Syria

February 17, 2025 | Janatan Sayeh |

From Afghanistan to America: the rising reach of the Islamic State Khorasan Province

Four years after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the threat posed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has expanded beyond the region, now endangering both American and European soil.

February 14, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria’s National Dialogue Committee: A Facade of Inclusivity

Syria’s new president pledged to champion inclusivity, yet he has stacked a key transition committee with like-minded Islamists. The seven-member National Dialogue Committee will organize the National...

February 14, 2025 | Bill Roggio |

Turkistan Islamic Party leader directs Syrian fighters from Afghanistan

Abdul Haq al Turkistani, the emir of the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) who serves on Al Qaeda’s executive leadership council and resides in Afghanistan, is currently directing the group’s fighters...

February 13, 2025 | Jonathan Schanzer |

Disruptions and Challenges in the Middle East

Significant challenges await the Trump administration’s attention.

February 13, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US pushes countries to repatriate nationals in Syria’s displaced-persons camps

The US is urging countries to repatriate their nationals who reside in displaced-persons camps in eastern Syria. The potential change comes at a critical juncture in Syria after the fall of the Bashar...

February 12, 2025 | |

Israel SitRep: February 12, 2025

Today’s Issue: | Reports: Lebanon and U.S. Administration Will Not Agree to Israel’s Request to Extend Lebanon Withdrawal Deadline | IDF’s Maglan Commando Unit Eliminates Gunman in Nur Shams Refugee...

February 11, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria’s crackdown on smuggling sparks tensions with Hezbollah and Lebanon

The border between Lebanon and Syria has witnessed intense clashes in recent days as the newly formed Syrian army deployed reinforcements to Al Qusayr in the western Homs Governorate.

February 10, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

What to know about Jordanian King Abdullah’s visit to Washington

Jordan’s King Abdullah II will visit Washington on February 11, marking the first official trip by an Arab leader to the United States during US President Donald Trump’s second term.  The visit...

February 10, 2025 | |

Israel SitRep: February 10, 2025

Today’s Issue: | IDF Arabic-Language Spokesman Issues Instructions and Warnings for Gazans Following Army’s Withdrawal From Netzarim Corridor | Following Withdrawal From Netzarim Corridor, IDF Deploying...

February 10, 2025 | Sophia Epley, Sinan Ciddi, Andrea Stricker

Nuclear Power Plant Project Highlights Turkish Role in Russia’s Sanctions Evasion

The United States dealt Russian efforts to evade international sanctions a significant blow by ordering the American bank J.P. Morgan to freeze $2 billion of Russian funds destined for Turkey. The move...

February 10, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US-backed Syrian Free Army continues to patrol Tanf area in southern Syria

On February 9, the Syrian Free Army (SFA) said in a post on social media that it provided medical services to more than 60 Bedouin patients in southern Syria as part of a mobile clinic. The Syrian...

February 7, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Jordan’s King Abdullah to Meet With Trump as Arab Anxiety Mounts Over Gaza Resettlement Proposal

Following the onslaught in southern Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, Jordan’s King Abdullah II quickly declared that any attempt to resettle Gaza residents in the Hashemite Kingdom would...

February 7, 2025 | Saeed Ghasseminejad, Janatan Sayeh

U.S. Treasury Should Target Iran’s Trading Partners

“Make Iran broke again,” declared Scott Bessent, the incoming Treasury secretary, shortly before his confirmation. That is a realistic goal given Iran’s isolation from the international financial...

February 7, 2025 | |

Israel SitRep: February 7, 2025

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February 6, 2025 | |

Macron Invites Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Visit France

Al-Sharaa Expected to Travel to France in Coming Weeks: French President Emmanuel Macron on February 5 invited Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to visit France, becoming the first...

February 6, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

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.

February 6, 2025 | Andrea Stricker |

Iran May Be on the Verge of a Nuclear Weapon; Will Israel and the United States Act?

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu just met in Washington — and not a moment too soon. A team of scientists in Iran is reportedly working to short-cut Tehran’s route to nuclear weapons in case the Iranian leadership orders their complete construction.

February 5, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Can any of the plans for Gaza prevent a Hamas takeover?

Terror group remain a factor in talks on rebuilding the Strip

February 5, 2025 | |

Israel SitRep: February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025 | Israel at War Situation Report Israel SitRep: February 5, 2025 Today’s Issue: | IDF Eliminates 55 Terrorists and Arrests 380 in West Bank Operations in January; Operations Are...

February 4, 2025 | |

Erdogan and Syria’s New President Al-Sharaa Meet in Ankara to Discuss Defense Pact

Turkey and Syria to Agree on a Defense Partnership: Syria’s new transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss a joint...