Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Will Russia provide the 'new Kissinger' for Iran-Israel diplomacy?

Moscow works back channels between Tehran and Jerusalem; hard-line Saudi stance toward Iran adheres to Wahhabi line favored by conservative clerics.

Saudi Arabia

Iraq’s Shiite militias hope battlefield wins can secure electoral victory

An electoral coalition formed by some pro-Iranian Shiite Popular Mobilization Units is confident it can secure enough seats in parliament to form a majority and claim the premiership.

Iraq

Iraqi police who fought for tribal PMUs won't return to force

Local Iraqi police officers who joined the Popular Mobilization Units to fight the Islamic State seem to have no intention of returning to their old jobs.

Iraq

Turkey offers death benefits to its Syrian anti-Kurdish allies

Kudos bestowed on Turkey's Free Syrian Army allies for their performance in Operation Olive Branch appear to have earned the fighters additional financial and medical support from the Turkish government.

Syria

Hamas pursues conflicting paths

While preparing for the March of Return and conducting massive military exercises, Hamas is also sending conciliatory messages to Israel and the US.

Palestine

Kidnapping business thrives in Libya

Kidnappings are on the rise in Libya, with hundreds who have disappeared since the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime in 2011, while the UN-backed Government of National Accord does not seem to be offering much help.

Libya

Syrian opposition seeks to clamp down on looting in Afrin

The Syrian armed opposition has taken steps to curb looting in Afrin by some of its members and has promised residents that it will recover and return their stolen property.

Syria

Mystery lingers over Turkey’s missing weapons

The Turkish government is reluctant or unable to explain the extraordinary increase in lost or stolen guns in the country, including weapons distributed and now missing since the 2016 coup attempt.

Turkey

Holding Libyan elections this year could be disastrous

There's a lot of pressure to hold elections in Libya this year, but many observers fear the country is still too unstable to pull it off without making the situation even worse.

Libya

Pentagon braces for emboldened Iran after Syria gains

The Pentagon’s top commander in the Middle East told lawmakers today that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s gains in the yearslong civil war will bolster Iran’s ability to frustrate US aims in the region.

Syria

Al-Qaeda could stand to gain from changing Syrian situation

Divergent goals of the major players in Syria, along with the apparent evolution of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Islamist group, could all wind up strengthening al-Qaeda.

Syria

How my hometown became major smuggling route in Libya

Libya's interior has become a hub for human smugglers who utilize the uncontrolled roads to transport migrants wishing to travel to Europe by sea.

Libya