1) At the Fathom Journal, Alex Grinberg explains why ‘Iran’s drone diplomacy is a danger to the West’.
“Iran has supplied drones to its loyalists across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas in Gaza, and pro-Iranian militias in Syria and Iraq. Venezuela also assembles Iranian drones, and more recently news about Iranian drone supply to the Polisario Front in Algeria has been triggering concern about stability in North Africa. While Iranian drones in the region have been promoting conflict and chaos since 2017, until the supply of Iranian drones for Russia’s war against Ukraine, this happened under the radars of Western media and decision-makers’ attention.”
2) Ehud Ya’ari discusses how ‘The Fighting in Sudan Threatens Peace Efforts with Israel’ at WINEP.
“When fighting broke out between rival generals in Sudan earlier this month, one of its many ripple effects was the potential upending of understandings reached with Israel. Previously, the two countries had been on a path to sign a comprehensive peace agreement sometime later this year in Washington, to be followed by the exchange of ambassadors and the conclusion of protocols for cooperation in various fields—from developing Sudan’s vast agricultural potential to upgrading its health services and initiating trade relations. This process represented the culmination of declarations and agreements reached in 2020-21 regarding normalization between the two countries and Sudan’s participation in the Abraham Accords.”
3) At the INSS Sima Shine and Raz Zimmt analyse ‘Iranian-Arab Reconciliation and Increased Threats toward Israel’.
“In recent months, the Islamic Republic has navigated two parallel processes of war and peace. On the one hand, it has reached new agreements with Sunni Arab states that were previously hostile toward Tehran, and on the other hand, it has strengthened the axis of resistance, while increasing Iranian self-confidence for activity against Israel.”
4) At the JISS Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak and Dr. Serhat S. Çubukçuoğlu discuss ‘Turkey’s Post-Quake Diplomacy and Regional Opening’.
“Two powerful earthquakes that struck Turkey’s southeast on February 6, 2023, have taken an enormous toll on lives and livelihoods, putting aside the economic and social damage of epic proportions inflicted on the country. Apart from the ensuing chaotic political atmosphere ahead of the general election in May, the tragedy also has implications for foreign policy.”
