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  • militias
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, Mar 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, Feb 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, Feb 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, Feb 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, Aug 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, Apr 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, Oct 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, Jul 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, Jan 2022
A fighter from Deir al-Zor military council which fights under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) holds the council's flag in the village of Abu Fas, Hasaka province, Syria September 9, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said

Denouncing Iranian Presence, Protests Erupt in Countryside of Syria’s Deir ez-Zor

Popular demonstrations took place in various parts of the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, Syria, at the beginning of this week, denouncing the control of Iranian-backed militias over parts of that…

Jiwan Soz 21, Jan 2022
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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addresses Iranians on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (portrait), in Tehran on June 4, 2025. KHAMENEI.IR / AFP
Profiles

How Israel upended Khamenei’s strategic patience doctrine

21 June 2025

For decades, Iran's supreme leader—first Khomeini, then Khamenei—pursued a strategy of backing regional militias to fight Israel, but with the 'resistance axis' in tatters, Iran is left to fight alone

Arash Azizi
Eduardo Ramon
Politics

How Israel pulled off its unprecedented strike on Iran

18 June 2025

Years of painstaking intelligence work went into the operation that activated vast networks of operatives and involved multiple layers of subterfuge

Michael Horowitz
A demonstrator holds a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while gathering with others during a rally in solidarity with the government against Israel's attacks on Iran on June 14, 2025. ATTA KENARE / AFP
Politics

Iran is further from regime change than Israel thinks

17 June 2025

Israel sees an opportunity to eliminate a strategic regional rival, but the future course of events primarily hinges on what Trump decides to do next

Houssam Itani
Michelle Thompson.
Business & Economy

What would happen if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz?

18 June 2025

The strait carries up to 20% of the world's oil exports at around 20 million barrels of oil each day. Any closure could cost the global economy greatly, even if only for a short time.

Amer Ziab Al-Tamimi
Eduardo Ramon
Politics

Will Iran-Israel strikes derail Trump's Mideast vision?

14 June 2025

Trump and Netanyahu disagree on whether to use military force to stop Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel's punishing attack on Iran places the region on a worrisome trajectory

Robert Ford

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OPINIONS

Secrets and surveillance: a look at Washington’s spy museum

Osama Esber

Syria reinforces its borders to stop any Israel-Iran spillover

Subhi Franjieh
Subhi Franjieh

How Israel upended Khamenei’s strategic patience doctrine

Arash Azizi
Arash Azizi

Attacks on Iran make a nuclear bomb more likely

Eric Brewer
Eric Brewer
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