A Jordanian-Russian summit was held on August 23 in Moscow, during which several files pertaining to Lebanon and Palestine were discussed. However, the crisis
in Southern Syria was on top of the list of discussions. This summit was preceded
by several Jordanian decisions, which are believed to mark the beginning of some
change in Jordanian policy toward Syria and toward the region in general.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, Syrian War, and Crisis Management
On August 23, 2021, Tunisian president Kais Saied issued a presidential decree extending the exceptional measures of the 80th decree (July 25, 2021), whereby parliamentary activities were suspended and immunity on MPs were lifted until further
notice. Saied extended these measures just one day before they were supposed to
come to an end, as the 80th decree was supposed to be in effect for only one month.
On Wednesday, September 1, Afghan media published pictures of a number of US
Humvee tanks and military vehicles affiliated with the Afghan government, transported by an Iranian army truck from Afghanistan to Iran. This came in conjunction with
the publication of pictures of US-made armored vehicles in Iran on another Afghan
Telegram channel. The vehicles were in the possession of the dissolved Afghan government.
Topic:
Security, Military Affairs, Media, and Strategic Interests
Political Geography:
Afghanistan, Iran, South Asia, and United States of America
The conflict in Ethiopia continues despite international appeals to put an end to it. The
government forces were able to slow down the progress of the forces of the Tigray
People’s Liberation Front over the last two weeks, and to control some areas. However, the main areas of Afar and Amhara remained under the control of the Tigrayan
rebels, who managed to form a broader alliance with other rebel groups.
Topic:
Security, Government, Conflict, and Crisis Management
French President Emanuel Macron, on September 6, held his sec-ond official phone
call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi since his ascent to presidency, to discuss the
future of the Vienna talks aiming to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. Six rounds of talks
have been held so far In Vienna.
Topic:
Diplomacy, Nuclear Weapons, Treaties and Agreements, and JCPOA
Tunisian President Kais Saied received an American congressional delegation, led by
Senators Chris Murphy and Jon Ossoff. In their two-day visit (from September 4 to
September 5), the delegation met Saied in the Carthage presidential palace. They also
met representatives of Tunisian civil society organizations as well as several MPs.
Topic:
Civil Society, Democracy, Domestic Politics, and Parliament
Political Geography:
North Africa, Tunisia, and United States of America
On September 12, 2021, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, led a high-profile
government delegation on an official one-day visit to Tehran that came upon invitation from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Besides Raisi, al-Kadhimi also met Ali
Shamkhani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and other senior
officials.
Topic:
Security, Foreign Policy, Bilateral Relations, Domestic Politics, and Energy
On September 12, during a tour of Habib Bourguiba Street, amid heavy guard, Tunisian President Kais Saied said that the new government would be formed “as soon as
possible”, and hinted that Tunisia’s constitution may be amended.
Topic:
Government, Democracy, Constitution, and Domestic Politics
Turkish opposition pledged to take down President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the June
2023 elections and to restore the parliamentary system. Meral Akşener, leader of the
Iyi (Good) Party, promised that the next president will be from the Nation Alliance consisting of her party and the Republican People’s Party ((CHP) - the biggest opposition
party in Turkey). It is noteworthy that the Turkish opposition won the 2019 municipal
elections in Istanbul and Ankara by following the same strategy of alliances.
Topic:
Reform, Elections, Domestic Politics, Political Parties, and Escalation
US-based oilfield services group Halliburton said on September 14 that it was awarded a contract to drill as many as five wells off the coast of Israel. Halliburton, which
will conduct the work for London-based Energean, will deliver all services including
project management, production enhancement, and subsea services. Halliburton previously executed a four-well campaign at Energean’s Karish and Karish North gas
fields offshore Israel.