October 28, 2024 Eurasia
Hamieh’s role extends far beyond simple smuggling operations This week, the U.S. Treasury Department expanded its sanctions list to target individuals and companies associated with the Syrian regime and Hezbollah. Among the newly sanctioned figures is Khaldoun Hamieh, a name that stands out due to his extensive role in drug …
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October 28, 2024 Eurasia, Middle Orient
The Syrian regime announced earlier this month plans to demobilize batches of officers and reserve soldiers as part of a new military restructuring strategy, according to Syria TV. Since September 27, the region has experienced significant escalation following the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah and senior Hezbollah leaders, Assad’s primary ally. …
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October 28, 2024 Eurasia, Iran, Middle Orient
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia will imminently deploy North Korean forces to unspecified combat zones on October 27 and 28, as Russian and North Korean officials continued to issue vague yet suggestive statements regarding the possible presence of North Korean troops in Russia.[1] Zelensky stressed that Russia’s involvement …
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October 28, 2024 Eurasia, Middle Orient
Israel launched airstrikes early Saturday targeting what it described as military targets in Iran in retaliation for a ballistic missile assault Oct. 1, officials said. There was no immediate information on damage in the Islamic Republic. Israel’s military described the attack as “precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” without …
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October 28, 2024 Eurasia, Iran, Middle Orient
“In order to maintain a degree of separation from the terror cells it operates in Europe and to ensure plausible deniability, there is no direct contact between Tehran and members of the cells. In the case of the recently detained French cell, instructions on where and when to carry out …
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October 28, 2024 Balkans, Eurasia
Launched six months ago, the Open Balkan ID Number was presented as marking the start of a single labour market between Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania. It has had some teething troubles. Andrija Ivanov spent years moving from job to job, place to place in his native Serbia. Then, in …
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October 28, 2024 Balkans, Eurasia
Serbia and North Macedonia are exploring alternatives to EU membership that would bring economic benefits and relieve them of accession-related demands. But their turn away from EU integration would disadvantage both the union and the Western Balkans. EU enlargement to the Western Balkans appears to be in full swing. But …
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October 28, 2024 Eurasia, Middle Orient, Turkey
Turkish foreign policy has undergone fundamental change under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Less understood is the rise of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) as a tool of Turkish foreign policy. The expanded scope and sophistication of Turkey’s intelligence and clandestine1 operations have become integral to its foreign and security policy. …
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October 28, 2024 Eurasia, Middle Orient
In Doha, Blinken says mediators hope to ‘capitalize’ on Sinwar’s death to advance agreement, though Hamas’s position is yet unknown Mossad chief David Barnea will travel to Doha on Sunday to try to restart discussions on a deal to release Israeli hostages held in Gaza and halt the war between …
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October 28, 2024 Eurasia, Middle Orient
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed or wounded 150 civilians, including women and children, in an airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza on Thursday. This massacre is part of a systematic campaign, now 20 days old, to displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who remain in northern …
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