UN Security Council Lifts Sanctions on Ahmad al-Shara
New York, 6 November 2025
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on 6 November formally lifting the long-standing sanctions regime targeting Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara and Interior Minister Anas Khattab. The designations- imposed at the height of hostilities in the Syrian conflict- were originally part of the UN’s restrictive measures aimed at individuals and entities affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which al-Shara once led under his nom de guerre Abu Muhammad al-Julani, was listed as a terrorist organization in 2014; al-Shara himself was subject to asset freezes, a travel ban, and a U.S. bounty of USD 10 million.
In remarks following the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz characterized the resolution as a “strong political signal,” suggesting that Syria is entering a new phase in which its governing authorities are increasingly aligned with international counterterrorism standards and stabilization efforts. Waltz framed the lifting of sanctions as recognition of steps undertaken by Damascus to improve security governance and human-rights protections.
The resolution passed with 14 votes in favor. China abstained, refraining from aligning itself either with supporters or critics of the move. The decision is widely interpreted as a milestone in Syria’s gradual reintegration into the international community. It is also expected to open channels for increased technical assistance, reconstruction support, and institutional reform, all of which remain critical for consolidating post-conflict recovery.
Syria Joins the Global Coalition Against ISIS
Damascus, 10 November 2025
Syria formally joined the Global Coalition against the Islamic State on 10 November, becoming its 90th member. The announcement, made by Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa during President Ahmad al-Shara’s official visit to the United States, marks a notable shift in the country’s foreign and security policy posture following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Given Syria’s geography- straddling key transit corridors and long porous borders with Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon- the country’s formal accession is assessed as strategically significant for regional counterterrorism efforts. It represents not only an operational realignment but also a symbolic affirmation of the transitional government’s intent to re-establish Syria as a constructive actor within multilateral frameworks.
Security conditions remain fragile. Since assuming power, the transitional authorities have faced a resurgence of extremist activity aimed at undermining state institutions. In recent weeks, 70 individuals have been arrested on terrorism-related charges, and security services report the disruption of a plot to assassinate President al-Shara. These incidents underscore both the scale of the threat and the urgency of integrating Syria into broader counterterrorism coordination structures.
U.S.–Saudi Defense Relations Deepen with MNNA Designation
Washington, D.C., 19 November 2025
The United States has designated Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), signaling a substantial deepening of bilateral defense and security cooperation. While MNNA status does not entail collective-defense guarantees, it significantly expands opportunities for military collaboration, access to advanced defense technology, and co-development initiatives.
The announcement was made by President Donald J. Trump during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House. The administration emphasized that the designation aims to streamline cooperation with U.S. defense-sector companies while maintaining a cost-sharing framework advantageous to American strategic and economic interests. The statement also highlighted the move’s implications for regional stability and the modernization of Saudi defense capabilities.
Saudi Arabia has concurrently committed to purchasing 300 U.S.-manufactured tanks and received preliminary authorization to procure F-35 fighter aircraft. Riyadh has expressed interest in acquiring 48 units- an unprecedented potential shift in regional air-power balances.
This development raises concerns in Israel, where officials point to long-standing U.S. commitments to preserving Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge (QME), codified in the 2008 Naval Vessel Transfer Act and the 2013 Israel QME Enhancement Act. Expanding Saudi Arabia’s access to advanced platforms may recalibrate regional military dynamics, significantly challenging the status quo that has shaped U.S. security policy in the Middle East for over a decade.
Aramco and Pasqal Launch First Quantum Computer in Saudi Arabia
Dhahran, 24 November 2025
Aramco, in partnership with France-based Pasqal, unveiled the Middle East’s first operational industrial quantum computer on 24 November. The 200-qubit neutral-atom platform, housed at Aramco’s data center in Dhahran, is intended to advance the company’s capacity for complex energy-systems modeling, materials research, and industrial process optimization.
The system is expected to accelerate simulations related to catalyst development, high-temperature materials, and other components essential to next-generation energy technologies. Aramco frames the initiative as integral to Saudi Arabia’s long-term innovation agenda and to cultivating domestic expertise in quantum technologies.
Experts, however, caution that the technology remains at a formative stage. While neutral-atom quantum systems offer scalability potential, their practical advantage over classical high-performance computing is not yet consistently demonstrable. Challenges include high maintenance costs, limited availability of specialized talent, and uncertainties regarding real-world industrial applications. As such, the deployment is best viewed as a foundational investment in capability-building rather than a transformative breakthrough with immediate operational impact.
Pope Leo XIV Visits Turkey
Ankara, 27–30 November 2025
Pope Leo XIV embarked on his first foreign visit on 27 November, traveling to Turkey to continue an itinerary originally planned by his predecessor, Pope Francis. The decision to fulfill these engagements reflects Leo XIV’s stated commitment to continuity of mission and to honoring the legacy of Pope Francis, who passed away on 21 April.
The Pope’s visit began at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He subsequently met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss the war in Ukraine, the humanitarian emergency in the Gaza Strip, and broader questions of conflict resolution and regional stability. Leo XIV underscored the importance of dialogue, multilateral engagement, and shared responsibility in advancing peace.
On 28 November, the Pope visited the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul and later travelled to İznik, where he and Patriarch Bartholomew I took part in an ecumenical service commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.
The itinerary also included the Blue Mosque and a visit to the Diyanet, where the Pope met with Turkey’s Chief Rabbi David Savı. Taken together, the engagements constitute a robust reaffirmation of Leo XIV’s commitment to interreligious dialogue, which he has positioned as a central pillar of his pontificate.
Protests Erupt Over Proposed Pardon for Prime Minister Netanyahu
Tel Aviv, 30 November 2025
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the residence of President Isaac Herzog to protest the potential pardon of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose longstanding legal troubles have been a focal point of Israeli political discourse for half a decade. Netanyahu faces three ongoing criminal cases involving allegations of corruption, fraud, and breach of public trust. His wife, Sara Netanyahu, is a co-defendant in one of the cases, with prosecutors alleging that the couple accepted luxury goods worth more than USD 260,000 in exchange for political favors.
Netanyahu denies all accusations despite substantial evidentiary material that includes documents and witness testimony. Opponents argue that the prime minister’s conduct undermines democratic institutions and contributes to a deepening political and societal crisis. Opposition leader Yair Golan reiterated demands for Netanyahu’s resignation and insisted that President Herzog must not consider granting clemency, stating that “only the guilty ask for a pardon.”
The protests underscore the intensity of public polarization surrounding Netanyahu’s leadership and the broader debate over rule of law, governance norms, and institutional resilience in Israel.
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