Middle East & North Africa
Lebanon’s Hezbollah Announces Naim Qassem as New Leader
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah recently announced the election of 71-year-old Naim Qassem — Hezbollah’s long-time deputy secretary general — as the group’s new chief leader last week.
Leaked Documents Reveal Israel's Intentions for Retaliation Against Iran Amid Rising Tensions
US investigators are inspecting how a pair of highly classified intelligence documents leaked online. The two documents that surfaced on the messaging platform Telegram last Friday purportedly detail a US assessment of Israel's plans to strike Iran.
Growing Conflict Across the Middle East Causes Global Uncertainty in Oil Markets
Speculation of attacks on Iranian oil supplies have caused global oil prices to spike. Fears of disrupted supply have led to sharp price fluctuations, raising concerns of a direct impact on supply and consumer prices.
Getting Warmer... Iran and Israel Tensions Inch Closer to Hot Attacks
Tensions between Israel and Iran finally reached a tipping point on Tuesday Oct. 1, when the latter initiated a missile attack into Israeli territory. There has only been one confirmed death and a handful of minor injuries reported.
Israel Assassinates Hezbollah Leader, Iran Responds — Conflict Spreads
Tensions have skyrocketed after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike last week. Hezbollah and its allies vow retaliation, raising fears of a wider conflict as sides exchange strikes, threatening regional stability.
Houthi Strikes on Israel: Iran's Role in Regional Escalation
Iran is claimed to be negotiating with Russia to supply Yemen’s Houthi rebels with anti-ship missiles, enabling continued attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel, escalating tensions in the region.
Iran Vows Revenge Against Israel After Embassy strike, Regional Tensions Reach Catastrophic Levels
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran promised revenge against Israel on Tuesday after an apparent Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy complex in the Syrian capital of Damascus. The attack killed 13 people, including General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a top commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
US Airstrikes Target Iranian-Backed Groups in Syria
On Nov. 12, the United States carried out two airstrikes in Syria, targeting a training facility near the city of Albu Kamal and a safe house near the city of Mayadeen. The US military said that the strikes were in retaliation for a series of over 50 rocket and drone attacks that left at least 56 US personnel with a “combination of traumatic brain injury and minor injuries.”
Sakharov Human Rights Prize Awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini
The European Parliament posthumously presented the Sakharov Human Rights Prize for Freedom of Thought to Jina Mahsa Amini. Her death stirred Iran into a new attempt at protesting the current repressive theocracy that enforced hijab wearing, among other restrictions for women.
Saudi Arabia Leads Landmark Diplomatic Efforts Between Syria, Iran, and Arab States
Saudi Arabia has pushed forward several diplomatic initiatives in recent weeks, signaling a wider effort to bring stability to the region and restore cooperation between various Arab states.
United States Sends Armed Submarine to the Middle East as Tensions with Tehran Escalate
The United States Navy announced that it has deployed a guided missile submarine, the USS Florida, to the Red Sea.
Iranian Navy Boat Attempts to Blind Two US Navy Vessels
Tensions are soaring between the United States and Iran after an Iranian patrol boat was caught attempting to blind US Navy ships.
Iranian Military Targets Kurdistan Population with Recent Attack in Iraq
Several Kurdish political parties were targeted in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region when Tehran launched rocket and drone attacks in Sulaimaniya and the region’s capital, Erbil.
Feminist Protests in Iran Ignite a Larger Movement Against the Regime
As demonstrations in Iran reach their fourth week, it is clear that this wave of unrest concerns more than just women’s rights. Protesters are not just demanding reform in Iran, but outright regime change from the current theocratic leadership.
Israel’s Efforts to Influence Negotiations on the Iran Nuclear Deal Reflect a Longer History of Opposition
As the Biden administration leads efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Israeli officials have once again expressed their concern that the deal will not be enough to halt Iran’s nuclear development.