Middle Orient

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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Recycling de facto authority in northeastern Syria
“The Social Contract” and the concern of separation

At the end of 2023, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), the political umbrella of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that controls northeastern Syria, came out with an updated “social contract” to replace an old one that had faced criticism at home and abroad. A new formula …

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Syrian Islamic Council supports protests in Idlib

The Syrian Islamic Council supported the popular movement in various towns and cities of northwest Syria, led by activists and civilians since February 26. In a statement published by the Council regarding the demonstrations, it said that it has been monitoring the protests against injustice and tyranny since their inception. …

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Investigative report documents Turkish military’s seizure of Syrian farmers’ lands

An investigative report by the Syria Indicator team revealed violations by the Turkish army against private properties in northern Syria, due to the establishment of Turkish military bases and observation points on agricultural land. The report, published on Tuesday, March 13, states that the owners of these agricultural lands signed …

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Israel Kills Hamas Terror Orchestrator in Lebanon

Latest Developments A Lebanon-based Hamas terrorist responsible for orchestrating attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide was killed in an IDF airstrike on March 13. Hadi Ali Mustafa died near Tyre in what Lebanese media described as a drone strike on his car. As the Palestinian terrorist group’s coordinator of …

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IDF Strikes Hezbollah Terror Site in Syria

Latest Developments The Israeli military on March 12 struck two Syrian army sites where Hezbollah was operating, according to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The strike was carried out based on “precise intelligence,” the IDF said, noting that it “holds the Syrian regime accountable for all activities …

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How Gaza deepened the chasm between the West and ‘the rest’

The West’s unwavering support for Israel’s war on Gaza has left it isolated on the international stage as the Global South bands together, writes Allia Bukhari. In the aftermath of 7th October attacks in Israel, the West showed its unwavering support for Tel Aviv’s onslaught on Gaza, backing its right …

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The future of Palestinian politics after Israel’s war on Gaza

Analysis: The Palestinian government’s resignation was a step towards reforming the PA as talks intensify to end the war on Gaza and plan for the day after. The resignation of the Palestinian Authority’s government last week has raised speculation about the next phase in Palestinian politics, especially concerning a possible …

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Is Netanyahu prolonging the Gaza war to cling to power?

Since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s already rocky reputation was ruined following his defence failures on 7 October, he has been fighting to improve his legacy and ensure his political survival – trying at all costs to ward off an early election that would oust him from power. In recent …

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‘Waiting for the storm’: Israelis and Palestinians fear difficult week as Ramadan starts

Israelis and Palestinians are bracing themselves for a tense and ­potentially violent week, with no sign of a ­ceasefire likely in Gaza and calls from Hamas for protest marches around the Islamic world to mark the start of Ramadan on Monday. Earlier this month, a halt to hostilities before the …

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