War in the Middle East

Iran, Iraq Join Syria in Warning Rebel Advance Threatens Whole Region
Iran, Iraq Join Syria in Warning Rebel Advance Threatens Whole Region

Iran and Iraq issued a joint statement with Syria on Friday warning that sweeping rebel gains at the expense of President Bashar al-Assad's forces posed a danger to the whole region. "Threats against Syria's security constitute a danger for the stability of the region," said the statement issued after a meeting of the three countries' foreign ...

Syria's Jolani: From Jihadist to Pragmatist
Syria's Jolani: From Jihadist to Pragmatist

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the Islamist rebel alliance that has captured swathes of Syria in a lightning offensive, is an extremist who has adopted a more moderate posture to try to achieve his goals. At the head of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in Syria's branch of Al-Qaeda, Jolani says the goal of his offensive is to ...

Unholy Alliance: The Dark Forces of Iran and Russia Undermining the Middle East
AnalysisUnholy Alliance: The Dark Forces of Iran and Russia Undermining the Middle East

The relationship between Russia and Iran has always piqued interest, often characterized as a unique alliance shaped by the complex geopolitics of the Middle East. This partnership has been notably reinforced through their mutual support for the Assad regime in Syria, enabling both nations to strengthen their military and economic connections. ...

Statue of Former Syrian President Toppled in Hama Amid Cheering Crowd
Statue of Former Syrian President Toppled in Hama Amid Cheering Crowd

The image is particularly symbolic: A statue of former President Hafez al-Assad, the father of Syria's current ruler Bashar, was toppled in Hama after Islamist-led rebels overran the country's fourth-largest city, a video authenticated by AFP showed. A machine's long mechanical arm tipped the towering statue over to cheers and cries of "Allahu ...

Syria: Despite Assad's Appeal, Russian and Iranian Support Remains Shy
Syria: Despite Assad's Appeal, Russian and Iranian Support Remains Shy

As Islamist rebel forces from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) approach the city of Homs, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad desperately needs the help of his Russian and Iranian allies. However, Moscow and Tehran's military resources are already stretched thin due to the war in Ukraine and numerous conflicts in the Middle East. According to experts ...

Gaza Civil Defense Says 29 Dead in Israeli Strikes Around Key Hospital
Gaza Civil Defense Says 29 Dead in Israeli Strikes Around Key Hospital

Gaza's civil defense agency said 29 people were killed on Friday by Israeli strikes around a major hospital in the northern city of Beit Lahia. Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of northern Gaza's last functioning health centers, was hit by several strikes in the morning, the agency and the hospital director said. "There was a series of air strikes on ...

Syria HTS Leader Says Goal is to Overthrow Assad
Syria HTS Leader Says Goal is to Overthrow Assad

Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on Friday. "When we talk about objectives, the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal," Abu ...

In Baalbeck, Protecting Roman Temples at All Costs
VideosIn Baalbeck, Protecting Roman Temples at All Costs

The governor of Baalbeck-Hermel, Bashir Khodr, answers our questions about the protection of historic sites in wartime, after an Israeli strike hit the outskirts of the ancient city of Baalbeck in early November.

Our Issue with Hezbollah and Its Finances
AnalysisOur Issue with Hezbollah and Its Finances

There is much to address regarding our frustration with Hezbollah and its economic and financial conduct. This frustration reached a peak yesterday with the remarks of its Deputy Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, as he outlined how aid is being distributed: a thousand dollars here, a hundred there—some for those affected in the South, and some for ...

Syria: UN Chief Decries 'Collective Failure' as Turkey Urges Political Solution to Conflict
Syria: UN Chief Decries 'Collective Failure' as Turkey Urges Political Solution to Conflict

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Thursday that the escalating conflict in Syria is the result of a "chronic collective failure" of diplomacy, as he called for an end to fighting. After being dormant for years, the Syrian civil war exploded back into life last week as Islamist-led rebels launched an offensive against the forces of ...

Before vs. Now…
Before vs. Now…

Before, the people of southern Lebanon lived peacefully in their homes. Now, some sixty villages lie destroyed and out of reach. Before, negotiations with Israel centered on 13 disputed points along the border. Today, it is uncertain whether Lebanon will regain any of its territory. Before, sectarian tensions were kept in check. Today, the ...

Iraqi Cleric Sadr, Rebel Leader Jolani Call for Iraq's Non-Intervention in Syria
Iraqi Cleric Sadr, Rebel Leader Jolani Call for Iraq's Non-Intervention in Syria

Influential Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr urged his country Thursday to stay out of the fighting in neighbouring Syria triggered by a lightning rebel offensive launched last week. Sadr stressed in a post on X the "necessity of Iraq's government, people, parties, militias, and security forces not getting involved in the Syrian issue," urging ...