February, 2025

• 18 February

  The Phantom Terrorists: Searching for Islamic State in Syria

  

  No, the old militia commander says at the end of a long conversation. Hardly anyone would head into the desert like they used to – didn’t do so for years. “Anyone who did, disappeared.” Time and again, some of the Bedouin shepherds and gatherers who used to follow the sparse …

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• 18 February

  Shibani: New Syrian Government to Be Formed in March – The Syrian Observer

  

  Shibani noted a shift in Syria’s international standing, stating that the country is receiving positive signals from both Russia and Iran, according to al-Modon. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani has confirmed that a new government will be established in March following the expiration of the current caretaker administration’s term. Speaking …

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• 18 February

  Putin Invites Shibani to Moscow – The Syrian Observer

  

  Russian President Vladimir Putin extended an invitation to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani to visit Russia on Wednesday, February 12. During a phone call with Syrian transitional president Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the two leaders exchanged views on the current situation in Syria and the political roadmap for building a new Syria. …

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• 18 February

  Iranian Plot to Assassinate Sharaa and Overthrow His Government Uncovered – The Syrian Observer

  

  The Turkish newspaper Türkiye Gazetesi has revealed an Iranian plan to overthrow President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his government through a military coup, orchestrated during a secret meeting in Najaf, Iraq. The Turkish newspaper Türkiye Gazetesi has revealed an Iranian plan to overthrow President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his government through a …

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• 18 February

  How Will the Syrian Ministry of Defense Deal with Daraa Factions? – The Syrian Observer

  

  The Syrian caretaker government’s Minister of Defense, Marhaf Abu Qasra, stated last Friday in remarks to the American newspaper The Washington Post that some armed groups are still hesitant about integrating into the new Syrian army, including the “Eighth Brigade” in Daraa, led by Ahmad al-Awda. However, the brigade’s media …

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• 18 February

  Power Struggles and Geopolitical Maneuvering: The Eighth Brigade’s Standoff with Syria’s Defense Ministry – The Syrian Observer

  

  The ongoing back-and-forth between the Syrian Ministry of Defense and the leadership of the Eighth Brigade, led by Ahmad al-Awda—verging on an outright dispute—suggests a deep-rooted disagreement that has so far prevented their alignment within the framework of the newly established army. However, the reasons behind this discord are not …

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• 16 February

  Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 13, 2025

  Note: The data cut-off for this product was 11:45am ET on February 13. ISW will cover subsequent reports in the February 14 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment. Ukraine’s European partners announced new military assistance to Ukraine amid the February 12 Ukraine Defense Contact Group (the Ramstein format) meeting. The United Kingdom …

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• 16 February

  Iran Update, February 13, 2025

  

  The newly-appointed Syrian Preparatory Committee provided some details about how it plans to select representatives to attend the National Dialogue Conference. This conference will reportedly facilitate the drafting of a new Syrian constitution, and therefore, the composition of its attendees will influence the trajectory of the post-Assad Syrian state.[1] The …

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• 16 February

  Egypt to Propose Alternative Plan for Rebuilding Gaza

  

  Latest Developments Egypt to Present Alternative Plan for Gaza: Egypt will reportedly present a plan later in February to rebuild the Gaza Strip within three to five years without displacing Palestinian civilians. The move will serve as Cairo’s counterproposal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for the United States to …

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• 16 February

  What Does Putin Hope to Gain From Ukraine Talks With Trump?

  

  The Kremlin’s most basic task right now is to keep Washington in a constructive mindset toward Russia. That in itself is already facilitating the achievement of Putin’s goals in Ukraine. Three weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, he had a much-anticipated phone call with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. …

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