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SyriaSource

Feb 3, 2017

Al-Qaeda (Finally) Begins its Conflict with the Opposition

By Saleem al-Omar

Most opposition leaders in northern Syria understand that there is no escape from a conflict with al-Qaeda. The defining features of this new conflict have started to appear, and include a recent attack conducted by members of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS, formerly the al-Qaeda affiliated Nusra Front). The Jaysh al-Mujahidin—a moderate opposition group, despite its […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 3, 2017

Abdo in the Islamic Monthly: The Religious Root of Conflicts in the Middle East

By Geneive Abdo

Read full article here.

Middle East

IranSource

Feb 3, 2017

US-Iran Tensions Could Boost Hardline Presidential Candidates

By Adam Weinstein

This week a photo of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appeared on social media in front of the ruins of Persepolis. Ahmadinejad’s supporters quickly spread the photograph on Facebook and Twitter with election-like endorsements, even though his candidacy for another term as president has been tacitly barred by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran

In the News

Feb 3, 2017

Cohen Quoted by Lifezette on False Controversy Regarding Russian Sanctions

By Ariel Cohen

Read full article here.

Russia Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 3, 2017

Under Threat of Extinction, Opposition Groups Unite in Northwest Syria

By Ibrahim al-Assil

When a new round of peace talks kicked off between armed opposition groups and the Syrian regime on January 23rd, a different situation played out on the ground. The talks, which took place in Astana, Kazakhstan under the auspices of Turkey and Russia, were fraught with tension between the regime and opposition delegations. However, inside […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 3, 2017

Slavin Joins KCRW to Discuss US-Iran Relations

By Barbara Slavin

Listen to full interview here.

International Organizations Iran

MENASource

Feb 3, 2017

Rethinking Transitional Justice in Yemen

By Tarek Radwan

Six years ago today, the Yemeni people erupted in a Day of Rage against a corrupt regime to demand equal rights, but the transitional process faltered leading to the now nearly two-year-old conflict between Houthi rebels allied with former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and the government-in-exile led by President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi backed by Saudi […]

Yemen

SyriaSource

Feb 3, 2017

Can the Syrian regime expel Kurdish forces out of Aleppo?

By Haid Haid

Despite the recent success of the Syrian regime in capturing the opposition-held areas of eastern Aleppo, the regime does not completely control the city. Kurdish forces still control several neighbourhoods and reports indicate the attention of the regime shifted to these areas. Despite allegations about close coordination between Kurdish forces and the Syrian regime, days […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Feb 2, 2017

On Iran Deal, Trump Should Leave Good Enough Alone

By Barbara Slavin

Since his election, US President Donald Trump has taken steps that harm the Iranian people by suspending visas to the United States. Trump has also adopted harsh rhetoric toward the Iranian government over missile tests and attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. So far, however, he has not carried out a threat to dismantle the landmark […]

Iran

In the News

Feb 2, 2017

Farkas Joins MSNBC to Discuss President Trump’s Contacts with Russia and Saudi Arabia, and the National Security Council

By Evelyn Farkas

Watch full interview here.

National Security Russia

Experts