Middle Orient

In Syria’s border regions, changes in demographics, economics, and security mean that an inter-Syrian peace process will require consensus among main regional powers that Syria must remain united, that no one side can be victorious, and that perennial instability threatens the region. Summary Syria’s central authorities have lost sovereignty over …

Another chapter in the long, tragic story of Tel Aviv’s leaders choosing to live forever by the sword News about offensive Israeli military operations has shifted, for the moment, from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank. A series of Israeli raids and attacks against Jenin and other West Bank …

About Iran has built a network of Shiite militias, now fighting across the Middle East, whose fighters number in the tens of thousands. These militias include battle-hardened fighters as well as poorly trained recruits. They hail from countries across the Muslim world and have varying motivations and interests, but they …

This is no longer a small matter after the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Ambassador to share their concerns with him about his country’s support of this project. Iran’s continued opposition to the Zangezur Corridor was touched upon here last month, where it was concluded that it’s relying on …

This past week Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 57 attacks on military and civilian targets in Israel, including civilian cities, towns and villages which had not been attacked since the start of hostilities on October 8, 2023. There were no casualties; damage to property was reported.Israeli Air Force attacked Hezbollah terrorist …

Excerpt Background This report summarizes and assesses information in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) quarterly report, dated August 29, 2024, Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), including Iran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action …

Iran-backed terrorist groups, including Islamic Jihad, al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, and Hamas, have proliferated in number and strengthened their presence in the West Bank in recent years. The groups have established battalions (Katibat) in Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm and beyond. Iranian arms and funding have primarily fueled this violent escalation.‍FDD’s Long War …

At least 18 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes on a number of military sites in central Syria, the Syrian health minister says. State news agency Sana cited Hassan al-Ghabbash as saying another 37 people were injured in the attacks in the vicinity of Masyaf, in Hama province, …

Latest Developments Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on September 7 called for the formation of an Islamic alliance to halt what he called “the growing threat of expansionism” from the Jewish state. Falsely claiming that Israeli officials “openly state” their desire to occupy the entire region, Erdogan maintained that an …

In August, the news arrived that United States military forces and assets had been removed from Niger. Writing about this development, I opined on August 6 that “the US would be well served to start initiating the withdrawal of its military from many additional countries.” A month later, it looks …