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IRGC-linked actors conduct, then amplify, cyber offensives

Terrorism 2024-11-27

IRGC-linked actors conduct, then amplify, cyber offensives

IRGC-linked actors carry out cyber attacks and then amplify them to further geopolitical objectives, using fake personas to drive propaganda.

Illegal drugs flood across region, into Türkiye, from Iran

Security 2024-11-27

Illegal drugs flood across region, into Türkiye, from Iran

Customs officials seized more than 4.5 tons of methamphetamine in early November in three trucks crossing into Türkiye from Iran.

ISIS is losing control of its online operations, recent US arrests reveal

Security 2024-11-26

ISIS is losing control of its online operations, recent US arrests reveal

ISIS supporters in the US cities of New York and Houston engaged in extensive, unguarded social media exchanges that facilitated their arrests.

Houthis turn al-Hodeidah airport into a military complex

Terrorism 2024-11-26

Houthis turn al-Hodeidah airport into a military complex

The Iran-backed group has converted the civilian facility into a sprawling military complex with underground weapons and training facilities.

Al-Hol camp security sweep zeroes in on ISIS's hesba, 'cubs of caliphate'

Terrorism 2024-11-25

Al-Hol camp security sweep zeroes in on ISIS's hesba, 'cubs of caliphate'

The operation, conducted in and around the sprawling al-Hasakeh province camp, exposed a web of women embroiled in terrorist activity.

Houthis' latest attack on international shipping draws rebuke

Security 2024-11-24

Houthis' latest attack on international shipping draws rebuke

As the people of Yemen suffer severe hardships, the Houthis are destabilizing global shipping and complicating aid delivery with their attacks.

Militias operating in 'full coordination' with Iran openly defy Iraqi sovereignty

Terrorism 2024-11-24

Militias operating in 'full coordination' with Iran openly defy Iraqi sovereignty

Iran-backed Iraqi militias are ramping up attacks on Israel despite Baghdad's objections, threatening to pull Iraq into a regional conflict.

Hizbullah turns to teen recruitment as veterans abandon posts

Terrorism 2024-11-23

Hizbullah turns to teen recruitment as veterans abandon posts

After suffering massive casualties and widespread desertions, the Iran-backed party is targeting teenagers to rebuild its fighting force.

ISIS's ideology constricts young lives at al-Hol and Roj camps

Terrorism 2024-11-22

ISIS's ideology constricts young lives at al-Hol and Roj camps

Inside the northeastern Syria camps, children are being molded into extremists from birth, despite aid workers' efforts to break the cycle.

Houthis' operational links to al-Qaeda and affiliates endanger Yemen, region

Terrorism 2024-11-22

Houthis' operational links to al-Qaeda and affiliates endanger Yemen, region

The Houthis' growing collusion with al-Qaeda and its Somalia-based affiliate al-Shabaab pose a significant threat to regional and global security.

Gulf states bolster naval power amid increasing maritime threats

Security 2024-11-20

Gulf states bolster naval power amid increasing maritime threats

Gulf states are ramping up their naval capabilities as Iran-backed militias deploy advanced weapons, threatening vital maritime corridors.

Failed Houthi attacks on US warships highlight group's limitations

Security 2024-11-20

Failed Houthi attacks on US warships highlight group's limitations

The Houthis have had little success in their attempts to strike military targets, preferring to focus their fire on merchant vessels, sources say.

Chaos prevails in Syrian border town as IRGC's militias vanish from view

Security 2024-11-19

Chaos prevails in Syrian border town as IRGC's militias vanish from view

Albu Kamal has seen a spike in theft and violent crime as the Iran-aligned militias that control the area rush to save themselves.

Houthis on track to extort $2 billion a year for 'safe passage' assurances

Crime & Justice 2024-11-19

Houthis on track to extort $2 billion a year for 'safe passage' assurances

The Houthis have sought to capitalize on their Red Sea attacks by demanding that shipping companies pay them to ensure 'safe passage.'

Lebanese economy better off without Hizbullah's financial arm, economists say

Economy 2024-11-18

Lebanese economy better off without Hizbullah's financial arm, economists say

Al-Qard al-Hassan has profited from Lebanon's economic crisis while drawing scrutiny from international money laundering regulators.

US sanctions Syrian conglomerate funding IRGC Quds Force, Houthis

Economy 2024-11-18

US sanctions Syrian conglomerate funding IRGC Quds Force, Houthis

Companies, individuals and vessels associated with Al-Qatirji Company have raised funds through the sale of Iranian oil to Syria and China.

Demise of Hizbullah financiers will disrupt party operations, hamper Iran's regime

Security 2024-11-14

Demise of Hizbullah financiers will disrupt party operations, hamper Iran's regime

The elimination of financiers from Hizbullah's Unit 4400 will have greater impact on the party than the loss of its top-tier leaders, experts say.

Iraq's top Shia cleric adds weight to government's anti-war efforts

Security 2024-11-14

Iraq's top Shia cleric adds weight to government's anti-war efforts

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's recent statements on national stability align with government efforts to keep Iraq out of a regional conflict.

With 'opportunistic' alliance, Houthis, al-Qaeda demonstrate ideological hypocrisy

Terrorism 2024-11-14

With 'opportunistic' alliance, Houthis, al-Qaeda demonstrate ideological hypocrisy

The Iran-backed Houthis have been working in coordination with al-Qaeda in Yemen, though their respective ideologies are vastly different.

Hizbullah accused of ensnaring women in sex trafficking rings

Human Rights 2024-11-14

Hizbullah accused of ensnaring women in sex trafficking rings

The party's actions have transformed it into a transnational criminal gang that engages in the sexual exploitation and subjugation of women.

Hizbullah's new leader-by-default Naim Qassem is 'symbol of party's bankruptcy'

Politics 2024-11-14

Hizbullah's new leader-by-default Naim Qassem is 'symbol of party's bankruptcy'

The Hizbullah deputy, who is regarded as a mouthpiece for the Iranian regime, was forced into the leadership role due to a paucity of options.

Northeast Syria flareup hinders ISIS fight and opens door to Iran-aligned militias

Security 2024-11-12

Northeast Syria flareup hinders ISIS fight and opens door to Iran-aligned militias

ISIS cells in the area are 'undoubtedly taking advantage' of a recent escalation of conflict to carry out attacks and recruit new members.

IRGC's proxies dig in, stockpile arms along Iraq-Syria border

Security 2024-11-09

IRGC's proxies dig in, stockpile arms along Iraq-Syria border

Through the illicit transfer of fighters and weapons, Iran-aligned militias fuel instability and threaten Iraq's efforts to control its border with Syria.

Khamenei seeks loyalty, united front from Iraqi proxies as rivalries simmer

Politics 2024-11-08

Khamenei seeks loyalty, united front from Iraqi proxies as rivalries simmer

The Iranian regime has made a show of demonstrating its support for the Iraqi militias in its orbit as internecine strife threatens their unity.

Iraq seeks US energy sector investment to head off China monopoly

Energy 2024-11-07

Iraq seeks US energy sector investment to head off China monopoly

US investment will help Iraq achieve energy self-sufficiency from Iran and counter China's dominance of Iraq's energy market.

US offers $5 million for information on Hizbullah's 1994 Panama plane bombing

Terrorism 2024-11-06

US offers $5 million for information on Hizbullah's 1994 Panama plane bombing

The United States is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the terrorist bombing of AC Flight 901 in Panama.

Bereft of its top-tier leaders, Iran's 'axis' loses its aura of invincibility

Terrorism 2024-11-06

Bereft of its top-tier leaders, Iran's 'axis' loses its aura of invincibility

The successive elimination of the leaders of the so-called 'axis of resistance' has weakened the Iranian regime's hegemony in key areas.

Iranian regime, Hizbullah fueled Houthis' transformation, UN report says

Security 2024-11-06

Iranian regime, Hizbullah fueled Houthis' transformation, UN report says

With 'unprecedented' outside military support, the Houthis have transformed themselves from a local armed group into an organization sowing regional chaos.

Lebanon needs 'security formula' overhaul to empower army, experts say

Security 2024-11-06

Lebanon needs 'security formula' overhaul to empower army, experts say

Many in Lebanon want Hizbullah expunged from the military decision-making process in order to wrest control of the country's future away from the outside powers that back the militant group.

Abysmal performance of Iran's Russian-made air defense systems prompts fallout

Security 2024-11-04

Abysmal performance of Iran's Russian-made air defense systems prompts fallout

Russian-made S-300 air defense systems failed to do their job when Israel staged its retaliatory strikes on Iran, leaving it vulnerable to future attacks.

Iran-aligned militias evacuate Syria headquarters in bid to avoid airstrikes

Security 2024-11-02

Iran-aligned militias evacuate Syria headquarters in bid to avoid airstrikes

Iran-aligned militias are in a state of high alert and have taken preemptive measures -- some of which endanger civilians -- to avoid being targeted.

Sinking of nuclear-powered submarine casts doubt on Chinese defense industry

Security 2024-11-01

Sinking of nuclear-powered submarine casts doubt on Chinese defense industry

The incident -- a new attack sub sinking at the pier -- marks yet another challenge for China's defense industry, which has been accused in the past of producing flawed equipment.