Wayward Airstrike Puts Syrian Ceasefire on Brink

by Derek Davison A ceasefire that went into effect throughout Syria on September 12 may now be on the verge of collapse. On Saturday, a U.S. airstrike near the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor struck Syrian government forces, reportedly killing… Continue Reading →

On the Eve of Hajj, Saudi and Iranian Officials Try to Define “Muslim”

by Derek Davison Top Iranian and Saudi officials traded barbs earlier this week over who is and isn’t a true Muslim, deepening the Middle East’s most prominent, longest-running, and deadliest diplomatic crisis. On September 6, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Abdulaziz… Continue Reading →

Does Fighting in Hasakah Signal a Diplomatic Realignment on Syria?

by Derek Davison Last week, open warfare broke out in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah between militia forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government and forces affiliated with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Street-level clashes between the… Continue Reading →

Defining “Ransom” for the Anti-Iran Crowd

by Derek Davison Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Obama administration had “secretly” sent $400 million to Iran in January, at the same time that the Iranian government agreed to release three American citizens whom it… Continue Reading →