MYSTERIOUS: Barbara leaf - You Need To See This

Trump’s Iran deal is result of unrealistic ambitions for an untenable war

US entered war with maximalist goals and exits it with pragmatic decision to end conflict despite political cost

The Guardian - UK · Jun 17

Trump gathers Cabinet as he looks to seal deal to end war that some backers worry will embolden Iran

President Trump is close to a deal to end the war with Iran. This agreement aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reduce Iran's nuclear capabilities. However, critical issues remain unresolved. Some allies worry Iran's leaders may emerge stronger. Recent U.S. strikes in Iran have complicated ongoing talks.

The Economic Times · May 27

US State Department Begins Mass Layoffs

More than 1,300 State Department employees were fired Friday in a downsizing ordered by President Donald Trump and touted as cutting bloated government -- but which critics predict will hamstring US influence around the world.

International Business Times · Jul 11, 2025

Middle East latest: 2 journalists working for Kurdish media killed in clashes in northern Syria

A journalists association says two reporters working for Kurdish media outlets have been killed in clashes between Syrian Kurdish militia and Turkish-backed fighters in northern Syria

The Independent UK · Dec 20, 2024

US drops $10m reward for arrest of Syria’s new leader after Damascus talks

Diplomat Barbara Leaf says US received ‘positive messages’ in talks with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Syrian capital.

Al Jazeera · Dec 20, 2024

‘Pipe dream’: Why is the US pushing the Palestinian Authority to lead Gaza?

Analysts say talk of the Palestinian Authority governing a destroyed post-conflict Gaza is premature and unrealistic.

Al Jazeera · Nov 17, 2023

US Secretary Of State Antony Blinken To Visit Israel, Hold Talks With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‌

‌Blinken will also travel to Jordan, Japan, Korea and India during November 2–10.

Zenger · Nov 2, 2023

Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ‘strategic cooperation’

The trip next week will be the top US diplomat’s first to the kingdom since the Iranian-Saudi normalisation deal.

Al Jazeera · Jun 2, 2023

Timeline: How US stance shifted on killing of Shireen Abu Akleh

The Biden administration’s position on the killing has shifted over time despite repeated US calls for ‘accountability’.

Al Jazeera · May 11, 2023

Washington Renews Rejection of ‘Normalization’ with Damascus

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, stressed that no normalization would take place with the Syrian regime “in the absence of permanent political change." The US State Department announced, in a tweet, that Leaf met with a delegation of the opposition Syrian National Coalition…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 27, 2023