Latest Articles about Middle East
The Bizarre Biography of Algerian Jihadist Meraghni “Akil” El-Hadj Ali
Introduction January 16, 2023 marked ten years since the attack at In Amenas gas facility in Algeria, which has been—and perhaps will long remain—the last major “systematic” jihadist attack that the country suffered (Jeune Afrique, January 23, 2013). While jihadists belonging to both al-Qaeda and... MORE
Attack on Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran Further Divides the World
After an armed gunman broke into the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran on January 27, killing a security officer and wounding two others, Baku suspended diplomatic activity at the embassy and pulled its staff out of Iran. However, five Azerbaijanis were left to guard the embassy... MORE
The Kremlin’s ‘Holy War’ and Its Cossack Crusaders
Western analysts have recently devoted much attention to the religious dimension of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the true measure of influence that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church wields over President Vladimir Putin (see EDM, January 25). Moscow’s proposed unilateral ceasefire on January 6,... MORE
Iranian Ballistic Missiles Threaten to Change Battlefield Dynamic in Ukraine
As Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its second year, several news outlets have reported that Moscow is eyeing two Iranian missile systems in particular as solutions to its missile shortages: the Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar (The Kyiv Independent, November 12, 2022). The main reasons for acquiring... MORE
Yurtugh Tactical: Profiling the Anti-Chinese Uyghur Training Group in Syria
The rise of tactical groups dates to 2017 and 2018, when the first videos and photos of Malhama Tactical in Syria began to circulate. In those same years, other tactical groups began operating in Syria, but escaped the scrutiny of analysts because they were not... MORE
Iranian Drone Exports to the Balkans and Its Geopolitical Repercussions
Iranian military activity in Europe’s neighborhood is not limited to supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. Transforming itself from a net arms importer into a burgeoning arms exporter, Tehran is engaged in opportunistic behavior across conflict zones, ranging from Ukraine to tense, fragile regions, like the... MORE
Azerbaijan and Armenia Fail to Reach Agreement on Lachin Road
More than a month has passed since Azerbaijani eco-activists began protesting along the section of the Lachin road that passes close to the Azerbaijani city of Shusha. As discussed in a previous issue of the Eurasia Daily Monitor, the protestors demand access to the mineral... MORE
Why Is Russia Recruiting Former Afghan Soldiers for Its War Against Ukraine?
According to multiple reports, Russia is recruiting Afghan security personnel, who were previously trained by the United States, for its war effort against Ukraine. The former Afghan elite commandos and soldiers are reportedly joining the Russian private military company known as the Wagner Group, a... MORE
Capacities and Dimensions of Russian Investment in Iranian Oil and Gas Fields
On July 19, 2022, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russian gas company Gazprom worth close to $40 billion. The deal was signed by the CEOs of both companies during a virtual ceremony on the same day that... MORE
Iran Looks to Turkmenistan for Energy Needs
With its massive oil and natural gas reserves, Turkmenistan’s economy is heavily dependent on foreign exchange earnings from the export and sale of these resources. Given this, the country’s economic stability is tied to Ashgabat’s foreign policy and cooperation with its neighbors, including those territories... MORE