Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
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 …
Read More »Will the Houthis fulfill their word to target UAE with long range missiles?
By Shehab Al-Makahleh Many people were surprised by the unprecedented and violent threats that Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Ansar Allah Al Houthi Movement, directed against the United Arab Emirates when he vowed to launch missile attacks against targets in the UAE and against Saudi oil targets. Abdul …
Read More »Alliances shift in the Middle East as all roads lead to Moscow
ANALYSIS / By Firas Al-Atraqchi As US media continues to speculate on the motives behind the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas and the press in the UK critique Prime Minister Theresa May’s latest policy speech, there have been significant changes in Middle Eastern alliances. On Friday, Saudi Arabia’s …
Read More »Russia to play Middle East mediator during King Salman’s visit
Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh The long-awaited, historic visit of King Salman to Russia this week will demonstrate the scale of dialogue and coordination the two countries seek to achieve to strengthen their bilateral relations. The visit has great symbolism, with billboards installed in Moscow to welcome King Salman to …
Read More »Erdogan’s visit to Tehran defines Turkey’s future roadmap
COMMENTARY Turkish president Erdogan will visit Tehran on Wednesday, October 4 to hold bilateral meetings and attend a joint strategic council session. The meeting comes on the heels of Iranian FM visit to Doha, signaling ever closer cooperation and coordination between the three states, and ahead of Saudi …
Read More »King Salman’s Russia visit has potential to change Middle East landscape
Shehab Al-Makahleh Saudi Arabia’s King Salman will head an official delegation on October 4-7, 2017 to have meetings with Russian president Vladimir Putin and senior government officials, the first ever visit by a Saudi King to Moscow since the foundation of the Kingdom. The visit, which has been …
Read More »Putin arrives to Ankara, German military leaves Incirlik airbase for Jordan
ANALYSIS/COMMENTARY Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Ankara on September 28 for key talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, including recent developments in Iraq and Syria and bilateral relations. At the same time, following months of strained relations between the two NATO-states, on Thursday German military has …
Read More »Putin in Ankara to forge alliance of Russia, Turkey and Iran
OPINION Shehab Al-Makahleh • Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on September 28, 2017. The two leaders are expected to dovetail their positions over regional issues before Turkish Special Forces get the nod to intervene in Idlib, the last stronghold …
Read More »Iraqi Kurdistan Votes on Independence: Middle East Heads for Another Major War
Peter Korzun • The situation of the Kurds has received little attention in media. Meanwhile, the largest ethnic group without a homeland is on the verge of a new status to reshape the political map of the Middle East. Iraq’s Kurdish region plans to hold an independence referendum on …
Read More »