Tag: Middle East & Central Asia
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Washington Prepares to Withdraw Forces from Syria
The United States is preparing to end its relatively quiet but long-running military presence in Syria, with officials confirming plans to withdraw the roughly 1,000 American troops still stationed in the country. U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal that all remaining forces will be pulled out over the next two months, bringing to…
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PKK Begins Symbolic Disarmament in Iraq, Marking New Phase in Turkey Peace Process
In a symbolic ceremony held Friday in northern Iraq, fighters from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) began the group’s long-promised disarmament, marking the most concrete step yet in a renewed peace process aimed at ending four decades of violent insurgency in Turkey. The event, which took place in the mountains…
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Trump Declares End to Iran-Israel Conflict; Iran Calls for Mutual Halt
On the evening of June 23, the U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran would be fully in effect by June 25, calling the recent escalation the “12 Day War.” The declaration was intended to signal the end of a brief but intense conflict that…
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Iran Strikes U.S. Base in Qatar amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict
[This news, published on June 24, was updated on June 30] On the evening of June 23, 2025, Iran launched a missile attack on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in direct retaliation for U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities the day before. The barrage, officially codenamed Operation Glad…
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U.S. Launches Major Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites
[This news, published on June 23, was updated on June 26] On June 22, 2025, the United States launched its first offensive operation in the Iran-Israel war, targeting three major Iranian nuclear facilities. Codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, the coordinated attack involved the U.S. Air Force and Navy striking the Fordow…
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War Erupts between Iran and Israel in Unprecedented Military Escalation
[This news, published on June 14, was updated on June 21] On June 13, 2025, a direct and large-scale military confrontation broke out between Iran and Israel, marking an unprecedented escalation in a decades-long rivalry. The conflict was triggered by Israel’s surprise military initiative, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, which targeted…
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Germany Warns Turkey against Attacking Kurds in Syria, Citing Broader Security Risks
Germany has issued a strong warning to Turkey regarding the potential consequences of targeting Kurdish forces in Syria amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that such actions could destabilize the region and empower extremist groups, particularly the so-called Islamic State (IS). Speaking on Germany’s Deutschlandfunk public…
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Syria’s First Major Diplomatic Engagements Following Leadership Change
Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has initiated a series of high-profile diplomatic meetings aimed at fostering regional cooperation and advancing reconstruction efforts following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month. These developments signal a major shift in Syria’s regional and international relations, with several Arab and neighboring nations expressing…
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High-Stakes Battle for Influence in a Post-Assad Middle East
[Ali Mohammed Al-Jaber, Shongjog columnist] The recent Op-Ed article published in the Oped Column Syndication provides a compelling analysis of the complex geopolitical dynamics following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. This commentary aims to very briefly discuss the points that risk analyst and columnist Bahauddin Foizee, author of…
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Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Flees to Moscow
In a dramatic turn of events, ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, seeking refuge in Russia hours after a stunning rebel advance that saw Syrian insurgents seize control of the capital, Damascus, and bring an end to the Assad family’s 50-year rule over the country. Russian…
