New anti-Hamas militia emerges in Gaza
On August 21, an armed group in the Gaza Strip calling itself the Counterterrorism Strike Force (CSF) declared its formation. The group is among a handful of anti-Hamas militias that are reportedly managed...
Syrian civil war
Afghans in Iran have significant national security implications for the Tehran regime
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly asked the Taliban for access to a leaked list of Afghan nationals who assisted the United Kingdom, aiming to identify individuals affiliated...
Op-eds
Syrian Druze are not entitled to self-determination, and Kurds cannot yet pursue secession
Syria is a patchwork of identities, par for the course in a region where novel nationalities vie with tribe and religion for the citizenry’s loyalty. For most of the country’s history, the Assad family...
Op-eds
US adds Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Imam Ali to list of terror organizations
The US Treasury Department added Kataib Imam Ali (the “Imam Ali Brigades”) to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists on June 12, 2025. Kataib Imam Ali is one of the many Iraqi...
Op-eds
US strike in northwestern Syria kills Islamic State’s external attack planner
The US military killed an Islamic State (IS) commander in an airstrike in northwestern Syria on June 10. The commander, who was identified as Rakhim Boev, was involved in planning attacks against the US...
Op-eds
Has the Era of Extremism Ended in the Middle East?
On May 20, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about the U.S. decision to engage with the new Syrian government in Damascus. Rubio said that an unstable Syria has historically...
Op-eds
Trump’s Syria Opportunity
Syrian president Ahmed al-Shara will need to show commitment to stabilizing the country and integrating its regions, while the United States may find it has more leverage now by embracing Damascus.
Op-eds
Why do Iraqi Shiites hate the new Syria and its leader?
One might assume that the most unpopular individuals in Iraq are US President Donald Trump or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Op-eds
Turkey reportedly plans to take control of airbases in Syria
Media reports indicate that Turkish forces are planning on deploying to the Tiyas Airbase, also known as the T4, and the Palmyra military airport in Syria’s Homs province—two sites recently...
Op-eds
Turkey’s Kurdish peace talks: A genuine effort or Erdoğan’s power play?
Erdoğan is arguably negotiating with the Kurds mainly as a means of securing Kurdish parliamentarians’ votes to extend his rule as president
Op-eds
Can Syria and Lebanon Rein In Hezbollah?
If Hezbollah continues to clash with the new Syrian government, this could encourage the government to lean on other extremist militias.
Op-eds
What Does Israel Want With Syria?
As Syria faces continued conflict, Israel may be planning a wider confrontation with the new government.
Op-eds
Syria appoints new president amid widespread diplomatic engagement efforts
In a move that will have significant implications for Syria and its international relations, Ahmed Sharaa was named the country’s president on January 29. The appointment is expected to provide...
Op-eds
Turkey and HTS: A New Era of Extremism in Syria?
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2023, Syria is now controlled by an alliance of opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While there has...
Op-eds
Former HTS fighter Ahmad Hammad al Mansour reportedly detained in Syria after threatening Egyptian president
The hashtag “Your turn, dictator” has been widely shared on Egyptian social media in the past two weeks. Modeled after the 2011 rallying cry “your turn, doctor” used against then-Syrian President...
Op-eds
Turkey Is Preparing to Invade Syria, Then Israel?
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is making no effort to disguise his ambitions. In a bold declaration following the first meeting of Turkey’s cabinet, Erdogan made it clear that he intends to...
Op-eds
Syria’s new Minister of Justice: A profile of Shadi Mohammed al Waisi
Shadi Mohammed al Waisi is the newly appointed Minister of Justice in the transitional government in Syria. Al Waisi has faced criticism from Syrian activists and international media after videos surfaced...
Op-eds
Profiles of new Syrian military leadership
On December 21, Abu Mohammad Jolani, also known as Ahmad al Sharaa, convened a meeting with numerous leaders of Syrian armed factions and local figures to discuss plans for unifying these militias into...
Op-eds
Syria Is At A Crossroads. What’s At Stake Now?
Can the new government stabilize the country? Additionally, can Washington make sure it doesn’t miss an opportunity to leverage a decade of work with the Kurds and other partners?
Op-eds
Who will form the core of Jolani’s unified army?
Ahmad al Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), commonly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani, has unveiled a vision for post-Assad Syria. With HTS assuming control in the aftermath...