February, 2025

• 18 February

  Resettling Gaza: Trump’s Empire-Building Agenda? – Analysis

  

  In his signature style, President Donald Trump has doubled down on his vision for the future of Gaza, suggesting that the United States could assume control of the embattled territory once hostilities subside. Speaking on December 6, Trump outlined a plan in which Israel would transfer the Gaza Strip to …

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• 18 February

  CAF In The Baltics: A Test Of Strength And Strategy – Analysis

  

  The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)-led Latvia Multinational Brigade (MNB-LVA) recently completed its first major field training exercises in a resolute show of NATO deterrence and collective defence in the face of rising tensions and uncertainty about Russia’s long term intentions. However, with the CAF grappling with significant structural challenges, many …

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• 18 February

  Trump’s First Big Disastrous Mistake

  

  The problem, of course, is that after seeing what happened when Libya’s General Muammar Ghaddafi gave up nuclear weapons in 2003 and Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons in 1994, no one with an IQ above single digits would ever agree to give up nuclear weapons again – especially after so …

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• 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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