Turkey’s Balancing Act in the Ukraine Conflict—Again
Turkey has once again positioned itself at the center of diplomatic efforts regarding the Ukraine conflict. Following high-profile visits to Ankara by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and...
Libya
10 Things to Know About Turkey’s Interventions and Influence in Syria
Turkey intends to position itself as the most influential foreign actor in Syria. Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey built close ties with jihadist militias fighting Bashar...
Insights
The Problem with Christian Martyrs
Ten years ago, 21 Coptic Christians were given a choice by ISIS: renounce their faith or die. They chose the sword. Their sacrifice wasn’t passive - it was a powerful testimony to unwavering faith.
Op-eds
US, UAE conducting airstrikes in northern Somalia
On February 1, the United States launched at least six airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) in Somalia’s semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland in support of that region’s current military...
Op-eds
Islamic State calls for jihad in Sudan
“Sudan is forgotten!” reads the headline of the editorial in this week’s Al Naba newsletter, the Islamic State’s weekly publication highlighting its global activities. In the commentary, the terrorist...
Op-eds
Turkey and HTS: A New Era of Extremism in Syria?
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2023, Syria is now controlled by an alliance of opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While there has...
Op-eds
Trump Doctrine 2.0: What It Means for the Middle East
Countries across the Middle East are making moves and preparing for President Donald Trump’s incoming United States administration. Many of the region’s leaders were in power during the first...
Op-eds
Islamic State release highlights the foreign-fighter nature of its recent assault in Somalia
A day after the Islamic State Somalia’s (ISS) brazen suicide assault against a Puntland military base—its most audacious attack to date in Somalia—the jihadist group released images of the men it...
Op-eds
Russia enters 2025 at a crossroads in a post-Assad Middle East
Having lost it's Syrian ally in the former Assad regime, Russia is shifting forces from Syria to other places.
Op-eds
‘The Factions Will be Dissolved’: Jolani Pushes to Disband Rebel and Pro-Assad Armed Groups in Syria
Al-Sharaa Pushes for Unity Amongst Rebel Factions: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, better known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, announced on December...
Flash Briefs
Tehran eyes influence in Syria with plans to reopen Damascus embassy
The Iranian decision shows that it wants to jockey for a role in Syria again.
Op-eds
Is Syria’s Julani part of a rising generation of younger Middle East leaders?
If Julani is to remain in power for the coming years, he could play a transformative role in Syria and the Middle East.
Op-eds
As Assad falls and Iran weakens, Qatar gains influence across Middle East
While Israel is pleased to see the weakness of the Iranian-backed axis, it’s worth pausing and noting that celebrations should be tempered by reality.
Op-eds
The economic silver lining of disarming Hezbollah
Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire gives Lebanon the chance to rethink and overhaul its entire government and economic models
Op-eds
Biden Administration Admits Iran’s Oil Exports Have Grown Exponentially in Value and Volume
Earlier this month, the Energy Information Agency (EIA) published its first report about Iran’s petroleum exports as mandated by the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum(SHIP) Act enacted earlier this year....
Policy Briefs
Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo to discuss Gaza, Lebanon, Red Sea
Historically, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the two pillars of stability for the region, and both are friends of the United States.
Op-eds
Time for Berri to lead Lebanon’s Shiites away from Iran
With Hassan Nasrallah gone, Hezbollah reeling and Iran’s grip weakening, the Lebanese have started crawling out of the woodwork. On Monday, a few oligarchs and a bloc of 31 lawmakers, out of 128, called...
Op-eds
Erdogan Accuses Israel of Intending to Invade Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin’s Netanyahu government harbored ambitions that include the capture of Anatolia as part of “Greater Israel,” warning of...
Policy Briefs
Erdogan’s private military company looks to raise an Islamist army
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks a role for Turkey in Gaza’s post-war reconstruction if not governance, and the Biden administration appears ready to accede to this request. Others also see...
Op-eds
A Marriage of Convenience—the Limits of a Turkish Rapprochement With Egypt
On Sept. 4, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Ankara, marking Sisi’ first visit to Turkey since taking power in 2014. Despite the optics...