Arabs

February 19, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Profiles of foreign commanders in the new Syrian army

The new Syrian administration has announced the disbandment of the Bashar al Assad regime’s Syrian Arab Army and confirmed the integration of multiple rebel groups into a unified military under...

February 18, 2025 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Lebanon’s Neutrality Must Include Arabs vs. Israel

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam did well by recommending that the different Lebanese factions replace their allegiance to foreign powers with unity and independence, suggesting that he supported Lebanon’s...

February 14, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria’s National Dialogue Committee: A Facade of Inclusivity

Syria’s new president pledged to champion inclusivity, yet he has stacked a key transition committee with like-minded Islamists. The seven-member National Dialogue Committee will organize the National...

February 13, 2025 | |

‘I Don’t See an Alternative to What’s Being Proposed’: UAE Envoy Speaks Out on Trump Gaza Proposal

‘We’re All in the Solutions-Seeking Business’: The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States stated on February 12 that currently, there is “no alternative”...

February 13, 2025 | |

Egypt to Propose Alternative Plan for Rebuilding Gaza

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...

February 13, 2025 | Bill Roggio |

Pakistani and Tajik Taliban open training camps in Afghanistan

The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat Ansarullah (JA) have established training camps in Afghanistan with support from Al Qaeda and the Taliban, the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team reported.

February 13, 2025 | Jonathan Schanzer |

Disruptions and Challenges in the Middle East

Significant challenges await the Trump administration’s attention.

February 12, 2025 | |

‘Our Fingers are on the Trigger’: Houthi Leader Warns Israel of Renewed Attacks  

Houthis Ready to Resume Attacks: The leader of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen warned on February 11 that the group was prepared to resume its attacks on Israel. “Our...

February 12, 2025 | Clifford D. May |

Trump’s question for Arab rulers

Are they with America or against America?

February 11, 2025 | |

Jordanian King Abdullah Arrives for White House Meeting With Trump Amid Increased Anxiety Over Gaza Resettlement Proposal 

Abdullah’s Objection to Gazan Resettlement Under Pressure: Jordan’s King Abdullah II, the first Arab leader to meet with President Trump since his return to office, arrived...

February 11, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria’s crackdown on smuggling sparks tensions with Hezbollah and Lebanon

The border between Lebanon and Syria has witnessed intense clashes in recent days as the newly formed Syrian army deployed reinforcements to Al Qusayr in the western Homs Governorate.

February 10, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

What to know about Jordanian King Abdullah’s visit to Washington

Jordan’s King Abdullah II will visit Washington on February 11, marking the first official trip by an Arab leader to the United States during US President Donald Trump’s second term.  The visit...

February 10, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US-backed Syrian Free Army continues to patrol Tanf area in southern Syria

On February 9, the Syrian Free Army (SFA) said in a post on social media that it provided medical services to more than 60 Bedouin patients in southern Syria as part of a mobile clinic. The Syrian...

February 7, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Jordan’s King Abdullah to Meet With Trump as Arab Anxiety Mounts Over Gaza Resettlement Proposal

Following the onslaught in southern Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, Jordan’s King Abdullah II quickly declared that any attempt to resettle Gaza residents in the Hashemite Kingdom would...

February 6, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Syrian government forces enter Afrin, signaling a change in control

Forces from Syria’s General Security Department entered the northwestern Syrian city of Afrin on February 6, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

February 6, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

Unpacking Iran’s counterintelligence apparatus

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently issued “seeking information” posters for two operatives of the Islamic Republic’s intelligence services implicated in the 2007 abduction...

February 5, 2025 | |

‘Outside the Box’: Trump Proposes Permanent Resettlement of Gazans

‘Riviera of the Middle East’: During a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 4, President Donald Trump proposed permanent...

February 4, 2025 | |

Erdogan and Syria’s New President Al-Sharaa Meet in Ankara to Discuss Defense Pact

Turkey and Syria to Agree on a Defense Partnership: Syria’s new transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss a joint...

February 3, 2025 | |

‘I Was Hounded, Day In, Day Out’: Former UN Advisor on Genocide Was Pressured to Declare Genocide in Gaza

Nderitu Threatened for Not Declaring Gaza a Genocide: The UN’s former special advisor on the prevention of genocide, Alice Nderitu, described in an interview on February 1 the...

February 3, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

From Al-Qaeda Commander to Syrian President: Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s Ascent

The seismic transformation of the Syrian political landscape continues. On January 29, the country’s de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formally assumed the presidency, while the country’s 2012 constitution...