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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
Nov 15, 20221 min read
Exclusive videos: Iranian attacks on Kurdish opposition groups in Iran
On November 14 Iran carried out drone and missile attacks on Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq. MECRA co-director Jonathan Spyer...
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MECRA
Sep 29, 20223 min read
Interview from Iran about the protests
Interview with 'R,' 33, from a religious family in Isfahan, participant in protests. - What do people think in religious cities such as...
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MECRA
Sep 9, 202231 min read
Iran tensions September 2022 and onward
Our daily updates of Iran tensions in the region. IranThe daily updates are compiled by Seth J. Frantzman, Executive Director of MECRA....
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MECRA
Apr 4, 20224 min read
Chinese investments in Iraq involve cooperation with Iran-backed Militias
A number of articles in recent months have focused on the issue of large scale Chinese investments in Iraq. According to a February 2nd...
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MECRA
Feb 7, 20224 min read
Iranian TV Platform and Prisons Hacked by Opposition Group
On February 1, the regular programming of the Iranian state TV channel, Islamic Republic Broadcasting, was interrupted. The ‘Edaalate...
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MECRA
Jan 23, 202213 min read
A closer look at BBC Persian's full interview with Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali
Translation by: MECRA. Introduction Qais al-Khazali, 47, is the leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq organization - one of the Iraqi Shia...
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MECRA
Dec 22, 20214 min read
Shia Militia protests in Baghdad: Report from within the current Demonstrations
The testimonies below were obtained by MECRA’s Iraq correspondent in interviews in December 2021 with militants of the Ktaeb Hizballah...
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MECRA
Nov 28, 20215 min read
Farmers’ Protest in Isfahan: Latest News and Background
By: MECRA Iran Correspondent. Large-scale protests by farmers in Iran’s Isfahan Province began on the morning of Friday, November 26th...
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MECRA
Oct 13, 20219 min read
Iraqi Voices on US withdrawal from Iraq – including interview with Shia MIlitia Spokesman
The three interviews below, conducted by MECRA, represent three different Iraqi responses to the prospect of US withdrawal from the...
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MECRA
Oct 12, 20215 min read
Iran’s Soft Power Campaign in Syria’s Deir al Zur Province: Advances and Limitations
By Omar Abu Layla When Islamists led by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took power in Iran in 1979, their intention was to establish a...
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MECRA
Sep 1, 20217 min read
Increased worries in northeast Syria following US Afghanistan withdrawal
Text and Photos By WLADIMIR VAN WILGENBURG HASAKAH PROVINCE, Syria - During an embedded Coalition patrol near oil facilities close to the...
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MECRA
Aug 18, 202130 min read
Iran tensions July 2021 and onwards
IranThe daily updates are compiled by Seth J. Frantzman, Executive Director of MECRA. For the previous installment which covers March...
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MECRA
Aug 4, 20212 min read
From a selection of Farsi-language Twitter feeds, commenting on the Khouzestan situation:
As part of our coverage of Iran we have assembled a list of recent and relevant social media accounts covering the recent protests and...
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MECRA
Aug 4, 20214 min read
Protests over Water Shortages in Iran’s Khouzestan Province Intensify
The following article is from MECRA's correspondent who covers Iran. A new round of protests against the background of the water crisis...
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MECRA
May 29, 20216 min read
Demonstrators speak of suppression, killing, kidnapping and arrests in Baghdad
Large demonstrations took place on Tahrir Square, Baghdad, on Tuesday, 25/5. At least one demonstrator was shot dead and many more...
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MECRA
May 26, 20212 min read
Salafi attacks in Kordestan Province, Iran
By MECRA Iran correspondent Dozens of Salafis, (ultra-conservative Sunni Muslims), many with faces covered and riding motorbikes attacked...
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MECRA
Apr 16, 20215 min read
Escalating tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Yemen after the Marib war
Dr. MOHAMMAD SALAMI Iran-backed Houthis have launched attacks in Marib province since early February as the last stronghold of the Yemeni...
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MECRA
Mar 29, 20217 min read
Christians in the Ninawa Plain fear the presence of Pro-Iran Militias
By MECRA researcher in IRAQ Place: Baghdad Date: March 23, 2021 Since the expulsion of ISIS from the Ninawa Plains of Iraq in 2017, local...
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MECRA
Mar 11, 20215 min read
What does Russia want in southern Yemen?Which has priority, geopolitical or political interests?
By MOHAMMAD SALAMI In recent months, the visit of officials from the “Southern Transitional Council” (STC) to Moscow shows the group's...
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MECRA
Mar 9, 202121 min read
Iran tensions in the Middle East March 2021
IranThe daily updates are compiled by Seth J. Frantzman, Executive Director of MECRA. For the previous installment which covers December...
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