This paper examines the future of the U.S. military presence in Syria within the context of rapidly evolving local and regional shifts. It also highlights how Washington, without direct military involvement, seeks to shape a political and security environment that serves its interests through monitoring the performance of the Syrian government and curbing the influence of Iran and extremist organizations. The paper links the repositioning of U.S. forces to a change in Washington’s perception of the Syrian government, specifically, its transformation into a political partner aligned with the regional environment.

This policy analysis discusses the possibilities that may ensue from the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and the position of the Iraqi government regarding this withdrawal. It also touches on the nature of future relations between Washington and Baghdad against the backdrop of attacks between armed factions in Iraq and U.S. forces.

This policy analysis addresses the escalation of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and its effects on Arab countries. This analysis also touches on the Operation Prosperity Guardian coalition launched by the United States with the participation of more than 20 countries to protect international shipping lanes.

Position Assessment | This paper presents a theoretical interpretation of the growing asymmetric threats and their repercussions on international peace and security. Such threats have imposed shifts in the concepts and theories of security followed for decades, especially the theories of deterrence and balance of power, the matter which made requiring re-research into new strategies for deterrence in the international arena be necessary.

The Syrian-Iraqi border is entering a new phase marked by strategic competition and sharp ideological divergence. Its significance now extends far beyond a simple bilateral boundary, turning it into a geopolitical flashpoint that may shape the region’s future landscape. Despite a period of relative calm, the stability along the border remains fragile and temporary, while the likelihood of tension or escalation—driven by domestic developments in both countries or by broader regional and international shifts—remains conspicuously high.

The war in the Gaza Strip and its repercussions on Lebanon and Syria, culminating in its spillover into the Iranian heartland in June 2025, marked a turning point in the balance of power that has prevailed since 2003. This shift resulted in the decline of the Iranian influence and the emergence of Israel as a central actor, and it rearranged the Arab alliances that began to fill the vacuum left by Tehran’s retreat. Worried about Israel turning into a dominant power, Arab states seek to re-engineer the regional balance to formulate a system based on cooperation rather than influence.

The most important criterion for judging the outcomes of the Arab-Islamic summit in Doha this September remains the extent to which they are reflected in Israeli behavior. While the summit could serve as a barrier against Israel repeating attacks on Qatar or any other Arab state, it will not alter the developments on the ground, nor will it play a role in reshaping the balance of power in the Middle East—a matter of utmost priority and significance at both the Arab and regional levels.

The humanitarian landscape in the Gaza Strip is undergoing a significant transformation with the launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Overseen by former U.S. military officers, the GHF provides aid and security to support the Israeli strategy of dismantling Hamas’s rule and reshaping governance in the Strip. Amid the declining role of UN agencies, the GHF has emerged as an invaluable tool for reengineering the population landscape through projects such as the "Humanitarian City" and “Safe Bubbles”.

This article by the Chairman of STRATEGIECS Board of Trustees, Mr. Hasan Ismaik, presents a review of “The Personality of the Iraqi Individual” by Ali Al-Wardi; this book attempts to identify characteristics distinguishing Iraqis from others while addressing the characteristics that distinguish the human character in general.

With the recent global rapid acceleration in technological advancements, technology, in its trans-geographical sense, has become an essential component for measuring the development and progress of societies. This article, therefore, discusses the impact of technological development and artificial intelligence on community behaviors, addressing whether they pose a threat that neutralizes humans and their capabilities.

This article, published in The New York Times on November 9, 2025, in which the GM of STRATEGIECS Institute examines Ahmed al-Sharaa (known as al-Julani)’s visit to the White House, highlighting the grave implications of this event for regional and strategic security, as well as for the United States itself. It underscores how al-Julani’s background—rooted in global terrorism—and the legitimization of an extremist model of governance achieved through military takeover and disguised as pragmatism represent new instruments for transnational terrorist organizations seeking to undermine the very concept of the nation-state.

The year 2024 has served as a testing ground to assess the accuracy of the methodologies the STRATEGIECS Institute has developed over the past years, as well as an operational platform to utilize the accumulated expertise of its team. This was particularly evident in their ability to devise results and forecast directions related to various events and issues. The results have been highly promising, both in terms of the pace of research output and the accuracy of predictions.

As the parliamentary elections draw near, electoral campaigns must be built upon the tangible progress already achieved and address the aspirations of an Iraqi society that has indeed changed—a society no longer willing to tolerate policies of denial or procrastination.

The issue of centralization versus decentralization in Syria is a structural one that goes beyond intellectual debate, touching on the very essence of state reconstruction, the definition of national identity, and the form of governance. While centralization is viewed by some as a safeguard for the country’s unity, experience has shown that it has deepened marginalization and weakened political participation. Conversely, many political segments see decentralization as an entry point for comprehensive institutional reform; however, hastily adopting it could threaten stability and sovereignty, especially given the complexities of the Syrian reality.