Orientul Mijlociu

Analysis: Yahya Sinwar’s appointment as leader centres Hamas’ political and military decision-making in the Gaza Strip while strengthening ties with Iran.

Hamas’ decision to name Yahya Sinwar, a long-time military hardliner, as its new political chief will centre the group’s decision-making in embattled Gaza, shore up the group’s ties with its primary backer Iran, and leave the prospects for a desperately needed ceasefire uncertain, political analysts have told The New Arab.

Edwin Montagu’s memoir on anti-Semitism of the current (British) government – Submitted to the British Cabinet, August 1917

I have chosen the above title for this memorandum, not in a hostile sense, not at all to quarrel with an anti-Semitic point of view that could be defended by my colleagues, not with the desire to deny that anti-Semitism can be defended by rational men, not even with the aim of suggesting that the government is deliberately anti-Semitic; but I wish to state my opinion that the policy of the government is anti-Semitic.all the countries of the world.

Abstract: The fall of the Islamic State’s caliphate in Iraq and Syria significantly impacted the group’s ability to fundraise through territorial control. Despite this loss, the group retained substantial financial reserves, estimated between $10 million to $30 million, some of which were stored outside its immediate area of operations. These funds have enabled the Islamic State to sustain and expand its global network of provinces and sub-groups, primarily in Africa and Asia, through the General Directorate of Provinces and by providing start-up and sustenance funds to its various sub-groups. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Islamic State’s financial strategies post-caliphate, illustrated through case studies of various Islamic State provinces and sub-groups and their financing mechanisms. The Islamic State’s evolving global strategy and financial strength is a challenge for international efforts to combat the group’s persistent and adaptive financial network. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for global security.

Abstract: Throughout its rule, the Islamic State employed an ideologically driven system of control and persecution, resulting in widespread gendered violence perpetrated by and against men, women, and even children. On the 10th anniversary of the start of the group’s genocidal campaign against the Yazidi community, Islamic State ideology persists, and its members have yet to be held fully accountable for crimes against civilian and minority populations. This article explores the Islamic State’s gendered violence during and since its caliphate years, and it considers how a diverse spectrum of responses from local and international actors have aided or hampered efforts to achieve justice, peace, and security.

The signposts are there for all to read: The West – in deliberately overlooking such explicit markers – cannot then complain, or escape, the ensuing consequences.

No, the “tin ear” is not some new western derangement – a unique mass collapse of sanity – that we are living through. It is something worse: a return to a dogmatic, authoritarian version of truth which dissident physicist Eric Weinstein complains has (in the West) also destroyed true science – ignoring and silencing its most important dissident voices, whilst amply rewarding Science’s frauds.

Ce discours dérangé que Bibi Netanyahou a prononcé devant une session conjointe du Congrès le mois dernier : Je n’arrive pas à le chasser de mon esprit. Cela n’a rien changé – ni le Premier ministre israélien ni ses hôtes ne semblent vouloir ou avoir l’intention de changer quoi que ce soit dans les relations américano-israéliennes. Ainsi, il n’y a pas grand-chose à dire sur cette heure bizarre que le premier terroriste du monde – oui, pensez-y et dites-moi que je me trompe – a passée à la tribune, sous la rotonde du Capitole. Mais le discours a clarifié certaines choses, et puis il a soulevé une question importante. Voyons ce qu’il en est.

For many years now, Hezbollah has served as a major instrument of Iran to take over Lebanon, not only as a territory but as a sovereign state. Many Western countries would like to avoid that and invest in the former “Pearl of the Middle East”, led by France. These efforts are futile in view of the Iranian circumvention apparatus, who’s main mechanism is allocated in the border crossings between Syria and Lebanon. No matter how much pressure is put on a state level, Hezbollah will survive and even prosper, as long as one does not put an end to Hezbollah’s control over these main smuggling routes.

Bottom Line Up Front

• Iran and its allies in the “Axis of Resistance” likely perceive recent Israeli attacks as an escalation designed to provoke a broader regional confrontation on Israel’s terms.
• Iran is likely to launch missiles and armed drones at Israel, aiming to cause extensive damage, in contrast to its April barrage that was mostly intercepted.
• Iran’s most potent partner, Lebanese Hezbollah, is likely to join any attack in force as a response not only to the Haniyeh killing but also to retaliate for Israel’s Beirut strike last week that killed a top commander, Fuad Shukr.
• U.S. officials are building up forces in the region to signal to Iran that a major attack on Israel risks bringing Iran into an unwanted conflict with the United States, something Tehran also hopes to avoid.

Today’s news round on Syria covers critical developments shaping the region’s complex landscape. The Pentagon is reinvestigating claims of civilian casualties during its 2019 raid targeting ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, prompted by new accounts and congressional pressure. In eastern Syria, pro-government fighters, backed by Iran, launched attacks on U.S.-supported positions, resulting in fatalities and escalating tensions in Deir el-Zour. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Council’s report by JP Reppeto examines the possibility of delinking northeast Syria from the PKK, a significant point of contention between the U.S. and Turkey, as both nations seek to address the deep-rooted PKK influence while maintaining regional stability and combating ISIS.