Middle east news

Iranian protests create a short window for change - opinion

As Iran’s regime escalates repression, the 2026 uprising exposes the limits of containment and opens an opportunity for decisive change.

US President Donald Trump seen in the Oval Office in the White House in Washington, DC, US, January 14, 2026
‘JAVID SHAH’ (Long Live the Shah) has become the slogan of the ongoing Iranian protests. Here, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah of Iran, sits during an interview in Paris in June, after the Israel-Iran war.

Iranians trust Reza Pahlavi more than the regime’s 'moderates' - opinion

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa in the White House, Washington, DC, November 10, 2025

Why Washington shifts from Syria’s Kurds to Sharaa - opinion

Demonstrators gather outside the Iranian embassy during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in London, Britain, January 11, 2026

Iranian feminists understood the revolution better than Europe’s intellectuals - opinion


Iran-Russia cooperation reaches new levels - analysis

Russia is now focused on the region of the Middle East. Iran is backing proxies to attack Israel.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand

Airstrikes conducted across smuggling routes in Syria's Homs province, IDF confirms

The military confirmed Monday evening that IAF pilots conducted a series of strikes along the Syria-Lebanon border

 Smoke rises from Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeast city of Qamishli, Syria October 5, 2023.

UAE arrests three suspects in killing of Israeli-Moldovan rabbi

The body of Rabbi Zvi Kogan is expected to be brought back to Israel on Monday.

 Dubai police deploys emergency response drones to boost security

Why did Israel's new foreign minister embrace the Kurdish people? - analysis

Israel has long enjoyed positive relations with Kurdish people in the Middle East. It is part of a partnership between Jews and Kurds and also shared interests in the region 

IRAQI KURDS people celebrate Nowruz Day last month, a festival marking the first day of spring and the new year, in the town of Akra.

Iran’s invisible empire: Khamenei’s global network, jihad, and the hope for Iranian democracy

How can Khamenei's "shadow empire" deteriorate?

  Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameini seen over an AI image of the Iranian octopus (illustrative)

Between proxies and a new attack on Israel: Iran’s dilemma - analysis

Iran operates via proxies in several countries and territories, including Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Gaza Strip.

 THE FLAGS (from right) of Iran, Hezbollah, and Lebanon are on display in Tehran. The Lebanese people should not allow Iran to build a Shi’ite crescent from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea; they should stop suffering for the sake of Hezbollah, the writer urges.

Saudi Arabia must decide if a relationship with Israel is worth its while - editorial

MBS, the young and forward-looking Saudi prince, is known to be less patient than many of his older predecessors in Saudi diplomacy with the Palestinians.

 US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia June 7, 2023

A month into war, Lebanon operation takes toll - analysis

The challenge in southern Lebanon is that while Hezbollah has suffered blows to its command and control, the group appears to be clinging on and it is capable of continued deadly operations.

 Smoke billows after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Tyre, southern Lebanon, October 23, 2024.

Israel's war is about religion, and it's headed to the West next- opinion

The West must understand: This is a religious war, not a territorial war, and it is on its way to you

 Blood of murdered and kidnapped victims and disgrace on Tinder of Hamas terrorists on October 7. Israeli citizens deserve to hear the truth from a leader who can also stand behind it.

A new Middle East is still far off – opinion

Israel will have to live by its sword for many long years ahead.

Saddam Hussein is filmed in footage released after his capture in 2003. Even the decisive American victory over the Iraqi leader did little to alter the domestic or international politics of the Middle East, the writer notes.