

Yet economic collapse isn’t the only cause of the country’s woes. In southern Lebanon, safety risks along the border with Israel are a main source of instability. This is a stronghold for Hezbollah, which operates as a state within a state, providing for every aspect of daily life in exchange for absolute loyalty. Further north, the Bekaa valley is the other Hezbollah stronghold. But it is also home to one of Lebanon’s most serious problems the Syrian refugee crisis. The mass arrival of 1.5 million Syrian refugees has further destabilised a nation long distrustful of Syria. Everything is done to hide the Syrian problem. Large international NGO are prevented from working here and the refugees themselves, like 12-year-old Abdelfateh, are forced to slave long hours to survive.

No population census has been held for decades in Lebanon to avoid threatening the fragile balance of sectarian powers. But the sunnis are convinced they form the largest section of the population.They feel oppressed and increasingly look towards Saudi Arabia or Turkey’s Muslim brotherhood for help. But despite everything, people like Lilian are determined to confront these endemic problems. “My destiny is to stay here and engage in political action…. The proverb “Lebanese love life” is very true, we love life despite everything!”

This documentary was produced by Kaliste Productions and directed by Alfred de Montesquiou. It was first released in 2021.

Trump Announces Random New Tariffs for Dozens of Countries, Causing Economic Chaos and Hardship.

Aug 1, 2025 | Donald Trump signed an executive order modifying the tariff rates he first announced in April ahead of a Friday deadline for the new rates on imported goods to go into effect. The order states that goods imported from every nation on Earth will be subject to a 10% tariff except for goods from the 92 countries listed in an annex that are subject to higher tariff rates. The highest tariff is on goods from Syria, which will be taxed at 41%.

Watching Trump run the US economy is like watching a child playing with a toy till. – © Mark Alexander

Hungry Man Kitchen: Mfarakeh A Middle Eastern, Spiced Potato Dish – Protein-rich, Irresistible, Satisfying, and Moreish

Jun 27, 2025 | Mfarakeh (also spelled Mufaraqah, Mufarakeh, Mfarrakeh) is a traditional Middle Eastern comfort food made from eggs scrambled with vegetables or meat, often flavored with warm spices like cumin, black pepper, and Aleppo pepper.

The name "Mfarakeh" comes from the Arabic word "farak" (فَرَك), meaning "to crumble" or "separate" — referring to the way eggs are stirred into the pan to form soft, distinct curds. It’s popular in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and parts of Iraq and Egypt, with many families preparing their own twist depending on what’s available.

This version is a one-pan dish made with spiced ground beef, potatoes, and eggs — simple, high in protein, and incredibly satisfying.


Hungry Man Kitchen can be supported on Patreon here.

NICEA: Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil »

Attentat dans une église en Syrie : «C’est la première tuerie de masse contre des chrétiens à Damas depuis 1860»

LE FIGARO : ENTRETIEN - Pour le spécialiste Wassim Nasr, l’attentat-suicide imputé à Daesh qui a fait 27 morts dans un quartier chrétien de Damas, rappelle la capacité de nuisance des cellules djihadistes restées en Syrie, qui cherchent à décrédibiliser les autorités syriennes.

Un attentat-suicide a fait au moins 27 morts et une cinquantaine de blessés dans l’église Mar Elias du quartier chrétien de Damas en Syrie ce dimanche 22 juin 2025. Selon un ministre syrien, l’auteur de l’attentat appartenait au groupe État islamique. » | Par Elisabeth Pierson | lundi 23 juin 2025

THE GUARDIAN : Islamic State suicide bombing in Damascus church kills 22 and injures 63: Evening attack is first major atrocity by Islamist terror group in Syria since President al-Assad was deposed »

Syria Sees Outbreaks of Violence and Killings | BBC News

Mar 17, 2025 | Since overthrowing President Assad’s regime, Syria’s new authorities have been working to establish their control over the country.

But this has brought them into conflict in areas dominated by the Alawite sect, the group from which President Assad drew much of his support.

Fighting recently broke out with dozens of casualties in an Alawite village south of Latakia. Lina Sonja reports from the area.

Christians Are Pressing Trump to Clear a Path for Israel to Annex the West Bank

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Some 80 percent of white, evangelical Christians voted for President Trump. Now, some want a policy change that could undermine a future Palestinian state.

Evangelical Christian leaders who delivered votes to President Trump are now pressing him to declare that Israel can claim ownership of the West Bank, based on a promise God made to the Jews in the Bible.

They are seeking a way to pave a path toward annexation of territory that is widely viewed internationally as intended for a future Palestinian state. Israel seized the territory as part of a war between it, Jordan, Egypt and Syria in 1967 and has occupied it since. In recent years, the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been encouraging Jewish settlers to build homes there at an increasing rate.

Prominent evangelical supporters of Mr. Trump are mounting a multipronged approach to pressure the president — making appearances in Israel, petitioning the White House, pushing their ideas at a key evangelical conference and building congressional backing.

Some of America’s leading evangelicals, including Ralph Reed, Tony Perkins and Mario Bramnick, visited Jerusalem on Tuesday to publicly back Israel’s sovereignty of the West Bank. » | Ephrat Livni | Reporting from Washington | Saturday, March 8, 2025

Fears of Civil War in Syria as More than 1,000 Reported Killed | BBC News

Mar 9, 2025 | The UN is urging Syria's interim leaders to take swift action to protect civilians following a wave of violence against members of the minority Alawite community.

The violence began after loyalists of former President Bashar al-Assad - whose regime was toppled last December - ambushed government forces in recent days.

Government security forces are said to have been carrying out reprisals in Latakia Province, where at least 1,000 Alawites, including children are said to have been killed in recent days. The BBC has not been able to independently verify the death toll.

The Alawites are a minority sect of Shia Muslims, from which the Assad family originates.

Syria's interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa – who played a leading role in the rebellion that toppled Assad – has called for peace and announced an investigation into the violence. But so far, he hasn't directly addressed accusations that atrocities were being committed by his supporters. Syrians have been protesting against the violence in the capital Damascus.

The UN says it's received "extremely disturbing" reports of whole families being killed, and has called on the interim authorities to take "swift actions to protect Syrians" while the US says the Syrian leadership must hold the perpetrators accountable.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Lina Sinjab in Damascus.

We Will Work on Forming an Inclusive Transitional Government: Syria's President Sharaa

Jan 30, 2025 | Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa will work on forming an inclusive transitional government, he said on Thursday in his first speech after being declared president. "A preparatory committee for the national dialogue conference will be announced in the coming days," Sharaa added.

French, German FMs Meet Syria's New de facto Leaders | DW News

Jan 3, 2025 | Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock and her counterpart, France's Jean-Noel Barrot, are the first ministers from the EU to visit Syria and meet with de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa since rebels seized control of Damascus on December 8, 2024. Their visit to Syria is the highest-level western visit since the fall of the Assad regime.

They expresseed support for the rebuilding of Syria. But they also made it clear that the EU will not finance Islamism - or tolerate discrimination against women or ethnic and religious groups.

DW talks to Christoph Schult in Damascus who is currently traveling with FM Baerbock. He is a journalist at Germany's Spiegel magazine.

There's some controversy over the Syrian leader's greeting for his EU visitors. Ahmad al-Sharaa shook hands with the French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot, a man, but not with Gemany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, a woman.

Syria's New Government Should Represent All Groups in Civil Society | DW News

Jan 1, 2025 | Syria has celebrated its first new year free of the Assad family's rule in five decades. Fireworks lit up one of the main squares in central Damascus as Syrians welcomed 2025 with high hopes for their future. The fall of the regime last month has allowed activists and ordinary people to speak openly for the first time about the country they want Syria to become. While some groups are connecting to unify their efforts, others are attempting to play down a quick transition to new governance. DW's Rama Jarmakani reports from the capital, Damascus. We spoke to Anas Joudeh, founder and director of the Syrian group 'Nation Building Movement'.