“Negotiations”

This is a very insightful interview with The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Aragchi. He talks a lot about Iran’s perspective on the buildup to war, and, near the end of the interview, describes his own experience of the attacks that killed many of his fellow officials on the day the …

from the News Desk at The Cradle, July 20, 2026 Washington announced the launch of its so-called “pilot zones” program in south Lebanon on 20 July, as part of a US-brokered deal between Beirut and Tel Aviv that was signed last month in violation of Lebanese laws. “Today, pilot zone …



by Alastsair Crooke, published on Conflicts Forum, June 21, 2026 Despite the MoU guaranteeing the “sovereignty and respect for the territorial integrity of Lebanon”, skirmishes in Lebanon will clearly continue. This appears to be acceptable within the wider context of the US-Iran MoU. Representatives of Hizbullah have agreed to a …

by Alistair Crooke, published on Conflict Forum’s Substack, May 2, 2026 Putting two sides together — let alone three — who have wildly diverse chronicles of their histories and even less commonality in charting their future national trajectory was innately unlikely to reach an agreed settlement. More likely in such …

from Defend Democracy Press, April 18, 2026 (src: Al Mayadeen English) Merchant vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz reported security incidents on Saturday, including gunfire, and renewed restrictions, as maritime tensions intensified in the strategic waterway, according to shipping and security sources. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations …