Syria

Lebanon’s Narrow Window To Disarm Hezbollah

Once again, Hezbollah has dragged Lebanon into a war with Israel. Despite promising signals, Beirut remains unserious about reasserting the state’s authority. On March 2, the Lebanese Cabinet proscribed...

Israeli strike eliminates Hamas commander in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed Hamas commander Wasim Atallah Ali near the coastal city of Tripoli, Lebanon, on February 5. The elimination adds to the growing number of Palestinian terrorists who...

Iranian and Iranian-Backed Attacks Against Americans (1979-Present)

Armed conflict between the United States and Iran did not begin in 2026, but instead has deep roots that extend back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. For nearly five decades, the clerical regime in Tehran...

Beware Turkey’s ambitions in the post-Iran power vacuum

The US military and the Israeli Defense Forces continue unleashing their might on the Iranian regime — and precise intelligence, overwhelming firepower and a bit of good luck could soon usher...

Will NATO’s Downing of an Iranian Ballistic Missile Over Turkey Shift Ankara’s Stance?

NATO forces intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile inside Turkish airspace on March 4 —the first instance of NATO territory receiving incoming fire from the Islamic Republic since conflict began on...

Will Turkey Invade Iran?

Turkey views Iran’s sizable Kurdish population as a potential threat to Turkey’s internal unity.

‘They’re Attacking Our Embassies Directly’: Rubio Highlights Iranian Missile Salvos as U.S. Urges Citizens to Leave Middle East

Rubio Defends Strikes, Warns of Iran’s Potential Capabilities: Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at a March 2 press conference to imagine the capabilities Iran...

The Arab Case for Israel

And Other Essays from a Distant Conflict

Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: February 23–March 1, 2026

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted numerous operations against Hezbollah throughout Lebanon between February 23 and March 1, 2026. Israeli activities last week were less intense than in preceding...

Iran expands retaliation for US-Israel campaign across Arab states (February 28–March 2)

Iran has responded to the joint United States and Israeli military campaign against it with widespread retaliatory strikes across the Middle East. The Iranian attacks consisted of coordinated drone and...

Prisoner Exchange Between Central Government and Druze Factions is an Opportunity To Cement Stability in Syria

After the July 2025 Syrian government offensive in the south of the country that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,000 members of the Druze minority, reconciliation between Damascus and the Druze appeared...

A Framework for Syria’s Religious Minorities

If Washington is serious about a stable Damascus, it must use its leverage now before sectarian fractures harden beyond repair.

Turkey Negotiates Repatriation of ISIS Detainees It Once Enabled 

After years of serving as a key transit hub for foreign fighters and an enabler of the Islamic State’s (ISIS’s) campaign to establish a caliphate, Turkey is now in negotiations to repatriate its own...

Countering Iran’s Covert Chemical Weapons Program

Islamic State ramps up attacks on Syrian government after issuing threats

The Islamic State (IS) intensified attacks against the Syrian government since February 21, carrying out at least six operations across Raqqa and Deir Ezzour provinces that have killed at least eight Syrian...

Marking Four Years of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: February 9–15, 2026

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted numerous operations throughout Lebanon against Hezbollah between February 9 and February 15, 2026. Israeli activities last week maintained the reduced intensity...

The Mass Escape of ISIS Detainees Is a Warning Against U.S. Withdrawal From Syria

Serious concerns are emerging over the ability of the Syrian government to maintain security in the northeast of the country following its recent offensive against the Kurdish-led, U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic...

Syrian government and SDF continue transition, US strikes Islamic State and withdraws from Tanf

The Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continued transitioning control of portions of Syria as US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had carried out strikes on the Islamic...

For a Better Druze Future, Jumblatt Needs New Ideas

Walid Jumblatt, Lebanon’s most seasoned and cunning political operator, has navigated every twist of the country’s turmoil since taking the reins of the Druze community in 1977. Convinced that his...