NEW | Syria-US Relations: Syrian President Ahmed al Shara met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on November 10. Shara’s visit marked the first visit of any Syrian president to the White House. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

Russian and Ukrainian forces continue interdiction campaigns in the Pokrovsk direction as the rate of Russian advances in and around Pokrovsk remains temporarily decreased. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

The rate of Russian advances in the Pokrovsk direction has temporarily slowed but will likely increase again in the coming days as Russian forces extend logistics and bring reinforcements in the area. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

Russian forces continue to advance in the Pokrovsk direction and are reportedly extending logistics to southern Pokrovsk. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

The Shia Coordination Framework is reportedly considering integrating six Iranian-backed Iraqi militias into the state to meet US demands to disarm the militias. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

NEW I Iran’s annual oil revenues have significantly decreased, which will likely worsen Iran’s ongoing economic issues amid international sanctions and provide the government with less revenue to carry out its initiatives. 1/5 Read the full update here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing plans for a “several-day” operation in which the IDF would target Hezbollah infrastructure south of Beirut, in the Bekaa Valley, and in other areas north of Lebanon’s Litani River. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to try to blame US President Donald Trump for the nuclear arms modernization and buildup program that Russia began years ago. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

Iran may seek to exchange technical information with Belarus related to air defense systems and electronic warfare (EW) equipment to enhance its ability to produce these systems. Read more here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

MORE | Iran could feasibly use the Badr Organization's influence in the PMF and other ministries to sideline and suppress militias that refuse Iran's proposals to integrate into politics. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

NEW | Iran is reportedly attempting to force its large proxy and partner militias in Iraq to move into politics, possibly to discourage US sanctions enforcement that would prevent Iran from using the Iraqi economy to evade sanctions. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

Iran has had a flurry of political infighting in recent weeks amid recent reports that senior Iranian officials have sidelined Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

NEW | Venezuela recently requested military equipment, including drones, from Iran amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, according to internal US government documents obtained by the Washington Post. Read more: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira... (1/8)

Sudan is one of many cases where external actors are exploiting African tensions to advance their interests. AEI-CTP is hosting a panel on Nov. 4 to discuss the role of "Middle Powers" and their impact on East Africa and US-Africa policy. RSVP to attend in-person or online: aei.org/events/afric...

An X account attributed to Mossad claimed on October 30 that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Political and Security Affairs, Ali Asghar Hejazi, and

NEW I Iran has reportedly received increasingly large sodium perchlorate shipments from China amid Iranian efforts to rebuild its ballistic missile program in the wake of the Israel-Iran War. 1/7 Read the full update here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

NEW | The RSF captured el Fasher after an 18-month siege, solidifying a de facto partition in Sudan. The Emirati-backed RSF is committing war crimes that are likely crimes against humanity & possibly acts of ethnic cleansing. Details in the Africa File: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/sud...

Iran is attempting to develop regional economic partnerships to counter increased economic pressure following the Israel-Iran War. 1/5 Read the full update here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

NEW | A Russian official threatened to supply nuclear missiles to Venezuela and Cuba and called the United States a Russian enemy. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

NEW | The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire monitoring committee has agreed to meet more frequently, likely to encourage greater dialogue between Israel and Lebanon. Read more here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

NEW | Iran Defense Strategy: Former Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari argued that Iran’s missile program is its main form of deterrence. Read more from CTP and @thestudyofwar.bsky.social: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira... (1/5)

How the United States should capitalize on the Axis of Resistance’s moment of weakness? Curious? Read more: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the... (1/6)

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)’s apparent hesitancy to disarm Hezbollah has increased international frustration and concern about a potential resumption of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. 1/8 Read the full update here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

The Kremlin is intensifying its cognitive warfare effort aimed at coercing the United States to make decisions about the war in Ukraine that are favorable to Russia. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

The LAF's apparent hesitancy to disarm Hezbollah has increased international frustration and concern about a potential resumption of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

NEW | CTP’s @nicholasacarl.bsky.social and @briancarter.bsky.social assess risks and opportunities for the US in Iran in their latest report, “The State of the Axis of Resistance.” Read the full report: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the... Here are their key points: (1/3)

NEW | Russian forces continue to advance in central and western Pokrovsk, although the exact contour of the front line in and around the town remains unclear. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

NEW | The Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted at least 18 airstrikes targeting Hezbollah sites and fighters across Lebanon on October 23 and 24, compared to 15 airstrikes between October 1 and 22. Read more here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

In today's Congo War Security Review: The Congolese government refused to sign the US-brokered peace agreement in a proposed head of state ceremony on October 23. Members convened for the third meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism.

Chinese and Indian oil companies are reportedly significantly reducing direct purchases of Russian oil, and the EU passed its 19th sanctions package against Russia. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf reportedly took the unprecedented step of assuming a military command during the Israel-Iran War in June after the deaths of many commanders. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

The Syrian transitional government appears to be pursuing a low-level effort to target foreign fighters in Syria who have not integrated into the Ministry of Defense (MoD). 1/6 Read more here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

Russian forces conducted a large combined drone and missile strike against Ukraine on the night of October 21 and 22 and struck a Ukrainian kindergarten on the morning of October 22. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

The Iranian regime passed the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) convention on October 22 as part of an effort to remove Iran from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

Iran is building unidentified structures at the former Taleghan 2 nuclear research site in southeastern Tehran province, according to an October 20 report from Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). Read more: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated that Russia is unwilling to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine that does not result in Ukraine’s complete capitulation. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

Different factions within the Iranian regime are fighting for influence in Iran to determine future Iranian policy after the Israel-Iran War and several scares over the health and availability of the supreme leader. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

MORE | Khani called for reform of Iran's security strategy and warned that Iran could fall behind in the international order if the Iranian regime does not fundamentally change its economic and defense strategy. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

NEW I A senior Iranian official suggested in an interview with Nour News on October 13 that the Iranian regime is unable to develop a long-term strategy because it continues to suffer from shock and paralysis after the Israel-Iran War. 1/6 Read more here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

In today's Congo War Security Review: The Congolese army conducted airstrikes on M23 positions on the RP1030 in North Kivu. M23 clashed with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters near Masisi town and along the RP529 in western Masisi district in North Kivu.

"Energy is not only a national security concern given the leverage it gives Beijing and Moscow, but it is also a massive business opportunity that touches all sectors of the economy, including critical minerals." nationalinterest.org/blog/energy-...

NEW | Putin reportedly reiterated his demand that Ukraine cede all of Donetsk Oblast as a condition for ending the war, and suggested that Russia would be willing to "surrender parts" of occupied southern Ukraine. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

NEW: The Kremlin reiterated its commitment to Russia's war demands that amount to Ukraine's full capitulation in response to US President Donald Trump's October 17 proposal for peace in Ukraine. Read more from here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump met at the White House on October 17 and discussed ongoing US support for Ukraine and efforts to the war. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...

Iran may be trying to establish secure access to ENTC tunnels and reinforce tunnel entrances against future strikes according to the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

In today's Congo War Security Review: Former DRC President Joseph Kabila launched a new political coalition from Kenya.

www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira... NEW | Iranian-backed Iraqi fighters likely assassinated Iraqi Sunni Sovereignty Alliance candidate and Baghdad Provincial Council member Safaa al Mashhadani on October 14 with an explosive device in al Dhubat neighborhood, Tarmiyah district, Iraq.

NEW | The Congolese government and M23 rebels signed a Qatari-brokered agreement to establish a ceasefire-verification mechanism on October 14 in a notable breakthrough in the peace process. 🧵1/9

Shara and his government are poised to strengthen relations with Russia in order to achieve the following military, economic, and geopolitical objectives in the absence of international pressure to cut ties with Russia. www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

The Kremlin remains committed to its rhetorical effort to dissuade the United States from selling Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine amidst critical policy debates. Read more from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social here: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/rus...