Tensions will simmer even as they step back from full-blown war

Al Majalla travelled to Afrin to speak to a Syrian commander accused of human rights abuses and confiscating property, to hear his side of the story

Exaggerated claims of military success—amplified by the two countries' media—could help each side save face

The Yemeni militant group is proving to be a stubborn adversary, and Trump doesn't want anything to detract from his visit to the Gulf next week, where he plans to make a 'big' announcement

A kleptocracy with frozen politics and billions missing from the public treasury, the situation couldn't be worse. Trump could apply pressure to help matters, but it's not his top priority.

The new leadership in Damascus has carefully considered the list of American demands required of it to lift sanctions and has taken adequate steps to address them

Israel wants the total dismantlement and scrapping of all Iranian nuclear facilities, just like in Libya two decades ago. That is unrealistic for several reasons.

Can the two bitter enemies control a new cycle of escalation?

Al Majalla outlines the possible ramifications of either outcome for Iran and the broader region

Trump's approach to Iran is high risk, high reward