#syrian soap

[pocketvenuslux]

Taking a break from my usual fare to review some products from Aleppo Savon, founded by Abdulfatah Sabouni, a fourth generation soapmaker from Syria who settled in Calgary, Alberta in Canada.

The company started the first Syrian soap production facility in Canada and follows a traditional recipe using laurel berry oil which has antibacterial properties.

I just finished using my 20% Laurel Aleppo Soap and it’s become one of my favourite bar soaps. It has a gentle, clean scent, produces a silky lather and does not strip the skin of moisture. It also leaves your skin soft with a subtle scent. While I wouldn’t recommend it for daily facial cleansing, I do find it’s gentle enough to use on the face while cleansing enough to remove eye makeup. Also, it’s fantastic for cleaning my Knix period knickers. The antibacterial formula leaves them smelling so fresh, I now prefer to hand wash them for a couple minutes with this bar rather than run them through a washing machine cycle with detergent.

I haven’t used the 10% Laurel Aleppo Soap bar yet (not pictured), but the extra 10% makes a huge difference in scent. It’s actually a bit stronger and heavier. As well, the bar itself is soft with a bit of an oily, tacky feel. I’ll update here about how it lathers and cleanses when I can.

I also picked up some scented bars, including Jasmine, Sandalwood, Rose and Oud. The Jasmine, Sandalwood and Rose are not formulated with the laurel berry recipe and produce a richer and creamier lather though I feel like the 20% laurel formula is more moisturizing. I’m guessing the richer lather comes from the coconut oil but I do not detect any coconut scent. The Jasmine smells divine, a little heady but free of anything suggesting the indolic and not overpowering like say, a LUSH soap. This is probably my favourite of the four scents and jasmine lovers might want to consider trying this. The Sandalwood is also substantial, aromatic and creamy smelling. There’s nothing harsh, none of the overpowering clean musks that can fill out synthetic sandalwood fragrances. The Rose was a little more disappointing as I was hoping for a rosewater scent and this was more of a general fresh floral. As for the Oud, this one was the most subtle, with olive oil dominating the scent. As well, this bar produced the least lather to the point where it felt almost more like an oil cleanse. It was not greasy however, and washed off easily but I prefer more of a lather in my soaps.

Finally, in a surprize find, I bought the Jasmine Breeze bath bomb on a whim and the website is not kidding, this is really the most luxurious bath bomb I’ve ever tried. I’m guessing it’s the oatmeal and cream of tartar that leaves the skin very moisturized. The jasmine scent is again, gorgeous, heady and clean though much stronger than the soap. Highly recommended if you enjoy long soaks in the tub.

Photos: CBC News; mine

[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.

[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 (😭)

[ragingbookdragon]

You're Feeling Ten For Ten

Task Force 141 x Reader (Actually Reader x Ghost if you look close enough) One-Shot

Word Count: 1.6K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author's Note: Hey I made a part two. Happy now? Enjoy! -Thorne

**********************************************************************

The little breakroom is cozy, she decides as she plants her ass on the couch and props her legs on the other side. Cozy enough that she can already imagine some of her things here and there. A bag of Black Ivory coffee beans beside a La Marzocco Strada Electronic Paddle, a seventeenth century Persian rug, a Parsifal Round Fendi couch complete with a Metropolis coffee table, the ideas are endless, and she can’t help but begin to call in orders from her high end clients. It’s the center of her focus until a ringtone echoes from the coffee table and, her being who she is, reaches over and takes the iPhone, carefully looking over the contact.

Nannie Moira? Must be the Scots granny, she thinks and answers the phone.

“Hello!” she chirps politely and the response she gets is not one she expects.

John?

“I’ve been called quite a few things in my life, but ‘John’ has never been one of them.” She’s already pulling up the 141’s files, sliding to “John MacTavish” before she enters “Moira MacTavish” into a search bar. Of course, she comes up within the first ten searches and she smiles.

Oh, Christ, I thought I’d rung my ogha.

“Oh, you did, Missus Moira,” she answers. “I’m afraid John is out right now, but he left his phone and you seemed quite important, so why not answer?” she smiles. “John talks quite a bit about you Missus Moira.” Her eyes scan the newspaper articles from Stirling, Family of Five Killed In Massive Car Pile-Up, Leaves Boy, Two, Orphaned. “Best woman he knows, yes?”

Aye, my ogha, John. Raised the lad myself.

“Missus Moira—”

Call me Nannie Moira, darling. Any friend of John’s is a child o’ mine.

“Of course, Nannie Moira,” she smiles. “So, tell me more of John. He’s so tight-lipped about himself.”

Oh, I can talk for hours of my ogha. Did you know—

***

It’s a good half hour before the door to the break room opens and in piles four men who stop like deer in headlights as they take in the woman—they do not know—sitting on their couch, laughing as she answers, “Nannie Moira! You did not say that to Johnny’s girlfriend!” Whatever response she gets, they can tell it makes her laugh because she presses the back of her hand to her mouth.

Soap’s already headed her way at the mention of his grandmother; she bats at his hand when he tries to take the phone from her. “Oh, Nannie, I think John just got back, would you like to talk to him?” she holds out the phone expectingly and chastises, “Nannie’s very upset you didn’t call her last night.”

He takes the phone, “Nannie, are you alright?...well, yes, I know I didn’t call, I was—yes, Nannie…yes ma’am…I promise I will call you tomorrow night…I love you, Nannie.” He hangs up and glares down at her. “Congratulations, you’re invited to midnight mass on Christmas Eve.”

“Can’t wait,” she replies with a smirk and turns her gaze to Ghost. “Hi, Simon.”

“How,” he starts darkly and stalks towards her in slow, warning steps. “Did you get in here?”

She blinks owlishly at him. “Let’s see, I forged a key card, showed it to the enlisted at the gate, and you might want to actually enlighten them on who they should and should not let it, and walked right in.” she sniffs and tips her head to the air vent that they now notice is missing a covering. “Air vent was a little snug too.”

“I’ve half a mind to arrest you.”

“Oh, I can agree you do have half a mind. It’s why you’ve never managed to beat me in any fight we have.” She raises her hands like she’s waiting cuffs. “Go ahead. But if you arrest me, you won’t have a way to blow up that Syrian power plant you all are planning without leaving someone behind to make sure it does.”

That stops all of them and they stare at her, Price especially when he walks over. “You’re the woman Soap mentioned.” They all ignore how Ghost absolutely glowers at Soap who has now found the ceiling much more interesting. “How much do you know?”

“About the power plant or the mission?”

“All of it.”

She taps a pointer to her chin. “Well, that’s no fun to tell and not get rewarded. I’m not a good girl unless I get a reward, Captain Price,” she purrs and gazes at him. “In return for this information, I’m going to give you my file and you will strongly consider my…introduction, into the 141.”

“No, absolutely not,” Ghost gripes. “I am not working with you.”

“Oh, don’t hurt my feelings, Simon. We both know you and I work so well.”

“You are a killer.”

“I’m a murderer of very bad people, the same as you. So, I’d be careful waving that hypocrisy stick around—might end up with it too far up your ass.”

Ghost turns to Price. “Her name is Spades, she’s an international assassin responsible for taking out targets with the biggest bounties.”

“So, by technicality, I’m a bounty hunter,” she adds. “He’s right though, I do take out quite a few bounties. But believe it or not, the most scandalous thing about me is that I am a morally good assassin. I don’t kill good people. Only very, very, very bad people. Like the Guestroom Butcher.” She ignores the shocked stares. “God, I had to spend months in London before I got that guy. I hate London.”

“You—you killed the Guestroom Butcher?” the fourth man asks, and she peers at him.

“You must be Gaz. And yes, I did. His name was Albert Franklin. A physics teacher at a local secondary school who was a janitor part time. Spent years traveling to different guestrooms all over London to murder tourists. Such an odd man. He talked a lot before I killed him. Kept muttering something about his late wife being killed by tourists decades prior. Sad, but understandable as to why he targeted tourists.”

“And how do we know you killed him?” Gaz inquires.

“Well, my name isn’t Spades for a reason, dear,” she explains and looks at Simon. “Have my card still?” He wordlessly pulls it out and hands it to Gaz, who looks over it. “That’s my calling card. I leave it on bodies so that police know I was there. Look up the case on the internet. There’s a photo of my card.”

“How do you know someone didn’t forge this?”

“All my cards are made by hand, with gold inlay. Signed too. No one can forge my card. And no one in the business is foolish enough to get on my radar for pretending to be me. I’m one of the best there is for a reason.”

Price looks at her. “How do you know about the mission?”

“Simon forgets that he shouldn’t carry around information on a phone.”

“It was locked,” is all he replies when Price glares at him.

“Oh, it was, I unlocked it with a hacker’s bypass.” She clears her throat. “As for the mission…I know the logistics of what you’re planning. I know someone is going to have to stay behind to make sure the pressure in the facility gets high enough that it blows. I also have a bypass for that in which we don’t have to hold a funeral for someone here.”

They stare at her, watching, waiting.

She lifts a small plug, no bigger than a thumb. “This, is a kill-switch made by one of the scientists who helped build the power plant. When the Syrian government found out he was gay, they had him executed. Before that, he made this as insurance and sold it to the black market the United States frequents. I paid quite a pretty penny for it.”

“What’s it do?” Soap asks.

“This little plug will directly overload the system in fifteen minutes. There is no way to stop the overload once it’s been activated by this. That’s why it’s the kill-switch.” She rolls it in her fingers. “You insert this into the mainframe and in exactly fifteen minutes, you blow everything in a ten mile radius to kingdom come.” She smiles. “Only takes five to get out of the facility and to the rescue chopper. Ten minutes to get outside the blast radius.”

They’re silent and she knows she’s found her entrance point as she rises from the couch; their eyes follow her.

“I’ll be in my quarters. Simon, I chose the room between you and Gaz since it was vacant. Oh, and Captain Price, there’s going to be quite a few boxes being delivered to the base in the next two hours. If you would, have someone bring them to my room so I can set them up.” she gathers her things. “Also, if one of you, I’m hoping it’ll be Soap, can help me move out all that ugly military furniture from my quarters, I would appreciate it.”

She walks past them without a care in the world.

“Can’t believe you plebians live like this. What ever happened to having good furniture and a supported spinal column when you sleep?”

The door closes behind her and Simon’s the first to break the silence. “You’re just going to let her stay?”

Price glares at him. “The fuck am I supposed to do? She looks more prepared for our mission than we are right now.”

Ghost growls, legitimately growls, and says, “I cannot believe I have to fucking work with her.”

This, doesn’t stop Soap from raising his hand and asking, “Wait, so fraternization only works on folks in the military right?”

“SOAP, SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

[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

[mysteriouslytransparentwitch]

update in my life

first of all, all my condolences in turkish, to the syrians, 2 earthquakes in france, we have been talking about it for 5 hours in france. @the-best-soap-opera-ever​

Otherwise, I look back on my life, my menstrual cycle started on Sunday, it's very fluid, I had a hemorrhage the first night, so I'm going to take medicine to cut it. I really need to regain my strength. I go through moments of doubt and questioning. I made an appointment with my shrink for Wednesday, I made an appointment with a counselor for a new reorientation in my life. I must admit that my fears and my anxiety came back on my life, my future...

I'm trying to find a good acupuncture in Ile de France

[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.

[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.

[metacriticc-news]

Soap makers in Aleppo, now making their soaps in free Syria | Syrian war news

Aleppo, Syria – Legend has it that more than 2,000 years ago, women in Aleppo discovered that combining wild Anabasis plants with olive oil created a lather effective for cleansing. This discovery marked the beginning of Aleppo’s famous soap making tradition, a craft passed down through the generations. Despite surviving countless challenges over the centuries, the recent war has posed an…

[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!

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[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

[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.(