European Institute for Studies on
the Middle East and North Africa

Wars on Palmyra: Wars on Remaking Syria

At the crossroads of the Syrian desert and history, Palmyra embodies the major geopolitical stakes of both past and present Syria. From ancient city to strategic battleground, it is now central to the rivalries between regional powers such as Turkey, Israel, and Iran. This article explores how Palmyra has become a symbol of the broader struggle to remake post-Assad Syria.

Live by the Sword or Die: Israel’s Post-October 7 Strategic Environment

On October 7, 2023, the Gaza-based Palestinian jihadist group, Hamas, and its allied groups in Gaza invaded southern Israel, overwhelming high-tech sensors and lightly manned bases, killing 1,200 and abducting more than 250, mostly civilians, and committing atrocities against the population. This brutal attack triggered heavy Israeli retaliation against Hamas in Gaza that has continued to […]

The Turkish Sphere since October 7, 2023: Interview with Jean Marcou

[Lyna Ouandjeli] In recent years, and particularly since the events of 7 October 2023, we’ve seen Turkey and Saudi Arabia seemingly gaining the upper hand over other Middle Eastern powers. Whereas Iran once held a central position, these two countries now appear to be the new dominant players, assuming the role of mediators on both regional […]

The Israeli Sphere since October 7, 2023: Interview with Frédéric Encel

[Lyna Ouandjeli] Good morning, and thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. [Frédéric Encel]  Good morning, thank you as well. [Lyna Ouandjeli] As we’ve seen, the Middle Eastern space was caught off guard by the events of 7 October 2023. Several dynamics have been disrupted or brought back to the forefront, notably Iran’s withdrawal, which […]