In the wake of American-Israeli bombardmentIranian presence in Syria: A repositioning, not a withdrawal

The Iranian presence in Syria has always been a source of concern at a regional level, for Arab countries on the one hand, and for Israel on the other. If the partial Arab severance of relations with al-Assad has pushed the issue of Iranian presence off the negotiation table, this does not reflect a resignation to Tehran’s influence in Damascus, contrary to the vision presented by the Syrian regime president, Bashar al-Assad, in March 2023 (before returning to the Arab League).

The Qatar point of view

In many ways, Qatar is completely misunderstood. No wonder – Qatar plays in the playgrounds of the empires, while in itself it is hardly more than a gas-providing emirate. Qatar hosts world sports events like F1, football world cup and intends to hosts the Olympic games, yet has less sports pedigree than any other host ever before. Qatar has more foreign relations in the West than in Arab countries, invests more money in “the free world” than in regional endeavors. Qatar invests heavily in Salafist terror organizations, yet is the main “negotiator” to “solve problems” arising from the activities of these very organizations. Naturally, Western countries like to believe that Qatari willingness to help shows promise. Neighboring Arab countries, on the other hand, have long exposed the deeper needs of Qatar and even banned them for years because of their involvement in terror activities.

Hezbollah to consider ‘range’ of responses to Israeli attacks in Lebanon: US intel

Hezbollah maintains capability to target Americans and American interests in the region, worldwide, “and, to a lesser extent, in the United States,” according to assessment

Lebanon’s Hezbollah is likely to consider different responses to Israel’s “actions” in Lebanon during the rest of the year, according to a US intelligence report released on Monday.

Iran: How The Regime’s Elections Became A Total Disaster – OpEd

While Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the main leaders of the regime continue to suffer a heavy blow from the devastating impact of the nationwide boycott of their sham elections, confessions about this undeniable defeat have become prevalent in the comments and writings of regime media.

Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the former head of the security commission of Majlis (parliament), said, “The results indicate that the parliamentary elections are a failure, not a victory.”

IS militants kill at least 18 people in an attack on villagers collecting truffles in eastern Syria

Islamic State militants attacked villagers collecting truffles in eastern Syria on Wednesday, killing at least 18 people and leaving dozens injured and missing, opposition activists and pro-government media said.

The attack against the truffle hunters was one of the deadliest strikes by the Islamic State group in the area in more than a year. It took place in a desert area near the town of Kobajeb in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq. Some of the truffle gatherers may have been kidnapped, opposition activists said.

Analysis of IAEA Iran Verification and Monitoring Report — November2023

This report summarizes and assesses information in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) quarterly report, dated November 13, 2023, Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), including Iran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It also includes findings from a separate IAEA report, NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran, dated November 15, 2023, referred to alternatively as NPT Report or NPT Safeguards Report.

Islamic State

Established In: 1999

Established By: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (death), Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi (also known as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi);

Also Known As: Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Daesh, ISIS, ISIL

Drone Strike Risks Dangerous U.S.-Iran Escalation

An attack from Iran-aligned forces that killed U.S. service members near Jordan’s border with Syria risks direct U.S.-Iran conflict in a region already embroiled in widening violence.

The January 28 drone attack that killed three U.S. troops near the Jordan-Syria border follows more than one hundred attacks by Iran-backed militias against U.S. forces since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Is the United States caught in an escalation trap with these groups?