Displaced Syrian children bear brunt of war's psychological, physical impact

2022-05-20

Driven out of their homes by Syrian regime and Russian bombing, some children have been in exile their entire lives, subsisting in makeshift camps dependent on international aid for survival.

Tensions brew in Syria's Palmyra as IRGC cashes in on Russia's distraction

Crime & Justice

2022-05-19

Tensions brew in Syria's Palmyra as IRGC cashes in on Russia's distraction

Friction between Russian-backed 5th Corps and IRGC-aligned militias has been in evidence as Iran seeks to capitalize on Russia's distraction with the Ukraine war.

Iranian crew in custody after $39 million drug haul seized from fishing vessel

Crime & Justice

2022-05-18

Iranian crew in custody after $39 million drug haul seized from fishing vessel

Crew tried to discard drugs before their vessel was interdicted along a route used to smuggle people, weapons, narcotics and charcoal.

Al-Assad's presidential pardons 'farcical', Syrians say

Crime & Justice

2022-05-17

Al-Assad's presidential pardons 'farcical', Syrians say

It is no coincidence that the highly publicised 'general amnesty' decree came after a video of regime atrocities circulated online, activists say.

Help from China, Russia cannot save Iran from concentrated air strikes

Security

2022-05-16

Help from China, Russia cannot save Iran from concentrated air strikes

Iran's vulnerable air defence -- a hodgepodge of different systems that lack spare parts -- is incapable of stopping an adversary attack that employs long-range missiles and stealth fighters.

Islamic scholars deem Iran's treatment of Afghans 'un-Islamic, inhumane'

Refugees

2022-05-13

Islamic scholars deem Iran's treatment of Afghans 'un-Islamic, inhumane'

Iranian authorities have been accused of torturing and beating Afghan refugees, in acts that many scholars see as a violation of sharia law.

Has a Russian mercenary group tried to recruit you or anyone you know?

Spotlight

Proliferation of Iranian drones inside Iraq threatens Baghdad and region

The IRGC has been supplying its Iraqi militias with drones and drone-building technology that they have been using to carry out attacks -- both inside Iraq and across the border.

Khamenei lauds al-Assad as new war crimes come to light

Crime & Justice

2022-05-12

Khamenei lauds al-Assad as new war crimes come to light

The Iranian leader praised Syria's president, who is under international sanctions for human rights violations, during a rare meeting in Tehran.

Crime & Justice

2022-05-12

Proliferation of Iranian drones inside Iraq threatens Baghdad and region

The IRGC has been supplying its Iraqi militias with drones and drone-building technology that they have been using to carry out attacks -- both inside Iraq and across the border.

ISIS child recruitment network enablers slapped with US sanctions

Crime & Justice

2022-05-11

ISIS child recruitment network enablers slapped with US sanctions

The sanctions aim to 'expose and disrupt' an international network that financed ISIS recruitment, including of children in Syria.

Donors pledge $6.7 billion for Syria under shadow of Ukraine war

Human Rights

2022-05-11

Donors pledge $6.7 billion for Syria under shadow of Ukraine war

Russia, a supporter of the Syrian regime and targeted by the West for its invasion of Ukraine, was not invited to the conference. This year's pledge outstripped the $5.6 billion raised last year.

IRGC promotes, rewards most radical elements

Analysis

2022-05-10

IRGC promotes, rewards most radical elements

Over the past four decades, the IRGC has increased its emphasis on ideological training, giving it equal weight with military training and rewarding those most committed to Wilayat al-Faqih.

Growing protests in Iran are met with regime's mainstay tactic: repression

Crime & Justice

2022-05-09

Growing protests in Iran are met with regime's mainstay tactic: repression

Teachers, factory workers and environmentalists calling for positive change in the country are increasingly being intimidated, arrested and beaten by the security forces.

Torture, rape and executions: Russian mercenary tactics around the world

Security

2022-05-06

Torture, rape and executions: Russian mercenary tactics around the world

The evidence is undeniable -- wherever Russian mercenaries are deployed around the world, atrocities and horror follow.

Nurtured by Iran, Houthis' drone arsenal is 'most advanced' among its proxies

Security

2022-05-05

Nurtured by Iran, Houthis' drone arsenal is 'most advanced' among its proxies

Iran for years has supplied the Houthis with drones, drone parts and technology that the group has used to deadly effect in Yemen and beyond.

Sports and cultural initiatives help Iraqi communities find peace, integration

Society

2022-05-04

Sports and cultural initiatives help Iraqi communities find peace, integration

Since the expulsion of ISIS from Iraq in 2017, sports and cultural initiatives supported by USAID have helped bring together communities that were torn apart by terrorism.

Most Viewed

Help from China, Russia cannot save Iran from concentrated air strikes

Iranian crew in custody after $39 million drug haul seized from fishing vessel

Proliferation of Iranian drones inside Iraq threatens Baghdad and region

Most Commented

Iraq government corruption probe under way

Iraqis reject new Iran-backed political movement

Intermittent access to internet suggests Tehran may fear new uprising

Long-hidden video of Syrian regime war crime comes to light

Crime & Justice

2022-05-03

Long-hidden video of Syrian regime war crime comes to light

In a video that has triggered international outrage, Syrian regime intelligence officers jeer at blindfolded civilians in a Damascus suburb before shooting them dead.

Iran's new ambassador to Iraq is nothing new as deep ties to IRGC remain

Politics

2022-05-02

Iran's new ambassador to Iraq is nothing new as deep ties to IRGC remain

The appointment of the new Iranian ambassador, who is a former IRGC spymaster, continues the long tradition of Tehran promoting IRGC personnel to key positions of power.

Chinese military visit to Iran heightens worries over Beijing's intentions

Diplomacy

2022-05-02

Chinese military visit to Iran heightens worries over Beijing's intentions

The visit of China's defence minister comes amid surging purchases of Iranian oil, increasing attacks in the region from Iran's proxies, and lingering rumours about another Chinese base.

Iconic Iranian factory closes while regime courts foreign powers with megadeals

Economy

2022-04-29

Iconic Iranian factory closes while regime courts foreign powers with megadeals

The Middle East's first tire company, Kian Tire, closed April 13. Critics say the bankruptcy was the result of the regime's neglect of domestic industry as it courts foreign powers.

War on drug smuggling heats up in the Middle East

Security

2022-04-28

War on drug smuggling heats up in the Middle East

Regional and multinational forces this year have frequently seized drugs linked to Iranian proxies at ports and along the borders.

Iraq's ballooning oil revenues whet appetite of Iran and its proxies

Economy

2022-04-27

Iraq's ballooning oil revenues whet appetite of Iran and its proxies

Iraq's oil revenue is soaring as global prices rise amid Russia's war in Ukraine, but officials warn that Iran and its proxies will take measures to seize these funds through pressure and fraud.

How will Russia support mercenaries if it cannot even supply its own troops?

Security

2022-04-25

How will Russia support mercenaries if it cannot even supply its own troops?

Evidence is clear that Russian troops are not being properly supplied, fed or led. What does that mean for the Kremlin's guns for hire?

Russian 'ISIS Hunters' now hunting for Syrian mercenaries to send to Ukraine

Security

2022-04-22

Russian 'ISIS Hunters' now hunting for Syrian mercenaries to send to Ukraine

By sending in Syrian mercenaries, Russia seeks to shield its own forces from casualties on the front lines, guard its back lines and secure any properties it seizes and intends to hold.

Iraqi farmers replant after ISIS with help from USAID and partners

Environment

2022-04-21

Iraqi farmers replant after ISIS with help from USAID and partners

The Taafi project has been helping Iraqi communities most affected by ISIS rebuild their areas and restore their livelihoods, including through agricultural and industrial projects.

Syrian regime steals aid intended for its people

Crime & Justice

2022-04-20

Syrian regime steals aid intended for its people

While Syrian civilians slide into poverty, the aid they are meant to receive from international organisations is stolen by regime cronies.

Iraq works to clear explosive remnants of war with international help

Human Rights

2022-04-19

Iraq works to clear explosive remnants of war with international help

Efforts to rid the country of mines and other explosive remnants of war from the ISIS incursion and other conflicts are starting to chart progress.

China rallies sympathy for Putin at home, amplifies Kremlin propaganda abroad

Analysis

2022-04-15

China rallies sympathy for Putin at home, amplifies Kremlin propaganda abroad

Chinese media have enabled Kremlin propaganda to skirt bans in the West. Meanwhile, Chinese citizens are being indoctrinated with an anti-Western, pro-Soviet ideological campaign.