Middle Orient

U.S. Budgetary Allocation to Increase “Free Syrian Army” Headcount to 2,000

Farid al-Qasim, the new commander of the Maghawir al-Thawra faction, has made several changes since he took over this position under the auspices of the “international coalition” forces. These modifications included renaming the faction as the Free Syrian Army, which raised question marks — especially as it coincides with the …

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Recap: Lebanon Sending Syrian Refugees Back Home

In remote villages across the Lebanese Bekaa region, Syrian refugees are packing their belongings and getting ready to return home. Starting Wednesday, and as part of Lebanon’s “voluntary return” plan, hundreds of refugees have returned to Syria. Syrians Returning to Devastated Country, Escaping Economic Meltdown in Lebanon (Zaman al-Wasl) Many …

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IntelBrief: Iran-Backed Factions Take Control in Iraq

More than one year after national elections and amid a serious rift in the majority Shia community, Iraq’s major factions are forming a full-term government. The new government will be dominated by leaders that, to varying degrees, support close relations with Iran and are skeptical of relations with Washington. Shia …

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IntelBrief: Iran Expands Military Support to Russian War Effort

Iran is materially supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine by selling Moscow armed unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and ballistic missiles. Russia’s purchases of Iranian equipment illustrates the significant shortfalls in Moscow’s existing arsenal and an inability to manufacture military equipment needed to sustain the war effort. The Iranian-made weaponry will …

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Everybody wants to hop on the BRICS Express

Eurasia is about to get a whole lot larger as countries line up to join the Chinese and Russian-led BRICS and SCO, to the detriment of the west Let’s start with what is in fact a tale of Global South trade between two members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). …

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15 killed, 40 injured in terrorist attack claimed by ISIS in Iran

At least 15 people were killed and 40 others were injured Wednesday in a “terrorist attack” at the Shahcheragh Shrine in the city of Shiraz, southern Iran, according to state-run media and Iranian officials. Two children were among the victims, according to state-run Press TV. Iranian security forces have arrested …

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Iraq’s parliament votes to approve new PM, government

The Iraqi parliament gave a vote of confidence to incoming PM Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, approving his government program and his cabinet with 21 ministers. Sudani pledged to hold early elections within one year. Iraq’s parliament gave a vote of confidence Thursday evening to incoming Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani and …

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Turkey, Israel agree to strengthen defense ties

Israeli defense chief stressed stability in the Eastern Mediterranean during his landmark visit to Ankara amid lingering tensions between Turkey and Greece. Turkey and Israel agreed to enhance “formal defense ties” during Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s Turkey visit, which he described as “historic.” Gantz met with Turkish President Recep …

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Iran’s elite technical university emerges as hub of protests

The aging brick campus of the Sharif University of Technology, Iran’s elite technical school, has long been a magnet for the nation’s brightest minds, with a record of elevating its students to the highest reaches of society. Thousands of Sharif University alumni power Iran’s most sensitive industries, including nuclear energy …

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Turkey: A NATO Ally?

What do members, future members, dialogue partners and future dialogue partners of this exotic blend of nations [the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO] have in common? With their growing democratic deficits and authoritarian-to-dictatorship regimes, they are at cold war with the world’s democratic bloc of nations. “I told Putin… Let us …

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