Panorama of Weak: Leader Ocalan’s Peace Process, Syrian Coast returns to protest

Arab newspapers published over the past week addressed the initiative of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, in addition to the protests in the Syrian coast and the situation in Lebanon.

Turkey Recalculates Its Kurdish Policy: Why Now… and Why leader Ocalan?

Starting with Al-Arab newspaper, which wrote about the call for peace and democratic society, stating that:

“The current moment seems to be a test of the will of both sides. The success of the initiative requires more than statements and declarations; it needs concrete measures to build trust, such as improving human rights conditions, expanding the margin for political activity, and ensuring the return of fighters within a fair legal framework. It also requires a new discourse that reassures Turkish public opinion and presents peace as a national asset, not a threat to sovereignty.”

The article concluded by saying:

“In conclusion, Abdullah Ocalan’s call for the dissolution of the PKK represents a pivotal moment that could reshape the map of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict. But at the same time, it places Turkey before a historic responsibility: either to transform the end of violence into sustainable peace that addresses the roots of the crisis, or to miss a rare opportunity that may not be easily repeated. Between these two options lies the future of the relationship between the Turkish state and its Kurdish population, and perhaps the future of stability in one of the most complex regions of the Middle East.”

Protest Movements in Syrian Coastal Cities Demand ‘Ending the Killings,’ Decentralization, and Release of Detainees

Regarding Syria, Al-Khaleej (Gulf )newspaper highlighted the demonstrations that took place in the coastal Syrian cities, where hundreds of young men from the Alawite community in Latakia, Tartous, and Hama took to the streets in response to calls made by religious figures, most notably Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Alawite Islamic Supreme Council in Syria and the diaspora.

Protesters raised banners demanding “ending the killings,” “decentralization,” and “the release of detainees,” amid the deployment of internal security forces to secure gathering points.

The newspaper noted that chants focused on demands to “lift injustice” and “end chaos,” considering these movements an expression of growing anger over the worsening economic and security situation in the Syrian coastal region.

The Assassination of Al-Tabatabai in Beirut… What Is Happening Between Trump and Netanyahu?

Al-Majalla magazine discussed the implications of the assassination of Al-Tabatabai, asking whether the killing signals the beginning of a new phase of escalation—similar to the wave of assassinations between September and November 2024.

However, the magazine rules out the scenario of war at the moment due to the consolidation of the ceasefire in Gaza and the desire of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to maintain it.

The magazine notes that Israel is operating within carefully measured “margins” of escalation without crossing American red lines, while attempting to justify its operations by constantly invoking the threat posed by Iran and Hezbollah.

It further explains that Washington is not eager to open a new front in Lebanon, especially after the election of Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun, and the formation of Nawaf Salam’s government.

It also indicates that Iran and Hezbollah are not inclined toward escalation now due to the complexities of negotiations with the West, making Hezbollah’s expected response to the assassination of Al-Tabatabai “calculated and limited.”

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ANHA