Bashar al-Assad

September 30, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria’s new president shows progress, but will he hold firm to his promises of peace? 

The undisputed star of this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York was Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former al-Qaeda commander who is now the president of Syria.  Sharaa came to...

September 26, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

From Pariah to Partner? Inside Syria’s Washington Comeback Bid

Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Shara’a and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani travelled to Washington and New York for a week of key meetings in the third...

September 26, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

How a New Arab Regional Order Is Taking Shape

A more integrated Middle East is also a Middle East more open to connections with neighboring regional powers.

September 24, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Israel and Syria close to a security agreement

On September 23, US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack claimed that Syria and Israel “are close to striking a ‘de-escalation’ agreement in which Israel will stop its attacks while Syria...

September 24, 2025 | Clifford D. May |

Qatar is no Arab Switzerland

It’s a Muslim Brotherhood terrorist haven

September 18, 2025 | Jonathan Schanzer, Ahmad Sharawi

The United States Should be Prudent Regarding al-Sharaa’s Turn

Al-Sharaa’s turn away from the Nusra Front upon his seizure of power needs to be treated with prudence by the United States.

September 18, 2025 | Andrea Stricker |

After the Strikes

Preventing an Iranian nuclear resurgence

September 16, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi, Natalie Ecanow

The Saudi-Qatari Competition for Influence in Syria

With the Syrian state still in its formative stage, lacking a defined political identity, two Gulf monarchies – Qatar and Saudi Arabia – are seeking to dominate Syria. This competition will only intensify...

September 12, 2025 | |

IDF Discloses Arrests of Iranian IRGC Operatives in Syria

Unit 840 Suspects Arrested: The IDF revealed on September 12 that during a series of special operations over the past several months, it had arrested and eliminated at least seven...

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 9, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel’s Strike on Hamas in Qatar is a Game-Changer

Israel Reaches Out and Hits Hamas in Qatar On September 9, Israel carried out a strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. The brazen daylight attack took place in Doha, the capital of a major non-NATO...

September 9, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

What Lebanon’s Hezbollah Disarmament Campaign Means for Gaza

If Lebanon successfully disarms non-state actors in its territory, its operations could serve as a template for regional stability.

September 7, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey is escalating tensions in the Mediterranean (again)

Turkey is once again stoking tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean – this time by undermining the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus while wagering that Washington and Brussels will look the other way....

September 5, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Profiles of militias in newly formed Druze national guard in Suwayda, Syria

On August 23, armed factions in the Suwayda province, Syria announced the formation of a national guard under the leadership of the Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al Hijri, the most prominent...

September 3, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey’s Quiet Relationship with ISIS

On June 29, 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State in al-Sham (ISIS), was recorded on video speaking at the al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul, Iraq. (“Al-Sham” is the traditional Arabic...

September 3, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria Is No Longer a Narco-State, But the Captagon Trade Rolls On

Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa pledged to dismantle his country’s massive illegal drug trade when he took power in December, but the dangerous amphetamine captagon is still flowing. On September...

September 2, 2025 | David Daoud |

Hezbollah continues exploiting Canadian vehicular theft and money-laundering schemes

Last week, the Canadian government issued its 2025 report assessing money laundering and terrorist financing risks in Canada. The report noted that Hezbollah was using both illicit and otherwise...

August 28, 2025 | |

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...

August 28, 2025 | Ari Ben Am |

A Year of Meming Dangerously: Iranian Influence Operations Targeting Israel Since October 7

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August 27, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Can Syria’s New Leaders and U.S.-Backed Forces Unite to Defeat ISIS?

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a delegation to Syria that met with Syria’s transitional President, Ahmed al-Shara’a, on...