Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
Abdel Bari Atwan The question is not whether Israel and Iran will come to blows, but when, where and how The common theme in the statements being made these days by Iranian and Israeli leaders is that their fingers are on the trigger, amid mounting predictions of an …
May, 2018
March, 2018
-
27 March
Why Trump’s Expulsion of Diplomats Does (and Doesn’t) Unnerve Moscow
Joshua Yaffa n the matter of a few hours on Monday, Russia lost more than a hundred of its diplomats in the United States and Europe—the result of coördinated expulsions in response to the poisoning, in March, of a former spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter, Yulia, in the …
November, 2017
-
5 November
Saudi Brief: Middle East on a precipice of a new (greater) war
In anti-Iran televised rant, hours prior to resignation, Lebanese PM Hariri promised Iran’s hand (the Hezbollah) will be cut. In this war two parties will lose. Saudi Arabia and Israel. Lebanon is not left alone this time as the regional axis of Iran, Iraq, and Syria has been …
October, 2017
-
23 October
Iraqi Kurdistan Gorran Party calls for national salvation government
A month into Kurdish referendum on independence Kurdish Gorran Party says KRG president post should be abolished. Gorran Party believes that the formation of national salvation government is necessary amidst recent ‘setbacks’ following KRG President Barzani’s unilateral decision to carry out a referendum, despite international objections. Going against …
-
16 October
Iraq Brief: Barzani referendum gamble fails as Iraqi forces retake Kirkuk
This morning news from Iraq are filled with reports of government forces’ successful operation in retaking Kurdish-held oil-rich Kirkuk. Despite Kurdish Peshmerga resistance Iraqi security troops and predominantly Shiite Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) have taken back the key security outposts, including Kirkuk airport and Baba Karkar oil field, occupied …
-
15 October
Turkish troops enter Idlib, Syria demands withdrawal
Syrian government has accused Turkey of invasion amid entry of Turkish troops into Idlib, and demands immediate withdrawal with no exception. Turkey denies any wrongdoing, claims its troops are in Idlib to secure de-escalation zones as agreed with Russia and Iran during last Astana meeting. Question is whether …
-
9 October
Syria Brief: Expected developments in next few months
Key events to look forward to in Syria in the final months of 2017. 1. War in Syria expected to end in December 2017, reconstruction process to start with Chinese and Russian cooperation. Regional powers on good terms with the Eurasian power duo have chances to participate. Global …
-
3 October
Syria/Iraq Brief: Joint Arab-China-led Reconstruction?
Syria and Iraq post-ISIS: Reconstruction Business Opportunity for the Arab World Rebirth Global estimates indicate that volume of reconstruction projects in Syria and Iraq will reach $2 trillion over next 10 years, representing an exceptional opportunity for Arab economic integration – according to Jordanian Minister of Industry. Yet, …
