MECRA
The US-led Coalition has now left three bases in Iraq: Qaim, Q-West and K-1
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN The US-led Coalition handed over an area of K-1 Air Base on Sunday, the third post in a week handed over to Iraqi...
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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 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...
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...
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...
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...
MECRA
Feb 21, 20203 min read
US-Russia tensions in eastern Syria
US-Russia tensions appear to be increasing in eastern Syria after several incidents. A new video shows two vehicles almost collide. We...
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...
MECRA
Feb 12, 20208 min read
Incident at Khirbet Amo: A US patrol in Syria, pro-regime protesters and a death
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN A US patrol in eastern Syria near Qamishli faced off against stone-throwing locals and at least two gunmen in an...
MECRA
Feb 1, 20205 min read
Who is Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, Iraq's possible next Prime Minister
Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi may be Iraq's next Prime Minister. His selection by President Barham Salih comes just over two months since Prime...
MECRA
Feb 1, 20208 min read
Iran's responses to 'Deal of the Century'
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN During Friday prayers on January 31 Ayatollah Movahedi Kermani condemned US President Donald Trump's "Deal of the...
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...
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...
MECRA
Jan 6, 20208 min read
An interview with a senior officer of a special unit of Hashd al Shaabi (PMU)
This interview was conducted on January 3 in Baghdad, Iraq in the wake of the US srike that killed Qasim Solaimani and Abu Mahdi...
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,...
MECRA
Dec 7, 20197 min read
Who is Qais al-Khazali, the Iraqi militia leader sanctioned by the US on December 6?
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Qais al-Khazali (قيس الخزعلي) was targeted by US sanctions on December 6, 2019. "The U.S. Department of the...
MECRA
Dec 4, 20192 min read
Badr Organization, its role in the PMU: Background and sources
In the interests of creating an easily accessible list of sources related to the Badr Organization and its role in the Popular...
MECRA
Nov 29, 201911 min read
A "massacre" in Nasiriyah in Iraq as Iraqi protests reach two month turning point
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Two months of protest have reached what could be a turning point or crescendo as large movements of Iraqi forces...
MECRA
Nov 26, 20193 min read
Photo essay: Iraq's two months of protests: Inside the everyday life of the protesters' camp
Photos and text by ADAM LUCENTE Youth, gaming culture and humor flourish in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square protests BAGHDAD, Iraq – The posters...
MECRA
Nov 24, 20193 min read
Inside Iran's crackdown on a week of protests
With the disruption of internet, it has become very difficult to get information about what is going on in Iran at the present time....
MECRA
Nov 19, 201916 min read
Timeline of Israel-Iran tensions in Syria and the region
Growing tensions between Israel and Iran, particularly in Syria, have led to rocket fire from Syria directed at Israel and numerous...
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