MECRA
October 2018: Visible breakthrough in Gulf-Israel relations
October 2018 looks set to represent one of the most important visible changes in Arab state relations with Israel since the 1990s. The...
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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
Oct 26, 20182 min read
Iran arrests a journalist for not using the term "martyrdom," part of a wider social media crackdown
In a report published on October 20 in Ebtekar (ابتكار), the Persian-language reformist newspaper published in Tehran, entitled...
MECRA
Oct 26, 20185 min read
Mieh Mieh refugee camp clashes: The Lebanese army, Ansar Allah/Hezbollah, Hamas, Fatah nexus
Between October 15 and 25 the small Mieh Mieh refugee camp 4km east of Sidon has been the center of clashes and tensions after two men...
MECRA
Oct 25, 20186 min read
How Iran hides its oil tankers: Meet the team tracking a hidden trade
MECRA spoke with Samir Madani who runs an online service with Lisa Ward that tracks tankers. Crude oil tankers departing from Iran have...
MECRA
Oct 23, 20183 min read
Basra's pollution documented in rare drone footage by NRC
The Norwegian Refugee Council has published new drone footage of pollution in Basra, including canals choked with plastic and the Shat...
MECRA
Oct 23, 20182 min read
Qayyara bombing worst since liberation from ISIS
A car bombing south of Mosul, in the city of Qayyara (Qayara, القيارة), is one of the worst security incidents in the city and area since...
MECRA
Oct 22, 20181 min read
Developing: Someone flew a drone over Iranian regime cleric's seminary in Ahvaz
Iran's Tasnim news reported that law enforcement in Ahvaz had to shoot down a drone after it flew over a seminary associated with a key...
MECRA
Oct 21, 20184 min read
Poverty drives Iranians to sell kidneys
Some Iranians have turned to selling their kidney's amid an increasing economic downturn in the Islamic Republic, according to reports...
MECRA
Oct 18, 201812 min read
Gaza's challenges: Amid the current crises, a look at everyday life and issues
In October Laura Kelly spent several days in the Gaza Strip. She spoke to local NGOs, the United Nations and Gazans about the issues they...
MECRA
Oct 17, 20184 min read
Idlib perspectives: Will the ceasefire hold?
In four exclusive interviews with MECRA men in Idlib in northern Syria describe the ceasefire agreement that was signed in mid-September...
MECRA
Oct 14, 20181 min read
Exclusive photo essay: Heavy weapons withdrawn from DMZ in Idlib
According to the Idlib Agreement signed on September 17, all heavy weapons were expected to be withdrawn from the demilitarized zone by...
MECRA
Oct 14, 20185 min read
The sandstorm: ISIS counterattack at Hajin, the video evidence
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN A sandstorm in Syria near the Euphrates river valley provided cover for an ISIS counterattack in mid-October. In...
MECRA
Oct 14, 20184 min read
Russia, Idlib and the agreement: Moscow's long-term goals
In an interview with Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis fellow Alex Grinberg, we discussed the Idlib Agreement and what...
MECRA
Oct 12, 20183 min read
US - Turkey relations after Brunson to be released
Release of Brunson will likely improve relations with Trump administration at key time as Turkey is pressuring Saudi Arabia On Friday the...
MECRA
Oct 7, 20188 min read
With the Kurds who are fighting the elite IRGC
By ZACH HUFF “You’re in Iran, now,” the grinning patrol leader nonchalantly informed me as we reached a summit of the Zagros mountain...
MECRA
Oct 1, 20184 min read
Report: Iran's IRGC fires six missiles at Ahvaz perpetrators in Syria
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it fired six ballistic missiles at "Takfiri terrorists" in Syria in...
MECRA
Sep 29, 20183 min read
Developing: The closure of the US consulate in Basra
The US announced the closure of its consulate in Basra on September 28. Mike Pompeo issued a statement. It reads that "threats to our...
MECRA
Sep 25, 20184 min read
Responsibility for the Ahvaz attack
Responsibility for the Ahvaz attack By DAVE MCAVOY On 22 Sep a military parade in Ahvaz, Southern Iran was attacked by gunmen.[1]...
MECRA
Sep 22, 20186 min read
Attack on Iranian military parade in Ahvaz (Ahwaz)
An attack on a military parade in Iran's southwestern Ahvaz city has killed and wounded people, according to local reports. According to...
MECRA
Sep 21, 20188 min read
Russia responds to Syrian downing of IL-20: The unpredictability of Russian actions
By ALEX GRINBERG On 17 September, the Russian ministry of defense announced that a Russian surveillance aircraft with 15 servicemen on the...
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