What are the consequences of Russia pulling out of Syria, for Iran?

March 2016

How was this decision made by Russia? Is it a strategically important decision or a mere modus vivendi? The reason we raise these questions is that Russia has announced it will maintain its two air and naval bases in Syria. By keeping its boots in the Middle East bases does Russia intend to continue its operations in Syria?

Iran terrified of Middle East developments

March 2016

As senior Iranian regime officials continue to complain about the Lebanese Hezbollah blacklisting, recent developments across the Middle East have placed Tehran before even further dilemmas. As mullah Ahmad Khatami, an ultraconservative figure very close to supreme leader Ali Khamenei, continued to moan for Hezbollah, various meetings were taking place between European leaders and Russia in France.

Arms smuggling by Iran IRGC Quds Force for Houthis in Yemen

 March 2016

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said a ship carrying arms from Iran for the Houthis was recently confiscated, adding Tehran continues to support the Shiite rebels in Yemen. On the other hand Arab coalition forces in Yemen are attempting to stop and neutralize such arms smuggling from Iran to Yemen.

Iran’s demands from the Iraqi government

February 2016

Following the nuclear agreement sealed with the West the Iranian regime is in desperate need of international and regional support. Iran’s influence in Iraq has diminished significantly. In all their meetings with senior Iraqi officials the Iranian counterparts are seen focusing on three main issues: Iran is facing major economic problems and the lowering price of oil – led by Saudi Arabia – has placed severe repercussions on the regime’s economy. Therefore, Tehran is asking Baghdad to trek in line with Iran in their policy making decisions in OPEC. On foreign policy senior Iranian officials have time and again called on Iraqi officials to severe their relations with Saudi Arabia and downgrade their ties with the U.S. and other Arabic countries. Iraq’s positive response to two resolutions condemning Iran in the Cairo and Jeddah sessions was unexpected.

Iran terrified of Lebanese Hezbollah being blacklisted

March 2016

Why has Iran become terrified of the Lebanese Hezbollah being blacklisted as a terrorist organization? Even a quick glance at the reactions and remarks made by senior Iranian regime officials can provide us an answer to the political and military definition of this blacklisting.

Latest status of Shiite militias in Iraq

March 1, 2016

As the Popular Mobilization Force (PMF) was set aside from all ground assaults launched to liberate Ramadi from the control of Daesh (the Arabic acronym of the self-proclaimed Islamic State), and preventing the PMF’s participation in any operations planned for Mosul, the issue of dissolving or merging the PMF into the Ministry of Defense has gained more serious proportions. With 3 Americans begin abducted in Baghdad, Washington began increasing its pressures on Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to further limit the PMF and Shiite militias. All efforts placed by the Iranian regime and senior PMF officials to maintain this entity have remained futile. Tehran uses the PMF as a lever of pressure against al-Abadi, yet the Iraqi PM, enjoying support from Washington, is further pursuing the policy of restricting the PMF.

Iran’s demands from the Iraqi government

February 2016

Following the nuclear agreement sealed with the West the Iranian regime is in desperate need of international and regional support. Iran’s influence in Iraq has diminished significantly. In all their meetings with senior Iraqi officials the Iranian counterparts are seen focusing on three main issues: Iran is facing major economic problems and the lowering price of oil – led by Saudi Arabia – has placed severe repercussions on the regime’s economy. Therefore, Tehran is asking Baghdad to trek in line with Iran in their policy making decisions in OPEC. On foreign policy senior Iranian officials have time and again called on Iraqi officials to severe their relations with Saudi Arabia and downgrade their ties with the U.S. and other Arabic countries. Iraq’s positive response to two resolutions condemning Iran in the Cairo and Jeddah sessions was unexpected.