Iraqi Kurdistan

September 17, 2024 | Cameron McMillan, Bradley Bowman

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....

September 11, 2024 | |

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...

September 11, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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.

August 31, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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.

July 21, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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.

July 18, 2024 | Saeed Ghasseminejad |

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,...

May 24, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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.

April 17, 2024 | Behnam Ben Taleblu |

The Despotic Duo

Russo-Iranian Cooperation and Threats to U.S. Interests

April 14, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

How Iran’s drones became a threat to the Mid East and world

Iran’s drone threat is now one of its main military threats to the region, one that has surpassed its missile and other threats in many ways.

April 11, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran has ten ways to attack Israel; which one will it choose?

Iran's vowed punishment of Israel might manifest either through proxies or direct means, including ballistic missiles and drones.

February 22, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Kurdish solidarity delegation from Germany visits Israel

The visit was to express the Kurdish solidarity with the Jewish people and the Kurdish sentiments that the Jews are not alone.

January 31, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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.

January 24, 2024 | |

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...

January 22, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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.

January 21, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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.’

January 18, 2024 | |

Iranian Foreign Minister Acknowledges Directing Anti-Israel Axis

Iran on January 17 tacitly acknowledged orchestrating the regional fronts that have opened against Israel during the Gaza war. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein...

January 18, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran attacked Syria with long-range missile in message to Israel

Iran is openly admitting that it used these missiles to send a message to the US and Israel and that it basically targeted northwest Syria just to show off.

January 17, 2024 | |

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...

January 17, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran’s attacks on Kurdistan region and Pakistan escalate Tehran’s threats

The overall message of Iran is that it will continue to carry out attacks where it pleases.

December 18, 2023 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iraq heads to provincial elections, first in ten years

Today Iraq is trying to put some of its past behind it.