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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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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...
MECRA
Nov 15, 20221 min read
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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....
MECRA
Sep 9, 202231 min read
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‘Sadr will not allow a new government to be established by the Coordination Framework at any cost'
Analysis of Iraq’s current situation, and interviews with two Iraqis close to the Sadrist movement Last week, Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada...
MECRA
Sep 8, 20229 min read
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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...
MECRA
Apr 4, 20224 min read
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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...
MECRA
Feb 7, 20224 min read
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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...
MECRA
Jan 23, 202213 min read
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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...
MECRA
Oct 13, 20219 min read
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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...
MECRA
Sep 1, 20217 min read
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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...
MECRA
May 29, 20216 min read
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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...
MECRA
Mar 29, 20217 min read
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On patrol with US forces in Syria
On February 20 a MECRA researcher flew to Syria to witness a patrol with US-led Coalition forces. The US has maintained several...
MECRA
Feb 25, 20211 min read
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Impact of rockets on Coalition facilities at Erbil International Airport
During a trip to eastern Syria and the Erbil International Airport on February 20 our expert photographed the area impacted by rockets...
MECRA
Feb 25, 20211 min read
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Iraqi proxy militias threaten Saudi investment in Iraq
Time: 08:30 pm (Local time, Baghdad) Place: Baghdad, Iraq IRAQI-SAUDI agreement On November 8, 2020, the Iraqi-Saudi Committee met in...
MECRA
Dec 12, 20207 min read
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Profile of IRGC general and current Iranian presidential candidate Hossein Dehghan
Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan, former defense minister, fourth commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Lebanon,...
MECRA
Dec 12, 20208 min read
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Residents can't return to Sinjar if there is no strong government capable of protecting civilians
A recent agreement between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding the region of Sinjar in northwestern Iraq has profound...
MECRA
Nov 9, 202011 min read
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Rockets fired at Erbil, Iraq: Residents of Nineveh discuss unprecedented attack; context of Iran
Figure 1: Rocket fire from Sheikh Amir targets Erbil By SETH J. FRANTZMAN, JONATHAN SPYER and MECRA Iraq researchers* On September 30 six...
MECRA
Oct 5, 202022 min read
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Iran-US and Iran-Israel tensions July-Sept 2020
For our last installment (June 4 to July 19) see this link. July 19 Zarif's visit to Iraq part of strategic work. Iran-China document....
MECRA
Jul 19, 202015 min read
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Natanz explosion: Timeline and details on possible scenarios
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN An incident at the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility on July 2 led to speculation over whether the incident was as...
MECRA
Jul 3, 20207 min read
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The Egyptian-Israeli Peace and the Military Balance
One of the most common complaints Egyptians have with the treaty is that it blocks full Egyptian sovereignty of the Sinai
MECRA
Apr 26, 202011 min read
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A ‘Happy’ app which makes millions of Iranian students sad
“There are large families with four or five students, and it is not possible for all of them to get a smartphone in Iran."
MECRA
Apr 24, 20204 min read
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