MECRA
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...
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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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MECRA
- Mar 17, 2020
- 11 min
Who is Adnan Zarfi (Zurufi), the new Iraqi PM designate: Sources, background and current events
Compiled by Seth J. Frantzman Who is Adnan al-Zarfi (Zurufi عدنان الزرفي), the man tasked with forming yet another Iraqi government on...
MECRA
- Mar 11, 2020
- 5 min
An attack on US-led Coalition at Camp Taji, March 11, 2020: Escalation and questions of deterrence
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN A rocket attack on Camp Taji Iraq on march 11 has killed Americans and has led to tensions in Iraq. CENTCOM says...
MECRA
- Feb 25, 2020
- 6 min
Coronavirus Middle East LIVE-UPDATES Feb. 25
For the first installment the Middle East Coronavirus Daily Update (MECDU) of our daily updates on coronavirus in the Middle East see...
MECRA
- Feb 21, 2020
- 13 min
Coronavirus in the Middle East - LIVE UPDATES
Middle East Coronavirus Daily Update (MECDU) * This live blog is being updated daily as best we can. Seth J. Frantzman and other members...
MECRA
- Feb 21, 2020
- 3 min
US-Russia tensions in eastern Syria
US-Russia tensions appear to be increasing in eastern Syria after several incidents. A new video shows two vehicles almost collide. We...
MECRA
- Feb 12, 2020
- 5 min
Analysis: How Serious Are Talks Between Assad and Syrian Kurds?
By MECRA staff Co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) Ilham Ahmed this week said the Syrian regime has agreed to begin political...
MECRA
- Feb 12, 2020
- 8 min
Incident at Khirbet Amo: A US patrol in Syria, pro-regime protesters and a death
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN A US patrol in eastern Syria near Qamishli faced off against stone-throwing locals and at least two gunmen in an...
MECRA
- Feb 1, 2020
- 5 min
Who is Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, Iraq's possible next Prime Minister
Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi may be Iraq's next Prime Minister. His selection by President Barham Salih comes just over two months since Prime...
MECRA
- Feb 1, 2020
- 8 min
Iran's responses to 'Deal of the Century'
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN During Friday prayers on January 31 Ayatollah Movahedi Kermani condemned US President Donald Trump's "Deal of the...
MECRA
- Jan 25, 2020
- 4 min
Analysis: Will Turkey's increased role in Libya reduce or inflame conflict?
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Greece’s foreign minister flew to Abu Dhabi, Libya, Egypt and Cyprus in the wake of Turkey threatening to send...
MECRA
- Jan 21, 2020
- 4 min
Who is Iran's new deputy IRGC Quds Force commander: Mohammad Hejazi
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN and MECRA STAFF Iran has appointed a new deputy commander for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force in...
MECRA
- Jan 6, 2020
- 8 min
An interview with a senior officer of a special unit of Hashd al Shaabi (PMU)
This interview was conducted on January 3 in Baghdad, Iraq in the wake of the US srike that killed Qasim Solaimani and Abu Mahdi...
MECRA
- Dec 29, 2019
- 4 min
Developing Story: Sources and related to Turkey's new role in the Mediterranean, sending of Syrians
In late November Turkey signed a deal with the Government of the National Accord in Libya. The GNA controls parts of Libya near Tripoli,...
MECRA
- Dec 7, 2019
- 7 min
Who is Qais al-Khazali, the Iraqi militia leader sanctioned by the US on December 6?
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Qais al-Khazali (قيس الخزعلي) was targeted by US sanctions on December 6, 2019. "The U.S. Department of the...
MECRA
- Dec 4, 2019
- 2 min
Badr Organization, its role in the PMU: Background and sources
In the interests of creating an easily accessible list of sources related to the Badr Organization and its role in the Popular...
MECRA
- Nov 29, 2019
- 11 min
A "massacre" in Nasiriyah in Iraq as Iraqi protests reach two month turning point
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Two months of protest have reached what could be a turning point or crescendo as large movements of Iraqi forces...
MECRA
- Nov 26, 2019
- 3 min
Photo essay: Iraq's two months of protests: Inside the everyday life of the protesters' camp
Photos and text by ADAM LUCENTE Youth, gaming culture and humor flourish in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square protests BAGHDAD, Iraq – The posters...
MECRA
- Nov 24, 2019
- 3 min
Inside Iran's crackdown on a week of protests
With the disruption of internet, it has become very difficult to get information about what is going on in Iran at the present time....
MECRA
- Nov 19, 2019
- 16 min
Timeline of Israel-Iran tensions in Syria and the region
Growing tensions between Israel and Iran, particularly in Syria, have led to rocket fire from Syria directed at Israel and numerous...
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