Syria Can Squeeze Hezbollah, But Caution Is Necessary
Syrian forces may be returning to Lebanon more than twenty years after Damascus withdrew its military from its smaller neighbor’s territory. Reuters reported on March 17 that the...
Asharq Al-Awsat
Iraqi militias divided on disarming and accepting government control
The Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has said it will not disarm in the wake of reports that suggest armed militias in Iraq will place their weapons under state control. “The Iraqi group...
Op-eds
Iraq votes in parliamentary elections amid US security talks and concerns about Iranian influence
Iraqis voted in a parliamentary election on November 11, the country’s sixth since the toppling of former President Saddam Hussein in 2003. The election, held as security forces were deployed...
Op-eds
Israel strikes IRGC in Lebanon, reports Qods Force arrests in Syria
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated Wissam Saeed Jubai on September 11 in Ain Baal, a village in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon. The IDF’s Persian-language account described Jubai...
Op-eds
As Lebanese Cabinet Meeting on Disarmament Ends Without Clear Commitments, Hezbollah Praises its ‘Wisdom and Reason’
Government Disarmament Plan is an “Opportunity”: A senior Hezbollah official has responded positively to the Lebanese cabinet’s meeting to discuss a Lebanese Armed Forces...
Flash Briefs
Tensions grow between Damascus and eastern Syria amid continuing efforts to integrate factions
On September 2, the state-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Damascus intercepted an arms shipment destined for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the US-supported military force...
Op-eds
The Houthis Are Breaking into the Drug Trade
The captagon trade has spread from Syria to Yemen, bankrolling Houthi terrorism. Washington should pay attention.
Op-eds
Iraqi military bases targeted in overnight strikes
As Israel and Iran exchanged final volleys of fire in the early hours of June 24 after US President Donald Trump brokered a still-uncertain ceasefire, unknown actors, strongly thought to be Iran-backed...
Op-eds
Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias Step Up Attacks on U.S. Military Presence in Middle East
Iraqi Militias Attack U.S. Bases in Syria: Three U.S. bases in northeastern Hasakah province came under attack by Iran-backed Iraqi militias between June 14-15, the pan-Arab newspaper...
Flash Briefs
Iran-backed militias attack 3 US bases in Syria
Iran-backed Iraqi militias launched missile attacks against three US bases in northeastern Syria last weekend, according to a report from the region. A US defense official did not deny that the missile...
Op-eds
Israel launches ground operation to arrest alleged Hamas militants in Syria
On June 12, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that “troops of the 3rd Brigade, under the command of the 210th Division, completed an operation to apprehend Hamas terrorists...
Op-eds
Lebanon Is Conceding to Hezbollah’s Post-War Reconstruction Demands
Hezbollah has rejected calls to disarm, and now, Lebanon is conceding its best — if not only — leverage. On June 3, Lebanese television station Al Jadeedrevealed that President Joseph Aoun appointed...
Policy Briefs
Houthis begin rebuilding after airstrikes, rely on extortion to finance projects
The Iran-backed Houthi terrorist regime in northern Yemen is undertaking an expensive rebuilding effort following seven weeks of US airstrikes during Operation Rough Rider and recent strikes...
Op-eds
New Sanctions Against the Houthis Take Aim at the Terrorist Group’s Banking Sector
The Trump administration is following through on the promise of a whole-of-government approach to stopping Houthi terrorism. While U.S. Central Command forces have been continuously striking the group...
Policy Briefs
Syria detains two members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad
The transitional Syrian government’s security forces detained two members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), according to numerous media reports. As of April 22, the Syrian government has not released...
Op-eds
Israel kills Hezbollah Unit 4400 deputy commander amid allegations of continued smuggling
Israel continued its targeted killings of Hezbollah operatives and commanders this week, assassinating a senior commander of the group’s Unit 4400 on Sunday. Unit 4400 is Hezbollah’s body...
Op-eds
Houthi kidnappings increase amidst US airstrikes
The Houthis, the Iran-backed terrorist group ruling northern Yemen, have kidnapped more than 75 people since the US began its large-scale operation against the group, according to SAM, a Geneva-based human rights organization focused on the Middle East.
Op-eds
‘Out, Out Hamas!’: Palestinians in Gaza Take to Streets in Rare Protest
‘March of Rage’: Hundreds of Palestinians poured into the streets of the northern Gaza city of Beit Lahiya on March 25 in a rare protest against Hamas rule. During what was...
Flash Briefs
The Arab plan for Gaza sidelines Hamas and PA, but only for six months
Dead-on-arrival plan for non-factional interim committee to run Gaza during transition is dissociated from reality
Op-eds
Naim Qassem on Hezbollah’s post-ceasefire posture
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered two speeches—one on November 29 and another on December 5— after the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect on November 27. Most...