Rena Netjes
@renanetjes.bsky.social
Arabist. Journalist. Entrepreneur.
With 18 field trips to Syria since 2019, I bring perspectives grounded in firsthand experience and authentic local engagement.
@RenaLingua.
renanetjes@protonmail.com
With 18 field trips to Syria since 2019, I bring perspectives grounded in firsthand experience and authentic local engagement.
@RenaLingua.
renanetjes@protonmail.com
Pinned
Reposted by Rena Netjes
De afgelopen jaren heb ik geprobeerd te begrijpen waar het gevoel van verlies in Europa vandaan komt, en waarom radicaal-rechts daar zo succesvol op inspeelt.
Maar vooral ook waarom mijn vader ooit trouw CDA stemmer langzaam maar zeker naar de PVV opschoof.
1/
Maar vooral ook waarom mijn vader ooit trouw CDA stemmer langzaam maar zeker naar de PVV opschoof.
1/
February 12, 2026 at 7:55 AM
De afgelopen jaren heb ik geprobeerd te begrijpen waar het gevoel van verlies in Europa vandaan komt, en waarom radicaal-rechts daar zo succesvol op inspeelt.
Maar vooral ook waarom mijn vader ooit trouw CDA stemmer langzaam maar zeker naar de PVV opschoof.
1/
Maar vooral ook waarom mijn vader ooit trouw CDA stemmer langzaam maar zeker naar de PVV opschoof.
1/
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Mocht dit prachtige boek al lezen, het is geweldige combinatie van het persoonlijke en het wetenschappelijke. Absolute aanrader!
Precies over een maand, op 12 maart verschijnt mijn boek De symfonie van onvrede: De opmars van radicaal-rechts in Europa bij Querido:
www.singeluitgeverijen.nl/querido/boek...
Dit boek gaat me aan het hart en ik kom graag een lezing geven.
🧵
www.singeluitgeverijen.nl/querido/boek...
Dit boek gaat me aan het hart en ik kom graag een lezing geven.
🧵
De symfonie van onvrede - Singel Uitgeverijen
Catherine de Vries groeide op op een boerderij in Overijssel die al generaties in de familie was. Eind jaren tachtig veranderde dat leven ingrijpend: dalende prijzen, Europese regels en terughoudende ...
www.singeluitgeverijen.nl
February 12, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Mocht dit prachtige boek al lezen, het is geweldige combinatie van het persoonlijke en het wetenschappelijke. Absolute aanrader!
Providing an assessment of Syria’s evolving dynamics & additional reflection and discussion during dinner with military attachés from EU and other nations two weeks ago during the AMAC Winter Conference in Kayseri.
Vielen Dank et merci beaucoup 🙏
Vielen Dank et merci beaucoup 🙏
February 19, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Providing an assessment of Syria’s evolving dynamics & additional reflection and discussion during dinner with military attachés from EU and other nations two weeks ago during the AMAC Winter Conference in Kayseri.
Vielen Dank et merci beaucoup 🙏
Vielen Dank et merci beaucoup 🙏
When I left Damascus on Dec. 30, talks were still ongoing between SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara'a. One of the figures involved in arranging the initial meeting was clear about its contents: "Abdi asked [for] an extension of the 10..
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
In Syria’s Amouda, Residents Hope for Stability and Peace Amid the Country’s Transition
Amouda — a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border — has no high-rise buildings, and not by accident. The Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, which locals describe as ...
dawnmena.org
February 19, 2026 at 10:39 AM
When I left Damascus on Dec. 30, talks were still ongoing between SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara'a. One of the figures involved in arranging the initial meeting was clear about its contents: "Abdi asked [for] an extension of the 10..
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been speaking with (Kurdish) residents in Amouda, northeast Syria. Here’s what they’re telling me:
Qamishli and Hasaka have been in the headlines — I took a deep dive into the dynamics of Amouda, just west of Qamishli.
#Amouda #SDF #YPG #KNC #Damascus #Syria
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
#Amouda #SDF #YPG #KNC #Damascus #Syria
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
In Syria’s Amouda, Residents Hope for Stability and Peace Amid the Country’s Transition
Amouda — a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border — has no high-rise buildings, and not by accident. The Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, which locals describe as ...
dawnmena.org
February 17, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been speaking with (Kurdish) residents in Amouda, northeast Syria. Here’s what they’re telling me:
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Based on the ongoing movements and rhetoric, I think my assessment of a post‑Ramadan US strike window is moving up. I still don’t believe anything happens this weekend with the Olympics underway, but after Sunday the likelihood of U.S. action increases significantly.
February 18, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Based on the ongoing movements and rhetoric, I think my assessment of a post‑Ramadan US strike window is moving up. I still don’t believe anything happens this weekend with the Olympics underway, but after Sunday the likelihood of U.S. action increases significantly.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
While Iran’s foreign minister publicly struck an optimistic tone, an Iranian official says Tehran fears the gap between what it can offer and what Washington will accept may be unbridgeable. -WSJ
February 18, 2026 at 3:55 PM
While Iran’s foreign minister publicly struck an optimistic tone, an Iranian official says Tehran fears the gap between what it can offer and what Washington will accept may be unbridgeable. -WSJ
Mij regelmatig bestoken en de reactie knop uitzetten en nu mij om hulp vagen om degene die o.a. met een brandende fakkel voor het huis van Kaag stond te zwaaien te helpen omdat hij voor NL politie en justitie vluchtte naar Syrië?
Ze zeiden dat Blue Sky beter was dan X..
Ze zeiden dat Blue Sky beter was dan X..
February 17, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Mij regelmatig bestoken en de reactie knop uitzetten en nu mij om hulp vagen om degene die o.a. met een brandende fakkel voor het huis van Kaag stond te zwaaien te helpen omdat hij voor NL politie en justitie vluchtte naar Syrië?
Ze zeiden dat Blue Sky beter was dan X..
Ze zeiden dat Blue Sky beter was dan X..
Reposted by Rena Netjes
"The armed conflict in Syria’s northeast may have subsided, but a political struggle is now beginning," reports @renanetjes.bsky.social from northeast Syria.
For Syrians in Amouda, "true peace and their country’s reconstruction cannot come soon enough."
For Syrians in Amouda, "true peace and their country’s reconstruction cannot come soon enough."
In Syria’s Amouda, Residents Hope for Stability and Peace Amid the Country’s Transition
Amouda — a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border — has no high-rise buildings, and not by accident. The Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, which locals describe as ...
dawnmena.org
February 17, 2026 at 3:15 PM
"The armed conflict in Syria’s northeast may have subsided, but a political struggle is now beginning," reports @renanetjes.bsky.social from northeast Syria.
For Syrians in Amouda, "true peace and their country’s reconstruction cannot come soon enough."
For Syrians in Amouda, "true peace and their country’s reconstruction cannot come soon enough."
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been speaking with (Kurdish) residents in Amouda, northeast Syria. Here’s what they’re telling me:
Qamishli and Hasaka have been in the headlines — I took a deep dive into the dynamics of Amouda, just west of Qamishli.
#Amouda #SDF #YPG #KNC #Damascus #Syria
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
#Amouda #SDF #YPG #KNC #Damascus #Syria
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
In Syria’s Amouda, Residents Hope for Stability and Peace Amid the Country’s Transition
Amouda — a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border — has no high-rise buildings, and not by accident. The Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, which locals describe as ...
dawnmena.org
February 17, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been speaking with (Kurdish) residents in Amouda, northeast Syria. Here’s what they’re telling me:
Qamishli and Hasaka have been in the headlines — I took a deep dive into the dynamics of Amouda, just west of Qamishli.
#Amouda #SDF #YPG #KNC #Damascus #Syria
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
#Amouda #SDF #YPG #KNC #Damascus #Syria
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
In Syria’s Amouda, Residents Hope for Stability and Peace Amid the Country’s Transition
Amouda — a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border — has no high-rise buildings, and not by accident. The Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, which locals describe as ...
dawnmena.org
February 17, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Qamishli and Hasaka have been in the headlines — I took a deep dive into the dynamics of Amouda, just west of Qamishli.
#Amouda #SDF #YPG #KNC #Damascus #Syria
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
#Amouda #SDF #YPG #KNC #Damascus #Syria
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Amouda, a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border, has no high-rise buildings—the Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, approx. 99% Kurdish and west of Qamishli City, was known for its strong opposition to Assad.
@renanetjes.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
@renanetjes.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
In Syria’s Amouda, Residents Hope for Stability and Peace Amid the Country’s Transition
Amouda — a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border — has no high-rise buildings, and not by accident. The Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, which locals describe as ...
dawnmena.org
February 17, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Amouda, a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border, has no high-rise buildings—the Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, approx. 99% Kurdish and west of Qamishli City, was known for its strong opposition to Assad.
@renanetjes.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
@renanetjes.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Canada is now the first non-European country to be granted a membership in SAFE. This is a gamechanger program that means Canada can rearm our Canadian Armed Forces members more effectively and scale up our defence industries with more contracts overseas.
February 16, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Canada is now the first non-European country to be granted a membership in SAFE. This is a gamechanger program that means Canada can rearm our Canadian Armed Forces members more effectively and scale up our defence industries with more contracts overseas.
Each side accuses the other of chaotic handovers, fleeing guards or deliberate negligence that allowed prisoners to escape. Several prisons held a mixed population — incl political detainees, common criminals and IS members.
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
In Syria’s Amouda, Residents Hope for Stability and Peace Amid the Country’s Transition
Amouda — a small town in northeast Syria near the Turkish border — has no high-rise buildings, and not by accident. The Assad regime never allowed them to be built. The town, which locals describe as ...
dawnmena.org
February 17, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Each side accuses the other of chaotic handovers, fleeing guards or deliberate negligence that allowed prisoners to escape. Several prisons held a mixed population — incl political detainees, common criminals and IS members.
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
My latest for @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social
dawnmena.org/in-syrias-am...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
In an interview on Sunday, the Republican congressman also said he had no confidence in Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Massie Says ‘Significant’ Epstein Files Were Shielded From Lawmakers Before They Could View Unredacted
In an interview on Sunday, the Republican congressman also said he had no confidence in Attorney General Pam Bondi.
www.forbes.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:15 PM
In an interview on Sunday, the Republican congressman also said he had no confidence in Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Syrian army takes over al-Shaddadi Base after Coalition handover
Syrian army forces took over the base in al-Hasakah’s southern countryside after coordination with the US side.
— Enab Baladi
english.enabbaladi.net/archives/202...
Syrian army forces took over the base in al-Hasakah’s southern countryside after coordination with the US side.
— Enab Baladi
english.enabbaladi.net/archives/202...
Syrian Army Takes Over al-Shaddadi Base After Coalition Handover - Enab Baladi
The Ministry of Defense’s Media and Communications Directorate announced that Syrian army forces have taken over the al-Shaddadi military base […]
english.enabbaladi.net
February 16, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Syrian army takes over al-Shaddadi Base after Coalition handover
Syrian army forces took over the base in al-Hasakah’s southern countryside after coordination with the US side.
— Enab Baladi
english.enabbaladi.net/archives/202...
Syrian army forces took over the base in al-Hasakah’s southern countryside after coordination with the US side.
— Enab Baladi
english.enabbaladi.net/archives/202...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
That’s a lot of people. Virginia and another victim are missing here:
uinterview.com/news/22-peop...
uinterview.com/news/22-peop...
22 People Connected To Jeffrey Epstein Have Died Under Mysterious Circumstances - uInterview
"There were a lot of people entrapped and entangled through Epstein’s web, and many of those people are gone now - dead," private investigator Ed Opperman tells the National Enquirer earlier this week...
uinterview.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:55 AM
That’s a lot of people. Virginia and another victim are missing here:
uinterview.com/news/22-peop...
uinterview.com/news/22-peop...
Samer al-Ahmad nails it again:
According to the agreement between the SDF and Damascus, Ministry of Interior forces were supposed to deploy across the Arab areas in Hasaka. Instead, YPG/PKK-affiliated Asayish are now entering those areas — areas that are openly resisting this.
According to the agreement between the SDF and Damascus, Ministry of Interior forces were supposed to deploy across the Arab areas in Hasaka. Instead, YPG/PKK-affiliated Asayish are now entering those areas — areas that are openly resisting this.
February 14, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Samer al-Ahmad nails it again:
According to the agreement between the SDF and Damascus, Ministry of Interior forces were supposed to deploy across the Arab areas in Hasaka. Instead, YPG/PKK-affiliated Asayish are now entering those areas — areas that are openly resisting this.
According to the agreement between the SDF and Damascus, Ministry of Interior forces were supposed to deploy across the Arab areas in Hasaka. Instead, YPG/PKK-affiliated Asayish are now entering those areas — areas that are openly resisting this.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Steve Bannon wrote to Epstein that he wished to “take down” the Pope.
MAGA Architect Plotted With Epstein Against Pope Francis
Steve Bannon wrote to Epstein that he wished to “take down” the Pope.
trib.al
February 14, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Reposted by Rena Netjes
The President, two of his current Cabinet secretaries, his former strategist, his biggest donor, and his pending Fed Chair nominee are all in the files of a pedophile who ran a sex trafficking ring, while the attorney general and a former Cabinet secretary let him get away with it.
Seems kinda bad?
Seems kinda bad?
At least half a dozen top Trump administration officials appear in the Jeffrey Epstein files
The degree to which each individual was connected to Epstein varies significantly, from a single email to years of communications.
www.nbcnews.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:43 PM
The President, two of his current Cabinet secretaries, his former strategist, his biggest donor, and his pending Fed Chair nominee are all in the files of a pedophile who ran a sex trafficking ring, while the attorney general and a former Cabinet secretary let him get away with it.
Seems kinda bad?
Seems kinda bad?
DYSTINCT – Red Bull Symphonic (Full Performance)
YouTube video by Avalon Music
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Rena Netjes
At this point, I believe the #EpsteinFiles crimes and subsequent cover-up will make Watergate seem like a minor hiccup.
February 14, 2026 at 7:40 PM
At this point, I believe the #EpsteinFiles crimes and subsequent cover-up will make Watergate seem like a minor hiccup.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Syrian authorities have begun evacuating al-Hol camp of Syrians. They are being transferred to a temporary camp in Aleppo in preparation for their return to their areas of origin. Only Iraqi families remain in the camp, awaiting repatriation to Iraq…
— Zain al-Abidin
x.com/i/status/202...
— Zain al-Abidin
x.com/i/status/202...
February 14, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Syrian authorities have begun evacuating al-Hol camp of Syrians. They are being transferred to a temporary camp in Aleppo in preparation for their return to their areas of origin. Only Iraqi families remain in the camp, awaiting repatriation to Iraq…
— Zain al-Abidin
x.com/i/status/202...
— Zain al-Abidin
x.com/i/status/202...
Reposted by Rena Netjes
Watch this.
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Watch this.
Reposted by Rena Netjes
“… my colleagues in the Syrian Women’s Political Movement are holding our General Assembly in Beirut, not Damascus. We requested to meet in Syria, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not grant permission.”
— Muzna Dureid’s briefing to the UN Security Council
syrianwomenpm.org/events/muzna...
— Muzna Dureid’s briefing to the UN Security Council
syrianwomenpm.org/events/muzna...
Muzna Dureid’s Briefing to the UN Security Council – February 13, 2026 - The Syrian Women's Political Movement
Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished members of the Security Council, thank […]
syrianwomenpm.org
February 14, 2026 at 7:40 AM
“… my colleagues in the Syrian Women’s Political Movement are holding our General Assembly in Beirut, not Damascus. We requested to meet in Syria, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not grant permission.”
— Muzna Dureid’s briefing to the UN Security Council
syrianwomenpm.org/events/muzna...
— Muzna Dureid’s briefing to the UN Security Council
syrianwomenpm.org/events/muzna...
