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Syria

Defense & SecurityIran, Israel, Russia, Syria, United States

Major Israeli Air Strikes Target Iranian and Syrian Military Installations

Joshua Ball

Israeli air strikes against Iranian and Syrian targets are the most significant since the Syrian civil war began—raising fears of escalation and war. The Israeli military says its air force…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyIran, Russia, Syria, United States

Russia is Planning to Remain in Syria for the Long-Term

Moritz Pieper

Russia’s decision to withdraw from Syria isn’t about how to leave, but how to stay Standing on the Russian military airbase at Khmeimim on his December visit to Syria, Vladimir…

Defense & SecurityChina, Russia, Syria

China to Deploy Special Forces Units to Syria

Joshua Ball

China will deploy troops to Syria for the second time since 2015 to assist the Syrian Government. China will send troops to Syria to aid President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces, according…

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 & SecurityIran, Iraq, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United States

What to Watch For in Post-ISIS Iraq and Syria

Zachary Laub

As the campaigns to wrest the Islamic State from the territory it held in Iraq and Syria near completion, new conflicts may arise if old political arrangements prevail. The self-proclaimed…

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 & SecurityEgypt, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Increased Sectarian Tensions in the Middle East as the Saudi-Iran Proxy War Heats Up

Joshua Ball

Security concerns in Saudi Arabia are on the rise. Tensions are increasing between the Shia-minority and the Kingdom's Sunni ruling class in the aftermath of the execution of Shiite cleric…

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…

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

Solving the Economic & Security Crisis in Venezuela

Joshua Ball

The best-case scenario for ending Venezuelan political and economic upheaval is through a negotiated settlement Dr. Jennifer McCoy, Distinguished University Professor of Political Science at Georgia State University, discussed a…

Defense & Security, Deterrence & Foreign PolicyAmericas, Foreign Policy, North Korea, Syria

What is U.S. Foreign Policy Under the Trump Administration?

Joshua Ball

The Trump Doctrine: America First Means More Military As a candidate, Donald Trump structured his narrative around the idea that the U.S. had overextended itself—that allies were taking advantage of…