Abqaiq

The U.S. Needs Its Mideast Bases

If America won’t finish the job in Iran, leaving the Gulf Arab states would turn a failure into a rout.

Why Are Gulf Countries Not Speaking Out Against Their Rival Iran?

Since 1979, Iran has been a problem for Arab Gulf capitals. Tehran has exported its radical Islamism and terrorism across the region, built loyalist militias, agitated popular opinion against Gulf governments,...

Iran ‘Sleepwalked’ Into a War with Israel It Can’t Win

In January 2024, Iran was riding high. Its proxies and allies in the region were fighting a multi-front war against Israel. Hamas in Gaza had carried out the worst mass terror attack against Israel in history just three months prior. Hezbollah was targeting Israel daily from Lebanon. The Houthis in Yemen were attacking ships and threatening to cut off Israel from the Red Sea. They were also attacking Israel with drones and missiles....

How many air defense systems does Iran have?

Iran has seemingly focused on gaining a large quantity of defense systems - but it is unclear if any are actually effective.

Iran’s Great Ballistic Missile Attack Gamble

The October 1 attack by Iran is its largest gamble yet. It knows Israel is primed to respond. It knows that Israel has backing from the West. It also knows Israel significantly weakened Hamas and Hezbollah, removing two of the Iranian-backed fronts against Israel. Nevertheless, Iran’s regime believes it is stronger than it was in the past and ready to confront Israel.

Israel must respond to Iran’s massive ballistic missile attack

Iran has assumed for too long that it can wreak havoc without retribution - that needs to change.

Israel and its Western allies should now strike back against Iran

When Iranians see that their regime is a paper tiger they will be emboldened

An Israel-Hezbollah war could send shockwaves through the energy market

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate. Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Should war erupt,...

How Iran’s drones became a threat to the Mid East and world

Iran’s drone threat is now one of its main military threats to the region, one that has surpassed its missile and other threats in many ways.

Iran has ten ways to attack Israel; which one will it choose?

Iran's vowed punishment of Israel might manifest either through proxies or direct means, including ballistic missiles and drones.

Can the Iranian initiative in the Middle East be reversed?

The question is not whether the whole Iranian proxy octopus can be dismantled, but whether Israel, the US and others will seize the initiative.

Does Iran expect US retaliation for drone killing in Jordan?

Iran’s calculations are based on years in which Iran has carried out attacks around the region and has never faced any retaliation.

Iran mobilizes proxies for drone war on US and Israel – analysis

Sanctions on Iran’s missile program ended this week, fueling Iran’s appetite for defense deals and empowering its sense of impunity regarding the supply of weapons to proxies.

The United States and Saudi Arabia: A Possible Path Forward

The Israeli Moment

If anyone is going to derail the Islamic Republic’s regional ambitions, Israel is really the only local counterweight that counts.

Biden’s Saudi Arabia Opportunity

The president’s first trip to the Middle East offers a chance to make meaningful gains.

Goodbye To All That

Biden may usher in a new era in which we won’t really have an Iran policy at all.

New Cruise Missile Gives North Korea Lethal Capability

The long-range weapon could strike South Korea, Japan, and U.S. bases in the region.

Why Israel’s transfer to US Central Command could help deter Iran

U.S. Central Command announced Sept. 1 that it has assumed responsibility for U.S. forces in Israel. This positive development reflects changes in Arab-Israeli relations and offers an opportunity to build...

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