#syrian soap

[pileofplushies]

my finger is ok again 😊 thanks to aleppo soap

[atopvisenyashill]

This Is How I Can Still Win: How The Penroses Are Related to House Targaryen

SO. In case you don’t remember - you probably don’t, it’s a throwaway line and likely just George retconning and not doing it on purpose - Jeor Mormont misremembers Aelinor Penrose as being Aerys I’s sister instead of her cousin. Here’s the quote, from Jon I in A Clash of Kings:

"No, this was Aerys the First. The one Robert deposed was the second of that name.” “How long ago was this?” “Eighty years or close enough,” the Old Bear said, “and no, I still hadn’t been born, though Aemon had forged half a dozen links of his maester’s chain by then. Aerys wed his own sister, as the Targaryens were wont to do, and reigned for ten or twelve years."

Potentially, this means that Aelinor has ~the Valyrian look~ and that’s why Jeor got them mixed up. But when you look at the information surrounding the Penroses that existed in this era, it looks a little wonky because of this line from The Mystery Knight:

"At the crossing of the Mandel, he cut down the sons of Lady Penrose one by one. They say he spared the life of the youngest one as a kindness to his mother."

So how can Elaena marry Ronnel, Lord of the Parchments, only have one son, yet Quentyn Ball slew all of “Lady Penrose’s” sons? How is Aelinor related to the Penroses and the Targaryens? What woman of Targaryen blood would marry into this random ass house in the middle of Stormlands? Why was it so important to retcon Aelinor from a sister into a cousin? Well - let’s have a think about what other houses have recent Valyrian blood…we have some female lines after all…perhaps even Targaryen women that married into politically active houses, who would love to marry back into the main branch again…I wonder who that could be…..Oh what’s that? Is that-

DRAGON TWINS TIME.

Allow me to spin two family trees for you, one where Rhaena’s daughter marries into the Penroses, and one where Baela’s daughter marries into the Penroses:

(pls applaud me for the amount of math i did for this very unserious post!) green is a romantic/marriage line, black is a parental relationship.

I am noting that this would mean Alyssa (I made her name up btw, mostly because I thought it would piss Daemon off to have a Hightower named after his beloved mother) gives birth at around 34, which is a perfectly reasonable age to have a child at, and Laena gives birth at like 40, which is definitely a lil risky! BUT there’s plenty of time for Laena to have other children, and for a second born son to have had a child at that same age, so if you think it’s a stretch for Laena to have a kid at 40 (perfectly fair) just pretend there’s a son there named “Roland” or something as Aelinor’s dad and Laena’s second born.

Now, FIRST OF ALL, this makes the cousin thing make sense, but also it makes it deeply funny - Aelinor is Aerys’ great aunt’s granddaughter. That’s a close enough relationship that you would consider them a cousin but it’s also the exact relationship Robert has to Rhaegar (because Rhaegar is Robert’s great uncle’s grandson). Both Aerys and Robert avoiding incest/kinslaying on a technicality lol.

But SECOND OF ALL. Do you know what makes me absolutely fucjing feral about this. Alyn Velaryon is messing around with a woman so much younger than him. That she marries his GRANDSON. because SHE IS THE SAME AGE AS HIS GRANDSON. i feel like george is weird enough to do the Baela scenario too.

And LASTLY OF ALL. Notice there’s plenty of time for Alyssa/Laena aka Lady Penrose after she’s married, to have several sons for Quentyn Ball to slay on the Redgrass Field, including Elaena’s husband, Ronnel himself, and for Elaena’s son, Robin Penrose, to inherit the seat afterwards. It also means, since it’s mentioned that Elaena married Michael Manwoody soon after her second husband died, that the two of them got a long time together. Why is this important? Because Michael Manwoody was her marriage for love and I want Elaena to have been with him for a long time.

This scenario gives her like 9 years with Ronnel (kinda sad, their kids don’t get to know their dad very long) and a minimum of 15 years with Michael Manwoody, who is apparently not the step dad but the dad that stepped up.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Science Fiction

Science fiction - a genre of speculative fiction that contains imagined elements that don’t exist in the real world.

It spans a wide range of themes that often explore time travel, space travel, are set in the future, and deal with the consequences of technological and scientific advances

Subgenres & Related Genres of Science Fiction

Fantasy fiction: Sci-fi stories inspired by mythology and folklore that often include elements of magic.

Supernatural fiction: Sci-fi stories about secret knowledge or hidden abilities that include witchcraft, spiritualism, and psychic abilities.

Utopian fiction: Sci-fi stories about civilizations the authors deem to be perfect, ideal societies. Utopian fiction is often satirical.

Dystopian fiction: Sci-fi stories about societies the authors deem to be problematic for things like government rules, poverty, or oppression.

Space opera: A play on the term “soap opera,” sci-fi stories that take place in outer space and center around conflict, romance, and adventure.

Space western: Sci-fi stories that blend elements of science fiction with elements of the western genre.

Cyberpunk: Sci-fi stories that juxtapose advanced technology with less advanced, broken down society.

Steampunk: Blend technology with steam-powered machinery.

Classic Elements of a Science Fiction Novel

Time travel

Teleportation

Mind control, telepathy, and telekinesis

Aliens, extraterrestrial lifeforms, and mutants

Space travel and exploration

Interplanetary warfare

Parallel universes

Fictional worlds

Alternative histories

Speculative technology

Superintelligent computers and robots

Tips for Science Fiction Writers

Draw inspiration for your story from real life. Take an idea from current society and move it a little further down the road. Even if human beings are short-term thinkers, fiction can anticipate and extrapolate into multiple versions of the future.

Do some research. It may seem paradoxical, but research will strengthen your project, no matter how far you end up straying from historical facts. Conducting research too early in the drafting process can sidetrack or slow down the plot, but it’s critical to keep your reader immersed in and believing the world you’ve created. Getting the details wrong can throw off their belief in your story.

Create a set of rules for the world of your novel—and stick to them. Sci-fi is not automatically interesting; it must be made compelling, plausible, and accurate within its own set of rules. Rules add weight to the material or change the stakes for your characters and/or readers. Once you establish a rule, if you break it, you break the illusion of a believable and compelling world.

Keep it grounded in reality. Any technological or fantastical element in sci-fi should have roots in what our current species can already do or is on the road to being able to do.

The History of Science Fiction Literature

The science fiction genre dates back to the second century. 

A True Story, written by the Syrian satirist Lucian, is thought to be the first sci-fi story, which explored other universes and extraterrestrial lifeforms.

Modern science developed during the Age of Enlightenment, and writers reacted to scientific and technological advancements with a wave of sci-fi stories like New Atlantis by Francis Bacon (1627), Somnium by Johannes Kepler (1634), and Comical History of the States and Empires of the Moon by Cyrano de Bergerac (1657).

Classic Science Fiction Novels to Know & Read

Familiarize yourself with these classic works of science fiction that inspired novelists and screenwriters in many different genres. Many have been turned into movies and television shows:

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (1870): features underwater exploration and a technologically advanced submarine—two things that were primitive at the time the novel was written.

The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells (1898): tells the story of Martians invading Earth and includes themes of space, science, and astronomy.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932): set in a futuristic dystopian world with many scientific developments where people are genetically modified.

Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell (1938): tells the story of an alien creature that’s a shape-shifter and has the gift of telepathy.

Foundation by Isaac Asimov (1942): follows a galactic civilization after their empire collapses.

1984 by George Orwell (1949): set in a dystopian version of the year 1984 where the world has succumbed to extreme levels of government interference in daily lives.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953): set in a futuristic dystopian society where books are banned and will be burned if found.

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein (1961): tells the story of a human who was born on Mars and raised by Martians who comes to live on Earth.

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick (1962): set 15 years after the end of World War II, offers an alternate history of what could happen if the Axis Powers had defeated the Allied Powers.

Dune by Frank Herbert (1965): set in an interstellar society in the distant future.

2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke (1968): tells the story of ancient aliens who travel the galaxy and help develop intelligent life forms in other worlds.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985): tells the story of the women who lose their rights after a totalitarian state overthrows the U.S. government.

Common Characteristics of Science Fiction

Science fiction is often called the “literature of ideas.”

Sci-fi novels include a wide variety of futuristic concepts.

Since they’re so imaginative, anything is possible, especially in soft sci-fi novels.

It can be about space, time travel, aliens, or time-traveling aliens in space.

Regardless of the setting and characters, all sci-fi stories are complex, contain nuanced detail, and explore larger themes and commentary—sometimes satirically—about society beneath the surface.

Hard Science Fiction vs Soft Science Fiction

Science fiction is divided into 2 broad categories:

Hard sci-fi novels are based on scientific fact. They’re inspired by “hard” natural sciences like physics, chemistry, and astronomy.

Soft sci-fi novels can be two things: Either they are not scientifically accurate or they’re inspired by “soft” social sciences like psychology, anthropology, and sociology.

The terms are somewhat flexible, but they help readers quickly understand the foundation of a novel and what to expect from it.

Source ⚜ More: Notes ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs ⚜ Word List: Science Fiction

[insertcoolcharactername]

Please please draw more bears 🙏🙏🙏🙏 price coded or otherwise

Mission: Accomplished 😌

Price: Grizzly bear.

Ghost: Polar bear.

Gaz: Syrian brown bear.

Soap: Sloth bear (😭)

[dieletztepanzerhexe]

I miss being so skinny i would get bruises from those giant syrian bar soaps

[cconfusedkat]

If my bishops were ever humanized , then theyd all be. Like. all Arab 😭

Theyre really all just one big arab family with TONS of beef ,,,, I Shit You Not ,,,, mystic pursuit is just a plot of an arabic soap opera from the 90s /hj

Though to be a little more specific on their nationalities ????

Shamura - 🇶🇦 (Qatari)

Leshy - 🇮🇶🇸🇾 (Iraqi-Syrian)

Heket - 🇱🇧🇯🇴 (Lebanese-Jordanian)

Kallamar - 🇮🇷🇸🇴 (Iranian-Somalian)

Narinder - 🇾🇪 (Yemeni)

:-D

Also to project onto lamb they would be 🇵🇸🇯🇴 (Palestinian-Jordanian)

Goat 🇬🇷 & Aaliyah 🇬🇷🇲🇦 (Greek & Morrocan)

[callofdutylorist]

COD: Modern Warfare Facts

Ghost Classic's hair and eye color is different from his reboot, where the Reboot has brown hair and brown eyes, Classic has black hair and green eyes.

Captain Price is implied to be from a lineage of Captain Prices, where there is a nearly identical Captain Price who is a badass that fights in WW2 in Call of Duty 1 & 2. This Price is also British, but far more posh than the modern age counterpart

"Soap Trusted You" was a meme that originated from a scene Modern Warfare 3

4. Ghost Team, formed in Modern Warfare 2 (2022), is implied to lead to the creation of the Ghosts a special operative team from Call of Duty Ghosts

5. Call of Duty Ghosts is based off of the Character Ghost

6. Riley the German Shepherd in Call of Duty Ghost is named after Ghost

7. Soap is an artist, as Soap's Journal is decorated with sketches of his friends, jokes, the places he sees, and more.

8. In Modern Warfare 1 (Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare) during the mission Blackout, Price makes references to MacMillan when the player gets two or more in one shot.

9. When König succeeds in a sniper shot in Warzone 2, he quips, "He- And they said I couldn't be a sniper.", in reference to how he is a failed sniper.

10. Kyle "Gaz" Garrick also makes a reference to MacMillan when killing a dog in the mission Wolf's Den. He says, "Sorry, Pooch.", the same thing MacMillan does in All Ghillied Up.

11. Gaz and Kyle "Gaz" Garrick are technically two completely different people. In both versions of the Modern Warfare timeline, Price mentors a Gaz. In the Classic timeline this Gaz is a British white man, who isn't part of Taskforce 141, but instead the SAS. While Kyle "Gaz" Garrick is a black British man. They both serve the same purpose in the story, but have many noticeable differences and actions.

12. Alejandro Vargas jokes that he'll teach Soap and Ghost Spanish in Modern Warfare 2 (2022). The group seems to follow through, since Ghost and Soap can be seen speaking Spanish later on.

13. Los Vaqueros means The Cowboys in English, although the word Vaqueros has many translations, and also means jeans because cowboy wear jeans.

14. In Black Ops 1, the computer in the menu lobby spells John Price's name, as Johnathan Price, which is which, we'll never quite know, because this happens more than once.

15. Captain Price has O+ Blood, as seen on his character file in Black Ops Cold War

16. Farah and her forces are based off of a real life force of female fighters, known as the Women's Protection Units, which formed during the Syrian Civil War to saves the lives of women and children.

17. Alex Keller makes a comment on how Farah has cat-like reflexes. She contradicts the statement, explaining how she's "more of a dog person.", and openly likes dogs.

18. While Price was Prisoner 627 in the Classic timeline, Price almost kills Roach during his rescue.

19. Shepherd has the opposite of a glow up between timelines, losing all of his hair, compared to his iconic red beret, and mustache in the Classic Timeline. In the 2010s the character remained an infamous video game villain.

20. Graves is ambidextrous, as seen in the mission Alone, where he switches which hand is holding his gun.

21. Yuri is the only character Marakov hesitates to try to kill

22. Nikolai speaks 8 languages, including English, Russian, and German

23. In the final mission for Modern Warfare 2 (2022), Countdown, there are loads of references to the missions in the original Modern Warfare 2 and Call of Duty Ghost.

24. In Modern Warfare 2 (2022) when Kyle "Gaz" Garrick asks Alejandro for the code to the door, it is 627, which is Price's gulag prisoner number in Modern Warfare 3.

25. While Alejandro is tasked trying to get Valeria back, Rudy takes charge of Los Vaqueros

[daniela--anna]

The benefits of Aleppo soap

The beneficial properties of this particular type of Syrian soap are different: first of all it has an antibacterial power, and is therefore suitable for those suffering from dermatological problems such as eczema, acne and psoriasis.

Also effective for simple blackheads on the face.

It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and disinfectant, so it prevents and fights infections.

All this is due to the action of laurel oil, an emollient.

It helps wound healing, thanks to its regenerative abilities that restore shine to the skin with vitamin C. It also stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin proteins.

Prevents premature skin aging and keeps you young thanks to its antioxidant properties.

This is possible thanks to the action of vitamins A and E.

Aleppo soap has no fragrances, it does not smell like rose, lavender or other flower soaps smell.

Laurel and olive are particularly odorless and thanks also to the treatment with sodium hydroxide, even when the soap is made as liquid Aleppo soap, it is suitable for those suffering from skin allergies.

Furthermore, it also has antioxidant properties.

It does not contain aggressive surfactants and its particular natural scent has a truly relaxing effect on our senses.

HOW TO USE ALEPPO SOAP: 3 TRICKS THAT IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS

Aleppo soap on the skin

Lightly moisten the Aleppo soap in solid format and use its soft foam to massage the wet skin.

To obtain greater benefits, leave the foam to rest for 5 - 10 minutes and then rinse: a sufficiently long time that will give great satisfaction!

Aleppo soap for men's beards

Lightly moisten the Aleppo soap and rub it on your skin when you shave: it will make an excellent shaving foam!

And that's not all: you can also use it once you've shaved, before drying, leaving it to rest for 5 minutes.

You'll see how soft and perfectly hydrated your skin is!

Aleppo soap for hair

In addition to cleansing the scalp well, Aleppo soap helps prevent hair loss and reduce dandruff.

Also in this case the secret is to distribute the foam, massage the head well working on the roots of the hair and leave to rest for 5 minutes.

For an even brighter result, when you move on to the final rinse, dilute two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water, and let it rest for another couple of minutes.

I benefici del sapone di Aleppo

Le proprietà benefiche di questo particolare tipo di sapone siriano sono diverse: anzitutto ha un potere antibatterico, e pertanto è adatto a chi soffre di problemi dermatologici come eczemi, acne e psoriasi. Efficace anche per i semplici punti neri sul viso. È antinfiammatorio, antisettico e disinfettante, quindi previene e combatte le infezioni. Tutto questo è dovuto all'azione dell'olio di alloro, emolliente. Aiuta la guarigione delle ferite, grazie alle sue capacità rigenerative che ridanno splendore alla pelle con la vitamina C. Inoltre stimola la sintesi delle proteine di collagene ed elastina. Previene l'invecchiamento precoce della pelle e mantiene giovani grazie alle sue proprietà antiossidanti. Questo è possibile grazie all'azione delle vitamine A ed E.

Il sapone di Aleppo non ha fragranze, non profuma come invece odorano saponette alla rosa, alla lavanda o altri fiori. L'alloro e l'oliva sono particolarmente inodori e grazie anche al trattamento con l'idrossido di sodio, anche quando il sapone viene realizzato come sapone d'Aleppo liquido, è adatto a chi soffre di allergie alla pelle. Inoltre, ha anche proprietà antiossidanti. Non contiene tensioattivi aggressivi ed il suo particolare profumo naturale ha un vero e proprio effetto distensivo sui nostri sensi.

COME USARE IL SAPONE DI ALEPPO: 3 TRUCCHI CHE MIGLIORANO L’EFFICACIA

Sapone di Aleppo sulla pelle

Inumidire leggermente il sapone di Aleppo in formato solido e usare la sua morbida schiuma per massaggiare la pelle bagnata. Per ottenere maggiori benefici, lasciare a riposo la schiuma per 5 - 10 minuti e poi risciacquare: un tempo sufficientemente lungo che regalerà grandi soddisfazioni!

Sapone di Aleppo per la barba maschile

Inumidire leggermente il sapone di Aleppo e strofinarlo sulla pelle quando ti radi: diventerà un’ottima schiuma da barba! E non è finita: lo puoi usare anche una volta sbarbato, prima dell’asciugatura, lasciandolo riposare per 5 minuti. Vedrai che pelle morbida e perfettamente idratata!

Sapone di Aleppo per i capelli

Oltre che pulire bene il cuoio capelluto, il sapone di Aleppo aiuta a prevenire la caduta dei capelli e a ridurre la forfora. Anche in questo caso il segreto consiste nel distribuire la schiuma, massaggiare bene la testa lavorando sulla radice dei capelli e lasciare a riposo per 5 minuti. Per un risultato ancora più brillante, quando passi al risciacquo finale diluisci due cucchiai di aceto di mele in una tazza d’acqua, e fai riposare per un altro paio di minuti.

[queerazon]

Selamlik, Khaled Alesmael

An unflinching story about Arab masculinity and homoeroticism Furat, a Syrian in his early 20s, visits Sibki Park in Damascus, one of the city's most popular cruising areas. There he learns about the hammams, secret meeting places for gay men located throughout the old city. Inside these public baths, the air is thick with the scent of bay laurel soap, and naked men hide in the steam. Furat faces sometimes violent disapproval from all levels of society-regime, religion, the man in the street--and yet he manages to find the love he's been seeking just before his world collapses and he's forced to flee. Selamlik is the story of Furat's journey, along with that of other refugees. It's a journey in which they face physical and economic hardship, draconian migration laws, and the unwelcome grief, shame, and hatred they've carried with them from their ever more distant pasts. Despite everything, Furat remains steadfast in his pursuit of passion, pleasure, and love.

[mariacallous]

Since Bashar al-Assad’s fall in mid-December, a variety of foreign-policy analysts and journalists have declared Turkey “the winner” in Syria. It is a narrative that Turkish officials and their supporters have advanced in both ham-handed and worrying ways. But is it true? No. Or at least, Turkey has not won anything yet.

It is true that Turkey is in an advantageous position in Syria. Ankara’s patrons, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the amalgam of militias called the Syrian National Army, were responsible for the end of the Assad regime. Turkey’s proximity to Syria and the well-known Turkish expertise in infrastructure development will also help firms that are well connected in Ankara to win reconstruction contracts.

Yet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confronts major obstacles to establishing himself as the external powerbroker in Damascus.

Much of the claim that Turkey won Syria hinges on the fact that HTS and the Syrian National Army militias spearheaded the fall of Aleppo that led to Assad’s flight from the country that his family dominated for half a century. But things are not always what they seem to be. The Turkish-approved attack on Aleppo that began in late November was intended to be limited. Rather than the fall of Assad, Ankara’s aim was to pressure the then-Syrian president to negotiate Turkey-Syria normalization—a goal that the Turkish government had pursued for the prior two years. It was only when the Syrian military collapsed that the Turks revised their policy, claiming that Bashar’s demise was always their plan.

Not long after HTS liberated Damascus, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan appeared in the Syrian capital, where he figuratively and literally embraced the HTS. (As an aside, the irony of Turkey’s public claim to patronage of HTS was too much for anyone who remembers the vicious prosecution of intrepid Turkish journalists who uncovered Ankara’s coordination with this al Qaeda offshoot—an exchange that was directed by then-intelligence chief Hakan Fidan.)

The Turkey-HTS partnership was obviously productive, but the idea that Ankara is victorious in Syria assumes that the Turkish government has all the power in this relationship. It likely once did, but after the end of the Assad regime, HTS needs Erdogan and company less.

Although Fidan beat everyone else to Damascus, a parade of delegations also beat a path to HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s doorstep, including diplomats from the United States, United Kingdon, and France and Germany (collectively representing the European Union). Iraq’s intelligence chief made the trip to Syria. Representatives of the Syrian leadership have also been reaching out to its neighbors. The transitional foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaybani, has visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; and Amman, Jordan. Clearly, al-Sharaa has more options for external partners than he and HTS had just two months ago.

Turkey is not out of it, of course, but the efforts of major Arab states to establish contact and a working relationship with Syria’s new leaders highlights a Turkish weakness in the region: Leaders in Ankara claim to have a cultural affinity with Arab countries that gives them unique insight into Middle Eastern societies. It is a mostly empty claim based on their (mis)reading of Ottoman history. To be sure, over the years polls have consistently demonstrated that Erdogan is popular primarily due to his support for Palestinians, there are a fair number of Arab tourists in Istanbul, and Middle Easterners have a demonstrated fondness for Turkish television soaps—but that hardly constitutes cultural affinity.

It is more likely that as Islamists, Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party have a yen for the Arab world, especially their fellow Islamists among the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and others. Regardless of whatever affinity Turks may perceive between themselves and Syrians, it likely pales in comparison to that of Syrians with their fellow Arabs. This gives Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, and others an advantage over Turkey in Damascus.

Then there is the thorny issue of Kurdish nationalism and the Syrian Kurdish fighting forces called the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which has formed the core of Washington’s partner against the Islamic State in Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces. The Turkish government believes that with the end of the Assad regime, HTS in power in Damascus, and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s previous willingness to withdraw American forces, there is an opportunity to use the Syrian National Army to destroy the YPG, which it does not distinguish from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)—a designated terrorist group. This would, from Ankara’s perspective, finally rid it of a security threat from the south.

From Turkey’s perspective, it does seem to be a propitious moment to strike a devastating blow against Kurdish nationalism. And Ankara’s apparent victory in Syria seems to give Turkey the ability to accomplish this goal.

There are a few issues that complicate this straightforward scenario: First, the Kurds are not going to willingly accept their own destruction. They have the capacity to fight back, which presents Turkey with the unenviable prospect of having to fight guerilla conflict on two fronts—Syria and Iraq, where the PKK is holed up.

It is important to remember that even the mighty Turkish Armed Forces have been unable to finish off the PKK for more than 40 years. There is no reason to believe that the Turks and their Syrian allies could be any more successful. Second, HTS is not necessarily a partner in Turkey’s efforts to liquidate the Kurds. In a tangible sign that Turkish power in post-Assad Damascus is not what Ankara wants everyone to believe it is, Erdogan declared that he expected the new government to help him in its effort to destroy the YPG. This was an implicit admission of the limits of Turkish power in the Syrian capital.

The premature triumphalism around the idea that “Turkey won Syria” creates a set of assumptions and expectations that are not necessarily grounded in reality, setting policymakers up for potentially nasty surprises.

If policymakers take this narrative at face value, they will miss the subtle jockeying that is underway among regional powers for position in Damascus. This is just the next act in the prolonged drama over who controls Syria. No doubt, Turkey is a major protagonist with a lot of assets, but Ankara also has a fair number of liabilities. And it is important to remember that at every step since March 2011 when the Syrian uprising began, the Turks miscalculated, believing alternately that they could convince Assad to reform, induce the United States to overthrow the Syrian leader, and then use extremists toward that same end before giving up and seeking a rapprochement with Assad.

Of course, Ankara’s past mistakes in Syria do not mean that Erdogan will fail now, but it is way too early to declare Turkey the victor.

[darkmaga-returns]

Mouin Rabbani on X. A thread covering the chequered history of Syria:

I started writing a thread about recent developments in Syria, and ended up delving into the country’s very long history. This first instalment attempts to summarise aspects of Syria’s history until the First World War. For those interested, I’ve here and there included references to a number of accessible texts for further reading. These are included in brackets at the end of the relevant paragraphs.

[My note - I have also added links and videos]

With the unanticipated, rapid collapse of the Syrian government between 27 November and 8 December 2024, sixty-one years of uninterrupted Ba’thist rule over the country has come to a sudden end. The repercussions are expected to be seismic, first and foremost for Syria, but also for the wider region, with potentially geopolitical ramifications. How did we get here?

Roughly the size of New England in the United States or China’s Hubei province, Syria is the product of some of the world’s oldest civilisations. Its capital, Damascus, sitting astride the Barada river, is a leading candidate for the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth. Syria’s second city but at various points its most prominent urban center, Aleppo, situated along the Quwayq river, is among the few competitors for this title, and is believed to be permanently settled since the sixth millennium BCE.

Reputedly even older is Idlib, which was first settled during the ninth millennium BCE (some ten thousand years ago). Periodically abandoned and resettled, it once again re-emerged during the previous millennium as an important center of cotton, olive oil, and soap production in Ottoman Syria. Homs and Hama, sustained by the Orontes (‘Asi) river, were permanently settled during the third millennium BCE.

[yousef-al-amin]

Russia helps rebuild Syria

The Russian army not only brought peace to the territory of Syria controlled by Damascus, but also helps the population of the republic overcome the difficult period of post-war reconstruction of the state. In addition to providing widespread humanitarian assistance to civilians, the Russian military contingent and Russian charitable organizations are restoring civilian infrastructure in the republic and helping to develop industry and production.

Only over the past few years, thanks to Russian support, the Syrian Arab Republic has been able to restore its economic and industrial potential. The pharmaceutical sector has been established, production volumes of medicines and substances have increased significantly. The textile industry, food industry, factories for the production of soap and olive oils have been restored. Medium and small businesses have been restored, and agriculture is actively supported.

Thanks to the joint efforts of the Russian and Syrian sides, thousands of people have the opportunity not to worry about the future, having a stable income and the opportunity to make plans for the future. All this provides the republic with a constant improvement in the economic and social situation, which in turn has a positive effect on demographic indicators that are critical for the country.

[travel-to-jordan]

Hiking in Jordan: best trails to do while visiting Jordan.

Filled with beautiful mountains, valleys, and hills, Jordan is renowned for its incredible hiking and trekking trails that provide guests not only with special outdoor experiences but also with immense culture and history. 

Either you prefer hard long hikes or short easy trails through the nature, Jordan is your best place to think of, hiking through Jordan gives you the opportunity to live a cultural and historical experience.

Samples of trails to do in Jordan:

Δ Ajloun Soap House Trail: takes you through the picturesque landscapes of the Ajloun region, showcasing the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area. The trail is known for its diverse vegetation, stunning views, and opportunities to explore historical sites along the way.

Starting from the village of Orjan, the trail meanders through olive groves, fruit orchards, and terraced hillsides. You’ll pass through traditional villages and enjoy panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, including rolling hills, deep valleys, and distant mountains.

As you hike along the Rassoun Trail, you’ll encounter various points of interest. One highlight is the Ajloun Castle, perched on a hilltop overlooking the region. This historic castle dates back to the 12th century and offers a glimpse into the area’s rich history.

Throughout the trail, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore ancient olive presses, traditional water mills, and rural agricultural practices that have been passed down through generations. This provides insights into the local culture and the traditional way of life in Ajloun.

Δ Siq Trail in Wadi Mujib: is a popular hiking route within the Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve, located along the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. The trail takes you through a narrow, deep gorge, offering a unique and breathtaking experience. As you start your hike, you’ll be immediately immersed in the natural beauty of Wadi Mujib. Towering sandstone cliffs surround you, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. The sunlight filters through the cracks, creating fascinating patterns on the rock walls. One of the highlights of the Siq Trail is the opportunity to wade through water. The trail follows a riverbed, and at times, you’ll find yourself walking in shallow water. Be prepared to get wet and wear appropriate water shoes or sandals that provide a good grip.

Δ Wadi Dana Trail: full day hiking down from Dana reserve to Feynan .Dana is Jordan’s largest nature reserve, covering some 320 square kilometers of spectacular mountains and Wadis along the face of the Great Rift Valley. Such a combination of natural communities in a single area is unique in Jordan, and many of Dana’s animals and plants are very rare. So far, a total of 700 plant species, 190 bird species, 37 mammal species, and 36 reptile species have been recorded in the Reserve, of which 25 are known to be endangered, including the Sand Cat, the Syrian Wolf, the Lesser Kestrel, and the Spiny Tailed Lizard. 

Grade: Moderate / Distance: 14 km/ Time: 6-7 hours

Δ Backdoor hike to Petra: Petra via ‘The Back Door’ go pleasantly down Wadi Ghurab amidst sandstone mountains guarding the approaches to Petra. This way follows a Nabataean route out of the valley and skirting round the last mountain on a natural rock terrace. it narrows slightly before reaching a hidden plateau high above the impressive chasm of Wadi Siyyagh. Just beyond, carved into the cliff face, ‘The Monastery’ comes into view. Continue hiking and lead down into ancient Petra, before exiting past ‘The Treasury’ and through the famous ‘Petra Siq’ to the Visitor Center.

Grade: Moderate-Hard / Time: 6-7 hours

Planning for the trip?

Do you want to experience the luxury tours of Jordan like never before? Then look no further than YOLO Jordan Tours and Travel. We offer the best Jordan travel packages that will allow you to discover the enchanting hidden gems of this incredible country. From the historical sites of Amman to the breathtaking desert landscape of Wadi Rum, our expert guides will offer customized journey planning to let you experience an adventure you will never forget!

Click here to book your trip today!

[thebestestbat]

went to a nice event of syrian music! i learned that the ghar in ghar ojar is laurel. which is cool. i only ever knew it was olive oil soap and that ghar is not any word i know for olive so i was confused. but now i know

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched (and books I read) this Week # 143 (Year 3/Week 39):

Jules, E.T. for senior citizens. A simple (and simplistic) story about 79-year-old Ben Kingsley (with a head full of hair) and early onset dementia who discovers an alien ship in his back yard. More of a character study that sci-fi. It's nice to see a light movie about old people. 4/10.

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2 documentaries from a 'different' New Yorker list, Richard Brody's '62 Films That Shaped the Art of Documentary Filmmaking':

🍿 The Lenny Bruce Performance Film (1967), more of an interesting historic document, than a funny-ha-ha stand up of the iconic rabble-rouser. His next-to-last live performance, at a small San Francisco cabaret hall, consists mostly of readings from the legal transcripts of his prosecutions. Paranoiac ramblings, strung on drugs, intense. Born 30 years too early.

🍿 A Plate of Sardines, (1997) a short Syrian poem about Quneitra, a city at the Golan Heights that was razed to the ground by the Israeli army in 1974. Disturbing (but not a very good).

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The last film I saw in Israel, Tel Aviv on fire, only my 3rd Palestinian movie. It's an implausible story about a soap opera of a Palestinian spy who falls in lave with an Israeli general. Filmed in Ramallah, it is popular with Arabs and Jews alike. A low-level production assistant on the set becomes a writer, and is forced to use input for the plot from a soldier who mans the checkpoint he must drive through every day. An intriguing premise which predictably ends as a light soap opera itself.

I had a hard time with the more realistic parts of the movie, showing the oppressive humiliations that the Arabs have to go through every day, as they live "side by side" with the occupying soldiers. It's the first film I've seen that takes part on the eastern side of the border wall.

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(Completely unplanned) 2 With minor character actor Guy Boyd:

🍿I've seen all but one of Charlie Kaufman's eight features, but I can't say I'm a big fan. His 'mysterious', unexplainable I'm Thinking Of Ending Things didn't win me over. Creepy Jesse Plemons brings his new girlfriend to meet his bizarre parents at their secluded farmhouse, and "nothing is what it seems" there. I liked the enigmatic ballet and "revelations" at the end, but the 'snowstorm from hell' and intellectual, unsympathetic characters turned me off. 3/10.

(From a list of '96 Best Thrillers')

🍿Body double, one of the old Brian De Palma Hitchcock homages, felt like one of the worst movies I ever saw. I know it wasn't, but it felt like it. 80's gratuitous "voyeurism", trashy prurient porn-parody, with a young Bill Maher-clone who can't act as the protagonist. Just horrible. 1/10.

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2 X London gangsters action from the early 2000:

🍿Snatch, my first crime comedy by Guy Ritchie. All macho and bravado, bad accents and testosterone-fueled attitudes, wise cracks and brutal mayhem.

"In the quiet words of the Virgin Mary… come again?" 8/10.

🍿"Listen, I know it’s not your thing, but if you ever have to kill someone, never ever tell a living soul."

Layer cake, another highly-quotable story from the same source, with the same people and the same sensibilities. The film that helped Daniel Craig land the role of James Bond. Terrific entertainment all around with a shocking last scene. 8/10.

RIP, Michael Gambon!

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7 more shorts:

🍿 Shall we kiss? (On s’embresse?), one of my favourite French shorts. (Video Above).

🍿 How to count a wolf, a short conservation documentary, about the process of tracking wolves across many seasons in Washington state.

🍿 Encarnación, a New Yorker documentary: A Ninety-Five-Year-Old Shares Her Secret to Happiness.

🍿Also, 4 more of Wes Anderson shorts:

Now that Netflix spent £500 million for Roald Dahl's works, we'll see many more of them. The swan, The rat catcher and Poison are 3 adaptations from his short stories. I've seen nearly all of Wes Anderson's films, features, shorts and commercial, and he is indeed a real 'auteur', but (Like Kaufman above), his work, except of small brilliant moments here and there, leave me cold.

Castello Cavalcanti is actually my favourite of today’s bunch. Another stylish Prada advertisement, a Fellini product placement, rustic Italy for nostalgic tourists.

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Alice Kuypers’ Life on the Refrigerator Door, a British book about a 15-year-old and her single mother who discovers she has cancer. It features a unique 'hook'; The story unfolds 100% via a series of notes the two leave for each other in the kitchen. It’s a very light, 240 page / 40 minute read - 7/10.

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(My complete movie list is here)

[cconfusedkat]

nothings stopping me from learning more about the syrian dialect of arabic

Aauhghg Syria ,,,,, syria wins in better soap operas 🚶 ,, i cant stand jordanian soap operas (IM SORRY( (I JUST.I LOVE JORDAN MUSIC. BUT.(