US strike in Iraq eliminates top Islamic State leader
A March 13 airstrike in Iraq’s Anbar province by US Central Command (CENTCOM) eliminated Abdallah Makki Muslih al Rifai, a senior leader of the Islamic State (IS) who may have served as the...
Iraqi Kurdistan
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.
Op-eds
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
Trump Doctrine 2.0: What It Means for the Middle East
Countries across the Middle East are making moves and preparing for President Donald Trump’s incoming United States administration. Many of the region’s leaders were in power during the first...
Op-eds
Trump can’t leave Syria to others
After the fall of Bashar Assad‘s regime in Syria, the incoming Trump administration faces a complex set of challenges. Despite President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to reduce U.S....
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
Destroyed by ISIS, a historic minaret in Mosul rises again
The repairs to this site which is in the old city of Mosul on the western bank of the Tigris river that runs through the city, is an important accomplishment.
Op-eds
Iranian FM and Quds Force do outreach to Iraq
High-level meetings in Tehran signal deepening Iran-Iraq security cooperation, while Iran simultaneously advances its regional agenda through talks with Turkey, Russia, and Lebanon.
Op-eds
“Natural Allies”: Israel to Cultivate Kurdish, Druze Ties
Latest Developments Outreach to Arabs, Minorities by New Foreign Minister: Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s new foreign minister, gave remarks on November 10 in which he spoke in favor of expanded...
Flash Briefs
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
Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi taps Vahid Jalalzadeh for new role
The appointment does not seem to fit well with Jalalzadeh’s previous record as the head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee and some of his other roles.
Op-eds
Recent IDF casualties show deadly drone threat from Iraq, Yemen is increasing
The Iranian-backed drone programs that proliferated in the Middle East in recent years have become increasingly deadly.
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
Talk of US Iraq withdrawal is disconnected from ISIS threat
The bulk of U.S. forces will depart Iraq over the next two years, leaving only a residual force in the semiautonomous region of Kurdistan to provide security to Iraqi Kurds and sustain U.S....
Op-eds
26 Human Rights Groups Denounce Iran’s Death Sentence Against Prominent Activist
Iran must rescind its death sentence against Kurdish women’s rights activist and social worker Pakhshan Azizi, a group of 26 human rights organizations said in a joint statement...
Flash Briefs
Iranian President Pezeshkian’s visit to Iraq boosts economic ties and diplomacy
Iranian President Pezeshkian is visiting Iraq to strengthen economic ties and diplomatic relations, focusing on cooperation and Shi'ite shrines.
Op-eds
Iraqi-US raid on ISIS shows group is still a threat
The recent US raid on ISIS in Iraq highlights the group's ongoing threat and the crucial role of coalition forces in maintaining regional stability.
Op-eds
Biden stands down, with Middle East in crisis
Now that Biden is not going to run, the enemies of America may wonder if they can take advantage of the chaos.
Op-eds
An Israel-Hezbollah war could send shockwaves through the energy market
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate. Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Should war erupt,...