Spring of freedom

French president Emmanuel Macron, - A recent warning made by French President Emmanuel Macron that Paris will launch strikes if chemical weapons are used against civilians in the Syrian conflict, has led to discussions about Iran’s ballistic missiles, which are of no less importance. The new element in Macron’s Feb. 13 speech was his desire to organize an international meeting on Syria in the coming weeks on the eradication of “the ballistic activities in Syria that puts in danger all the regional powers.” He also said the use of Iranian-linked missiles in Yemen and Syria needed to be addressed because they were a security problem for French allies. It was the first time Macron spoke about his country’s willingness to organize a meeting, “not necessarily in Paris” to discuss about Iran’s ballistic missiles. However, his desire to hold such a meeting surprised French diplomats. Several sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that concerned officials have not yet discussed t...

Fragments of Iranian maid Qiam-class ballistic missiles fired from Yemen at Saudi Arabia, on display in Washington, D.C. As the administration on Monday showed foreign ambassadors alleged evidence of links between Iran and ballistic missiles fired into Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels in Yemen, an Iranian opposition group said it has received reports that the launches are occurring under the “direct orders” of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Citing sources inside the regime and the IRGC, the exiled Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran/People’s Mujahedeen Organization of Iran (  NCRI  /MEK) said the reports indicate that the missiles are being manufactured at factories affiliated to the IRGC’s aerospace division.  “According to these sources, the Houthis received training from IRGC and the Lebanese Hezbollah on how to handle and use the missiles,” the group said in a report, which also identified shipping companies s...

Iran test-launches a long-range Qadr ballistic missile, March 9, 2016  By ROBERT JOSEPH THe Weekly Standard, August 11, 2017  - The Trump administration is conducting a comprehensive review of U.S. policy toward Iran. There is no doubt top national security officials view the Islamic Republic as a major threat, both in terms of regional instability and proliferation. This recognition represents the principal difference from the previous administration and a welcome step forward. One likely outcome will be a stronger U.S.-led effort to counter Iran’s expanding presence, particularly in Syria and Iraq. The formation of an Arab alliance against Islamic terrorism, announced when  Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia , signaled a move toward a more effective regional stance. But there is little to suggest that, beyond an attempt to roll back Tehran’s external adventurism, there will be a fundamental change in U.S. policy. Press reports indicate that the usual interagenc...