Despite the US and its allies attempting to provide safe passage in the Red Sea, the international waterway simply is not safe. In fact, it’s quite deadly – as the crew of the Barbados-flagged True Confidence unfortunately discovered Wednesday, March 6. The merchant vessel was set ablaze by a terrorist …
Read More »There Goes Latin America: Iran’s Regime in America’s Backyard
The Iranian regime, which… has been calling for “Death to America,” now has ballistic missiles which it says can reach the US, and claims to have a hypersonic missile that, according to one report, “Can Destroy US In 40 sec.” Venezuela appears to have willingly embraced Iran’s overtures. The Iranian …
Read More »Iran Parliament And Assembly Of Expert Elections: Hardliners On The Rise – Analysis
The moderates continue to be sidelined in Iran in the wake of the failure of their outreach to the West as conservatives have consolidated power amid an ongoing generational change in Iran’s political leadership. The exclusion of reformists and an insignificant presence of moderates in the new Assembly of Experts …
Read More »Iran Update, March 17, 2024
Key Takeaways: Northern Gaza Strip: The IDF Nahal Brigade (162nd Division) conducted clearing operations in the northern and central Gaza Strip on March 17.West Bank: The IDF arrested seven wanted individuals across the West Bank on March 17. The IDF also confiscated materials needed for manufacturing improvised explosive devices during …
Read More »Iran Update, March 14, 2024
Hamas reportedly killed the head of a local clan in Gaza City on March 13 likely as part of Hamas’ effort to reassert its authority in the northern Gaza Strip.[i] Hamas targeted the head and other members of the armed Dughmush clan amid local accusations that the clan stole humanitarian …
Read More »Iran Update, March 12, 2024
Key Takeaways: Northern and Central Gaza Strip: The IDF 162nd Division continued to operate in the northern and central Gaza Strip.Southern Gaza Strip: Palestinian militias continued to conduct a deliberate defense of Hamad neighborhood, northern Khan Younis.Political Negotiations: The Qatari foreign affairs minister said that Israel and Hamas are “nowhere …
Read More »Iran Update, March 8, 2024
The United States will construct a temporary pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip to facilitate the arrival and distribution of humanitarian aid. US President Joe Biden said during the State of the Union address on March 7 that he ordered the US military to lead an “emergency mission” …
Read More »Iran’s Difficult Choices
As Tehran moves toward consolidating its regional power, will it agree to ultimately disarm its Arab allies? Can it afford not to? Reports in recent weeks as the Gaza war continues indicate that Iran has asked its allies throughout the Middle East to pause their attacks against U.S. forces, fearing …
Read More »Closing Circles: Iran’s Exclusionary 2024 Elections
Turnout in Iran’s national polls was historically low, marking the third vote in a row in which most people stayed away. In parallel, conservatives tightened their hold on the Islamic Republic’s institutions. The two trends together highlight the growing gap between state and society. On 1 March, Iran held its …
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In the wake of American-Israeli bombardment
Iranian presence in Syria: A repositioning, not a withdrawal
The Iranian presence in Syria has always been a source of concern at a regional level, for Arab countries on the one hand, and for Israel on the other. If the partial Arab severance of relations with al-Assad has pushed the issue of Iranian presence off the negotiation table, this …
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