After being drawn into a direct and damaging confrontation with Israel during the Gaza War, Iran is now in a phase of strategic recovery. Shaken by unexpected blows to its military networks and deterrence, Tehran is expanding its missile reach, debating nuclear weaponisation, and rebuilding its regional proxies to restore its “ring of fire” around Israel. Beneath this defiance lies anxiety and division, as Iran’s leadership struggles to regain credibility, manage internal pressure, and navigate an uncertain path between confrontation and negotiation with the United States.
The ‘Anti-Assad Triangle,’ comprising Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Syrian Opposition Forces, and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has recaptured significant parts of Aleppo in a surprise offensive, pushing back regime forces weakened by the absence of strong support from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. Turkey has backed this coalition to pressure Assad, while Israel benefits from the disruption to Iranian and Hezbollah infrastructure in Syria. However, regional security concerns persist, with potential re-engagements by Iranian forces, Hezbollah, and Russian interests to stabilise Assad's crumbling hold on power. The coming days will test the regime's ability to regroup or face further losses.
Iran's recent military actions across the Middle East represent a significant escalation in regional tensions. An attack on Pakistan, however, represents a new level of escalation.
The clashes on May 27, 2023, between Taliban and Iranian forces along the Afghanistan-Iran border raise regional tensions. Stemming from a water treaty dispute, these clashes represent the first major violence between Iran and the Taliban since 2021. The article explores the events leading up to the clashes, the clashes themselves, and assesses whether they hold greater significance than initially portrayed.
A few days ago, Midstone Centre associate Vineet reached out to the spokesperson of Jaish al-ʿAdl, Hossein Baloch, via an encrypted messaging app, and requested an interview. Our request was granted by the group’s spokesperson and a short interview was conducted in Persian. The views and opinions expressed by the individual interviewed are solely his own and are based on his own perspective and opinions. The views expressed in the publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or Midstone Centre. In light of the ongoing protests in Iran and the subsequent crackdown by the regime, Jaish al-’Adl announced support for the protesters. The intention behind this interview is to explore and understand the views and stances of Jaish al-’Adl.
On the 16th of September, a 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini - whose Kurdish name is Jinna - was brutally and tragically killed by Tehran's fundamentalist theocratic regime's so-called 'morality police' for allegedly breaking forced headscarf rules.
Arabian Gulf: The United States Navy 5th Fleet prevented an Iranian military ship from seizing an unmanned US Navy ship in the Arabian Gulf.
On 19th July, Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with Russia's Putin, gathered in Tehran in the presence of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi for a Tripartite Summit within the framework of Astana format.