Middle Orient

On 17 April, Hezbollah launched a series of qualitative military operations on the western sector of the Lebanese–Israeli border, culminating in a sophisticated attack using guided missiles and an explosive-laden drone that struck the headquarters of an Israeli reconnaissance unit in the village of Arab al-Aramshe. The attack resulted in …

Despite their public portrayal as close allies, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are, at best, ‘frenemies,’ engaging in ferocious competition for regional and economic dominance. Now, their territorial dispute over Al-Yasat has entered the international realm, with a formal UN complaint filed by the Saudis. An official document released on the …

Latest Developments Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at Israel on April 26 in retaliation against an Israeli strike that killed two Palestinian Islamist terrorists in Lebanon. The Iran-backed terrorist group launched about 30 Katyusha rockets toward the Mount Hermon area of northern Israel. No casualties were reported as Israel’s Iron …

Israeli officials say they have US support for controversial plans, despite public opposition over humanitarian concerns Israel could begin evacuations from Rafah as soon as next week before invading in a huge above and below-ground operation, as a Hamas official warned that Israeli hostages will only be returned through a …

Iran’s April 14 direct attack on Israeli territory appeared intended to demonstrate Iran’s military technology advances and establish a measure of deterrence against Tehran’s main regional adversary.

Normally, I prefer academics to remain separate from politics. It’s fashionable among certain groups to “politicize” everything, which, basically means, one key for every lock on this planet. They hold the bizarre view that everything is “political;” therefore, not to talk about politics in a classroom is somehow being unfaithful …

Fuite des capitaux et exil des cerveaux, monnaie dépréciée, hyper-inflation, taux de chômage des jeunes au-dessus de 20%, l’économie iranienne paraît proche de la rupture. Mais établir un état des lieux d’un État qui s’est construit dans les sanctions occidentales depuis près de 15 ans, hormis la parenthèse de 2016-2018, …

Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi traveled to Pakistan earlier this week to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and to smooth tensions lingering from a skirmish between Tehran and Islamabad that erupted after Iran launched missiles into Pakistan, with Pakistan returning fire. There was no mention of longstanding plans to …

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Iraq yesterday, the first time the Turkish leader has made the trip in over a decade, with a host of issues on the agenda including discussions related to counterterrorism, trade, water, and energy. At the top of the list of priorities is counterterrorism …

Iran’s April 14 missile and drone barrage against Israel demonstrated Iran’s growing strategic capabilities but also its limitations. Iran’s attack reassured its regional allies but also demonstrated that pro-Iranian factions closer to Israel’s borders perhaps pose a greater threat than Iran itself. The defeat of its missile and drone volleys …