Israel Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Borders, Bombs, and Belief: Southern Syria on the Brink

Since July 13, the Sweida province in Syria — an area with about 500,000 inhabitants, mostly of Druze faith — has been engulfed in fierce conflicts between local Druze militias, Bedouin…

July 24, 2025druze, Israel, Syria

Conflict Geopolitics

Russia and Iran After the Escalation with Israel: Strategic Partners, Conditional Allies

Executive Summary Despite years of strategic alignment, Russia did not provide direct military or political support to Iran during its recent confrontation with Israel. This reflects a calculated restraint rooted in Russia’s own geopolitical…

June 19, 2025Iran, Israel, Russia, USA

Conflict Geoeconomics Geopolitics

Escalating Tensions Between Iran and Israel (June 2025): Timing, Scenarios, and Global Implications

Recent weeks have seen a dramatic intensification of tensions between Iran and Israel, marked by tit-for-tat military threats, cyberattacks, and covert operations across the region. With the specter of direct…

June 13, 2025Iran, Israel, USA

Geopolitics National Security

Strategic Withdrawal or Global Recalibration? Trump’s Distance from Ukraine Negotiations and Direct Talks with Hamas

Donald Trump’s decision to distance himself from negotiations surrounding the war in Ukraine—while simultaneously engaging in direct talks with Hamas—marks a major shift in American foreign policy behavior under his…

May 21, 2025Israel, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics National Security

Shifting Alliances: The Fall of Assad and Iran’s Diminishing Influence in Syria

The overthrow of Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-backed coalition and interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, marked a major regional shift and a significant blow…

March 18, 2025Iran, Israel, Syria

Conflict Geopolitics National Security

Israel’s Strategy: Backing Russian Bases in Syria to Curb Turkish Influence

Israel seeks to weaken Turkey's influence in Syria by lobbying the U.S. for measures to decentralize the country and maintain Russia's military presence. Israeli officials fear that a Turkish-backed Islamist…

March 3, 2025Israel, Russia, Syria, Turkiye, USA

Conflict Geopolitics National Security Terrorism

Scenarios and Implications of Escalating Conflict Between Israel and the Houthis

The probability of a conflict between Israel and Yemen's Houthi rebels has escalated from potential to active engagement. Recent events indicate that hostilities are already underway, with both parties conducting…

January 10, 2025Houthis, Iran, Israel, Yemen

Intelligence ops National Security

New strategic surprise for Israeli intelligence

The Collapse Of The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 caught the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s intelligence community —mainly Israel Military Intelligence (IMI) and the…

December 23, 2024Israel, Syria

Conflict Geopolitics Governance

Implications of Assad’s Fall for Regional Stability in the Middle East

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria could profoundly impact the Middle East, influencing geopolitical alliances, regional stability, and the balance of power among global actors. Here's an overview…

December 12, 2024Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria

Conflict Geopolitics

The Decline of Assad’s Grip and Russia’s Waning Influence in Syria”

While Russia is unlikely to completely abandon Assad in the short term, the scope of its support may diminish as global and regional pressures mount. Moscow’s continued involvement will likely…

December 5, 2024Israel, Russia, Syria, Ukraine

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