“Proscribing Hezbollah as a terrorist organization” (analysis)
BICOM
This BICOM briefing describes the history of Hezbollah, its ongoing involvement in the Syrian civil war, its regional policies, and its terrorist and criminal activities in Europe and the UK. It also analyses the practical significance of the whole organization being proscribed as a terrorist group. Read more…
“Too Big to Evade: The Costs of Europe Sticking with Iran” (analysis)
Michael B. Greenwald, Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
In spite of initial hopefulness, the Europeans will eventually face a reckoning with the facts: Washington’s financial leverage over Brussels has, arguably, never been greater since the establishment of the euro in 1999. The power of the U.S. Dollar and weaponization of the U.S. financial system cannot be challenged successfully by Europe at this moment. Read more…
“Hezbollah’s Precision Missile Project” (briefing)
BICOM
A new briefing by BICOM, “Hezbollah’s Precision Missile Project,” analyses Iran’s attempt to convert Hezbollah’s existing missiles into precision-guided missiles. Read more…
“Smuggled in Suitcases Iran’s Covert Scheme to Upgrade Hezbollah’s Rocket Arsenal Revealed” (analysis)
Amos Harel, Haaretz
Iran is smuggling upgrades for Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal through Syria in suitcases, two recent reports based on Israeli intelligence reveal. Read more…
“Britain leads the way in banning Hizbollah. The rest of Europe must now follow suit” (opinion)
Ron Prosor, The Telegraph
UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced earlier this week that the ludicrous distinction between Hizbollah’s military and political wings would no longer apply and the organisation would be banned in its entirety – subject to the approval of Parliament. Read more…
“The UK’s Hezbollah ban will not just affect Al Quds Day — it will hinder its fundraising” (analysis)
Anshel Pfeffer, The Jewish Chronicle
The Lebanese Shia movement raises vast sums through donations, drug smuggling and money laundering. Read more…
“Israel’s Beresheet Moon mission gets under way” (news)
Jonathan Amos, BBC
The first privately financed mission to the Moon has lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The Israeli robot was put on a path to the lunar body by a Falcon rocket – a trip that will take two months. Read more…
“The Israeli Elections and the European Union” (analysis)
Christian Kaunert, Ori Wertman, Jerusalem Post
Here are two main issues concerning Israel that concern the EU: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iranian nuclear program. Read more…
“Is the U.S. Losing Europe When It Comes to the Middle East?” (opinion)
Michael Young, Carnegie Europe
A regular survey of experts on matters relating to Middle Eastern and North African politics and security. Read more…
“What Comes After ISIS?” (analysis)
Daniel Byman, Foreign Policy
The United States is good at using military might to defeat terrorists—but without a plan for clean, competent governance in areas once ruled by the Islamic State, the threat will remain. Read more…