Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Hamas spy story shakes up Arab society, Israeli politics

The Aya Khatib affair has not only divided Israeli Arab society, it is also haunting the political prospects of the Blue and White and its ability to cooperate with the Joint List.

Palestine

Reports: US to reposition troops in Iraq

After two rocket attacks within a week on American troops in Iraq, the United States is preparing to reposition forces there.

Iraq

Historical context: Biden’s 2002 vote on Iraq war

Congress passed a new resolution on the use of force in the Middle East; the United States retaliates against Iran-backed militias in Iraq; and an 18-year-old debate returns.

Iraq

Multiple US troops dead in Iraq after rocket strike

A rocket attack on a US base in Iraq killed two US service members and prompted questions of whether it was a retaliatory act by Iran.

Iraq

What the US-Afghan agreement means for Iran

The US agreement with the Taliban could prove to be an added burden to Iran, which has serious concerns about the deal creating instability in neighboring Afghanistan.

United States

Iran risks confrontation with Turkey over Idlib

While Iran's military command in Syria has issued direct warnings aimed at Turkey, President Hassan Rouhani and the Iranian foreign ministry continue to insist on the role of diplomacy and dialogue.

Lebanon

Power vacuum in Iraq leads to threats from pro-Iran faction

Pro-Iran factions in Iraq worry that they could lose their political sway, having failed to keep one prime minister in power, then failing in their attempt to replace him, as they recognize the next candidate could be selected from outside their political circle with the support of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiite rivals.

Iraq

US blacklists new leader of Iran-backed Iraqi militia

The successor of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has been designated as a global terrorist by the United States.

Iraq

Why is Egypt building a wall along its border with Gaza?

Although it coincides with Washington’s Mideast peace plan, observers and experts say they believe that safeguarding and boosting national security are the real reasons behind Egypt's decision to build a new wall along its border with the Gaza Strip.

Palestine

Egypt’s opposition parties want to amend elections law to keep Muslim Brotherhood out

The Civil Democratic Movement, the largest coalition of the Egyptian opposition parties, announced Feb. 6 its intention to present the Egyptian regime with a proposal to amend the parliamentary elections law in a bid to exclude any candidates who belong to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt

Saudi Arabia steps up role in Libya

Saudi Arabia is reported to be providing greater financing to forces associated with Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter in order to counter Turkey's intervention on the side of Libya's Government of National Accord.

Saudi Arabia

Is Turkey planning to curb radicals in Idlib under strategy shift?

In a scenario that invokes its Afrin operation in 2018, Ankara speaks of reining in radical groups and asserting field control in Idlib, hoping that Moscow will give it a nod to avoid war.

Syria