Middle Orient

On July 24, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined thousands of worshippers in the streets around the historic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul for a doubly symbolic moment. Surrounded by a swarm of politicians, soldiers, security forces and imams, the Turkish leader made his way into the giant, former Byzantine cathedral …

An alleged act of sabotage against a key Iranian nuclear site appears to have complicated newly launched negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Two days after the attack — which Iran has blamed on Israel –Tehran announced it will start enriching uranium at 60 percent purity, higher than …

The 10 admirals were arrested last week after criticizing the possible Turkish withdrawal from the Montreux Convention, which regulates maritime traffic through the strategic Bosporus Strait. A Turkish court has ordered the release of several retired naval commanders who were arrested for criticizing the government. The issue relates to a …

President Bashar Assad sacked the governor of war-ravaged Syria’s Central Bank on Tuesday amid a crash in the currency in recent months. State media did not give a reason for the removal of Hazem Qarfoul from the post he held since late 2018. The Syrian pound set a record in …

Hamas and the PFLP have rejected all the agreements signed between Israel and the PLO, including the Oslo Accords. Yet, these terrorist groups have no problem running in an election held under the umbrella of the Oslo Accords. [I]t is already evident that some of them have no intention of …

Defense minister requests attorney general look into intelligence officials quoted by Israeli, foreign press on strike at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Monday called for a high-level investigation into recent apparent leaks to the press by Israeli officials regarding recent attacks on Iran that have been …

Alleged Israeli cyberattack said to strike serious blow to Iranian atomic program; security cabinet to meet next week to discuss recent exchanges with Tehran Israel’s Mossad security service was behind a major power cut that halted uranium enrichment at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday, unidentified intelligence sources told Hebrew …

Israeli and US intelligence officials reportedly confirm Mossad involvement in apparent cyberattack on uranium enrichment facility, which Tehran calls an act of ‘nuclear terrorism’ The major power cut at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, which Tehran described as an act of “nuclear terrorism,” caused significant damage to the centrifuges and set …

Nuclear official claims enrichment ongoing; Tehran claims person behind attack identified; FM Zarif says damage to centrifuges will lead to installation of more advanced versions Iran’s foreign minister on Monday blamed Israel for a power failure that reportedly caused massive damage to the Natanz nuclear facility, vowing to “take revenge …

IDF intelligence suffering because of the move from North to South. Only 22% of the IDF has any protection from drone attacks, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman said in a report on Monday. Covering the time period of October 2019 – June 2020, the report fleshes out in grim numbers and …