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Baku
Israeli Air Force Strikes Former Base Used by Pro-Iran Militias Near Damascus
Airstrikes Near Syrian Capital: The IDF reportedly carried out several airstrikes south of the Syrian capital of Damascus on August 27, targeting a base near al-Kiswah city that...
Flash Briefs
For the First Time in 25 Years, Syria Acknowledges Direct Talks With Israel
Israel and Syria are talking — and for once, no one is denying it. Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met with an Israeli delegation in Paris on August 19, the Syria’s official news agency announced....
Policy Briefs
Armenia–Azerbaijan deal worries Iran
Washington brokered an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8 aimed at opening a transit corridor through the South Caucasus. The new agreement replaces the original Zangezur...
Op-eds
In the Caucasus, Donald Trump Has an Opportunity
With Azerbaijan defying Russia, the region has the opportunity to clinch a historic peace deal.
Op-eds
Druze-American Executed in Syria Amidst Sectarian Violence
American Citizen Murdered: The State Department confirmed on July 22 that a Druze Syrian-American citizen was executed in Syria alongside seven of his family members, amidst sectarian clashes involving Druze and Bedouin factions along with Syrian government forces. Hosam Saraya, 35, was identified by relatives after video emerged of masked men in military uniforms shooting eight Druze captives on July 17 while shouting “God is great.” Though one friend of the Saraya family stated that he believed the gunmen were aligned with the Syrian government, their identities could not be confirmed.
Flash Briefs
The Druze Test: A Deep Dive into Why Israel is Bombing Syria Again
Israel’s Druze Test in Syria On July 16, the Israel Defense Forces carried out airstrikes in the heart of Damascus. The IDF said it had targeted Syria’s military headquarters and...
Op-eds
Iranian and Armenian militaries drill as Azerbaijan hosts Israel-Turkey talks
Iran and Armenia held their first joint military exercises, “Peace,” near their shared border region of Nodruz on April 9 and 10, according to the Armenian Defense Ministry and the Islamic...
Op-eds
Iran’s loss is Turkey’s gain
Recent diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Iran reflect a broader shift in the Middle East: Turkey has filled the vacuum left by Tehran, much to the Islamic Republic’s discontent.
Op-eds
After COP29, Israel and the Region Can Reaffirm the Abraham Accords Vision
Cooperation on climate change is both an environmental necessity and a proven means of building peace with Israel’s Arab neighbors.
Op-eds
Iran is Creeping into the International Arms Market
Almost overnight, Iran has positioned itself as a weapons exporter to rogue regimes around the world.
Op-eds
Iran reestablishes its presence in the Caucuses with Armenian arms deal
Iran and Armenia recently signed a $500 million arms deal, Iran International reported on July 24. The deal includes various military equipment Tehran will supply to Yerevan, including Shahed...
Op-eds
Don’t Forget the Air Highways
While U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is focusing his remaining months in office on attaining compensation fees for U.S. air travelers, a much bigger threat to air travel and transport...
Op-eds
Iranian Proxies Wreak Havoc Beyond the Middle East
Azerbaijan and Pakistan are two lesser known victims of Iranian proxy attacks.
Op-eds
The Azerbaijanis, Not the Azeris, Are Hosting COP29
The Republic of Azerbaijan will host the annual UN Climate Change Conference known as COP29 in November 2024. For many who will attend COP29 and follow the process, this will be their first...
Op-eds
Israel attempts to assassinate two high-ranking Hezbollah commanders in south Lebanon
On Thursday evening, at approximately 4:30 PM local time, media outlets began reporting on a possible Israeli drone strike in south Lebanon. The details of the strike were slightly unusual. The strike...
Op-eds
President Aliyev: “Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are at the Lowest Level Ever”
From day one of the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran has been hostile toward Baku and consistently acted to undermine its security and independence. However, over the last year the ties...
Op-eds
Truth or consequences
The Saudi crown prince has some legitimate grievances
Op-eds
Time to Expose Putin as an Unreliable Ally
Fresh hostilities broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh region last week. As a result, nearly 100 people have been killed in the busiest week of violence in the region since 2020....
Op-eds
Israel’s Role in the Second Armenia-Azerbaijan War and Its Implications for the Future
Excerpt For a quarter of a century, Israel and Azerbaijan have maintained deep strategic cooperation that touches on national security issues of the highest importance to both sides. The defense relationship...