The Return of the Islamic State in Syria?

The Islamic State (IS) has maintained a low-level insurgency and a terrorist campaign in Syria. Conducting frequent asymmetric operations, the most recent incident is the Damascus Cafe Bombing on July 2, 2026. At least nine people were killed and 22 wounded by an explosive device planted at a crowded cafe near the Palace of Justice. The cafe is one of the busiest in the area, frequented by lawyers, court visitors, and the general public.
In this article, I write about the series of attacks conducted by the IS in Syria after the transitional HTS government came to power

War and Peace with Iran

The Interim Agreement reached between the US and Iran yesterday (14 June 2026) calls for a ceasefire on all fronts, Iran to “open” the Strait of Hormuz, and the United States to lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports. The United States and Iran will sign the agreement in Geneva on June 19.
However, the next few months will be a period of danger as IRGC will consolidate its power and control in Tehran. Especially, as the three core issues that led to the war remains unresolved.

Iran Strikes Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman

In the last couple of days, Iran has attacked Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
As Tehran cannot match the conventional military power of the U.S. or Israel, its strategy is to use asymmetric tactics to raise the political, economic, and logistical costs of ongoing conflicts. Also known as ‘deterrence by punishment’, Tehran targets critical civilian and economic infrastructure across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. By striking hubs, airports, and oil and gas facilities, Iran’s IRGC aims to leverage regional prosperity to force Gulf governments to pressure Washington to limit military operations.
I write more about Iran’s strategy in this article…

The New Global Wave of Terrorism

In the past, the global terrorism environment was largely influenced and shaped by propaganda disseminated by affiliates of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. In addition to the continuing threat by Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, the threat today is shaped by another hostile actor – Iran.
In this article, I write about what this development could mean for the international security community and the safety and security of everyone.

Middle East War’s Next Phase: Who Will Open the Strait of Hormuz?

The Ayatollahs of Iran present themselves as the guardians of the Muslims. By exploiting religious beliefs, they have got away by threatening both mainstream Iranians and the international community. A mere US and Israeli military response is inadequate – in parallel, the response should be political, economic and social. Only then, the regime run by the IRGC will be dismantled and its ideology replaced. However, for such an achievement, governments worldwide need to come together and work with the Iranian people.
In this article, I write an in-depth analysis of the problem presenting itself to the international security community.

Iran’s Strategic Leap: Middle East War Expands

If anyone had doubts that the Iranian regime was engaged in terrorism, Tehran’s conduct after the Middle East War that erupted on February 28, 2026 has demonstrated adequately its preponderant use of terrorism! Using aerospace weapons – missiles, drones and rockets – the Iranian regime has mounted attacks on 12 countries in the neighbourhood, including mostly against civilian targets.

In this article, I address questions about what could come next now that Iran has displayed that its missile range could reach 4,000km. Read it here

Mojtaba vows to keep Strait of Hormuz closed

In his public statement released on national television, the new Supreme Leader of Iran Mojtaba Khamenei ordered the Strait of Hormuz remain closed as a “strategic lever” to pressure international energy markets and the U.S.
He also delivered an ultimatum to neighbors and warned the Gulf Arab states to shut down U.S. military bases on their soil immediately; and stated that these installations would remain targets for Iranian strikes as long as they are operational.
He demanded reparations from Iran’s “enemies” for war damages, threatening to seize or destroy their assets to an equivalent extent if they refuse to pay. And praised the “Resistance Front”, including specifically naming Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Iraqi resistance groups.

Who is Iran’s New Leader?

Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as Iran’s spiritual, political and the military leader of Iran after his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on Feb 28, 2026. Iran’s top clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, issued a statement shortly after midnight on March 9 in Iran. In this article, I outline his background and probable course of action.

Will the War in the Middle East Eclipse the Rising Threat in Africa?

Away from the glare of the international media, terrorism is on the rise in Africa. Although the focus is on the Middle East, the epicentre of global terrorism has shifted to Africa. After the physical collapse of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on March 23, 2019, Africa witnessed the steadfast rise of terrorist movements. The very ideologies both of the Islamic State and Al Qaeda started to influence the threat landscape in Africa.

War in the Middle East

While the Pentagon named its campaign “Epic Fury,” Israel named its campaign “Lion’s Roar”. Focusing on decapitation of high value targets, the IDF together with the US struck launch sites and missile depots, nuclear and other strategic sites, selected energy assets, Uranium mines and land, sea and air force bases.
Tehran views the U.S. as an “oppressive power” and a “Great Satan” that seeks to dominate the Middle East through Israel, the “Little Satan”. So, in response, Iran launched operation “True Promise 4” targeting multiple US military bases and civilian targets across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
In this article, I provide detail, footage, and analysis based on US and Israeli intelligence. The coming days will be pivotal for Iran’s future.