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Archive, Strategic Adversariesalliances, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, destabilization, eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, Gaza, geopolitical, geostrategic, Gulf, hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, maritime traffic, Middle East, Mohamed ElDoh , Palestinian groups, Palestinian population, proxy forces, regional influence, regional strategy, Saudi Arabia, Shia Crescent, soft power, southern Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz, Sudan, Suez Canal, Syria, West Bank, Yemen

The Geostrategic Mind of Iran

Mohamed El Doh1 Comment

The geographical position and long-standing ambitions for regional influence are long-time influences of Iran’s geostrategic thinking. As a state that controls a critical part of the Strait of Hormuz, a…

DiplomacyIraq, Lebanon, Middle East, Russia, Syria, United Nations, United States

Middle East Versus the West? How a UN Diplomat’s Christian Perspective Resonates with Today

Lora Karch

“Lack of love. Strategy, commerce, exploitation, securing an imperial route: these were why the West, for the most part, came to the Near East, not because it loved us. Add…

Defense & SecurityHezbollah, Iran, Iraq, IRGC, ISIS, Lebanon, Syria, United States

Designating the IRGC as a Terrorist Group: Consequences for U.S. Forces

Ali Arfa

The obsession in the United States with the “war on terror” entered a new phase when U.S. President Donald Trump formally designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign…

Defense & SecurityHezbollah, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Conflict and Competition in the Middle East Will Persist Throughout 2019

Vincent Lofaso

In previous years, interest in the Middle East was largely focused on ISIS (DAESH). This year, however, that focus will shift towards Iran. As the threat from the extremist Sunni…

Government & PoliticsArmenia, Lebanon, Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia

Armenia’s Hardliners Try Going Mainstream

Grigor Atanesian

This article was originally published on Eurasianet. Sasna Tsrer, the gunmen behind a bloody 2016 rebellion, are forming a political party and positioning themselves as allies of the new government.…

DiplomacyIran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, United States

What’s next for Iran after the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal?

Ehsan Ahrari

Iran versus the United States Commenting on competitive interactions between a weak and a strong state, Thucydides is reported to have stated: “The strong do what they have to do and…

Defense & SecurityHezbollah, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, United States

Israeli Military on ‘High Alert’ in Anticipation of Iranian Attack

Joshua Ball

The Israeli army is on high alert with defense systems being deployed in anticipation of an Iranian attack.In Washington and in Israel, there is a growing concern that Iran may…

Defense & SecurityBrazil, Colombia, Cuba, Hezbollah, Iran, Lebanon, United States, Venezuela

Forget about North Korea, Venezuela is the next major national security crisis

Joshua Ball

The country has become a full-blown narco-state, making a negotiated political settlement nearly impossible. Venezuela’s problems will only get worse as President Nicolas Maduro strips Venezuela’s democratic institutions of their…

Defense & SecurityIran, Israel, Lebanon, Syria

Israeli Warplanes Attacked Syrian Military Base to Convey Message to Iran

Joshua Ball

Israel launched air strikes against targets in Syria to warn Iran against establishing a permanent military presence. On December 1, 2017, Israeli warplanes attacked targets in Syria. The raid was…

Defense & SecurityIran, ISIS, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United States

The Race for Syria after the Islamic State

Udi Dekel

Increasing signs are pointing to the impending fall of the Islamic State in Syria, which has suffered a series of defeats in recent months. The territory in eastern Syria that…

Defense & SecurityChina, Energy, European Union, Foreign Policy, France, International Security, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Northern Africa, Oil, OPEC, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Converging Economic and Demographic Trends Threaten Security in the Middle East and North Africa

Joshua Ball

With oil prices unlikely to recover to levels of the petroleum boom governments may have to limit cash payments and subsidies. In the meantime, social networks have provided new tools…

Defense & SecurityAmericas, Brazil, China, Colombia, Hezbollah, International Security, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, Venezuela

How Likely is a Civil War in Venezuela?

Joshua Ball

The worst-case scenario for Venezuela: Prolonged economic crisis and food shortages, coupled with rapidly escalating violence and unchecked arms proliferation could lead to a civil war If there isn’t any…