Iran

Much is made of links between Beijing and Tehran, but the true extent of their relations is more limited. Where there are alternatives, China takes them, with one eye on the US.

Against the backdrop of geopolitical realignments, the burgeoning partnership between Iran and Pakistan can potentially recalibrate the balance of power in South Asia and beyond.

It remains to be seen if, going forward, Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Syria or Lebanon—or against the PMF in Iraq—will elicit a direct Iranian response. Time will tell.

The two sides are making careful calculations—at least for now—but the conflict is changing, as are the political dynamics at work in dangerous times

The US and French withdrawal from the Sahel lets the Russians, Chinese, and Iranians in. Tehran, in particular, will be keen to buy Niger's uranium, despite this being a red line for Washington.

The two countries have a long history of online offensives against each other, which may come into play

Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran in a development that pushes the region closer to all-out conflict

Ultra-religious hardliners are gaining power and yearn for confrontation

From the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus to Iran's retaliation on Israel, the Syrian leader has been acting strangely normal. Al Majalla gives a breakdown of the past two weeks.

While this marked the first time Iran directly struck Israel, the weak showing of these drone strikes demonstrates Tehran's clear desire to avoid getting sucked into a direct conflict