Content

MENASource

Feb 26, 2021

Experts React: US airstrike in Syria targets Iran-backed militias

By Atlantic Council

On February 25, the US military carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria that targeted Iran-backed Shia militias. The move is the first military action under the Joe Biden Administration. The retaliatory strike comes after a rocket attack on February 15 near the Erbil Airport that killed a US military contractor and injured several, including a US service member. With nuclear negotiations on the horizon, what will this mean for the Biden administration’s ongoing effort to re-engage Iran?

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Qaddour joins The World to discuss the political and humanitarian implications of US airstrikes in Syria

Human Rights
Middle East

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Slavin quoted in Politico on Iran’s nuclear stockpile

Iran
Middle East

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Foreign Policy on US airstrikes in Syria

Conflict
Extremism
Forward Defense and Seizing the Advantage

Fast Thinking

Feb 26, 2021

FAST THINKING: Biden’s first bombing

By Atlantic Council

What does the strike signal about Joe Biden’s simultaneous efforts to re-engage Iran in talks to revive their nuclear deal? And what does it suggest about how the president will approach military action and the American presence in the Middle East?

Iran
Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Feb 25, 2021

Slavin quoted in CGTN on the U.S.-Iran nuclear stalemate

Iran
Middle East

UkraineAlert

Feb 25, 2021

Russia’s collective punishment of the Crimean Tatars is a war crime

By Wayne Jordash and Anna Mykytenko

As Ukraine seeks international justice over the Russian seizure and occupation of Crimea, Kyiv should consider holding the Kremlin to account for the collective punishment of the Crimean Tatars.

Conflict
Human Rights

In the News

Feb 25, 2021

Hasik quoted in the Mandarin on Australian government

By Atlantic Council

On February 18, FD NRSF James Hasik was quoted in a piece titled “Opinion: The triumph of the lobbies – Australia’s revolving door and democracy.” Hasik commented on the push by some Democratic leaders in the US Congress to limit connections between the defense industry and government, claiming it would stifle innovation in the Pentagon and lend itself to “miscommunication” between defence contractors and the government. “And whatever these two legislators’ indignation about occasional abuses, building barriers between suppliers and customers is frankly no way to do business”.

Australia
Defense Policy

SouthAsiaSource

Feb 25, 2021

Afghans’ views on the Doha peace process and the Biden administration’s review of the US-Taliban peace agreement

By Makhfi Azizi

Over the last two years, many experts in Afghanistan and the international community have increasingly viewed the 2020 US-Taliban peace deal to be largely skewed to advantage the Taliban. The Biden administration’s step to review the agreement has thus been welcomed by many. In this blog, five Afghans who have lived under the increased threats and violence of the past year share their perspectives.

Afghanistan
Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Feb 25, 2021

Ukrainians protest “political justice” over activist jailing

By Solomiia Bobrovska

The jailing of a high-profile Ukrainian activist has sparked protests over fears that his conviction represents politicized justice and a victory for pro-Kremlin forces within the Ukrainian establishment.

Civil Society
Conflict

Experts

Events