Author: Anjali

Iran has launched its 2000 km range ballistic missile as per Iranian media reports. The test has worsened the situation in the region amidst rising tensions over Iran’s anticipated nuclear program. Just two days ago, the chief of the Israeli Armed Forces warned that any escalation in Iranian uranium enrichment is likely to be responded to by action, though he was not conspicuous what type of action would be taken.  Figure1 Image Source: Thomson Reuters Iran’s Ballistic Missile Program The ballistic missile launched is the advanced version of Iran’s Khoramshahr 4 ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km (1,243…

Lebanon, the Middle Eastern country is likely to be included in the Financial Action Task Force grey list as the intergovernmental organization has found the conflict-ridden country, mired in terror financing and money laundering practices. This comes a couple of days after Lebanon’s Central Bank head had been accused of embezzlement of public funds which is being scrutinized by three European countries. Terror financing in Lebanon is of no surprise as it is a niche for Hezbollah, a terrorist organization. Figure1 Image Source: Bloomberg What is FATF? Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is a financial crime watchdog, founded in 1989…

Itamar Ben-Gvir who currently holds the position of minister of national security in Israel, paid a visit to the Al-Aqsa compound on the morning of 21st May and strongly asserted that Israel is “in charge” of the Temple Mount structure which has invited harsh criticisms from the international community. This is seen as a blatant provocation by the Palestinians who fear that Israel might take over the shared holy site in its jurisdiction. Figure 1 Image source: Reuters Background of the controversial visit Israel has always grabbed the attention of the world for some or other reason, for most of…

Israeli protestors are in full swing to show resentment against the planned judicial reforms proposed by the incumbent right-wing government spearheaded by Benjamin Netanyahu. It’s been 20 weeks, but the zeal of protestors doesn’t seem to retreat at any cost. The anger of citizens has originated from the law which seeks to seize the independence and impartiality of Judiciary which as a result will become puppet in the hands of Parliament if the proposed draft becomes the law. Figure 1 Image source: Flipboard Why is today’s protest so significant? The country that exalts its existence as the only democracy in…

Bashar al-Assad has been invited to attend the Arab League summit in Saudi Port city, Jeddah for the first time since the beginning of civil war in Syria in 2011. This year the summit holds enormous significance because Saudi Arabia and its major allies have moved forth to thaw the strained relations with Syria, against whom it had been involved in decade long proxy war. The restoration of relations is in line with the continuation of trail of peace-making with Iran recently which was brokered by China. Figure1 Image Source: CNN History of Arab League Arab League is a group…