The High Price of Regional Dominance Few countries have maintained clearer or more consistent aspirations over the last four decades than the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since 1979, when Islamic revolutionaries transformed the country from an U.S.-allied monarchy into an ardently anti-American theocracy, Iran has sought to expel the United …
Read More »Kataib Hezbollah movements in Iraq and abroad spark concern
Hints of a greater presence of an IRGC-linked Iraqi armed faction with government-salaried brigades in a Sunni tribal-dominant province has sparked outcry, as the group continues to raise money for operations in other countries. The Iraqi armed faction Kataib Hezbollah (KH) has in recent weeks stepped up messaging and attacks …
Read More »Iranian commander lobbies Iraq’s Muqtada al-Sadr for ‘inclusive’ approach to Shiite parties
Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Ghaani is seeking to maintain unity among the Shiite political ranks before the formation of the new government, including a role for parties affiliated with Iran. The official website of Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, published Feb. 8 a brief statement …
Read More »Controversy among jihadis in Idlib over killing of Islamic State leader
Jihadis in Idlib believe that former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham played a role in the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi during a US Special Forces operation in Idlib. The Feb. 3 US Special Forces operation that led to the death of Islamic State (IS) leader …
Read More »Israeli leadership caught between US, Russia over Ukraine
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid walk a fine line to avoid angering Russian President Vladimir Putin while not turning their backs on the United States and Ukraine. Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s briefing to reporters Feb. 13 about escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine can best be …
Read More »Muhalefetin toparlanması
Muhalefet kelimenin tam manasıyla toparlandı. Bir yuvarlak masa etrafında 6 parti liderinin memleket için birlikte hareket etmek üzere bir araya gelmesi başka ne türlü tanımlanabilir ki? Ve iyidir böyle bir toparlanma… Öncelikle şaşırtıcı gelecek ama iktidar için iyidir. Yoo, hiç de tehdit değildir. Evet alternatiftir, yerine geçme niyeti vardır, ama …
Read More »Lebanon Conflict Update
What happened? The Lebanese lira’s value continued to diminish, reaching a record low and prompting the central bank to announce a new initiative aimed at currency stabilisation. Shiite parties Hizbollah and Amal ended their months-long boycott of cabinet meetings. Why does it matter? Lebanon’s economic crisis continued to worsen with …
Read More »China’s Modern Middle East Strategy: Strengthening Partnerships With Iran And Syria – Analysis
The Middle East strategy of China is gradually progressing. Recently, an official agreement between the governments of Iran and China brought the 25-year comprehensive cooperation treaty into effect, while Syria signed an understanding to join the Belt and Road Initiative. Massive trade and investment initiatives have helped China establish itself …
Read More »Biden Administration Kills Israel-to-Europe Gas Pipeline
Biden’s decision — reportedly coordinated with Turkey but reached without consulting Israel, Greece or Cyprus, the main countries involved in the project — undercuts three of the strongest American allies in the Mediterranean region. EastMed’s cancellation — variously described as a “disastrous decision,” a “strategic mistake” and an act of …
Read More »Opposition leader boycotts bills; will Erdoğan respond?
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu announced that he would not pay his electricity bills, calling out President Tayyip Erdoğan to take back the gradual electricity price hikes that were taken into effect at the beginning of the year that raised protests all over Turkey. You …
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