From Iraq to Syria and Lebanon to Yemen, Iran-backed militias have expanded their power and influence. However, regional escalation following the 7 October attack on Israel is testing their limits.
Friday's drone attack on one of Iraq's largest gas fields has led to a temporary suspension of production, resulting in major power cuts across the country's northern Kurdistan region.
Tehran hit out at groups in Kurdistan and Syria, but its attack on Pakistan raised the most eyebrows, not least because it was met with a military response. What's going on? Lots, say analysts.
Iran is moving its proxy pieces around on the Middle East chessboard to pressure a ceasefire in Gaza while Israel tries to drag the US into a regional war
Iraq and Iran both commemorated the third anniversary of the assassination of Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as the year kicked off with new assassinations and recriminations.
Palestinian death is increasingly being seen through the lens of cold political calculations. The world's silence over Gaza's horrors has drowned out the desperate screams of its people.
Although Tehran should understand by now that its hand is weak, it remains to be seen whether it can give up its fantasy of empire. Talks in Oman will be telling.
In Türkiye for talks and a conference, Syria's new president knows that there is much to do and many to satisfy if he is to rebuild his country. Amidst the smiles, those with agendas jostle.
With numbers so staggering and stories so harrowing, we can't say we don't know what's happening. More needs to be done to address what has become 'the world's largest displacement crisis'.