Middle East

Iran’s export of drones to Russia will lead to more proliferation and threaten US partners

By Seth J. Frantzman

Russia’s increasing use of Iranian drones in the war in Ukraine has spotlighted the danger that Iran’s drones pose globally and regionally.

Global Sanctions Dashboard: What’s coming in 2023?

By Charles Lichfield, Maia Nikoladze, and Castellum.AI

In this edition of the Global Sanctions Dashboard, we walk you through the Fall sanctions against Russia and Iran, explain the implications of US semiconductor export controls against China, and show you the projected sanctions trends in 2023.

The UAE just received twenty drones from Turkey. What’s the backstory?

By Ali Bakir

On September 21, Turkey reportedly delivered twenty of its Bayraktars to the UAE. A senior Turkish official confirmed that his country had delivered some drones and that Abu Dhabi was indeed seeking more.

KRI positioned in prominent role in global gas markets

By Ahmed Tabaqchali

A new report, The Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Gas-Export Potential: Deja Vu All Over Again, authored by Atlantic Council senior fellow Ahmed Tabaqchali, considers the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s (KRI) proven and probable gas reserves having the potential to nearly triple production by 2030 and more than sextuple by 2040.

A moment of opportunity: Can the UN’s new special representative for Libya break the country’s cycle of devolution?

By Emadeddin Badi

After two months into the job, Abdoulaye Bathily may be quickly realizing that Libya’s war never abated, and that it is now simply fought by other means in the halls of the United Nations and corridors of foreign capitals.

How a former al-Qaeda affiliate became an existential threat and a wake-up call for the Syrian opposition

By Ömer Özkizilcik

The entry and forced withdrawal of Afrin city by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) shook local dynamics and may ultimately serve as a wake-up call for the Syrian opposition.

State of the Order: Assessing October 2022

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

Russian War Report: Ukrainians celebrate in Kherson as Russia evacuates the city

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

As Russian forces retreat from Kherson, Ukrainians celebrate online and in-person. While the overall status of the withdrawal remains in flux, today’s footage shows Russia is no longer in control of the central parts of Kherson. 

With an eye on Iran, Turkish-Israeli relations will deepen

By Pınar Dost

Driven by strong regional imperatives, Turkey-Israel relations are warming quickly. After a decade long rift, the two countries have many areas to benefit from cooperation.