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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 25, 20204 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...
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MECRA
Mar 24, 20204 min read
#KhameneiVirus That’s the most popular hashtag trending on twitter among Farsi social media
By MECRA STAFF Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader recently refused the US offer to help Iran fight coronavirus. Nevertheless, due...
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MECRA
Mar 23, 202017 min read
US-Iran and Iran-Israel tensions March 22 and beyond
Read our previous installment March 12-21, 2020 of the daily updates of US-Iran tensions at this link. March 22 A look at the satellite...
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MECRA
Mar 21, 20209 min read
Coronavirus in the Middle East: Daily updates part IV: From March 21
Coronavirus threatens the Middle East
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MECRA
Mar 17, 202011 min read
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...
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MECRA
Mar 13, 20201 min read
Mapping the US retaliation for the Camp Taji attack March 11-13
March 11 7:35pm (Baghdad time): Rockets strike Camp Taji, Iraq. 8:26pm (Baghdad time) Iraqi security forces release images of the truck...
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MECRA
Mar 12, 202013 min read
US-Iran and Iran-Israel tensions daily updates March 12 and beyond
Coronavirus threatens the Middle East
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MECRA
Mar 11, 20205 min read
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...
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MECRA
Mar 11, 202012 min read
From March 11 coronavirus updates Middle East
View the previous live updates of the Middle East Coronavirus Daily Update (MECDU): First installment: February 15-25 Second Installment:...
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MECRA
Mar 6, 202015 min read
Coronavirus updates Middle East Feb 26 and after
This is part of a live-blog that The Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis began on February 20. See our FIRST LIVE BLOG and the...
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MECRA
Feb 28, 20205 min read
How did Turkey, Russia and the Syrian regime get to the Feb. 27 crises in Idlib
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Turkey suffered unprecedented losses in Idlib on Thursday February 27, 2020 with dozens of soldiers killed and...
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MECRA
Feb 25, 20206 min read
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...
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MECRA
Feb 21, 202013 min read
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...
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MECRA
Feb 12, 20205 min read
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...
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MECRA
Jan 25, 20204 min read
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...
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MECRA
Jan 21, 20204 min read
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...
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MECRA
Dec 29, 20194 min read
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,...
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MECRA
Oct 24, 20198 min read
The US Syria withdrawal Oct 6-23: Documents, maps and confusion
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN On October 6, 2019 US President Donald Trump announced the US would withdraw from part of Syria, paving the way for...
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MECRA
Oct 2, 20198 min read
Egyptian Armed Forces Communications Agreement with the U.S. and Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge
Egypt and the US signed an important new encrypted communications agreement that has ramifications for defense policy and Egypt
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MECRA
Aug 6, 20197 min read
In Northeast Syria, a mix of relief and concerns
By ADAM LUCENTE Raqqa, Syria — Two-lane roads through the vast Syrian desert connect Raqqa to government-held Aleppo, the Syrian...
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