Ranj Alaaldin

1 month ago | mecouncil.org | Ranj Alaaldin |sun xia |Leena Badri |Mouin Rabbani

As the Trump administration begins pulling U.S. troops out of Syria and openly mulling its long-term future there, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—a Kurdish-led coalition force—may soon lose its most important military and political backer.

Feb 2, 2024 | brookings.edu | Ranj Alaaldin

The Popular Mobilization Force (PMF) is on its way to becoming Iraq’s preeminent political and institutional power, with its economic power also expanding. The umbrella militia organization, which is led by Iran-aligned factions, has markedly enhanced its influence over the Iraqi state and government over the past two years. The PMF, with backing and support from Iran, hopes to drive the United States out of Iraq as the war in the Gaza Strip unfolds.

Sep 29, 2023 | foreignpolicy.com | Ranj Alaaldin

In a private letter delivered to the White House earlier this month, the prime minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq warned that Kurdistan—and Iraq’s post-2003 federal system—faces imminent collapse unless the United States intervenes. Masrour Barzani sent his extraordinary warning amid mounting political and economic challenges for the autonomous region and an increasingly belligerent government in Baghdad.

Sep 14, 2023 | rusi.org | Ranj Alaaldin

Ranj Alaaldin5 Minute ReadNow that the Wagner Group has been proscribed in the UK, there is all the more reason to consider doing the same for Iran’s IRGC, given both the immediate threat it poses to UK national security and Iran’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.