Tag: Middle East Politics
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U.S. Strikes on Syria Underscore Scale of Challenge for Its President
The Latest Strikes and a Testing Moment for Damascus The late-week barrage of U.S. airstrikes across Syria marks a pivotal moment for President Ahmed al-Sharaa as he navigates the turbulent terrain of sovereignty, foreign influence, and a nascent effort to stabilize a country riven by years of conflict. While Washington framed the strikes as targeted…
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US Strikes in Syria Test President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Resolve
Context: Why the Strikes Matter The late Friday barrage of U.S. airstrikes across Syria signals a marked moment in the factional and geopolitical turmoil gripping the country. For President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the strikes underscore not only the military dimensions of the conflict but also the political test of leadership as he attempts to reinforce control,…
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Netanyahu and Trump’s Iran Planning: A Preemptive Strike Strategy and Deception Campaign
Overview: Early Planning for Iran Strike Surface Reports indicate that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump began discussing a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear program after their first meeting in February. According to a detailed Washington Post investigation, the two leaders reportedly pursued a strategic option against Iran years before any…
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Delegitimization in Action: Turkey’s Diplomatic, Judicial and Public Diplomacy Campaign Against Israel
Overview: A Multifaceted Campaign Emerges In the wake of Hamas’ large-scale attack on Israel on 7 October, Turkey’s response has rapidly evolved from political rhetoric to a coordinated, multi-pronged effort aimed at delegitimizing Israel on several fronts. This approach intersects diplomacy, law, and public messaging, reflecting a broader pivot in Turkish foreign policy as regional…
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Iran Warns of Foreign Plans to Target Supreme Leader Khamenei Amid Stability Concerns
Overview: Iran Voices Alarm Over Possible Attacks on the Supreme Leader Iran’s intelligence ministry has issued a warning about potential plots by foreign adversaries, including the United States and Israel, to target Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The intelligence-led warning, reported by the ISNA news agency, signals Tehran’s concern that external actors may seek to…
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Iran Warns of Foreign Plots to Target Supreme Leader Khamenei and Destabilize the Country
Overview: Tehran’s Warning and Its Stakes Iran’s intelligence ministry has issued a warning that foreign adversaries, notably the United States and Israel, are attempting to target Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in hopes of destabilising the Islamic Republic. The disclosure, reported by the semi-official ISNA news agency, underscores Tehran’s enduring concern about external interference at…
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Trump and MBS: A Bond Built on Controversy and Contempt
Introduction: A controversial alliance takes shape From the moment Donald Trump entered the U.S. presidency, the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia entered a new phase marked by personal chemistry, strategic calculations, and public controversy. Central to this narrative is the bond between former President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman…
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“Very Painful”: U.S.-Saudi F-35 Deal Heads to Finalization Amid MBS Visit Controversy
Overview: A Controversial Closure to a High-Stakes Deal As President Donald Trump prepares a lavish White House greeting for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the United States and Saudi Arabia edge closer to finalizing a long-discussed F-35 fighter jet deal. The agreement, expected to bolster bilateral defense cooperation, sits at the intersection of strategic ambitions…
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Abbas’s Dwindling Influence: The Palestinian Authority Leader’s Struggle for a Role in Gaza’s Postwar Landscape
Background: A president with shrinking reach Mahmoud Abbas, the longtime president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), marked nearly a lifetime in power as he approached his 90th birthday. Once seen as a negotiator who could at least nominally unify competing Palestinian factions, Abbas now presides over narrow administrative enclaves in the West Bank while watching…
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Iraq Sees 55% Voter Turnout in Historic Parliamentary Elections
Overview: Record-High Turnout in Iraq’s Parliamentary Elections Iraq reported a voter turnout of more than 55 percent in the parliamentary elections, according to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC). This milestone marks a notable level of citizen engagement in a country with a long history of political volatility and intermittent crises. The results, based on…