Latest news with #Israel-Syria
India.com
18 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Big worry for Israel as Turkey emerges as the biggest threat for Netanyahu, Khalifa Erdogan poses bigger challenge than..., expert warns of...
Israeli PM Netanyahu Tel Aviv: Israel never had a cordial relation with its neighbours. The Israeli forces have been carrying out attacks in Gaza for a long time. The country is also engaged in conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Recently, a brutal war was fought between Israel and Iran. Now, after all these countries, tensions between Israel and Turkey are on the rise. Israeli experts believe that Turkey is emerging as a new threat to their country. According to them, Turkey could become an even greater threat to Israel than Iran. As per Israeli expert Smadar Perry a rare diplomatic meeting took place between Israeli Minister Ron Dermer and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shibani. The meeting was hosted by US Ambassador Thomas Burke in Paris. The meeting is significant as it marks the first high-level Israel-Syria contact in 25 years. At the same time, Turkey issued a stern warning to Israel, signaling growing tensions. Turkey Issues Threat to Israel: It is important to note that Erdogan has been a supporter of the Syrian President since the days of leading Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Amid the meeting between Israeli and Syrian ministers in Paris, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a stern warning, stating that those who try to weaken Syria will not be spared. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan went so far as to say that they will not hesitate to use force. Fidan said that it is using the Druze community in Syria to spread chaos. He claimed that Israel wants to destabilize Syria because a strong and stable Syria is not in Israel's interest — but Turkey will not allow it to succeed in this objective.
Economic Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Top sectors to watch in 2025 amid global uncertainty: Expert insights for Indian investors
Agencies If anything, India's risk is on the upside, global investors might underestimate a coming rally. Small-cap valuations may look stretched on a trailing basis, but forward PEs still look attractive. "On the other hand, emerging markets are seeing deflationary trends. The US has gained full access to manufacturing markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, which are now being flooded with cost-effective US goods. That, combined with stronger currencies, means lower prices in these markets," says For the first time, we are seeing developed markets surprising on the upside of inflation, while inflation in emerging markets is cooling off. What's driving this divergence, and what are the implications for India? Abhishek Banerjee: To understand this divergence, we need to look at both the source of inflation in developed markets and the deflationary pressures in emerging markets. Developed economies, especially the US, are imposing tariffs, which act like invisible taxes on consumers. This raises the landed cost of goods. Last time the US introduced tariffs on China, the Chinese yuan depreciated, offsetting the higher tariffs. This time, however, the currency weakening isn't happening—so the full burden of the tariff is being felt, fueling the other hand, emerging markets are seeing deflationary trends. The US has gained full access to manufacturing markets like Indonesia and Vietnam, which are now being flooded with cost-effective US goods. That, combined with stronger currencies, means lower prices in these markets. India's outlook is still evolving. India may likely allow some market access to the US in exchange for tariff concessions. Interestingly, for the first time, emerging markets like India are in a position to cut rates, while developed markets are expected to raise them. We saw RBI cut the CRR by 100 basis points and follow it with a 50 bps rate cut. From a market perspective, this environment favors value investing over growth. In India, smaller companies and less-leveraged businesses may outperform as inflation trends shift talk about geopolitical risks. Do you think tensions are rising? What should be an investor's strategy in this environment? Is it time to move to risk-free assets, or do 'buy-the-dip' opportunities still exist? Abhishek: Geopolitical risks remain elevated. While tensions in the Middle East were briefly contained, new flashpoints are emerging, Israel-Syria, the unresolved Russia-Ukraine conflict, China-Taiwan tensions, and possible North Korea risks won't go away anytime soon. That's why investors may shift toward domestically linked sectors. With global unpredictability, sectors like defence, metals, and materials could serve as short, geopolitics is now business-as-usual for markets. Investors should diversify into themes less exposed to global supply chains and more aligned with India's domestic demand story. What's your view on the current earnings season? We've seen IT services underperform and pharma facing tariff threats. Which sectors offer more resilience amid geopolitical volatility? Abhishek: IT services are under pressure due to global headwinds and structural changes like the rise of AI. Agentic AI systems are replacing tasks traditionally outsourced to India, and global clients are wary of geopolitical instability affecting delivery centers. Pharma is facing its own challenges, especially the threat of a 200% tariff on exports to the US. This is significant because most listed Indian pharma companies derive 30–40% of their revenues from the this backdrop, domestic-facing sectors like financials, especially credit-focused banks and capital market players, offer relative safety. FMCG, though underperforming recently, could serve as a stable allocation. For more adventurous investors, metals, engineering, and materials offer alpha opportunities. Q. Specifically on Indian pharma, with the US being our largest export market, how should investors navigate this 200% tariff risk? Abhishek: There's definitely headline risk, but also opportunity. Indian pharma firms like Biocon, Lupin, and Laurus Labs — which derive a large portion of their revenue from the US — could explore local manufacturing or brownfield acquisitions in the US. The new US tax laws also offer generous incentives for setting up facilities. I personally do not believe a 200% tariff will materialize. A more likely scenario is a 20% tariff and that's likely already priced you're already invested in Indian pharma, stay patient. These are high-quality companies with strong management. But if you're not yet invested, it may be wise to wait for clarity before allocating fresh capital. Q. What's your current view on precious metals? Gold prices seem to have stalled. Is a fresh rally likely? Abhishek: Gold appears to be range-bound for now. Historically, after a price spurt, gold tends to fluctuate ±5% for the next few years. That's what we expect going forward. While some experts have projected $5,000 gold, that's not our view. Gold should be a part of your portfolio if you're preserving wealth, but if you're still in the wealth-building phase, equities offer better opportunities at this time. Q. What are the top risks for India going forward? Specifically, how would a sharp rise in crude oil prices affect our macroeconomic outlook? Abhishek: Oil is India's Achilles' heel. Our road-heavy logistics and supply chain make us vulnerable to oil price spikes. A flare-up in any geopolitical hotspot could easily push crude prices $20 higher, severely impacting inflation and interest rates — and thereby equity valuations, especially for high-P/E said, India is actively diversifying, moving to solar, reviving coal, and investing in nuclear energy. Plus, the economy is benefiting from a strong domestic base: tax collections are healthy, dividend payouts from PSUs and RBI are strong, and inflation is under anything, India's risk is on the upside, global investors might underestimate a coming rally. Small-cap valuations may look stretched on a trailing basis, but forward PEs still look attractive. Q. What's your advice to investors today, both conservative and aggressive? Abhishek: For low-risk investors, I'd recommend exposure through balanced advantage funds or a mix of debt and equity with a tilt toward domestic sectors. But this approach needs thoughtful asset allocation, ideally through an advisor. For high-risk investors, small-caps still offer good opportunities. Sector-wise, NBFCs, metals, banks, and manufacturing-focused stocks remain through ETFs, passive funds, or stock-picking, there are multiple ways to build exposure based on your risk appetite. Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts/brokerages do not represent the views of Economic Times.
Rudaw Net
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Secretary Rubio warns Damascus over Suwayda violence as tribal forces withdraw
Also in Syria 'They're erasing our identity': Suwayda native in Erbil pleads for end to violence Clashes continue in Suwayda, death toll passes 900: Watchdog Syrian president confirms truce as state forces enter Suwayda US announces Israel-Syria ceasefire following deadly clashes in Suwayda A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Damascus authorities must immediately reel in 'violent jihadists,' hold them accountable, and prevent their entry to the southern Druze-majority Suwayda province, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday, as Syrian authorities declared a halt to the fighting. 'If authorities in Syria want to preserve any chance of achieving a unified, inclusive, and peaceful Syria … they must end this calamity by using their security forces to prevent ISIS [Islamic State] and any other violent jihadists from entering the area and carrying out massacres,' Rubio said on X. He called on Damascus to bring the perpetrators of atrocities in the area to justice, 'including those in their own ranks.' 'The rape and slaughter of innocent people which has and is still occurring must end,' Rubio asserted, adding that Washington is in touch with Israeli, Jordanian, and Syrian authorities over the developments in Suwayda. Syria's interior ministry said on Sunday that fighting in Suwayda had 'halted' after tribal fighters pulled out of the city. 'The city of Suwayda was evacuated of all tribal fighters and clashes within the city's neighborhoods were halted,' ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba said, adding that Syrian troops were deployed to the province's north and west. The ceasefire, called for by the Syrian government, came after a Washington-brokered deal that sought to prevent further Israeli intervention. On Sunday, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack described the events in southern Syria as a 'profound shock,' saying 'brutal acts by warring factions on the ground undermine the government's authority and disrupt any semblance of order.' 'All factions must immediately lay down their arms, cease hostilities, and abandon cycles of tribal vengeance. Syria stands at a critical juncture - peace and dialogue must prevail - and prevail now,' he stressed. Barrack further urged the Damascus authorities to capitalize on US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on the war-torn country. A day prior, Barrack met with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi to discuss the situation in Syria. 'They also discussed practical steps towards integration into a unified Syria for a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and stable future for all Syrians. They agreed the time for unity is now,' the US Embassy in Syria said on X. Clashes in Suwayda erupted on Saturday between Druze fighters and tribal groups despite an internationally sponsored ceasefire, which pushed the death toll to around 940 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. Israel has come out in support of the Druze and hit several targets, including Syrian state forces and an airstrike on the building of the defence ministry in Damascus. Clashes erupted last week between the Druze and Sunni Bedouin tribes. The Syrian army intervened and took control of most of the province, which had been under Druze rule since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December. A ceasefire was reached with US mediation and after Israel carried out strikes in support of the Druze. On Wednesday, interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced state forces were pulling out of the province.
Rudaw Net
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Clashes continue in Suwayda, death toll passes 900: Watchdog
Also in Syria Syrian president confirms truce as state forces enter Suwayda US announces Israel-Syria ceasefire following deadly clashes in Suwayda Syria to deploy 'specialized force' to end Suwayda clashes Damascus denies forces re-entered Druze area A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Clashes have continued between Druze fighters and tribal groups in Syria's southern province of Suwayda, pushing the death toll to over 900 despite an internationally sponsored ceasefire announced earlier in the day, a watchdog stated on Saturday. There are 'renewed clashes in the western neighbourhoods of Al-Suwaidaa city between tribesmen and local gunmen from the Druze community following the breach of the international-sponsored ceasefire agreement which was reached today,' stated the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). 'The number of fatalities in armed clashes, exchange of bombardment, extrajudicial executions and Israeli airstrikes in different Syrian provinces… has increased to 940,' the monitor stated. The violence between armed Druze groups and Bedouin tribes began on Sunday. On Saturday morning, Washington's Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced that the United States had brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Israel has come out in support of the Druze and hit several targets, including Syrian state forces and an airstrike on the building of the defence ministry in Damascus. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed the agreement that includes the deployment of state security forces to Suwayda. Government forces had pulled out of the province on Wednesday. Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that controls the northeast of the country (known to Kurds as Rojava), praised the efforts that led to a ceasefire, describing them as vital steps 'in support of civil peace.' Elham Ahmed, co-chair of Rojava's Foreign Relations Office, in a post on X on Saturday, expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Suwayda, where civilians, she said, 'face severe hardship due to siege and deteriorating conditions.' She said the Rojava administration is ready to open a humanitarian corridor to Suwayda. Opening humanitarian corridors is part of the ceasefire agreement, Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said on Saturday. The ceasefire plan, according to the minister, consists of three phases: the initial deployment of internal security forces to de-escalate clashes and secure key routes, followed by the opening of humanitarian corridors between Daraa and Suwayda to allow the evacuation of civilians and wounded, and finally, the gradual reactivation of state institutions and full restoration of law and order. 'This is the path Suwayda needs after months of tension and exhaustion,' Mustafa said.
Rudaw Net
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Syrian president confirms truce as state forces enter Suwayda
Also in Syria US announces Israel-Syria ceasefire following deadly clashes in Suwayda Syria to deploy 'specialized force' to end Suwayda clashes Damascus denies forces re-entered Druze area Syria's Druze seek access to Rojava as Kurds send humanitarian aid A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Saturday confirmed that a ceasefire has been agreed on in the southern Druze-majority province of Suwayda, where days of clashes between armed Druze groups and Sunni tribes have killed hundreds. He thanked Washington for its role in reaching the truce. In a video message addressing the nation, Sharaa targeted the armed Druze groups who have been in control of their region since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December. 'The recent events witnessed in Suwayda province have constituted a dangerous turning point in the security and political situation in Syria, where conflicts have escalated between outlawed groups on one hand, and Bedouins on the other, leading to an unprecedented deterioration of conditions,' Sharaa stated. 'The events began with violent clashes between these groups that nearly spiraled out of control, had it not been for the intervention of the Syrian state, which managed to calm the situation despite its difficulty,' he added. Clashes between the Druze and Bedouin tribes have killed over 700 people since Sunday. State forces, who were deployed to the province to end the violence, have been accused of siding with the Sunni tribes. Earlier on Saturday, Washington's Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced that the United States brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Israel has come out in support of the Druze and hit several targets, including Syrian state forces and an airstrike on the building of the defence ministry in Damascus. Sharaa called on everyone to abide by the truce and thanked the US for the role it played and Russia, China and the European Union for their 'strong positions' in rejecting Israel's attacks. 'Israeli intervention reignited tensions and pushed the country into a dangerous phase threatening its stability, as a result of the blatant shelling of the south and government institutions in Damascus. Following these events, American and Arab mediations intervened in an attempt to de-escalate the situation,' Sharaa said. He did not disclose the terms of the ceasefire, but the Druze spiritual leadership did provide details. Security forces affiliated with Damascus will set up checkpoints in the vicinity of Suwayda province 'with the aim of controlling the engagement and preventing the infiltration of any groups into the province,' according to the Druze text. 'Entry of any party into border villages is prohibited for 48 hours from the time of the agreement, to allow for the deployment of security forces from the other side, avoiding any surprise attacks.' The Druze leadership also said that the Bedouin armed groups who are still in the province will be safely escorted out without facing any mistreatment. Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba said on X that Damascus-affiliated internal security forces 'have begun entering Suwayda as part of a national mission, with the primary goal of protecting civilians and stopping chaos.' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned Sharaa's speech, claiming that it was a 'display of support for the jihadists attackers (in al-Shara's words: 'The Bedouin tribes as a symbol of noble values and principles') and blaming the victims (the attacked Druze minority).' He said that it is 'very dangerous' to be a member of a minority group in Syria, including Kurds. 'The international community has a duty to ensure the security and rights of the minorities in Syria and to condition Syria's renewed acceptance into the family of nations on their protection,' he said.
