Antoun Issa

co-founder @deepcutnews - long time journo, formerly Guardian ... focus: west Asia

[Deepcut News @deepcutnews]

First column by @AmyRemeikis - a take on the declining standards of Australian political journalism.

"So much of our media is not fit for purpose. Journalists rarely get taught how to be fierce and fearless anymore."

https://t.co/77iQ6aRzda

[Deepcut News @deepcutnews]

🚨announcement🚨

We're thrilled to have @AmyRemeikis join as a guest contributor. Her first column is this week as parliament resumes.

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https://t.co/m6ijeR1pu5

[Bassem @BBassem7]

Nothing unites the Syrian minorities and majority of moderate Sunnis with the new Salafi/jihadi regime in Syria, nothing. We can’t coexist.

The new regime in Damascus and their zombies of followers are destroying the Syrian social fabric one minority at a time.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

@tparsi Also a reminder that standing idly by while Israel bombs at will and grabs more land isn't going to end well.

[Trita Parsi @tparsi]

Israel bombs Damascus while the US pushes Syria to join the Abraham Accords.

A tangible reminder that the Abraham Accords is the manifestation of capitulation to Israeli hegemony, prolongation of US military presence in the Mideast, and betrayal of Palestinian national rights.

[Mel @Villgecrazylady]

When all else fails, just start bombing your neighbor again

[Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺 @ejmalrai]

Three Israeli divisions would be sufficient to occupy southern Syria. Currently, Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the deployment of one, the 98th Division. Any move to mobilise additional forces would clearly be part of a broader strategy aimed at expanding Israel's borders, echoing the promises made by Donald Trump before his election—who openly suggested that Israel should achieve greater territorial control. This signals a potential plan for territorial enlargement under the guise of security, raising serious concerns about regional stability and sovereignty.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

@MazMHussain I can't see how Sharaa/HTS remaining in power is in Syria's interests either. They're tearing the country apart with hyper sectarianism (not sure what else to expect from a regime with al-Qaeda roots) . There doesn't appear to be a good scenario for Syria.

[Deepcut News @deepcutnews]

Israeli strike hits Damascus while anchor reporting live on air

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

Since the 19th century - from Butrous al-Bustani onward - Syrian and Lebanese thinkers have warned of the perils of sectarianism, and how our divisions serve only those who profit from them.

And in 2025, here we are.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

There is nothing more degrading for a nation than surrendering to a sectarian, tribal mindset. Yet that is exactly where Syria and Lebanon find themselves.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

There is no force in either state - bound together through history - that provides a vision of unity, that upholds a collective Syrian/Lebanese identity. And that is precisely what is needed as both face an existential threat from the colony to the south.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

@SyrianShabab What part did/didn't you read?

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

I spoke to a Syrian Druze fighter, per below, who admits to accepting Israeli support but is also calling for other minorities in Syria - Kurds, Christians and Alawites - their allies against the "jihadist" regime.

[Deepcut News @deepcutnews]

We spoke to a Syrian Druze fighter in Suweyda, southern Syria, about the situation amid an assault by HTS regime forces aligned with Bedouin tribes.

https://t.co/hrtpgAiKGP

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

The regime wants to quell any internal opposition to consolidate its hold on the country (which is currently fragile) - that's what this is about. That's why Sharaa is sucking up to Trump and Netanyahu and MBS and MBZ. He wants to rule in Damascus, unchallenged, that's it.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

I'm not sure what people expected from an al-Qaeda regime? They pose a grave threat to Syrians, to Lebanese, and to Palestinians (prepared to throw them under the bus to secure their rule with a deal with Israel).

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

Tens of thousands rally in Melbourne again - six weeks into the war and the anti-war protests here showing no signs of slowing down. In fact they're getting louder and better organised than a few weeks ago.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

Pro-Palestine protest happening at Melbourne Cup

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

This is the largest anti-war rally Melbourne has seen since the Iraq war 20 years ago. Tens of thousands.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

There are unionists, Jewish activists, queer activists, Palestinian activists and people of all strides marching for an immediate ceasefire in Melbourne today. Thousands and thousands.

[Antoun Issa @antissa]

This is the third I've attended of these rallies since the war began, this is by far the largest (and loudest).