Search results

Leadership losses will weaken ISG in Iraq, Syria

Location:

SYRIA/IRAQ

The elimination of top- and mid-level cadres in US-led coalition airstrikes comes at a time when the group is also suffering serious battlefield losses. The strikes raise…

Haqqani guerrillas may divorce from Afghan Taliban

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

Moves to marginalise the Haqqani group indicate that it is losing the support of external sponsors Saudi Arabia and, to an extent, Pakistan.

Iran and Turkey will compartmentalise relations

Location:

IRAN/TURKEY

As the new US administration seeks to re-engage with Iran, both Washington and Ankara have launched negotiations with Tehran's enemy Saudi Arabia. Iran and Turkey have major…

UAE will pursue foreign activism despite rising risks

Location:

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

UAE forces were vital to the coalition's taking of Aden and southern Yemen from Huthi control in July. The UAE's strong military commitment to the Saudi-led drive to roll back the…

Afghan Taliban’s multiple faces reduce scope for peace

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

The militants' losses demonstrate their resilience rather than weakness. Kabul is trying to restart talks with the Taliban and assert ownership of the process. Whether the Taliban…

Kuwait faces rising threat from Islamic State group

Location:

KUWAIT

The June 26 suicide attack inside the Imam al-Sadiq Mosque killed 27 people and was Kuwait's worst terrorist attack in over three decades. The attack, claimed by Islamic State…

Huthi crisis will weaken central government in Yemen

Location:

YEMEN

The situation in Yemen has deteriorated rapidly after January's takeover of central government by the northern rebel group Ansar Allah, also known as the Huthi movement, and the…

Syria's Kurds may be forced to align with Damascus

Location:

SYRIA

This follows President Donald Trump's surprise decision to withdraw troops from Syria, where Washington has been supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in…

Iraqi measures to rein in militias will be cosmetic

Location:

IRAQ

Meanwhile, concern is growing that Israel is mounting regular airstrikes on Iran-backed militia bases inside Iraq. The conflict against Islamic State (IS) led to the emergence of…

Turkey may narrow its aims in protecting Syria’s Idlib

Location:

SYRIA

On August 30, Moscow announced a unilateral ceasefire, pausing a Russian-backed offensive that has been ongoing since late April, during which time over 1,000 civilians have been…