The Coordination Framework, Iraq’s ruling bloc of Shiite political parties, has announced that its members will run on separate lists in Iraq’s November 2025 election and reform the alliance following the vote. Elements of the bloc have disagreed strongly over key issues since the current government’s formation in 2022. Read more →
Security forces of the new Syrian transitional government in Damascus detained two Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members, according to various media reports. The two arrested PIJ members are Khaled Khaled, who is in charge of the group’s operations in Syria, and Yasser al Zafari, who is described as heading PIJ’s organizational committee. Saraya al Quds, the military wing of PIJ, called for the men to be released. Read more →
Abdullah Haji Zada, an 18-year-old legal permanent resident living in Oklahoma, pled guilty to conspiring to receive firearms intended for an election-day terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State. Six other individuals have been detained for their connection to the Islamic State since Zada’s arrest, underscoring a persistent threat to the US. Read more →
Israel’s efforts against Hamas have included severing the Islamist organization’s funding lifelines in addition to sustained military pressure. A recent report indicates that Hezbollah is showing financial strain. Read more →
An Iranian delegation led by the regime’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics attended the 13th International Defense Exhibition (IQDEX) in Baghdad on April 20, showcasing Iran’s latest drones, missiles, and anti-air defense systems. The attendance reflects a pattern of Iran positioning itself as a regional arms exporter and military patron. Read more →
Israel continued operations in Lebanon between April 14 and April 20, 2025. This week witnessed an uptick in Israeli strikes against Hezbollah, including several assassinations of the group's operatives and commanders. Read more →
One IDF soldier was killed and three soldiers wounded in northern Gaza, the IDF said on April 19. Israeli forces in northern and southern Gaza continue to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a hostage deal and demanded an end to the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would not “surrender” to Hamas as part of a new hostage deal. Read more →
Israel killed Hezbollah Unit 4400’s new deputy commander, Hussain Ali Nasr. The Israel Defense Forces alleged that Iran and Unit 4400 continue to oversee weapons smuggling to Hezbollah, including through Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport. Read more →
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered his first speech thoroughly addressing Hezbollah’s vision for a national defense strategy. He said the group was ready for a dialogue, which remained premature, but would refuse to disarm even after a strategy is set. Read more →
From 2015 to 2025, Tehran-Riyadh ties shifted from confrontation to cautious engagement. Prince Khalid bin Salman's visit to Tehran marks a historic step in de-escalation amid rising regional tensions. Riyadh appears intent on avoiding entanglement in a broader conflict between Iran and the West. Read more →
Bill, Behnam, and Janatan dive into the high-stakes complexities of U.S.-Iran relations, unpacking President Trump’s dual-track approach of military readiness and diplomatic outreach to the Islamic Republic. They discuss Iran’s internal reactions to U.S. policy shifts, Saudi Arabia’s cautious recalibration toward Tehran, and intensifying military pressure on the Houthis. Read more →
Reports are emerging across Yemeni and global media of an impending ground offensive against the Houthis by a conglomeration of anti-Houthi forces. These potential plans center on the west coast of Yemen, an economic center for the terrorist group. Read more →
Sabereen News, a media outlet affiliated with Iran-backed militias in Iraq, released an exposé on Syrian interim President Ahmad al Sharaa that includes documents revealing his identity during his time as a prisoner in US and Iraqi custody. Read more →
US troops stationed at Tanf Garrison in southern Syria continue to train and support the Syrian Free Army (SFA). As reports emerge that US forces could redeploy from parts of Syria while the Syrian government expands its control, the future of the Tanf Garrison is unclear. The US-backed SFA works with the new Syrian authorities and conducts de-mining and other security operations. Read more →
Bill, David, and Ahmad deep dive into the volatile politics of the Middle East, from Jelani’s controversial role in Syria to sectarian tensions in Iraq and Hezbollah under pressure, the balance of power across the region is fragile. Read more →