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MECRA RESEARCH BLOG
The MECRA research blog is composed of short articles and may include outside contributions. The views expressed in these blogs and articles are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis editorial stance.
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Iraqi officials differing views on security reform and rooting out corruption in security forces
Major-General Yahya Rasoul, Spokesman of the Iraqi Security Forces “In 2014 it was a retrogression for Iraqi army, but we learnt from all...
MECRA
Jun 11, 20206 min read
How did Turkish UAVs outmaneuver Russia's Pantsir air defense in Libya: Lessons and ramifications
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN A sophisticated attack on the forces of the Libyan National Army of Khalifa Haftar by the Turkish-backed Government...
MECRA
May 27, 20208 min read
Iran enforces hijab, bans posting photos of kissing on Instagram
By MECRA STAFF After the 1979 revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, hijab became compulsory for all school...
MECRA
May 24, 20203 min read
Threats against the tomb of Esther and Mordechai in Iran and the arson that followed
One of our researchers who follows Iranian social media and the recent incident in which a Jewish tomb was allegedly the site of an arson...
MECRA
May 22, 20203 min read
The Fatemiyoun, Imam Ali base and recent moves by US, Russia, Israel and Iran
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Recent moves by Iranian-backed Liwa Fatemiyoun (لواء فاطمیون) and Liwa Zainebiyoun, two units of Afghan and...
MECRA
May 16, 20207 min read
Map of recent airstrikes on Syria
An increase in airstrikes in Syria comes as Israeli officials say that Iran may be reducing is presence in the country. April and May...
MECRA
May 6, 20201 min read
Who is Lebanon's Khaled al-Yamani: An Israeli indictment, Iran and the PFLP
By JONATHAN SPYER In early April, an Israeli citizen of Arab ethnicity, Ayman Haj Yahye, 50, was indicted at Lod District court, accused...
MECRA
May 5, 20204 min read
Iran-US tensions May 2020
For the previous edition of our coverage of US-Iran tensions daily updates, see this link March 22-May 1, 2020. May 1 Rocket fire from...
MECRA
May 3, 202010 min read
Iraq: Interview with Iraqi MP from Asaib Ahl al-Haq, deputy of Sadikoun bloc
Kinani: If the foreign forces remained in Iraqi despite Iraq government order for them to withdraw - there will be another language for...
MECRA
Apr 28, 20205 min read
Could a shakeup in Iraq's PMU (Hashd al-Sha'abi) lead to greater divisions in Iraq?
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN and MECRA STAFF Iraq's powerful Popular Mobilization Units (Hashd al-Sha'abi) are in the midst of a struggle over...
MECRA
Apr 28, 20208 min read
The Egyptian-Israeli Peace and the Military Balance
One of the most common complaints Egyptians have with the treaty is that it blocks full Egyptian sovereignty of the Sinai
MECRA
Apr 26, 202011 min read
A ‘Happy’ app which makes millions of Iranian students sad
“There are large families with four or five students, and it is not possible for all of them to get a smartphone in Iran."
MECRA
Apr 24, 20204 min read
An explosion "targets Hezbollah" in Syria near Lebanon border: Context, background and implications
By MECRA STAFF A dark SUV exploded near the Lebanese border in the Syrian border village of Jdeidat Yabous (جديدة يابوس) on Wednesday,...
MECRA
Apr 15, 20205 min read
Photo gallery: Israel coronavirus lockdown 2020
Photos by Seth J. Frantzman and Jonathan Spyer Israel has been increasing the extent of its coronavirus lockdowns since mid-March. Over...
MECRA
Apr 10, 20201 min read
Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Iraq's new PM-designate
More than four months after Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned, and after two other Prime Minister-designates failed to form a...
MECRA
Apr 10, 20205 min read
Prisoners in Iran, afraid of coronavirus, riot and attempt mass escapes
Iranians have been trying to break out of prison amid the coronavirus pandemic.
MECRA
Apr 2, 20204 min read
The US-led Coalition has now left three bases in Iraq: Qaim, Q-West and K-1
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN The US-led Coalition handed over an area of K-1 Air Base on Sunday, the third post in a week handed over to Iraqi...
MECRA
Mar 29, 20204 min read
New tensions in Iraq: The Coalition, the Pentagon, Kataib Hezbollah and Tehran
The US and Iran are preparing for a new round in Iraq.
MECRA
Mar 28, 20208 min read
Coronavirus in the Middle East DAILY updates by MECRA
Since the last edition (March 21-26) and the March 11 of the Middle East Coronavirus Daily Update (MECDU) we have seen major rises in the...
MECRA
Mar 27, 20203 min read
Iran media, the "secret detention" and Levinson's death in Iran regime custody
Robert Levinson's family posted on social media that “We received received information from US officials that has led both them and us to...
MECRA
Mar 25, 20204 min read
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