Middle Orient

The area to the east of the Euphrates in Syria is witnessing an uprising of Arab tribes. This was perhaps expected due to American policies that favored one faction over the other. The uprising is not the result of one incident — the arrest of Abu Khawla, as the Syrian …

(RFE/RL) — The head of Israel’s intelligence agency said on September 10 that Iran’s attempts to supply Russia with missiles had been foiled, The Times of Israel reported. Speaking at an annual counterterrorism conference in Israel, Mossad chief David Barnea did not elaborate on how the supply deal was interrupted …

It’s in the US’ interests to drag Iran into a protracted 1980s-like war with Turkiye that would bleed both dry while dividing the region. The Islamic Republic mustn’t fall for the unprecedentedly dangerous geostrategic trap that’s been set for it. Tensions are soaring in the South Caucasus after Armenia and …

Mossad chief David Barnea warned the Iranian leadership directly and Moscow more subtly, but his real message was for American ears. Mossad chief David Barnea threatened Iran on Sunday, stating that the leadership in Tehran could find itself in the crosshairs. His words reflected Israel’s growing concerns about Tehran’s potential …

KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s letter to Biden is aimed at jolting the administration into action as tensions rise between Erbil and Baghdad. Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has appealed to President Joe Biden to intervene in a deepening crisis with the central government in Baghdad, airing …

The meteoric rise of the Religious Zionists, a sleight of hand that outdoes master Netanyahu, surprises everyone and delights few. How did this happen, who let it happen, and what can be done after the entrenchment of those who hold a prayer book in one hand and a rifle in …

Since Turkey’s economy is undergoing an unprecedented dive, Erdoğan needs European loans and investors. Erdoğan seems to have a lot of wants…. [And] he wants the US Congress to endorse the sale of F-16 Block 70 aircraft to Turkey. What to do? Erdoğan has resorted to his old trick of …

The Islamic Republic no longer wants to work with Europe, but rather against it. Counterintuitively, the EU should still seek areas for potential cooperation in a hard-nosed, interest-driven way to create an opening into Iranian society. September 16 will mark one year since the death of Mahsa Jina Amini in …

Why China and Russia Are Stepping Up Their Support On assuming power in 1979, Iran’s revolutionaries prided themselves on rejecting the global order. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the country’s first supreme leader, declared that his state would be “neither East nor West.” Khomeini viewed the United States as “the Great Satan”—the …

Gen. Mark Milley’s first announced call with newly appointed Turkish armed forces chief Metin Gurak follows reports that the United States is exploring alternate routes for Ukraine’s grain exports. Washington’s outgoing top general, Mark Milley, spoke by phone Wednesday with his counterpart in Turkey, Metin Gurak, in their first announced …