Battlefield Assessment Last week the Ukrainian Armed Forces showed resilience in the face of intensifying clashes and a pressing operational tempo. The eastern Ukrainian towns of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove have been the epicenters of the fighting, with Russia exerting significant pressure to breach and exploit Ukrainian defenses. In Pokrovsk, the …

The Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute has always been about more than Karabakh. It has also been about transit routes. Now that Baku has succeeded in restoring control over Karabakh, it is now focusing on the Armenian region between the two non-contiguous parts of Azerbaijan, which Armenians call Syunik oblast and the Azerbaijanis …

Analysis: Amid the largest West Bank raids in years, the Palestinian Authority remains both a powerless governing body and a partner in Israel’s occupation. Israel’s large-scale military operations in the northern West Bank, now in their third week, have resulted in mass detentions and targeted killings, leaving behind huge destruction. …

In-depth: Lebanon is in shock after Israel targeted Hezbollah’s telecom devices, injuring and maiming thousands. Many now fear all-out war is coming. Beirut – Patients screamed in pain and paramedic teams shouted frantic orders to attend to gaping wounds at Beirut’s Hotel Dieu hospital on Tuesday afternoon, after thousands of …

“Before el-Sissi, but also during his tenure, cars, motorcycles, clothes, drugs, medicines, alcoholic beverages, and weapons were smuggled through the Philadelphi Corridor over the years, lots of weapons: improved RPG-29 rockets that killed our soldiers in the Iron Swords War, hidden rocket parts, machine guns, mines, and more.” — Nadav …

KEY TAKEAWAYS Afghanistan has a façade of domestic stability, with armed conflict decreasing since the U.S. withdrawal.But dire economic, humanitarian and human rights conditions and Taliban violence build pressure on the population.The international community remains vexed over how to engage the Taliban. Lacking formal recognition from all member states, the …

Analysis: Isaac Herzog’s visits to Albania and Serbia underscore Israel’s expanding ties with the Balkans amid global isolation due to its war on Gaza. Israeli President Isaac Herzog concluded a historic first visit to Albania last week, following a similarly significant trip to Serbia, where both countries agreed to pursue …

Analysis: The Gaza war’s expansion into the West Bank has triggered fears in Jordan that Israel is seeking the mass transfer of Palestinians into the Kingdom. Since Jordan and Israel signed their 1994 peace accord, known as the Wadi Araba Treaty, the West Bank-Jordan border has been mostly quiet. However, …

Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal in Gaza is direct reoccupation and ethnic cleansing, fulfilling the Zionist timeline and securing his future, writes Emad Moussa. After the death of six Israeli captives in Gaza, and instead of caving to the mounting internal and external pressure to allow a ceasefire deal with Hamas, Netanyahu …

How to Adapt an Old Theory to New Realities The United States and its allies are facing a crisis of deterrence. China is menacing Philippine vessels in the South China Sea and possibly readying its military for an invasion of Taiwan. Russia shows no sign of giving up its war …