
'All ways lead to Rome': Street posters cause controversy in Syria
ALBAWABA - A mysterious advertisement, apparently for a restaurant opening in the Syrian city of Aleppo, has sparked fear and controversy in a country that has been experiencing security incidents, bombings, and kidnappings for months, some of them sectarian, religious, or even religious.
The story began when posters were seen on public walls in the city bearing the phrase "All roads lead to Rome," without any further details revealing whether they were advertising posters.
The placement of some of these posters in a neighborhood of Aleppo, mainly inhabited by Christians, sparked conflicting interpretations and concerns after two young men were spotted placing the posters on a wall in the Aziziyah neighborhood late at night.
Syrian bloggers believed the posters were directed at the Christian population, posing a threat to them and urging them to leave Syria for Rome. Another group said the poster may represent an armed faction, while others called on the authorities to open an investigation into the posters.
Many rumors emerged on social media following the ad shared by Syrians, before it became clear that they were advertisements for a restaurant opening in the city called "Roma."
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Iran's Strategic Path Forward After the 2025 Conflict With Israel and the United States
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Reactivating proxy cells in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen—though many of these groups have suffered their own losses or are currently disorganized. Iran faces severe military constraints: Its air defenses are outmatched by Israeli and U.S. technology. Proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis are under pressure and less responsive. The threat of overwhelming retaliation limits the Islamic Republic's room for maneuver. Thus, while Iran retains asymmetric capabilities, it is unlikely to prevail in any direct or sustained military confrontation with either Israel or the United States. Nuclear Strategy and Posture Iran's nuclear program remains at the heart of regional and global concern. Prior to the June strikes, the country had amassed over 400 kg of highly enriched uranium—sufficient for several nuclear warheads. While Iran insists its program is peaceful, the technical threshold for weaponization had been effectively crossed by early 2025. The Israeli and U.S. attacks inflicted measurable setbacks to Iran's enrichment capacity. Reports indicate that key centrifuge cascades were destroyed, and secondary infrastructure was damaged. However, the strikes are assessed to have delayed—rather than dismantled—the program. Iran could likely resume full enrichment within months if left unchecked. A major internal debate now grips Tehran. Hardliners advocate for rapid weaponization to establish a deterrent against future attacks. Pragmatists warn that this would provoke an even harsher Western response and further isolate Iran. Military elites are reportedly split, with some urging a covert path to a nuclear capability while others caution against provoking regime collapse. While informal discussions with European envoys resumed briefly in Geneva on June 20, they quickly broke down after the second wave of strikes. U.S. demands—complete dismantlement of advanced centrifuges, intrusive inspections, and ending IRGC regional operations—are currently seen by Tehran as political non-starters. Economic Pressure and Regional Influence Iran's economy is reeling from years of sanctions, internal mismanagement, and now war-related shocks. The recent conflict has further worsened key economic indicators, while also threatening the regional energy market. The Iranian rial has fallen sharply in black markets since mid-June. Oil exports: While exports to China have continued under opaque arrangements, the threat of Israeli or U.S. interdiction has discouraged further buyers. Food and fuel prices are spiking, leading to sporadic protests in major cities including Shiraz, Mashhad, and Tehran. The threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz remains Iran's most potent economic weapon, but one it is reluctant to use. 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Public sentiment, as observed in recent social media trends and diaspora communications, reflects: Widespread anger over economic hardship and corruption. Sympathy for Iranian military casualties but deep skepticism about the war's purpose. Renewed calls for democratic reform and regime change. This discontent remains mostly leaderless, but the regime's legitimacy has visibly eroded. Young Iranians, in particular, have shown little appetite for war, instead advocating for peace and economic opportunity. Iran's leadership faces four strategic choices: Hardline consolidation: Double down on repression, propaganda, and nuclear escalation. Pragmatic diplomacy: Negotiate with the U.S. and Europe to restore economic stability. Managed transition: Initiate internal political reforms to preserve the Islamic Republic in a modified form. Collapse: Continue on a confrontational path, risking total isolation and internal breakdown. Each of these paths carries serious trade-offs. 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Al Bawaba
21 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
'All ways lead to Rome': Street posters cause controversy in Syria
ALBAWABA - A mysterious advertisement, apparently for a restaurant opening in the Syrian city of Aleppo, has sparked fear and controversy in a country that has been experiencing security incidents, bombings, and kidnappings for months, some of them sectarian, religious, or even religious. The story began when posters were seen on public walls in the city bearing the phrase "All roads lead to Rome," without any further details revealing whether they were advertising posters. The placement of some of these posters in a neighborhood of Aleppo, mainly inhabited by Christians, sparked conflicting interpretations and concerns after two young men were spotted placing the posters on a wall in the Aziziyah neighborhood late at night. Syrian bloggers believed the posters were directed at the Christian population, posing a threat to them and urging them to leave Syria for Rome. Another group said the poster may represent an armed faction, while others called on the authorities to open an investigation into the posters. Many rumors emerged on social media following the ad shared by Syrians, before it became clear that they were advertisements for a restaurant opening in the city called "Roma."


Al Bawaba
a day ago
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