Over the last two years, Tehran has sought to increase its influence in Central Asia, convinced that changes in the region and more broadly make that an important goal; and it views Tajikistan, a country with which it shares some but far from all cultural characteristics, as a key player …

Is Chechnya preparing for a bloody succession battle? According to reports, Ramzan Kadyrov, the ruthless leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, is suffering from a fatal pancreas condition. Although rumours about his health have cropped up repeatedly in recent years, this time things do not look good. Neither the Kremlin nor …

Amid the war in Ukraine, Azerbaijan has become an essential partner for Russia when it comes to both energy exports, and keeping open a transport corridor to Iran. Azerbaijan has managed to achieve something thought to be impossible in the post-Soviet space: the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers ahead of time, …

Established In: 2012 Established By: Fadi al-Mellah; Abu Ali Badran; Munir Abboud (Badr Brigades commander) Also Known As: Quwat al-Jalil; Galilee Forces – Lone Wolves; Country Of Origin: Syria Leaders: Fadi al-Mellah; Munir Abboud; Operational Area: Syria, Lebanon, Gaza Strip; Number Of Members: 4,800 Involved In: Suicide attacks, Terrorist attacks, …

A key terrorist in the Al-Bureij Battalion of the terror organization Hamas has been eliminated in a joint operation by the IDF’s 99th Division, the Intelligence Directorate, and the Shin Bet. Air Force aircraft, under the direction of the three coordinating units, attacked and killed the terrorist Salah Jamil Muhammad …

Will the deployment of a Foreign Legion unit commanded by French officers trigger a wider European war? France has sent its first troops officially to Ukraine – the soldiers drawn from France’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, which is one of the main elements of France’s Foreign Legion (Légion étrangère), deployed in …

Azerbaijan and Pakistan are two lesser known victims of Iranian proxy attacks. Three months after exchanging tit-for-tat airstrikes, Iran and Pakistan are patching diplomatic wounds. Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi embarked on a three-day trip to Pakistan on April 22, where he and senior Pakistani leadership committed to strengthening bilateral ties. …

For some Russian regions, the country’s invasion of Ukraine means they face shelling and dwindling export revenues due to sanctions. For others, it means an unprecedented influx of cash as they profit from the flywheel of war and growing domestic consumption. Sociologists can debate just how actively the majority of …

While China may not want to upend ties with Europe and the United States, it seeks to ensure that Russia remains a stable strategic partner. Providing Russia with dual-use components rather than finished weapons has allowed China to provide support for Russia while claiming plausible deniability. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion …

The UK has spent significant quantities in recent months securing production of critical munitions to replenish stock granted to Ukraine, but delivery of F-series will not begin until 2027. The vast quantity of UK Javelin anti-tank missiles granted to Ukraine to aid Kyiv in its war against Russia will not …