Brandon Friedman
@branfriedman.bsky.social
Senior Research Fellow, The Moshe Dayan Center (MDC), Tel Aviv University
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Lebanon’s new cabinet: full list with mini-biographies. today.lorientlejour.com/article/1447...
The ministers of Nawaf Salam's 'Reform and Rescue' government
After nearly a month of intense negotiations, the proverbial ''white smoke'' has finally emerged from the presidential palace in Baabda. The anticipation began on Wednesday evening, when Prime...
today.lorientlejour.com
February 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Lebanon’s new cabinet: full list with mini-biographies. today.lorientlejour.com/article/1447...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Journey to Damascus: An Interview with Wassim Nasr, Journalist, France24
Syria under al-Shara "is certainly not liberal or democratic. It is certainly Islamist, but it is indeed, as I like to call it, a third path away from ISIS and al-Qa`ida"
ctc.westpoint.edu/journey-to-d...
Syria under al-Shara "is certainly not liberal or democratic. It is certainly Islamist, but it is indeed, as I like to call it, a third path away from ISIS and al-Qa`ida"
ctc.westpoint.edu/journey-to-d...
Journey to Damascus: An Interview with Wassim Nasr, Journalist, France24 - Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Wassim Nasr is a French journalist who has been monitoring jihadi groups for more than a decade for the French news outlet France24 in French, English, and Arabic. He has conducted multiple investigat...
ctc.westpoint.edu
January 31, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Journey to Damascus: An Interview with Wassim Nasr, Journalist, France24
Syria under al-Shara "is certainly not liberal or democratic. It is certainly Islamist, but it is indeed, as I like to call it, a third path away from ISIS and al-Qa`ida"
ctc.westpoint.edu/journey-to-d...
Syria under al-Shara "is certainly not liberal or democratic. It is certainly Islamist, but it is indeed, as I like to call it, a third path away from ISIS and al-Qa`ida"
ctc.westpoint.edu/journey-to-d...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
New video message from The Islamic State’s Wilāyat Khurāsān: "Hamas: A Believer In Democracy and the Right Hand of the Rejectionists" jihadology.net/2025/01/28/n...
New video message from The Islamic State’s Wilāyat Khurāsān: “Hamas: A Believer In Democracy and the Right Hand of the Rejectionists”
jihadology.net
January 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
New video message from The Islamic State’s Wilāyat Khurāsān: "Hamas: A Believer In Democracy and the Right Hand of the Rejectionists" jihadology.net/2025/01/28/n...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
SDF reportedly cited SNA’s continued existence and the Turkish invasion threat to counter-propose some variation of its standard offer: it will only consent to join the army as a self-contained bloc, holding on to its territory and keeping some share of the oil. That didn’t fly with Mr Sharaa.
Citing ”sources close to the new administration in Damascus,” Aljazeera says SDF has rejected an offer based on its dissolution paired with constitutional recognition of Kurdish cultural rights, the recruitment of Kurds into a new army, and decentralized governance. www.aljazeera.net/news/2025/1/...
مصادر للجزيرة نت: قسد رفضت عرضا من الإدارة السورية الجديدة
أفادت مصادر للجزيرة نت بأن الإدارة السورية الجديدة قدمت عرضاً لقوات قسد (سوريا الديمقراطية) لحل أزمة شمال شرق البلاد. غير أن هذه القوات بحسب المصادر ذاتها، رفضت العرض وأصرت على شروطها الخاصة.
https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2025/1/26/مصادر-للجزيرة-نت-قسد-رفضت-عرضا-من
January 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM
SDF reportedly cited SNA’s continued existence and the Turkish invasion threat to counter-propose some variation of its standard offer: it will only consent to join the army as a self-contained bloc, holding on to its territory and keeping some share of the oil. That didn’t fly with Mr Sharaa.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
The strategic Tishrin Dam has become a flashpoint in post-Assad Syria www.longwarjournal.org/archives/202...
The strategic Tishrin Dam has become a flashpoint in post-Assad Syria
Clashes in Syria have increased at the Tishrin Dam, a strategic site on the Euphrates River around 30 miles south of the Turkish border controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The Turkis...
www.longwarjournal.org
January 27, 2025 at 2:42 AM
The strategic Tishrin Dam has become a flashpoint in post-Assad Syria www.longwarjournal.org/archives/202...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Website is up for my new book!
“The Iraq Wars: A Very Short Introduction” Oxford University Press. October 2025. Mark your calendars!
global.oup.com/ushe/product...
“The Iraq Wars: A Very Short Introduction” Oxford University Press. October 2025. Mark your calendars!
global.oup.com/ushe/product...
global.oup.com
January 26, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Website is up for my new book!
“The Iraq Wars: A Very Short Introduction” Oxford University Press. October 2025. Mark your calendars!
global.oup.com/ushe/product...
“The Iraq Wars: A Very Short Introduction” Oxford University Press. October 2025. Mark your calendars!
global.oup.com/ushe/product...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
New in-depth interview: w/individual who served in Iran/Hezbollah-backed 'Local Defence Forces' until the very end and left Syria for Lebanon. He explains his unit's role in the fighting, his view of Assad's legacy & the roles of Russia & Iran in the war www.aymennaltamimi.com/p/the-days-o...
The Days of Assad's Fall: Interview
A Local Defence Forces' Perspective
www.aymennaltamimi.com
January 22, 2025 at 1:02 AM
New in-depth interview: w/individual who served in Iran/Hezbollah-backed 'Local Defence Forces' until the very end and left Syria for Lebanon. He explains his unit's role in the fighting, his view of Assad's legacy & the roles of Russia & Iran in the war www.aymennaltamimi.com/p/the-days-o...
This analysis by Haviv Rettig Gur is excellent. But it, like others, doesn't account for the possibility that Trump may start pushing a revised Saudi normalization deal before the end of Phase 1 of the current hostage/ceasefire deal.
www.timesofisrael.com/with-hostage...
www.timesofisrael.com/with-hostage...
With hostage deal, Netanyahu is going all in on Trump
The prime minister is risking a schism with his closest political allies to advance a deal with Hamas. He has good reason to think it’s worth the gamble
www.timesofisrael.com
January 17, 2025 at 7:06 AM
This analysis by Haviv Rettig Gur is excellent. But it, like others, doesn't account for the possibility that Trump may start pushing a revised Saudi normalization deal before the end of Phase 1 of the current hostage/ceasefire deal.
www.timesofisrael.com/with-hostage...
www.timesofisrael.com/with-hostage...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
”Sudan’s military has used chemical weapons on at least two occasions against the paramilitary group it is battling for control of the country, four senior United States officials said on Thursday.”
@declanwalsh.bsky.social
@julianbarnes.bsky.social
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/w...
@declanwalsh.bsky.social
@julianbarnes.bsky.social
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/w...
Sudan’s Military Has Used Chemical Weapons Twice, U.S. Officials Say
The determination comes as the United States prepares to announce sanctions against the Sudanese military chief, saying there is strong evidence of atrocities in the country.
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
”Sudan’s military has used chemical weapons on at least two occasions against the paramilitary group it is battling for control of the country, four senior United States officials said on Thursday.”
@declanwalsh.bsky.social
@julianbarnes.bsky.social
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/w...
@declanwalsh.bsky.social
@julianbarnes.bsky.social
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/w...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Concise attempt at a summary from a lengthy speech from AMH: if Gaza cease fire holds, they hold fire in the Red Sea.
January 16, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Concise attempt at a summary from a lengthy speech from AMH: if Gaza cease fire holds, they hold fire in the Red Sea.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Surprising move by Syria’s interim authorities. Customs duties on goods brought in via Syria’s border crossings with Turkey will go up by between 300 and 500 percent starting on Saturday. The decision has caused discontent on both sides of the border.
January 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Surprising move by Syria’s interim authorities. Customs duties on goods brought in via Syria’s border crossings with Turkey will go up by between 300 and 500 percent starting on Saturday. The decision has caused discontent on both sides of the border.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
It is interesting that Blinken acknowledges Turkey/President Erdogan "using his weight to bring Hamas back to the table," while Fidan was cautious during yesterday's press conference with Hasan Seybani not to take any credit for Turkey (neither did the press statement of the Turkish MoF).
January 16, 2025 at 7:39 PM
It is interesting that Blinken acknowledges Turkey/President Erdogan "using his weight to bring Hamas back to the table," while Fidan was cautious during yesterday's press conference with Hasan Seybani not to take any credit for Turkey (neither did the press statement of the Turkish MoF).
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
"In fact, shaping Syria requires more than having a government that will write checks to Turkish contractors and having Turkish-speaking cadres. When HTS was in Idlib, it was dependent on Turkey. Now that it controls Damascus, its options have multiplied"
www.duvarenglish.com/erdogans-syr...
www.duvarenglish.com/erdogans-syr...
Erdoğan’s Syria baggage and delegation of rookies
Shaping Syria requires more than having a government that will write checks to Turkish contractors and having Turkish-speaking cadres. When HTS was in Idlib, it was dependent on Turkey. Now that it co...
www.duvarenglish.com
January 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
"In fact, shaping Syria requires more than having a government that will write checks to Turkish contractors and having Turkish-speaking cadres. When HTS was in Idlib, it was dependent on Turkey. Now that it controls Damascus, its options have multiplied"
www.duvarenglish.com/erdogans-syr...
www.duvarenglish.com/erdogans-syr...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
This is an excellent and thought-provoking piece from Alex Thurston (not sure if he's on Blue Sky yet) about JNIM and attacks on Sufism in Mali: alexthurston.substack.com/p/mali-jnim-... Some initial thoughts, with some recent historical context to try to situate this a bit differently. 1/14
Mali: JNIM Attacks Key Symbols of Sufism
In Nioro du Sahel, JNIM showed that no one is off limits.
alexthurston.substack.com
January 16, 2025 at 10:45 PM
This is an excellent and thought-provoking piece from Alex Thurston (not sure if he's on Blue Sky yet) about JNIM and attacks on Sufism in Mali: alexthurston.substack.com/p/mali-jnim-... Some initial thoughts, with some recent historical context to try to situate this a bit differently. 1/14
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
This is a good opportunity to reup this thread I put together a while back on how to pitch effectively.
Every editor is different, and many outlets have moved to submissions to online platforms that, to my mind, have resulted in task inflation.
But to the extent you're a freelancer who does any pitching by email, I thought I'd share some brief thoughts on what I consider an effective pitch.
1/x
But to the extent you're a freelancer who does any pitching by email, I thought I'd share some brief thoughts on what I consider an effective pitch.
1/x
January 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
This is a good opportunity to reup this thread I put together a while back on how to pitch effectively.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
At War on the Rocks, we have submissions rejection rate over 90%. Many of the articles we reject are perfectly fine, but not a good fit. For example, some are too specialized for our audience or narrow in focus, while still making an argument important for a sub-community of military professionals.
January 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
At War on the Rocks, we have submissions rejection rate over 90%. Many of the articles we reject are perfectly fine, but not a good fit. For example, some are too specialized for our audience or narrow in focus, while still making an argument important for a sub-community of military professionals.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Highlights: Saudi Arabia hosts "Riyadh Meetings on Syria" with Western, Arab, Turkish, and Syrian caretaker FMs, alleged HTS splinter Katibat Sayf al-Bahr claims first attack in Rif Dimashq, and Syria-based Egyptian HTS foreign fighter establishes new group to overthrow the Sisi regime
Diary of the Syrian Transition - January 12, 2025 www.jihadologyplus.com/p/diary-of-t...
Diary of the Syrian Transition - January 11, 2025
Highlights:
www.jihadologyplus.com
January 12, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Highlights: Saudi Arabia hosts "Riyadh Meetings on Syria" with Western, Arab, Turkish, and Syrian caretaker FMs, alleged HTS splinter Katibat Sayf al-Bahr claims first attack in Rif Dimashq, and Syria-based Egyptian HTS foreign fighter establishes new group to overthrow the Sisi regime
Read this thoughtful thread on Israel-Turkey relations:
🇮🇱🇹🇷 A 🧵on Israel-Türkiye relations that might end up sounding more like a lament. I've been organizing policy dialogues between Israelis and Turks since 2011 and can say with sadness that Jerusalem and Ankara probably haven't experienced this degree of disconnect in decades. 1/
January 12, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Read this thoughtful thread on Israel-Turkey relations:
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Syria « Journey to Damascus », my 2nd meeting with al-Sharaa, a 1st hand detailed insight about the Aleppo battle and how things are unfolding & a few revelations from the 1st meeting with Abu Mohamad al-Julani during my 2023 « Journey to Idlib »
ctc.westpoint.edu/journey-to-d...
ctc.westpoint.edu/journey-to-d...
January 11, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Syria « Journey to Damascus », my 2nd meeting with al-Sharaa, a 1st hand detailed insight about the Aleppo battle and how things are unfolding & a few revelations from the 1st meeting with Abu Mohamad al-Julani during my 2023 « Journey to Idlib »
ctc.westpoint.edu/journey-to-d...
ctc.westpoint.edu/journey-to-d...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Full translation & overview of Islamic State editorial on the New Orleans attack, covering issues such as the fact that the group may praise & bless attacks without officially claiming them, and what the attack means for the wider U.S.-led war on the group www.aymennaltamimi.com/p/islamic-st...
Islamic State Editorial on the New Orleans Attack
Unsurprisingly, when news emerged of a truck-ramming and shooting attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, the question arose as to whether the attack had some connection to the Islamic State: a quest...
www.aymennaltamimi.com
January 11, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Full translation & overview of Islamic State editorial on the New Orleans attack, covering issues such as the fact that the group may praise & bless attacks without officially claiming them, and what the attack means for the wider U.S.-led war on the group www.aymennaltamimi.com/p/islamic-st...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
🚨BREAKING: Gen. Joseph Aoun Elected President of #Lebanon. MAJOR breakthrough for Beirut ends two-year void: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Joseph Aoun elected President of Lebanon, ending two-year void
The election of army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun garnered rare consensus among the Lebanese, backed by the US and Saudi Arabia. It was the first presidential election for Lebanon following the fall of ...
www.al-monitor.com
January 9, 2025 at 12:43 PM
🚨BREAKING: Gen. Joseph Aoun Elected President of #Lebanon. MAJOR breakthrough for Beirut ends two-year void: www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
In my latest for @foreignaffairs.com, I examine why #Iran didn’t step in to prevent Assad’s downfall, the challenges Tehran faces as #Syria breaks away from its orbit, and how it might adapt to a post-Assad era.
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/how-ir...
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/how-ir...
How Iran Lost Syria
A stable post-Assad future will require Tehran’s involvement.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 23, 2024 at 10:07 AM
In my latest for @foreignaffairs.com, I examine why #Iran didn’t step in to prevent Assad’s downfall, the challenges Tehran faces as #Syria breaks away from its orbit, and how it might adapt to a post-Assad era.
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/how-ir...
www.foreignaffairs.com/syria/how-ir...