Sam Heller | سام هيلر
@abujamajem.com
Researcher and analyst looking at Lebanon, Syria and the wider neighborhood. Century International Fellow. Former Crisis Group. "Jamajem" means ☠️.
www.abujamajem.com
www.abujamajem.com
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Sam Heller | سام هيلر
@abujamajem.com
· Nov 20
Lebanon and Syria’s Detainee Dilemma
The fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last December was “like being released from prison,” Khalid said. Khalid, a young father from the town of
tcf.org
My latest for @centuryintl.bsky.social @tcfdotorg.bsky.social: On why it's difficult for Lebanon and Syria to strike a deal to repatriate Syrians held in Lebanese prisons, and what that says about the two countries' relationship going forward: tcf.org/content/comm...
New @theipcinfo.bsky.social food security analysis for Lebanon: www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-... Flags special vulnerability of post-December 2024 arrivals from Syria.
Lebanon: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for November 2025 - March 2026 and Projection for April - July 2026 | IPC - Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
www.ipcinfo.org
December 24, 2025 at 10:18 AM
New @theipcinfo.bsky.social food security analysis for Lebanon: www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-... Flags special vulnerability of post-December 2024 arrivals from Syria.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
“When the time is right, we will also establish garinei Nahal [pioneer youth settlements] in north Gaza to replace the villages that were uprooted,” Katz said.
Katz’s office says he meant military outposts, not settlements like the original garinei Nahal—but the IDF already has outposts in Gaza.
Katz’s office says he meant military outposts, not settlements like the original garinei Nahal—but the IDF already has outposts in Gaza.
Israel Won’t Leave Gaza, Will Build Settlements, Defense Minister Says
Israel Katz’s statements are at odds with President Trump’s multiphase peace plan for the enclave.
www.wsj.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:05 AM
“When the time is right, we will also establish garinei Nahal [pioneer youth settlements] in north Gaza to replace the villages that were uprooted,” Katz said.
Katz’s office says he meant military outposts, not settlements like the original garinei Nahal—but the IDF already has outposts in Gaza.
Katz’s office says he meant military outposts, not settlements like the original garinei Nahal—but the IDF already has outposts in Gaza.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
"Katz also said Israel would establish Jewish settlements in northern Gaza to replace settlements that were dismantled when Israel pulled its troops and civilians out of the enclave in 2005."
Israel Won’t Leave Gaza, Will Build Settlements, Defense Minister Says
Israel Katz’s statements are at odds with President Trump’s multiphase peace plan for the enclave.
www.wsj.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
"Katz also said Israel would establish Jewish settlements in northern Gaza to replace settlements that were dismantled when Israel pulled its troops and civilians out of the enclave in 2005."
@washingtonpost.com team on Israeli support for Druze separatism in Syria: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
How Israeli covert activities in Syria seek to thwart its new government
Israel is suspicious of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a longtime Islamist militant, and has provided weapons, intelligence and cash to militiamen at odds with his rule.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
@washingtonpost.com team on Israeli support for Druze separatism in Syria: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
The Policy Initiative critique of Salam government draft Gap Law: www.thepolicyinitiative.org/article/deta...
The Policy Initiative - The Gap Law: A settlement for banks paid by society
Customized for banks, the Gap Law shifts the financial losses onto society.
www.thepolicyinitiative.org
December 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
The Policy Initiative critique of Salam government draft Gap Law: www.thepolicyinitiative.org/article/deta...
Graham rhetoric (x.com/LindseyGraha...) and House Republican letter on sanctions relief (www.foxnews.com/politics/130...) highlight the limited extent to which Trump's new pro-Shara' position on Syria has been socialized within the Republican Party.
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December 23, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Graham rhetoric (x.com/LindseyGraha...) and House Republican letter on sanctions relief (www.foxnews.com/politics/130...) highlight the limited extent to which Trump's new pro-Shara' position on Syria has been socialized within the Republican Party.
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@reuters.com's @mokhbersahafi.bsky.social on detention in new Syria: www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Syrians emptied Assad’s prisons. They’re filling up again, and abuse is rife
A year ago, Syria’s new leader pledged to 'close the notorious prisons' run by Bashar al-Assad. But prisons and detention centers are again operating. And beatings, extortion and other abuses have rea...
www.reuters.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:14 AM
@reuters.com's @mokhbersahafi.bsky.social on detention in new Syria: www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Tarek Mitri talks to Asharq al-Awsat's Paula Astih about hangups in Lebanon-Syria talks on repatriation of Syrian detainees: aawsat.com/%D8%A7%D9%84...
نائب رئيس الحكومة اللبنانية: مسار المفاوضات السياسية مع إسرائيل لم ينطلق
نفى نائب رئيس الحكومة اللبنانية طارق متري أن يكون مسار المفاوضات السياسية مع إسرائيل قد انطلق، مع تعيين مفاوضين مدنيين من قبل الطرفين.
aawsat.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Tarek Mitri talks to Asharq al-Awsat's Paula Astih about hangups in Lebanon-Syria talks on repatriation of Syrian detainees: aawsat.com/%D8%A7%D9%84...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Since the Oct 10 ceasefire, the IDF has nearly completed the demolition of the last standing pocket of Gaza City's Shejaiya district (red), including demolitions that extend beyond the originally announced Yellow Line.
Shejaiya as of Oct 11 and Dec 7, and where it fits into the broader destruction:
Shejaiya as of Oct 11 and Dec 7, and where it fits into the broader destruction:
December 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Since the Oct 10 ceasefire, the IDF has nearly completed the demolition of the last standing pocket of Gaza City's Shejaiya district (red), including demolitions that extend beyond the originally announced Yellow Line.
Shejaiya as of Oct 11 and Dec 7, and where it fits into the broader destruction:
Shejaiya as of Oct 11 and Dec 7, and where it fits into the broader destruction:
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Two thirds or more of both Republicans and Democrats say that the label "antisemitism" is used frequently/sometimes to delegitimize critics of Israel and political opponents:
sadat.umd.edu/sites/sadat....
sadat.umd.edu/sites/sadat....
December 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Two thirds or more of both Republicans and Democrats say that the label "antisemitism" is used frequently/sometimes to delegitimize critics of Israel and political opponents:
sadat.umd.edu/sites/sadat....
sadat.umd.edu/sites/sadat....
@wsj.com’s Omar Abdel-Baqui, “Strikes on Islamic State Pound a Foe the U.S. Once Thought Defeated” www.wsj.com/world/middle... Includes my thoughts.
Strikes on Islamic State Pound a Foe the U.S. Once Thought Defeated
The militant group’s ability to mount and inspire small scale attacks show the difficulty of stamping it out.
www.wsj.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:26 PM
@wsj.com’s Omar Abdel-Baqui, “Strikes on Islamic State Pound a Foe the U.S. Once Thought Defeated” www.wsj.com/world/middle... Includes my thoughts.
For @pbsnews.org News Hour, Simona Foltyn and Adrian Hartrick embed with the Lebanese army as it dismantles Hizbullah sites south of the Litani: www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
A rare look inside Hezbollah's secretive bunkers seized by Lebanon's military
The Lebanese army is on a tight deadline to comply with an American demand to dismantle the military infrastructure of Hezbollah. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn and videographer Adrian Hartrick w...
www.pbs.org
December 20, 2025 at 7:34 AM
For @pbsnews.org News Hour, Simona Foltyn and Adrian Hartrick embed with the Lebanese army as it dismantles Hizbullah sites south of the Litani: www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
One might ask: if these are serious ISIS targets, why wait until now, after the deaths of these two US soldiers, to strike them? Or is CENTCOM scraping the bottom of the targeting barrel to produce a wave of strikes that is mainly symbolic, to satisfy Hegseth’s stated desire for “revenge” strikes?
This is the biggest set of US airstrikes in Syria since at least last Dec, when CENTCOM conducted a wave of dozens of strikes against ISIS after the Assad regime fell.
Since then, though, there have also been 8 other days in 2025 when CENTCOM conducted airstrikes in Syria, including last month.
Since then, though, there have also been 8 other days in 2025 when CENTCOM conducted airstrikes in Syria, including last month.
Breaking news: The U.S. military launched a series of strikes against dozens of sites in central Syria, in retaliation for killing two American soldiers and an interpreter.
December 20, 2025 at 1:33 AM
One might ask: if these are serious ISIS targets, why wait until now, after the deaths of these two US soldiers, to strike them? Or is CENTCOM scraping the bottom of the targeting barrel to produce a wave of strikes that is mainly symbolic, to satisfy Hegseth’s stated desire for “revenge” strikes?
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
The Block The Bombs Act, which would legally suspend a large portion of American offensive military assistance to Israel, now has 60 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.
It is also endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the first ever Israel-Palestine related bill to acquire it.
It is also endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the first ever Israel-Palestine related bill to acquire it.
December 19, 2025 at 9:52 PM
The Block The Bombs Act, which would legally suspend a large portion of American offensive military assistance to Israel, now has 60 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.
It is also endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the first ever Israel-Palestine related bill to acquire it.
It is also endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the first ever Israel-Palestine related bill to acquire it.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
The advocacy group founded by the late Jamal Khashoggi, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), has published a report which unveils the senior leadership of AIPAC— most of whom have not been previously disclosed.
The Faces of AIPAC
Unlike comparable organizations of its size and influence, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) does not maintain a public leadership page identifying the individuals who govern and direct...
dawnmena.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The advocacy group founded by the late Jamal Khashoggi, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), has published a report which unveils the senior leadership of AIPAC— most of whom have not been previously disclosed.
@syriadirect.bsky.social @walid-alnofal.bsky.social on how material conditions have changed for Syrians, one year after Assad's fall: syriadirect.org/how-has-syri... Highlights effects of radical liberalization.
How has Syria’s economy changed in a year without Assad?
The first year of the “new Syria” brought relative economic stability and a marked improvement in the exchange rate of the pound, but economic burdens still weigh on Syrians. Has the cost of living cr...
syriadirect.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
@syriadirect.bsky.social @walid-alnofal.bsky.social on how material conditions have changed for Syrians, one year after Assad's fall: syriadirect.org/how-has-syri... Highlights effects of radical liberalization.
@inkstickmedia.com's @patrickobrienstrickland.com on the long history of conspiracism and incitement behind Trump's "invasion" immigration rhetoric: inkstickmedia.com/the-long-oft...
The Long, Lethal History of Trump's 'Invasion' Rhetoric
In 2018, Trump began to routinely describe immigration as an ‘invasion.’ That rhetoric has fueled deadly violence for nearly two centuries.
inkstickmedia.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:37 AM
@inkstickmedia.com's @patrickobrienstrickland.com on the long history of conspiracism and incitement behind Trump's "invasion" immigration rhetoric: inkstickmedia.com/the-long-oft...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Rare sighting of Uighur commander of the Syrian military’s Division 84 Brig. Gen. Abdulaziz Dawud Hudaberdi, receiving an award from Harem district official (Idlib)
t.me/IdlibGovHare...
t.me/IdlibGovHare...
December 17, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Rare sighting of Uighur commander of the Syrian military’s Division 84 Brig. Gen. Abdulaziz Dawud Hudaberdi, receiving an award from Harem district official (Idlib)
t.me/IdlibGovHare...
t.me/IdlibGovHare...
Asharq al-Awsat report on Lebanese judicial delegation's visit to Damascus includes lots of aggravated comment from Syrian sources on Lebanon's proposal for detainee repatriation, general inflexibility: aawsat.com/%D8%A7%D9%84...
For why this issue is difficult, see: tcf.org/content/comm...
For why this issue is difficult, see: tcf.org/content/comm...
فشل التوصل لآلية تسليم السجناء السوريين في لبنان إلى دمشق
لم تُحقق زيارة الوفد القضائي اللبناني إلى دمشق النتائج المرجوّة لجهة التوصل إلى معاهدة قضائية جديدة تنظم آلية تسليم السجناء السوريين الموقوفين في لبنان.
aawsat.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Asharq al-Awsat report on Lebanese judicial delegation's visit to Damascus includes lots of aggravated comment from Syrian sources on Lebanon's proposal for detainee repatriation, general inflexibility: aawsat.com/%D8%A7%D9%84...
For why this issue is difficult, see: tcf.org/content/comm...
For why this issue is difficult, see: tcf.org/content/comm...
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Regarding the voluntary return of Syrians, the Turkish MoI said 590.000 Syrians have returned voluntarily since 8 December 2024, bringing the total to 1.330.000 since 2016.
The total number of Syrians in Turkey as of 11 December 2025 stands at 2.362.466.
www.tbmm.gov.tr/Haber/Detay?...
The total number of Syrians in Turkey as of 11 December 2025 stands at 2.362.466.
www.tbmm.gov.tr/Haber/Detay?...
İÇİŞLERİ BAKANI YERLİKAYA, TBMM GENEL KURULUNDA BAKANLIĞININ 2026 YILI BÜTÇESİNİ SUNDU
İçişleri Bakanı Ali Yerlikaya, bu yıl terörle mücadele kapsamında yapılan çalışmalara ilişkin "10'u Diyarbakır annelerinin çocukları olmak üzere toplam 103 terör örgütü mensubu ikna yoluyla yurt dışın...
www.tbmm.gov.tr
December 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Regarding the voluntary return of Syrians, the Turkish MoI said 590.000 Syrians have returned voluntarily since 8 December 2024, bringing the total to 1.330.000 since 2016.
The total number of Syrians in Turkey as of 11 December 2025 stands at 2.362.466.
www.tbmm.gov.tr/Haber/Detay?...
The total number of Syrians in Turkey as of 11 December 2025 stands at 2.362.466.
www.tbmm.gov.tr/Haber/Detay?...
Future U.S. support for Lebanese Armed Forces may be in real jeopardy.
In Washington earlier this month, was told U.S. policymakers had taken Lebanese government pledge to disarm Hizbullah at face value and were now unhappy that Lebanese leaders were not following through on their commitments.
In Washington earlier this month, was told U.S. policymakers had taken Lebanese government pledge to disarm Hizbullah at face value and were now unhappy that Lebanese leaders were not following through on their commitments.
Lebanese army-related provisions of 2026 National Defense Authorization Act: www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
Newly specifies U.S. support for LAF is only for countering Hizbullah, mandates rubric for assessing LAF progress on disarmament and options for suspending aid if LAF "unwilling" to act.
Newly specifies U.S. support for LAF is only for countering Hizbullah, mandates rubric for assessing LAF progress on disarmament and options for suspending aid if LAF "unwilling" to act.
December 16, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Future U.S. support for Lebanese Armed Forces may be in real jeopardy.
In Washington earlier this month, was told U.S. policymakers had taken Lebanese government pledge to disarm Hizbullah at face value and were now unhappy that Lebanese leaders were not following through on their commitments.
In Washington earlier this month, was told U.S. policymakers had taken Lebanese government pledge to disarm Hizbullah at face value and were now unhappy that Lebanese leaders were not following through on their commitments.
Lebanese army-related provisions of 2026 National Defense Authorization Act: www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
Newly specifies U.S. support for LAF is only for countering Hizbullah, mandates rubric for assessing LAF progress on disarmament and options for suspending aid if LAF "unwilling" to act.
Newly specifies U.S. support for LAF is only for countering Hizbullah, mandates rubric for assessing LAF progress on disarmament and options for suspending aid if LAF "unwilling" to act.
December 16, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Lebanese army-related provisions of 2026 National Defense Authorization Act: www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
Newly specifies U.S. support for LAF is only for countering Hizbullah, mandates rubric for assessing LAF progress on disarmament and options for suspending aid if LAF "unwilling" to act.
Newly specifies U.S. support for LAF is only for countering Hizbullah, mandates rubric for assessing LAF progress on disarmament and options for suspending aid if LAF "unwilling" to act.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
This Iowa National Guard squadron (1-113 Cavalry, 34th ID) first deployed soldiers to Iraq more than 20 years ago, in 2005. This tour it’s been at al-Tanf Garrison in Syria. The youngest soldiers in the squadron probably hadn’t been born yet during C Troop’s 2005-6 Iraq deployment.
U.S. Soldiers Killed in Syria Identified as Iowa National Guard Sergeants
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This Iowa National Guard squadron (1-113 Cavalry, 34th ID) first deployed soldiers to Iraq more than 20 years ago, in 2005. This tour it’s been at al-Tanf Garrison in Syria. The youngest soldiers in the squadron probably hadn’t been born yet during C Troop’s 2005-6 Iraq deployment.
Reposted by Sam Heller | سام هيلر
Amazon has become a major contractor for cities, counties, and school districts for thousands of basic supplies.
An ISLR analysis of purchasing records from 128 agencies shows that these contracts mandate dynamic pricing, covertly raising prices and inflating costs for governments.
An ISLR analysis of purchasing records from 128 agencies shows that these contracts mandate dynamic pricing, covertly raising prices and inflating costs for governments.
December 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Amazon has become a major contractor for cities, counties, and school districts for thousands of basic supplies.
An ISLR analysis of purchasing records from 128 agencies shows that these contracts mandate dynamic pricing, covertly raising prices and inflating costs for governments.
An ISLR analysis of purchasing records from 128 agencies shows that these contracts mandate dynamic pricing, covertly raising prices and inflating costs for governments.