Analysis

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  Analysis

  2021-12-17

  China's pursuit of military toehold at UAE port continues to spark concern

  The Emirati government was unaware that ships disguised as commercial vessels entering the Khalifa port were actually ships the Chinese military uses for signals intelligence collection.

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  Analysis

  2021-12-07

  Raisi's 'neighbourly' foreign policy undermined by IRGC-instigated crises

  Iran's president has declared engagement with neighbours a foreign policy focus, but the IRGC's existence depends on generating crises, from which it can command state funds.

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  Analysis

  2021-12-06

  Campaign against al-Qaeda in Yemen scores victories despite ongoing civil conflict

  Yemen's security apparatus remains weakened by years of war against the Iran-backed Houthis, but reward programmes and international air strikes are regularly taking down AQAP leadership.

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  Analysis

  2021-12-03

  Al-Sadr's post-election moves rile Iran-aligned groups

  After winning big in Iraq's elections, Muqtada al-Sadr has taken steps to draw down the militia he controls and to distance himself from others.

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  Analysis

  2021-11-26

  Stretched thin and cash-strapped, IRGC ill-prepared for next domestic uprising

  Tehran's crackdown on regularly occurring domestic protests will become more challenging as it contends with funding and manpower shortages, observers say.

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  Analysis

  2021-11-24

  Between a rock and a hard place: Iran's Syria quandary

  After close to a decade of military intervention and millions of dollars spent, Iran has little to show for its investment in the Syrian regime.

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  Analysis

  2021-11-19

  In bid to survive, Tahrir al-Sham rebrands itself yet again

  The extremist alliance has been purging hardline elements and factions to soften its image and ensure it can have a say in Syria's future.

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  Analysis

  2021-11-17

  Asaib Ahl al-Haq defies IRGC directives, becomes more unpopular in Iraq

  Asaib Ahl al-Haq, one of the IRGC's most influential proxies in Iraq, has been distancing itself from Iran as it loses favour among the Iraqi public.

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  Analysis

  2021-10-27

  Contradictory remarks expose possible Iran-China scheme to avert oil sanctions

  A shipping CEO's remarks about how China is not allowing Iranian oil tankers into its 'major ports' suggest that it may be business as usual at smaller ports where there is less scrutiny.

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  Analysis

  2021-10-26

  New contracts point to expanding IRGC dominance over Iran's economy

  The decision to hand over all of Tehran's contracts to the IRGC is the latest evidence of how the military group is taking over the public and private sectors of the country.