SDF emerges as key player in Syrian equation, Iran heads toward paralysis

Arab newspapers issued this morning focused on the Syrian situation, particularly in the North and East Syria region, as well as on developments in Iran, alongside Israeli affairs and Turkish movements in Libya.

SDF is the key player in the Syrian equation after a decade of establishment

Starting with the Syrian issue, Independent Arabia reported that the March 10 agreement between Ahmad al-Sharaa and the SDF leadership adopted a nationwide ceasefire and discussed integrating the SDF and civil institutions of the Autonomous Administration into the state’s institutions. The deal also ensures Kurdish rights in the country’s permanent constitution, facilitates the return of displaced people, especially Kurds from Afrin, Tal Abyad, and Serekaniye, guarantees a fair distribution of natural resources, and calls for opening border crossings with neighboring countries.

These developments suggest a new formula in which the SDF becomes part of the Syrian state, after previously being a non-official armed organization with autonomous administration managing nearly one-third of Syria’s territory, arguably the richest in resources, and home to around six million people enjoying relative security and stability.

Is Iran heading toward paralysis?

Regarding Iran, Asharq Al-Awsat noted that the country has faced bombings, renewed UN sanctions, and a deepening economic crisis this year, pushing it to the brink of collapse.

Nevertheless, Iran’s rulers have yet to take any major step to halt this decline, resume critical nuclear negotiations with the West, or fully prepare for potential new confrontations with Israel and the United States.

Previously, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 86, praised the “strategic patience” policy pursued by Tehran against its enemies. However, growing concern now suggests that this patience has turned into paralysis, especially as Iran’s allies in what it calls the “Axis of Resistance” have suffered devastation—with no visible material support from China or Russia.

Khamenei himself warned in September: “One of the harms or risks facing the country is precisely this situation that is neither war nor peace, and it is not a good situation.” Yet, no measures have been taken to change this equation, as Iranians remain fearful of war resuming. Each fire or industrial accident sparks new anxiety, while citizens watch their savings vanish as the Iranian rial continues to plummet to record lows against the US dollar.

Libya becomes a naval battleground between Turkey and Greece

According to Al-Arab newspaper, a looming crisis is unfolding in the Mediterranean, as Turkey and Greece exploit Libya’s political instability to bolster their competing claims over gas resources and maritime zones.

The report noted that this dynamic is now evident as Turkey—alongside its partners, including the United States and Italy—entangles the long-standing Libyan political crisis and the underwater gas field disputes in the Mediterranean in a dangerous way, hoping to impose a new geostrategic reality in its favor. However, these maneuvers risk triggering a catastrophic escalation that could devastate Libya’s stability, Mediterranean energy markets, and regional political order for years to come.

Political challenges await Netanyahu’s coalition after Gaza war ceasefire

In Israeli affairs, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed wrote that after the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement came into effect and following US President Donald Trump’s ceremonial visit to the Israeli Knesset, where he delivered a speech reaffirming strong support for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Knesset’s winter session officially opened last Monday.

With that, Israel’s political scene has returned to focus on pressing domestic issues that were postponed or restrained during the two-year war period.

The tension surrounding the opening session reflected the intensity of divisions and disagreements within Israel’s political landscape, alongside the legislative and political hurdles awaiting the ruling coalition and Netanyahu personally, especially amid growing speculation about the possibility of early elections.

A-H 

ANHA