Asharq Al-Awsat

November 12, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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...

September 12, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

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...

September 6, 2025 | |

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...

September 4, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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...

August 2, 2025 | Natalie Ecanow, Bridget Toomey

The Houthis Are Breaking into the Drug Trade

The captagon trade has spread from Syria to Yemen, bankrolling Houthi terrorism. Washington should pay attention.

June 24, 2025 | Bridget Toomey, Joe Truzman, Bill Roggio

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...

June 18, 2025 | |

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...

June 18, 2025 | Bill Roggio, Joe Truzman

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...

June 12, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

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...

June 9, 2025 | David Daoud |

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...

May 15, 2025 | Bridget Toomey |

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...

April 24, 2025 | Bridget Toomey |

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...

April 22, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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...

April 21, 2025 | David Daoud |

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...

April 3, 2025 | Bridget Toomey |

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.

March 25, 2025 | |

‘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...

March 4, 2025 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

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

December 7, 2024 | David Daoud |

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...

December 3, 2024 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Gulf countries talk like Iran, act like Israel

The GCC rhetoric on Israel masks its true aims to decouple Syria's Assad and the Islamic Republic and declaw Hezbollah in Lebanon

October 18, 2024 | Janatan Sayeh |

The ‘How’ over the ‘What:’ Israel’s dilemma beyond target selection in Iran

Israel’s war cabinet has reportedly agreed on what Iranian targets to strike in response to Iran’s October 1 missile attack. So, the question now is what method Israel will employ to carry...