Middle East Experience

Erdogan’s ambitions in Syria go beyond fighting ISIS. Is he laying the foundation for a modern Ottoman Empire?
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: How Erdogan’s Ottoman energy ambitions threaten Israel and the West

As Palestinian inmates released by Israel on Saturday stepped off the buses that took them to the Gaza Strip, some flashed a victory sign and swiftly set fire to sweatshirts they were made to wear in prison.Images broadcast on Israeli media before their release under a ceasefire deal with Hamas showed rows of Palestinian prisoners wearing the sweatshirts emblazoned with the Star of David, the logo of Israel's prison service and the Arabic phrase "we do not forget and we do not forgive".
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Freed Palestinian inmates set prison garb ablaze on return to Gaza

Russian officials chose to specifically thank Hamas and the Kremlin's Arab partners in their statements regarding Troufanov's release, but didn't mention Israel.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Moscow takes credit for release of Russian-Israeli hostage Alexander Troufanov

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London to the United States embassy on Saturday to protest against President Donald Trump's proposal that the US "take over" Gaza.Waving Palestinian flags and placards saying "Hands off Gaza," several thousand people walked from Whitehall in Westminster over the River Thames to the embassy in Nine Elms.Earlier this month, Trump stunned the world when he suggested the US could redevelop the war-ravaged Gaza Strip into the "Riviera of the Middle East".
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Thousands of pro-Palestinians march in UK against Trump's Gaza plan

Hezbollah is testing their standing in new president Joseph Aoun's government.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Lebanon under fire: Hezbollah tests new government with riots, UNIFIL attack

"[The Bibas children’s] bright orange hair, once a symbol of joy, now represents the world’s failure to protect the most vulnerable,” CAM said
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: CAM launches #OrangeRevolution campaign honoring Bibas children

"The addition of this ship to our fleet is an important step in increasing the defense and deterrence capability of Iran."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Iran's first drone carrier joins the Revolutionary Guards' fleet

President Donald Trump said Thursday that Gaza would be "turned over" by Israel to the United States when the conflict is over, and no soldiers would be needed for his subsequent takeover and redevelopment plan.Trump doubled down on the shock plan he first announced on Tuesday -- and on his plan to resettle two million Palestinians elsewhere from Gaza in the Middle East -- on his Truth Social network."The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting," Trump said in an early morning post.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Trump says Gaza would be 'turned over' to US by Israel

The new warship is the latest locally made addition to Iran’s growing military arsenal.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran’s IRGC unveils first drone carrier warship

Donald Trump's stunning proposal that the United States could take control of the Gaza Strip has drawn criticism from governments around the world.But the US president's apparent plan -- announced at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- remains thin on details.It came in the context of mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach the "second phase" of a ceasefire deal that would bring a more permanent end to the devastating war in Gaza.This is what Trump said at Tuesday's news conference:- 'Long-term ownership' -
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Trump's plan to 'take over' Gaza, in his own words