Iran
The Fordow Conundrum
By telegraphing that its Iran operation would take “weeks, not days,” Israel made clear that it has no intention of quitting until its objectives are met, with or without the U.S. But Israel’s coercive messaging to the White House, that nothing succeeds like success, appears to be working.
The New Normal
The latest exchanges of missiles between Israel and Iran have broken a long-standing psychological barrier in the Middle East, and are being viewed by states in the region with profound ambivalence. With deterrence fading, what follows may be more volatile still.
Caught in Trump’s Immigration Dragnet
A doctoral student from Iran was detained, labeled a national security threat and eventually chose voluntary deportation after a harrowing ordeal. His fiancee has stayed behind to continue studying. Their story reveals how Trump’s immigration policies are upending academic lives.
How Iran Targets Women Dissidents Abroad
Dissidents fleeing repressive regimes often hope for safety abroad, but digital transnational repression has allowed Iran and other states to continue their harassment across borders. Iranian women activists are increasingly targeted with gendered online abuse, including deepfake pornography and social media smear campaigns.
Inside Israel’s Shadow War Against Iran in Syria
The newly surfaced “Moses” documents, apparently written by an Israeli operative, shed light on the dynamics between Assad and Iran. While Assad may have tried to limit Iran’s activities where possible, Tehran likely operated independently of Damascus, maintaining a firewall to ensure secrecy and prevent infiltration.
New Lines’ Best of Syria Reporting
In this special issue of the Week in Review, we dive into the New Lines archives for a look back at some of our best essays on Syria
Iran and Iraq Are Competing Over Leadership of Shiite Islam After Sistani
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most senior cleric in Shiite Islam, is approaching 94 years old. His doctrine and actions, including resistance to Iranian theocracy, have proved a stabilizing force in Iraq for decades, but many wonder if more authority will pass to Iran when he is gone.