Orientul Mijlociu

Is Iran’s Islamic Republican Gubernatorial System in the Process of Collapsing domestically and Geopolitically?

Social protest sweeping the country. Economic isolation and a deteriorating security situation in the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran is currently going through one of the most difficult periods in its 44-years old history. Is this the time of the end of clerical rule? Let’s look at the processes that led to the eruption of popular discontent and the current geopolitical environment. What are Iran’s prospects?

Erdoğan’s Turkey: NATO’s Trojan Horse Moment

In its Freedom in the World 2022 report, Freedom House, a U.S. government funded organization in Washington, D.C., put Turkey in its “not free” category of countries, along with Afghanistan, Angola, Belarus, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nicaragua, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and several other third world rogue regimes. Could one, by the criteria of democracy, imagine any of those countries as a NATO member state? But Turkey is.

Isfahan drone attack linked to Iraqi Kurdistan, Iran state media reveals

On January 29, there were four explosions at the site, all of which appeared to specifically target a facility developing advanced weapons.

The explosive materials used to attack the Islamic Republic’s Isfahan facility on Sunday entered Iran via Iraqi Kurdistan by order of a foreign agency, Iranian state-affiliated site NourNews reported on Wednesday.

Russian-Iranian Axis: Biden Administration Missing in Action?

Iran is now selling surface-to-surface missiles to Russia for use in its war on Ukraine — on the cusp of a reported “major Ukrainian offensive” — in addition to the drones it has already been delivering, two senior Iranian officials and two Iranian diplomats told Reuters.

“In exchange, Russia is offering Iran an unprecedented level of military and technical support that is transforming their relationship into a full-fledged defense partnership…. This is a full-scale defense partnership that is harmful… to the international community.” — John Kirby, White House National Security Spokesperson, December 9, 2022.

From the streets to the border: Iran’s growing paranoia toward Azerbaijan

On Dec. 31, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had a phone conversation with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, in which he emphasized that improving relations with neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, is a priority for Iran’s foreign policy. This statement indicates a desire on the part of Tehran to de-escalate the bilateral situation, following a bout of saber-rattling with Azerbaijan this autumn. Nevertheless, tensions between the two countries remain high.

Counter Terrorism Operations Squeeze Islamic State Despite Elusive Leadership

In November, the U.S. confirmed the death of the third ISIS leader killed in operation in Syria. The group continues to come under pressure from international anti terror campaigns, despite keeping in the shadows.

Counter-terrorism forces have continued to have success in operations against the Islamic State leadership, killing two ‘caliphs’ and several high ranking officials within a matter of months in Iraq and Syria.

Algerian Researcher Said Djabelkhir Proposes Extensive Changes In Islamic Scholarship, School Curricula: Islamic Heritage In Its Current State Contradicts Modernity, Human Rights; We Need Enlightenment

Algerian researcher Said Djabelkhir said in a January 15, 2023 show on Sky News Arabia (UAE) that in its current state, Islamic heritage starkly contradicts modernity and human rights. He said that the school curricula produce extremist religious fanatics instead of instilling students with acceptance, tolerance, and coexistence. He also said that the concept of the “fatwa” should be abolished and that Islamic scholars should only provide Muslims with information, analysis, and opinions so that Muslims can choose their own opinions. He stated: “The Muslim masses need enlightenment.” In addition, Djabelkhir proposed that Islamic scholarship should get rid of some hadiths and revise some of the ancient jurisprudential Islamic reasoning. He added that students of shari’a should study comparative religion in an open-minded way, as well as various subjects from the humanities.

Turkey faces tough options on Syrian rebel allies amid Damascus thaw

Ankara’s quest to restore ties with Damascus has left its Syrian rebel allies confused as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the jihadi group controlling Idlib, seeks to raise its profile and lure the disenchanted to its ranks.

As the Turkish-Syrian dialogue advances and the prospect of Ankara pulling the plug on its Syrian allies looms large for the rebels, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the jihadi outfit holding sway in Idlib, appears eager to take advantage of the confusion in the rebels’ ranks and expand its control.