Middle Orient

“Either you get rid of your weapons of mass destruction or [the US] will personally destroy them and destroy everything with no discussion.” Strong words from the US president, directing a clear message to a strategic threat in the Middle East that the advancement of its nuclear program would evoke …

The Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the election of US President Donald Trump for a variety of reasons, but the most important of them was his stance on Iran. It seemed that Israel hoped that the president’s election would open a window of opportunity for a military …

Move comes despite global outrage over humanitarian blockade and calls to reach lasting ceasefire. The Israeli military will call up tens of thousands of reservists to expand the country’s assault on the besieged Gaza Strip, army chief Eyal Zamir says. He made the announcement on Sunday after Israeli Prime Minister …

It was not a slip up, but rather a national and moral slip by Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) in his recent statements. He launched a sharp attack on the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza, led by the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, sparking a wave of anger and widespread controversy among the …

West Asia has been greatly affected by numerous conflicts for more than a century, with the Kurdish issue being one of the oldest and most intractable in the region. Yet, due to recent initiatives taken by the Kurds, it is today closer to a solution than ever. If the two …

Iran-Update-May-2-2025-PDFDownload

Turkish fighter jets reportedly issued electronic warning signals and engaged in jamming operations late on Friday in an effort to deter Israeli aircraft operating in Syrian airspace, amid a new wave of airstrikes across the country. The rare move came as Israeli warplanes launched attacks on multiple sites, including in …

Bottom Line Up Front The Trump administration’s air strike campaign against the Houthis is degrading the group’s missile and drone capability, but has failed to force the group to capitulate. By targeting Houthi officials, the U.S. strikes have begun to cause significant civilian casualties, prompting criticism from U.S. and global …

The eruption of violence in Ashrafiyet Sahnaya and surrounding areas has exposed the profound failures of the Syrian state to protect its citizens—especially its minorities—in the supposed aftermath of dictatorship. Far from being an isolated flare-up, the events represent a deepening crisis rooted in sectarian marginalisation, government negligence, and a …

The ongoing discussions between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the new Syrian administration over the integration of military forces have hit a series of roadblocks, reflecting deeper tensions in the country’s post-Assad transition. While the administration pushes for a unified army under the Ministry of Defense, the SDF seeks …