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.
Erbil
Drone attack targets gas field in northern Iraq
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) targeted the Khor Mor gas field in northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region on February 2, 2025. It is the latest kamikaze drone attack on the gas field run by Dana Gas.
Op-eds
Turkey moves to isolate the Kurds in Syria, and prepares a way for new attacks
The main group in Ankara's cross-hairs is the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which was formed in 2015 with US backing.
Op-eds
Why did Israel’s new foreign minister embrace the Kurdish people?
Israel has long enjoyed positive relations with Kurdish people in the Middle East. It is part of a partnership between Jews and Kurds and also shared interests in the region
Op-eds
Kurdistan regional elections mark a step forward for Iraq’s stability
Elections in the Kurdistan region are important because they provide a beacon of democracy for the region.
Op-eds
Multi-front drone threats against Israel increase
On October 21, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that were detected flying over an area of the Mediterranean Sea. The IDF did not disclose where it intercepted...
Op-eds
What types of deadly drones is Hezbollah using against Israel?
As drone attacks become more deadly, it’s worth asking what is known about the types of drones that Hezbollah and Iranian proxies are using in their attacks.
Op-eds
Israel must respond to Iran’s massive ballistic missile attack
Iran has assumed for too long that it can wreak havoc without retribution - that needs to change.
Op-eds
Don’t over-concentrate US forces in the Middle East
US military bases in the Persian Gulf confront two problems. The first is the growing missile and drone capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The other is that some Arab partners restrict the Pentagon’s...
Op-eds
Can the Middle East halt the rise of Iran before it’s too late?
Iran has recently reconciled with Saudi Arabia, with China’s backing, and it has been seeking to open a new page of ties with Egypt.
Op-eds
Twenty Years of Israel-U.S. Air Defense Investment Pays Off
Israel’s successful interception of Iran’s massive drone and missile attack underscores the success of military cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem.
Op-eds
Can the Iranian initiative in the Middle East be reversed?
The question is not whether the whole Iranian proxy octopus can be dismantled, but whether Israel, the US and others will seize the initiative.
Op-eds
Iran’s ‘attack and demand ceasefire’ doctrine plays out in Iraq
The Iranian policy with Kataib Hezbollah is similar to its policy with Hamas after the massive unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.
Op-eds
Does Iran expect US retaliation for drone killing in Jordan?
Iran’s calculations are based on years in which Iran has carried out attacks around the region and has never faced any retaliation.
Op-eds
Iran escalates proxy war with US in killing of American service members
A drone attack carried out by Iranian proxies in Jordan in which three US servicemen were killed signals escalation in proxy war.
Op-eds
U.S. Strikes Iranian-Backed Group in Response to Attacks in Iraq
U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah on January 24 in response to the Iranian-backed group’s targeting of American troops in Iraq. Kataib Hezbollah conducted...
Flash Briefs
Iran regime media faked photo with rabbi to justify killing
The report Iran then created fake images of the victim with a rabbi to justify his killing appears to illustrate Iran’s regime lurching into antisemitic conspiracy theories.
Op-eds
Iranian media falsely claims to have ‘injured’ Israeli in Iraq attacks
Iranian media uses antisemitic tropes of an image of a rabbi to claim that a Kurdish businessman was linked to ‘Mossad.’
Op-eds
Pakistan, a New War Front?
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been traveling the Middle East, campaigning tirelessly to contain the war that began with the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7. America’s top diplomat has appealed...
Op-eds
Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles at Iraq and Syria
Iran fired ballistic missiles at Iraq and Syria on January 15 at what it described as regime opponents. The strike in Iraq, which killed four civilians, hit a residential area near...