Joyce Karam
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joycekaram.bsky.social
Joyce Karam
@joycekaram.bsky.social
5.9K followers 150 following 460 posts
Senior News Editor, AL-Monitor | Professor, GWU
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/china-middle-east-briefing-7305587918826319872/
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joycekaram.bsky.social
Joyce Karam @joycekaram.bsky.social · Nov 9
Hi all, still in exploration mode of Blue Sky, taking it easy and slow. If you’re here and we know/follow each other, drop a hi. Still don’t know how to find DMs here 😶‍🌫️. ☕️ ☀️
joycekaram.bsky.social
UPDATE: Sharaa - Trump meeting

• ~2 hours
• Syria releases photos of Sharaa in Oval Office. A first.
• Attendees: Shibani, Olabi, Vance, Barrack, Hegseth, Gen. Caine
• Caesar sanctions waiver: 180 days
• Turkey’s Fidan at White House at same time www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Syrian President Sharaa arrives at White House in historic first
Sharaa met with Trump as the administration weighs easing sanctions and expanding cooperation on Syria.
www.al-monitor.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
UPDATE: Sharaa to meet Trump 11 am ET, 7 pm Damascus
• First Syrian Prez in White House
• First ex-designated terrorist
• Second Jihadist in after Taliban
• First Syria-US Prez Bilat since 2000
• Closed to press
• Turkey's Fidan also in Washington www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Trump to meet Sharaa at White House, capping major turnaround for Syria
By Steve Holland and Timour AzhariWASHINGTON/RIYADH (Reuters) -Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday caps a stunning year for the rebel-turn...
www.al-monitor.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:20 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
NEW: Asked about airbase south of Syria's capital, US military official denied to @jmszuba.bsky.social there are any current plans to deploy American troops near Damascus just yet. Details: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Plan to bring Syria into US-led coalition brings risks, opportunities for Sharaa
Damascus' entry into the US-led coalition would formalize expanded intelligence sharing on the Islamic State's remnants, but joint training and partnered raids remain distant prospects. A US military ...
www.al-monitor.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
NEW: Meet Rama Duwaji, Mamdani's spouse of Syrian descent & now NYC's new first lady. @beatricefarhat.bsky.social writes www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Meet Rama Duwaji, Mamdani's wife and New York’s first lady of Syrian descent
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, largely stayed out of the spotlight during the campaign but her Syrian heritage has shaped her views and upbringing.
www.al-monitor.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:27 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
🔥NEW @al-monitor.bsky.social event: Join us on Thursday to discuss Sharaa's visit to Washington, the first for a Syrian President.
• From Damascus: Danny Makki
• From Paris: Amberin Zaman
• From Washington: Elizabeth Hagedorn and yours truly
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
👋🏽 UPDATE: Middle East
• Turkey: Hamas agreed to transfer power in Gaza
• Israeli strikes in Lebanon
• Turkey, Iraq sign oil for water deal
• Famine, fighting in Sudan
• Iran rejects cooperation with US
• Microsoft to investment $15B in UAE
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Turkey, Iraq sign oil-for-water deal: What to know
The landmark deal between Ankara and Baghdad sets out a finance mechanism to direct Iraqi oil proceeds into Turkish-built water infrastructure.
www.al-monitor.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
Hi all! I will be off Bluesky / news platforms during maternity leave, but may periodically sneak back on during nap time 🤫. Follow @al-monitor.bsky.social and my great colleagues there as they bring you full, independent Middle East coverage. 🙏🏼 🌸
August 14, 2025 at 4:05 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
💥NEWS: Trump admin. is lobbying to remove #Syria's Sharaa + HTS from UNSC terror-related sanctions...main obstacle: China. Interesting details @al-monitor.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
As Trump warms to Syria, US pushes UN to lift Sharaa sanctions
The move comes as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prepares to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month.
www.al-monitor.com
August 5, 2025 at 6:49 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
UPDATE:
• >600 Fmr Israeli officials ask Trump to end Gaza war
• Greece warns Turkey on EU loans
• Egypt holds Senate🗳️: Pro-Sisi
• Iran: No IAEA inspectors
• China to continue to buy Iranian oil
• Bibi-Putin 📞
• Tension in Suwayda, Syria www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Over 600 former Israeli security officials call on Trump to end Gaza war
Former Israeli security officials, including former heads of the Mossad, the Shin Bet internal security agency, the Israeli military, Israel police and ambassadors are pleading with Trump to pressure ...
www.al-monitor.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
UPDATE: #Syria FM ✈️ Russia
• First visit tomorrow
• Putin interested in keeping bases
• Shibani to stop in Baku to meet Israel's Dermer: AFP
• Week after France meeting www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Syria FM heads to Russia in first high-level Moscow visit post Assad
As the new Syrian government looks to redefine its ties with Moscow, Russia aims to maintain its naval and air bases in Syria.
www.al-monitor.com
July 30, 2025 at 5:37 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
🚨NEW: Israeli delegation in Washington is discussing 3 Gaza proposals with White House:
1- Annexation
2- Siege
3- Population transfers
Netanyahu increasingly feeling bogged down 'desperate' to change situation vs Hamas. Details www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Annexation, siege or transfers: Netanyahu's 3 options as Israel's Gaza quagmire deepens
With world focused on starvation in Gaza, Israel consults with US on options for ending conflict, including annexing parts of the territory to appease extremist ministers.
www.al-monitor.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
BEIRUT: Feyrouz, the legend, makes appearance at her son’s funeral, Ziad Rahbani. Something heart-wrenching, yet also healing about seeing Feyrouz (90) whose life and hardship is intertwined with Lebanon’s… www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
In rare appearance, Fairuz mourns son Ziad Rahbani as Lebanon bids farewell
Legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz attended the funeral of her son, renowned composer and playwright, Ziad Rahbani, at a church in a town north of Beirut, in her first public appearance in years.
www.al-monitor.com
July 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Joyce Karam
al-monitor.bsky.social
Ziad Rahbani, enfant terrible of Lebanese stage and song, dies at 69 www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Ziad Rahbani, enfant terrible of Lebanese stage and song, dies at 69
Renowned Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani, son of music icon Fairuz and pioneer of Oriental jazz, died on Saturday aged 69 after revolutionising Lebanese theatre and music."On Saturday at…
www.al-monitor.com
July 26, 2025 at 1:16 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
🚨 JUST IN: FRANCE to recognize Palestine as a state, major break with US, most powerful EU country to do so. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Macron declares France will recognize Palestine as a state
Macron said he will formalize the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
www.al-monitor.com
July 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reposted by Joyce Karam
richardgowan1.bsky.social
I talk to @joycekaram.bsky.social about the U.S., China and @unesco.org.
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...
How US exit from UNESCO helps China
China is poised to expand its influence within UNESCO and the broader UN as the Trump administration once again retreats from the agency.
www.al-monitor.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
🗞️NEW: How #China benefits from Trump’s pullout of UNESCO

• Expand footprint inside UN
• Push agenda on BRI, Heritage sites
• Use org in Global South
• Partner with Mideast, EU inside 🇺🇳
• Expert: A blow to counter-China bipartisan wing www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...
How US exit from UNESCO helps China
China is poised to expand its influence within UNESCO and the broader UN as the Trump administration once again retreats from the agency.
www.al-monitor.com
July 24, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Reposted by Joyce Karam
al-monitor.bsky.social
NEW: How US exit from UNESCO helps China
@joycekaram.bsky.social & @roscarroll.bsky.social explore this in the latest dispatch for Al-Monitor China.
www.al-monitor.com/newsletter/2...
How US exit from UNESCO helps China
China is poised to expand its influence within UNESCO and the broader UN as the Trump administration once again retreats from the agency.
www.al-monitor.com
July 24, 2025 at 12:33 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
UPDATE: #Syria

• Clashes inside Suwayda city between Bedouin tribes & Druze fighters
• Ceasefire (third) not holding
• Videos of looting, bodies in streets
• Gov security deploys outside Suwayda
• Sharaa thanks US, rejects partition
• Attempts to stop fighting in Suwayda
July 19, 2025 at 1:55 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
NEWS: Senior Trump official voiced US displeasure to Israel over #Syria - Druze events: 'You can’t embark on a new war every few days', official said as Washington tries to protect its interests with Sharaa. Details: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
'You can’t embark on new war every few days': Israel-US daylight grows over Syria Druze, Sharaa
The Israeli prime minister is being pressed by the Trump administration to avoid escalating the situation in Syria but also by Israeli Druze to protect their brethren there.
www.al-monitor.com
July 18, 2025 at 1:56 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
🧵#Syria: Lessons from Suwayda

• Sharaa overreached, miscalculated, had to retreat

• Sharaa still has no control over rogue Jihadist elements in new Syrian army

• Sharaa had to cede control to Druze, local leaders. Pragmatic

• Only way forward is political concessions 1/3
July 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
LATEST #Syria
• Gov: army withdrawing from Suwayda after understanding w Druze elders
• Druze group asks for full withdrawal
• Rubio hopeful for end ‘tonight’
• Tens of bodies found at hospital
• Israel watching
• Turkey warns against partition
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Syria says army withdrawing from Suwayda after deadly clashes with Druze
The withdrawal follows a ceasefire deal between the government and local Druze leaders after days of deadly violence.
www.al-monitor.com
July 16, 2025 at 9:55 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
UPDATE: #Syria, Druze Clashes
• Israel hits Damascus, Army HQ
• Sharaa calls for restraint
• Death toll >260 in Suwayda
• Druze crossing border into Syria
• Efforts at ceasefire
• Katz ✈️ US
• Qatari PM to meet Trump www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Syria: Heavy Israeli strikes in Damascus as fighting rages in Druze city of Suwayda
The latest Israeli military actions follow renewed fighting in Suwayda and reports of violations against civilians.
www.al-monitor.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
joycekaram.bsky.social
🧵 SYRIA: Some disturbing videos emerging from Suwayda of Sharaa security forces humiliating Druze men by shaving their mustaches, calling them pigs, & shouting sectarian slogans.

This is recipe for civil war in post-Assad Syria.
July 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Reposted by Joyce Karam
weratedogs.com
This is Latte. He does not know how many books you have read. But knows for a fact that he has read more. 12/10 (IG: coton_latte_is)
a Coton de Tulear, or a white, fluffy, maltese-looking dog, stands on a hardwood floor and looks over at you with a skeptical glance through his clear-rimmed glasses. we feel extremely judged.
July 15, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by Joyce Karam
ezgiakin.bsky.social
NEW: UAE’s Mohammed bin Zayed heads to Turkey amid heightened regional diplomacy www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
UAE’s Mohammed bin Zayed heads to Turkey amid heightened regional diplomacy
The UAE president’s visit to Turkey comes as Turkish and Emirati involvement intensifies in regional diplomatic efforts, spanning conflicts from Syria-Israel talks to the South Caucasus.
www.al-monitor.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:18 PM