By staff writer

The ‘narco’ smokescreen clears as US demands Venezuelan oil fields

TEHRAN — The smoke from the January 3 airstrikes on Caracas has barely dissipated, but the strategic landscape of the American aggression against Venezuela has already undergone a chilling transformation.

Yemen’s crisis deepens amid UAE–Israel nexus

TEHRAN – The latest turmoil in Yemen underscores how regional rivalries and foreign entanglements continue to destabilize the country. 

By Sondoss Al Asaad 

Lebanon at the edge of an imposed escalation?

BEIRUT—Amid escalating Israeli enemy rhetoric about widening the circle of confrontation and Washington’s clear shift toward imposing faits accomplis under the logic of “the law of the jungle,” Lebanon finds itself navigating an exceptionally sensitive political and security moment. 

By Wesam Bahrani 

Syrians gambling with Israel 

TEHRAN – Why are some Syrians betting on the Israeli regime and its risks for Syria’s unity? 

By Shahrokh Saei

Greenland today, Europe tomorrow: Mapping the rise of Trumpland

TEHRAN – President Donald Trump’s imperial ambitions show no sign of slowing, fueled by hubris and the momentum of America’s deadly military strikes in Venezuela — a campaign that culminated in the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro. Trump has now declared that Venezuela “will be turning over” up to 50 million barrels of oil — valued at roughly $2.8 billion — to the United States.

Hakim: Iraq’s sovereignty hinges on airspace control

Ammar al-Hakim, leader of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement, has stressed that true sovereignty cannot be achieved without full control over the country’s airspace. Speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the founding of the Iraqi Army, Hakim reflected on the institution’s history and its revival after 2003 in the face of terrorism and severe challenges.

By Shahrokh Saei 

From ally to aggressor: Greenland exposes Europe’s security illusion

TEHRAN - For years, European leaders have spoken of Russia as the singular threat to Europe’s security. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen captured this consensus in October 2025 when she stated: “There is only one country that is willing to threaten us (Europe), and it is Russia, and therefore we need a very strong answer back.” That statement reflected the prevailing mindset that NATO’s purpose was to contain Russia, and the United States was the indispensable ally in that mission.

By Sondoss Al Asaad 

Lebanon’s governance in crisis

Lebanon’s political system is so hollowed out that even a fictitious foreign prince can dictate governance

BEIRUT—Imagine a country where a fictitious foreign prince, armed only with a phone and a fabricated authority, can dictate political appointments, unlock frozen bank accounts, and influence judicial decisions—all without leaving his home. 

By Wesam Bahrani 

Catastrophic year for Palestinians in 2025 

TEHRAN – An official Palestinian report has documented the catastrophic suffering of Palestinians in 2025 at the hands of the Israeli occupation regime. 

By staff writer 

Israel’s expansionist agenda: Aggression in Syria amid Paris talks

TEHRAN – The persistence of Israeli military aggression in southern Syria, reported on Tuesday even as negotiations were underway in Paris, illustrates the contradiction between declared diplomatic efforts and the reality of the regime’s expansionist policies. 

Russia and China condemn U.S. “crimes” and “bullying” in Venezuela

Russia and China condemned the United States at a UN Security Council meeting, accusing Washington of committing “crimes” and “bullying” in Venezuela. The criticism followed a U.S.-led military operation that included deadly strikes and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

By Wesam Bahrani 

What awaits Gaza in 2026 

TEHRAN – As we enter the new year 2026, do the risks of genocide and displacement for Palestinians in Gaza still persist?

By Sondoss Al Asaad 

Lebanon between war and ‘neutralization’

BEIRUT—Lebanon is once again being asked to believe in calm—carefully worded, condition-laden calm—at a moment when pressure, not peace, defines the regional landscape. 

By Shahrokh Saei   

Trump’s imperial reach: From Latin America to Greenland 

TEHRAN – U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against other countries, issued after the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation that included deadly strikes inside the Latin American nation, are not merely reckless—they are a brazen display of imperial arrogance. 

By staff writer

Worldwide anger at state-run abduction

The U.S. government’s unlawful abduction of Venezuela’s elected president has ignited protests and fierce condemnations across continents

TEHRAN – The United States has crossed a dangerous line with its military assault on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. What Washington presents as justice is, in reality, a blatant violation of international law and Venezuela's sovereignty. By abducting a sitting head of state and declaring that the U.S. will "run the country," President Donald Trump has revived the darkest traditions of imperialism in Latin America.

By staff writer 

Machado as pawn: Venezuela on Washington’s imperial chessboard

TEHRAN – María Corina Machado’s role in Venezuela’s crisis shows how powerful nations use local leaders for their own goals. For years she was seen as the face of the opposition, someone who could stand against Nicolás Maduro.