Iran's Interim Ruler VP Mohammad Mokhber, a Pure Product of Islamic Republic

A prominent and influential figure in Iranian politics today, Mohammad Mokhber has held the position of First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran since August 2021. Following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, he replaces the latter, according to the Iranian constitution. IRGC officer Born into a clerical family on May 11, 1955, ...

Lebanese Skies Are Becoming Increasingly Dangerous for Israel

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, a "cat-and-mouse game" between Israeli drones and Hezb air defense has steadily emerged in Lebanese skies. As a new Israeli drone was shot down on Monday, Ici Beyrouth takes a look at the main equipment involved. On Monday, Israeli forces reported the interception of one of their drones above the village ...

Israel-Iran: Saber Rattling and Rhetorical War

Since the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, the war of words between the two countries has shown no signs of abating. While US officials fear an imminent retaliation, calls for calm are rising around the world. Since the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which left 16 people dead, including seven ...

Israeli Withdrawal from Southern Gaza: Hope for Peace or Tactical Move?

The Israeli decision to withdraw its forces from Khan Younes on Sunday raises questions, especially in light of recent American pressures. Is it a prelude to a lasting ceasefire or a mere delay before a powerful comeback towards Rafah? The Israeli military announced on Sunday the near-complete withdrawal of its forces from southern Gaza. This ...

Key Entry Points for Aid Delivery in Gaza

The announcement, made on Friday by the Netanyahu government, of the opening of the Erez-Beit Hanoun border crossing aims to facilitate the entry of more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Here's an overview of the primary ways of delivering aid to the enclave: by land, by air or by sea. On Friday, April 5, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ...

Daesh: The Return of the Jihadist Specter?

The attack that struck Moscow on March 22 highlights the resurgence of the jihadist group Daesh worldwide, spanning from the Middle East to Africa. This time, with the Khorasan cell firmly established in Central Asia leading the charge. The Russian invasion of Ukraine had previously monopolized attention, while the conflict between Israel and ...

Mohammed Moustafa, Palestinian Economist Turned Prime Minister

On Thursday, March 14, Mohammed Moustafa was designated by Mahmoud Abbas as the new Palestinian Prime Minister. Behind the name lies a seasoned economist whose proximity to the Palestinian President can do him harm. On Thursday, March 14, the name of the former prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh – who left office on Monday, February 26 – was ...

Iran Elections Emptied of Their Substance

A double ballot is scheduled to take place in Iran on Friday, March 1. In a country where power remains monopolized by the mullahs, what is the true significance of these elections? This Is Beirut contacted Bernard Hourcade, director of the CeRMI (Centre de recherche sur le monde iranien), to answer these questions. On Friday, March 1, about 61 ...

Is the Iranian Axis on the Defensive?

In the days following the drone attack on the Syrian-Jordanian border, two key players within the Iranian axis announced the suspension of their attacks on American positions in Iraq and Syria. Amid fears of retaliation and a wish to negotiate from a position of strength, let's revisit this unexpected turn of events. On Tuesday, January 30, the ...

Qatar, Netanyahu’s New Scapegoat

In recent days, Netanyahu and his political allies have been launching attacks against Qatar. This trend is far from trivial and reveals a new aspect of the Israeli Prime Minister's uncompromising strategy, according to political analyst Karim Sader. On Wednesday January 24, Israeli Channel 12 broadcast an audio recording of Netanyahu with ...

Red Sea: Global Trade Hub

The strikes carried out by the international coalition in the Red Sea since the beginning of the year once again illustrate the importance of this body of water for global maritime trade. Here are the key points to understand the specifics of this vital artery of major strategic importance. Since October 7, 2023, the Red Sea has gradually become ...

Insight into "Prosperity Guardian" Operation in Six Key Points

Led by the United States, the "Prosperity Guardian" operation, which involves approximately a dozen countries, aims to protect the Red Sea from attacks launched by the Houthis based in Yemen. Here are six key points outlining the primary features of this deployment. On Wednesday, December 27, two of the world's major shipping companies, the ...

Operations in Ukraine Remain Unabated Despite Winter

While the world’s attention remains focused on the raging conflict between Israel and Hamas and its allies in the Iranian axis, another conflict continues to cause widespread devastation. Despite the shift in media attention, Ukraine and Russia persistently strive to achieve their objectives on all fronts, employing every possible means. As ...

Essequibo, the Next Geopolitical Hot Spot?

On December 3rd, Venezuelans will cast their votes on the annexation of Essequibo, a region under the governance of Guyana but claimed by Caracas. The outcome of the vote raises concerns about a potential military conflict between the two South American countries. After Ukraine and the Middle East, is Latin America on the brink of a new escalation ...