Middle Orient

Internal Security Forces affiliated with Syria’s Interior Ministry, working with the General Intelligence Directorate, carried out what the ministry described as a well coordinated security operation in Daraya, southwest of Damascus, on Sunday, 21 December, targeting an Islamic State group site. The operation led to the arrest of the cell …

The Druze community in Syria now faces a severe trial that threatens its very existence and destiny. This ordeal has arisen from the convergence of three intertwined and contradictory factors. The first is the emergence of a new authority in Damascus, one with a jihadist-Salafi background that embraces narrow sectarian …

Beneath the surface of unity, Gulf royals are locked in a quiet contest for dominance – testing the limits of US oversight and reshaping alliances on their own terms. Amid rising friction between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the balance of power in southern Yemen, Qatari Emir Tamim bin …

Europe’s belated recognition of Palestinian statehood is a naked geopolitical maneuver – part of a wider normalization push that sidelines Palestinian liberation, while repackaging defeat as diplomatic progress. Are we witnessing the birth of a state? Or the declaration of its defeat? Since its inception in 1948, Israel has never …

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said talks with the United States over integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army are still ongoing, stressing that integration is inevitable. Answering journalists’ questions on Saturday, 20 December 2025, during the ministry’s annual end of year activities evaluation meeting, Guler said …

JERUSALEM—Israel’s government is privately pressing President Donald Trump’s administration to set a deadline for international troops to disarm Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to three Israeli officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Israeli leaders expect the International Stabilization Force to begin deploying to Gaza early next year as …

Israel’s government is privately pressing President Donald Trump’s administration to set a deadline for international troops to disarm Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to three Israeli officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Israeli leaders expect the International Stabilization Force to begin deploying to Gaza early next year as …

Three dominant narratives contend for the future of Gaza and occupied Palestine, yet only one is being translated into consequential action: the Israeli narrative of domination and genocide. This singular, violent vision is the only one backed by the brute force of policy and fact.

The Iranian regime announced new Artesh appointments on December 17 as part of a broader reshuffling of senior Iranian military leadership following the Israel-Iran War.[i] Artesh Commander Major General Amir Hatami appointed Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi Fard as his assistant for air defense affairs.[ii] Alireza Sabahi Fard most recently served …

Individuals and organisations linked to violence against civilians throughout Syria are today sanctioned by the UK as it continues to pursue those responsible for violence against the Syrian people. Foreign Secretary announces sanctions against organisations and individuals involved in violence against civilians. UK Government targets individuals involved in the coastal …