Recent Posts

Russia and Iran Militias Clash in Qamishli

On Thursday, the city of Qamishli, north of Hassakeh, witnessed an intense security alert of the Russia-backed National Defense Forces militia and pro-Iran militias affiliated with the IRGC. This came after armed clashes took place between the two sides. “The Revolutionary Guards shot at civil defense personnel as they tried …

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U.S., Russia Allies Witness Friction in Northeast Syria

Syrian government forces used automatic weapons to attack a military checkpoint in the village of Kozliya in the northern countryside of al-Hassakeh governorate. The outpost was run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is backed by the Washington-led International Coalition. The attack resulted in the death of a government …

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The Ukraine War: A Global Crisis?

Ukraine and War Powers: A Legal Explainer The United States’ evolving response to Russia’s war against Ukraine – including the deployment of additional U.S. troops to eastern Europe and potentially additional arms transfers – has raised questions about the legal framework for the United States’ involvement in NATO, the obligations …

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For the West, Now Comes the Hard Part

Just over a week since it began, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resembles a tale of two wars. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the past week can hardly have been reassuring. Between the poor performance of the Russian military on the ground and the existential shock of Western sanctions on the …

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The Coming Ukrainian Insurgency

Russia’s Invasion Could Unleash Forces the Kremlin Can’t Control Russian forces have struck targets across Ukraine and seized key facilities and swaths of territory. The Ukrainian military is no match for this Russian juggernaut. Although some reports suggest Ukrainian troops have rebuffed attacks in certain parts of the country, it …

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