The Biden administration wasted very little time in setting a course correction in the United States role in the Yemen conflict. Citing humanitarian issues (as well as other concerns) it has decided to eliminate support for offensive operations provided to […]
The Iranian regime maintains a network of proxies including Lebanese Hezbollah, various Shiite militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, and foreign fighters in Syria. This paper by the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) provides a look at the problem […]
A report to Congress by the Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve has been published online. The 136-page PDF covers the period of April 1 to June 30, 2020. The publication summarizes the quarter’s key events in the fight […]
The Lead Inspector General Report to the United States Congress on Operation Inherent Resolve that covers January to March 2020 has been published. This 134-page report provides a detailed summary of the conflict in Iraq and Syria. The report is […]
The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General has posted the quarterly report to Congress on OIR. The report covers the period of April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. The report is entitled Lead Inspector General for Operation Inherent […]
ME Update 20171022 – Russia helping the Kurds, Iranian proxies gain ground in northern Iraq, Syrian Kurds advance into oil fields, stabilizing Mosul, Raqqa and governance, Iranian influence in Yemen, Salafism in Gaza, British jihadists, and more. Iraq Iranian Proxies Advancing […]
Middle East Update – ISIS downfall in Iraq and Syria, Iranian influence grows, Kurds lose out, easy victory for Baghdad, Raqqa cleared of ISIS (almost), Iraqi elections coming soon, and more. Hawija Offensive. The last urban stronghold of the Islamic […]
The Raqqa Internal Security Force (RISF) is a militia organization vetted by local leaders of the Raqqa, Syria community. The Raqqa Internal Security Force will be made up by local fighters that reflect the ethnic makeup of the city of […]
The Fight Continues – Phase II. After a two-week lull in the action in the waning days of December the Iraqi military and its allies (Kurdish Peshmerga, Iran proxy militias, etc.) have re-started the campaign to re-capture Mosul. Phase II […]
Syria Update 20160103 – The conflict in Syria goes on. The host of combatants (internationals, proxy forces, militias, jihadists, terrorists) in the country is beyond comprehension at times. The multitude of international players involved – whether directly through combat or […]
The recent fall of Aleppo to Syrian government forces signals a new turn of events for the long, confusing, and complex conflict. Read some recent news articles, analysis, maps, and commentary about the fall of Aleppo and the future of […]
Middle East News Update – Obama’s Syrian legacy, seige of Aleppo, using hybrid warfare against Russia, research into Arab politics, U.S. support to Kurds could be better, and more. Obama’s Syrian Legacy. A former NATO supreme allied commander – retired […]
The newly-established Target Fusion Cell (TFC) works within the Combined Force Air Component Command (CFACC) in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR). The Target Fusion Cell is “. . . an integrated cell of intelligence analysts, targeting experts and intelligence, surveillance […]
Australia faces a decision point. With the impending defeat of the Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq there may be a push to declare “Mission Accomplished” and withdraw Australia’s support and commitment in fighting ISIS in the Middle East. However, some […]
An independent Kurdistan will have significant implications for the future of the Middle East. The biggest stakeholders are the countries of Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. All three nations have a significant Kurdish population that is settled in large portions of […]
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