Image is of Assad’s presidential palace in 2013. There’s more images of it in this article, though the words in it aren’t worth reading.
Here is Assad’s version of events. I like to imagine he’s making one of those Youtuber apology videos where they sigh at the start and talk in a chastised yet somewhat defensive tone of voice.
As terrorism spread across Syria and ultimately reached Damascus on the evening of Saturday 7th December 2024, questions arose about the president’s fate and whereabouts. This occurred amidst a flood of misinformation and narratives far removed from the truth, aimed at recasting international terrorism as a liberation revolution for Syria.
At such a critical juncture in the nation’s history, where truth must take precedence, it is essential to address these distortions. Unfortunately, the prevailing circumstances at the time, including a total communication blackout for security reasons, delayed the release of this statement. This does not replace a detailed account of the events that unfolded, which will be provided when the opportunity allows.
First, my departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday 8th December 2024. As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in co-ordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations. Upon arrival at the Hmeimim airbase that morning, it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen. As the field situation in the area continued to deteriorate, the Russian military base itself came under intensified attack by drone strikes.
With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base’s command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Sunday 8th December. This took place a day after the fall of Damascus following the collapse of the final military positions and the resulting paralysis of all remaining state institutions.
At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught.
I reaffirm that the person who, from the very first day of the war, refused to barter the salvation of his nation for personal gain, or to compromise his people in exchange for numerous offers and enticements is the same person who stood alongside the officers and soldiers of the army on the front lines, just metres from terrorists in the most dangerous and intense battlefields. He is the same person who, during the darkest years of the war, did not leave but remained with his family alongside his people, confronting terrorism under bombardment and the recurring threats of terrorist incursions into the capital over 14 years of war. Furthermore, the person who has never abandoned the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon, nor betrayed his allies who stood by him, cannot possibly be the same person who would forsake his own people or betray the army and nation to which he belongs.
I have never sought positions for personal gain but have always considered myself as a custodian of a national project, supported by the faith of the Syrian people, who believed in its vision. I have carried an unwavering conviction in their will and ability to protect the state, defend its institutions, and uphold their choices to the very last moment.
When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, rendering its occupation meaningless. This does not, in any way, diminish my profound sense of belonging to Syria and her people – a bond that remains unshaken by any position or circumstance. It is a belonging filled with hope that Syria will once again be free and independent.
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Israel-Palestine Conflict
Sources on the fighting in Palestine against Israel. In general, CW for footage of battles, explosions, dead people, and so on:
UNRWA reports on Israel’s destruction and siege of Gaza and the West Bank.
English-language Palestinian Marxist-Leninist twitter account. Alt here.
English-language twitter account that collates news.
Arab-language twitter account with videos and images of fighting.
English-language (with some Arab retweets) Twitter account based in Lebanon. - Telegram is @IbnRiad.
English-language Palestinian Twitter account which reports on news from the Resistance Axis. - Telegram is @EyesOnSouth.
English-language Twitter account in the same group as the previous two. - Telegram here.
English-language PalestineResist telegram channel.
More telegram channels here for those interested.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Examples of Ukrainian Nazis and fascists
Examples of racism/euro-centrism during the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Sources:
Defense Politics Asia’s youtube channel and their map. Their youtube channel has substantially diminished in quality but the map is still useful.
Moon of Alabama, which tends to have interesting analysis. Avoid the comment section.
Understanding War and the Saker: reactionary sources that have occasional insights on the war.
Alexander Mercouris, who does daily videos on the conflict. While he is a reactionary and surrounds himself with likeminded people, his daily update videos are relatively brainworm-free and good if you don’t want to follow Russian telegram channels to get news. He also co-hosts The Duran, which is more explicitly conservative, racist, sexist, transphobic, anti-communist, etc when guests are invited on, but is just about tolerable when it’s just the two of them if you want a little more analysis.
Simplicius, who publishes on Substack. Like others, his political analysis should be soundly ignored, but his knowledge of weaponry and military strategy is generally quite good.
On the ground: Patrick Lancaster, an independent and very good journalist reporting in the warzone on the separatists’ side.
Unedited videos of Russian/Ukrainian press conferences and speeches.
Pro-Russian Telegram Channels:
Again, CW for anti-LGBT and racist, sexist, etc speech, as well as combat footage.
https://t.me/aleksandr_skif ~ DPR’s former Defense Minister and Colonel in the DPR’s forces. Russian language.
https://t.me/Slavyangrad ~ A few different pro-Russian people gather frequent content for this channel (~100 posts per day), some socialist, but all socially reactionary. If you can only tolerate using one Russian telegram channel, I would recommend this one.
https://t.me/s/levigodman ~ Does daily update posts.
https://t.me/patricklancasternewstoday ~ Patrick Lancaster’s telegram channel.
https://t.me/gonzowarr ~ A big Russian commentator.
https://t.me/rybar ~ One of, if not the, biggest Russian telegram channels focussing on the war out there. Actually quite balanced, maybe even pessimistic about Russia. Produces interesting and useful maps.
https://t.me/epoddubny ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/boris_rozhin ~ Russian language.
https://t.me/mod_russia_en ~ Russian Ministry of Defense. Does daily, if rather bland updates on the number of Ukrainians killed, etc. The figures appear to be approximately accurate; if you want, reduce all numbers by 25% as a ‘propaganda tax’, if you don’t believe them. Does not cover everything, for obvious reasons, and virtually never details Russian losses.
https://t.me/UkraineHumanRightsAbuses ~ Pro-Russian, documents abuses that Ukraine commits.
Pro-Ukraine Telegram Channels:
Almost every Western media outlet.
https://discord.gg/projectowl ~ Pro-Ukrainian OSINT Discord.
https://t.me/ice_inii ~ Alleged Ukrainian account with a rather cynical take on the entire thing.
Diplomatic Standoff in the Kattegat Resolved: Chinese Freighter Will Depart After Inspection by Chinese Authorities
Chinese authorities, observed by representatives from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Germany, has inspected the Yi Peng 3, a bulk carrier anchored in the Kattegat for weeks following Nordic allegations of involvement in sabotaging underwater communication cables, presumably at Russia’s behest. The inspection was facilitated through high-level talks between Chinese and Nordic diplomats, hosted by Denmark’s Moderate Party-controlled Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The allegations stem from cable failures in the Baltic Sea on November 17 and 18, which Western authorities were quick to label as “sabotage.” China has denied any involvement, stating it has “no knowledge” of the incident, while Russia dismissed the accusations as “absurd,” citing the lack of evidence.
The Yi Peng 3, returning from a routine voyage to Russia, suspended its journey in response to the allegations. The vessel remained anchored in international waters within Denmark’s exclusive economic zone, where Nordic authorities lack the legal jurisdiction to detain or inspect it without China’s consent. To avoid escalating tensions, China has opted to keep the vessel stationary in the Kattegat until now. Nordic naval vessels have monitored the ship closely throughout its stay.
The case has also drawn the attention of the United States, whose embassy in Copenhagen has reportedly pressed Danish military and civilian officials from several agencies for intelligence on the vessel. Observers suggest that elements in the US leadership may be deeply concerned about perceived Chinese involvement in what they view as Russian sabotage targeting NATO infrastructure. Reflecting China’s commitment to resolving the issue, a “fairly large” delegation, as described by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, participated in talks in Copenhagen. Rasmussen commended all parties, including China, for their cooperation.
Despite these efforts, the resolution fell short of Nordic expectations. Initial demands from Nordic governments called for the Yi Peng 3 to dock in a Swedish port for investigation and crew interrogation by Swedish police. Instead, they were compelled to accept a compromise allowing only Chinese authorities to carry out the inspection, with Western observers restricted to a passive role and prohibited from conducting their own inquiries.
This incident recalls a similar case last year involving another Chinese vessel accused by Western governments of disrupting communication cables in the Gulf of Finland. That ship was permitted to leave without inspection.
Pretty sure there are a couple hundred incidents of ships dragging their anchors through cables a year by accident
The Danes are not okay
Non-zero chance it was rejected because the crew looked up the canteen menu and saw it was all Surströmming.
Swedish cuisine is generally good for anything that should have sugar in it. Like cakes or sweets.
Unfortunately they also put sugar in things that absolutely shouldn’t have it, like sausages and mustard.
Mustard benefits from having some source of sugar. Honey mustard, beer, or straight sugar are all common additives in mustard. Acidity from the vinegar is improved by a bit of sugar.
neat how this article fails to mention the results of the inspection, which presumably found jack and shitThe inspection is over now. It took five hours. “About 25 experts” are reported to have been part of the inspection. No details about what has been found has been released. The leader of the Swedish investigation has given a brief statement about investigators having talked to crew and made technical examinations, ie. the same as saying nothing at all. He says investigators are done now.
To be fair I don’t know if the inspections are over yet.
oops, I misread it as saying the freighter had departed. my mistake