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Rebecca Anne Proctor is an independent journalist, editor, author, and broadcaster based in Dubai and Rome, from where she covers the Middle East and North Africa. She is the former editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar Art and Harper’s Bazaar Interiors.
Rouhani Talks with Macron amid Anti-Regime Protests across Iran
In a telephone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron earlier today, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani defended the country’s military involvement in regional conflicts and emphasized that Tehran will continue its controversial ballistic missile program despite increasing pressure from Washington and its allies, according to the account of the conversation provided by the Iranian media.
An article in Fars News Agency says Russia has reached out to all key internal and external stakeholders in the Syrian conflict to shape up the future of the country, but it cannot ignore Iran’s role and interest in Syria. “Although Russia has supported the Bashar al-Assad government through its air force, it has been Iran and the resistance axis that has carried out most of the fighting on the battlefield.
Vahidi: Yemen’s Houthis Act on Khamenei’s Order; Iran Won’t Curb Its Missile Program
A senior Iranian military official has said that the Houthi rebels in Yemen are inspired by Iran’s Islamic Revolution and its founder’s thoughts and are fighting against the Saudi-led coalition under the instructions of Ira
India’s burgeoning economic relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been accompanied by heightened security risks, including in the domain of terrorism. In light of these developments, this article addresses three questions: What is the nature and gravity of the transnational terrorist linkages that exist between India and Gulf Arab countries? What steps has India taken, in concert with its Gulf Arab partners, to counter the terrorist threat? And what more could be done to strengthen India-Gulf Arab counterterrorism (CT) cooperation?
Khamenei Aide Calls for “Stronger Intifada” against Israel
A top aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said there will be a third intifada and called on all Muslim countries to support Palestinian armed factions to fight Israel.
Iran Worried about Shiite Allies in Iraq Losing Power in Next Elections
Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on military affairs, has expressed the concern that Iran’s interests in Iraq could be imperiled if the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections change the balance of power in
Russia's Energy Diplomacy Should Cause Concern in Washington
Friction between the United States and Saudi Arabia is unsettling their friends and emboldening their enemies, in particular, Russia.
Saudi public criticism of President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the State Department’s warning that Saudi Arabia needs to allow humanitarian aid into Yemen are just two of the issues straining ties. A development that has the potential to worsen U.S.-Saudi ties even further is Russia’s growing global energy clout.
After ISIS, Iran's Afghan Proxy in Syria May Fight in Other Regional Conflicts
A commander of the Fatemiyoun Division, an Iranian-led Afghan Shiite militia group fighting in Syria, has said that the mission of his forces is not confined in Syria, and that the militiamen will be willing to fight in other regional conflicts and around the world if instructed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In our final episode of the year, Paul Salem interviews several MEI scholars on the key events that transpired across the Middle East in 2017 including in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Guests include Gerald Feierstein, Charles Lister, Gonul Tol, and Alex Vatanka.
Iran Plans to Keep Long-Term Military Presence in Syria
A senior Iranian officials has said that Tehran will keep its military presence in Syria for the long haul, the Iranian media reported. “Based on the request of the legitimate government of Syria, we will continue our presence and advisory assistance until all terrorist groups in this country are destroyed,” said Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Khamenei Aide: Iran Will Support “Resistance” to Confront U.S. in Region
A senior aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said that Iran will continue to aid the “resistance” forces in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to confront U.S. influence in the Middle East. “Victory in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen will continue as long as the resistance coalition defends its achievements. And as long as necessary, we will have a presence in these countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran has an active presence [in these countries].
After the publication in 2017 of my book Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes, co-authored with RP Eddy, I have been often asked what my predictions are for possible trouble ahead. The point of the book was that there are recognized, data-driven experts who see things accurately before other experts, not that I am capable of seeing disasters coming.
