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  • militias

Armed men from the MSA, an armed political movement in Mali's Azawad region, gather in the desert outside Menaka on March 14, 2020. AFP

The Sahel's paramilitary problem

Armed groups are being formed in places like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where state militaries cannot defeat jihadists and separatists alone. Once formed, however, they seldom stay loyal.

Sergey Eledinov 16 September 2025
Iraqi Shiite fighters from the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) paramilitaries advance in a desert area near the village of Tall Abtah, southwest of Mosul, on November 28, 2016. AFP

The proliferation of militias requires a pan-regional strategy

Non-state actors have risen to political prominence at an alarming rate since the Arab Spring. Combatting these groups is vital to achieving regional security and stability. Our future depends on it.

Zaidoun Al-Zoubi 06 March 2024
The role of the state, society, and the individual has rarely been more in flux in the Middle East. The philosophical underpinning of their roles and relationships matters now more than ever. Sara Gironi Carnevale

Non-state actors and the dangerous webs they weave

The role of the state, society, and the individual has rarely been more in flux in the Middle East. The philosophical underpinning of their roles and relationships matters now more than ever.

Houssam Itani 11 February 2024
Across MENA, the proliferation of militias combines corruption, smuggling, looting, intimidation, and parasitism to swell their coffers at the expense of state treasuries. Mona Eing

The militia economy in the Middle East

Across MENA, the proliferation of militias combines corruption, smuggling, looting, intimidation, and parasitism to swell their coffers at the expense of state treasuries.

Khaled Kassar 09 February 2024
A Shiite fighter from the Hashed al Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) patrols in the village of Ayn Nasir, south of Mosul, on October 29, 2016. AFP

Rogue operators: An in-depth look at Iraq’s powerful militias

Armed groups have proliferated in the Iraqi security vacuum, in some cases supported by Iran. After three US soldiers were killed, the Americans have hit back. How will the militias react now?

Salam Zaidan 04 February 2024
The origins of this mafia class can be traced back to the power vacuum the US invasion of Iraq created in 2003. 20 years later its influence is pervasive and its presence ostentatious. AP/AFP/MAJALLA

The conspicuous rise of Iraq's mafia class

The origins of this mafia class can be traced back to the power vacuum the US invasion of Iraq created in 2003. 20 years later, its influence is pervasive and its presence aggravating.

Ayad Al-Anbar 13 August 2023
Iraqi Shiite fighters from the Nujaba armed group march during a military parade marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) International Day in Baghdad, on May 31, 2019. Getty Images

Iraq: A land riven by fighting and laced with militias

A look at the cause of security breakdown in Iraq, the armed groups that filled the void, and the sectarian tensions this has created

Manaf Saad 08 April 2023
A police motorcycle burns during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic republic's "morality police", in Tehran, Iran September 19, 2022. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Iranians Appear to Defy Warning from Powerful Guards with More Protests

Iranian students defied warnings from the feared Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia that nationwide protests must end by Sunday, prompting a fierce response from riot police and militia, videos…

30 October 2022
1-	Syrian government forces stand in Kobajjep some 40 kilometres west of Deir Ezzor after taking control of the town as they advance towards Deir Ezzor in the battle against Islamic State (IS) group jihadists on September 5, 2017. (Photo credit should read GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Iranian Militias May Try to Expand Further if There is any New Attack in Northern Syria

With Moscow preoccupied with the Ukrainian war and the withdrawal of some of its forces and senior military leaders from Syrian territory after an intervention that lasted for years and prevented the…

Jiwan Soz 01 July 2022
Mr. Taha Yassin Ramadan, First Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq

From Archive: Taha Yassin Ramadan to Majalla: Peace with Iran is Possible Under the Current Regime

Baghdad: In Iraq, they call him the "difficult man" and "the man of major missions," He is the author of political decision No. 2. He rarely laughs and is known for his deep understanding of Iraqi…

Nora Fakhoury 24 January 2022
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Nesma Moharam
Politics

Two years after October 7

06 October 2025

Al Majalla examines the repercussions of Hamas's attack on Israel, which set into motion a series of significant changes and power shifts in the Middle East

Al Majalla - London
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) visits the polling station where members of Syrian local committees have been casting their votes to select members of an interim parliament, in Damascus on October 5, 2025. LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
Politics

Cheers and jeers as Syria votes in first post-Assad parliament

06 October 2025

Only 4% of 119 members selected in the indirect vote were women, and only two Christians, sparking concerns about inclusivity and fairness. Meanwhile, voting was postponed in Druze and Kurdish areas.

Subhi Franjieh
Al Majalla
Politics

Allies' anger over Gaza tests US support for Israel

03 October 2025

Trump may be willing to accept global isolation to keep supporting Israel, but at some point, he may conclude that he isn't getting enough from Netanyahu in return

Christopher Phillips
A shopkeeper looks out through a window displaying replicas of football trophies at a gift shop in Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha on July 24, 2025. Karim JAAFAR / AFP
Business & Economy

Qatar’s economic resilience and the road ahead

07 October 2025

Qatar is positioning itself not only to weather external shocks, but to thrive in a changing global environment

Neil Quilliam
© Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images
Culture & Social Affairs

Morocco's influence on Matisse

02 October 2025

The famed painter (1869-1954) found both himself and the inspiration he needed in two visits to Tangier in the early 20th century, the effects of which are still very evident.

Azeddine Bourkia

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OPINIONS

Türkiye poised to strengthen its hand in the Eastern Mediterranean

Michael Harari
Michael Harari

Qatar’s economic resilience and the road ahead

Neil Quilliam
Neil Quilliam

Morocco’s Gen Z takes to the streets demanding change

Mohamed Sharki
Mohamed Sharki

Will Lebanon miss its chance at good ties with Syria?

Alia Mansour
Alia Mansour
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