Middle Orient

Engaging Iran Remains Vital after Presidential Election

What distinguished these elections in Iran? o Iranian election since 1979, when the Islamic Republic was founded, has been free and fair by international standards. There were nonetheless two key differences between the 2021 presidential election and the others held since 1997, when Iran started orchestrating more competitive races and …

Read More »

Hamas threatens to reescalate with Israel, refuses to link prisoners swap deal to Gaza reconstruction

Hamas’ meeting with the UN envoy in Gaza ended on a sour note, portending further escalation with Israel. Israel eased some economic restrictions imposed on the Gaza Strip on June 20, for the first time since the round of violence with the Palestinian factions came to an end on May …

Read More »

Hamas threatens to reescalate with Israel, refuses to link prisoners swap deal to Gaza reconstruction

Hamas’ meeting with the UN envoy in Gaza ended on a sour note, portending further escalation with Israel. Israel eased some economic restrictions imposed on the Gaza Strip on June 20, for the first time since the round of violence with the Palestinian factions came to an end on May …

Read More »

BDS says Hamas leader ‘betrayed’ Palestinians by meeting Moroccan PM

The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement slammed Ismail Haniyeh for meeting with Morocco’s prime minister due to Morocco’s relations with Israel. The boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement is upset at a Hamas leader for meeting with the Moroccan prime minister due to Morocco having relations with Israel. BDS released …

Read More »

Turkey attacks Kurdish militants in northern Syria

The fighters attempted to infiltrate territory held by Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies, according to Turkish state media. Turkish soldiers “neutralized” three Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters in northern Syria, the Turkish state media outlet Anadolu Agency reported Thursday. The Turkish military uses the term “neutralized” to refer to …

Read More »

Iran’s Rouhani blames hard-liners for deadlock with US

The statement was yet another sign of frustration from the outgoing president, who has found hard-liners closing windows on a deal between his government and the United States. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani blamed “parliamentary bureaucracy” for the delay in the lifting of US sanctions that have almost brought the Iranian …

Read More »

U.S. and allies increase pressure on Russia to keep humanitarian aid route into Syria open

Bab al-Hawa, the crossing between Turkey and Syria that is the last authorized humanitarian corridor, is at risk of closing if Russia could vetoes a U.N. resolution requiring it to stay open. The U.S. and its allies on Wednesday ramped up the pressure on Russia to allow the continued operation …

Read More »

Raisi’s Election Is Galvanizing Both Sides of the Iran Nuclear Deal Debate

As the regime-anointed candidate in Iran’s presidential election charade last Friday, Ebrahim Raisi’s victory was thoroughly expected. Even so, it managed to be jarring. It’s not every day a country chooses a man accused of crimes against humanity for such a powerful post, with all signs pointing to Raisi acquiring …

Read More »

At Lebanon war memorial, Gantz says next conflicts likely to need ground troops

‘We are keeping our eyes open, maintaining the routine, while remaining prepared,’ says defense minister at event marking 15 years from Second Lebanon War Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned on Thursday that future military conflicts are likely to involve Israeli ground troops. Speaking at a memorial ceremony at Mount Herzl …

Read More »

After Kohavi meeting, US reaffirms commitment to not let Iran get nukes

IDF chief blasts American plans to rejoin nuclear deal in meeting with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi that US President Joe Biden has a “commitment to ensuring that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon,” according to …

Read More »