Terrorism Archives - Defense Opinion

Why Israel Should Avoid a Major War with Hezbollah

Ehud Eilam September 18, 2024

The sophisticated attack this week in which Israel is suspected of detonating pagers carried by Hezbollah members could bring a serious escalation in the attrition war between the two sides that started following the Hamas terror strike on Oct. 7, 2023. One of the options Israel is weighing is conducting a large-scale war in Lebanon. But this would be a huge gamble and a grave mistake, for several reasons.

Iran’s New President and a History of Oppressive Polices Towards Women

Azadeh Sami and Niloufar Ehsani Ahmad September 5, 2024

The career of Iran’s new president has been marked by a staunch commitment to the regime’s oppressive policies, particularly those targeting women and girls. It is an attitude that is poised to intensify under his leadership.

Biden Administration’s Weak Stance Toward Iran Tested by Salehi’s Death Sentence

Ramesh Sepehrrad, Ph.D. May 2, 2024

Despite the Iranian regime’s relentless crackdown through killings and executions, the movement for change has not only persisted but has also grown in intensity and scale.

Defeating Modern-Day Barbary Pirates Requires Stepped-Up Action by U.S. Forces

Steven Wills March 19, 2024

While the United States should not be in the business of fighting the Houthi movement in Yemen, U.S. joint forces can step up their operations and inflict significant defeats on the group to force them to cease attacks on merchant trade.

Boycotts and Resistance Defined Iran’s Recent ‘Elections’

Ramesh Sepehrrad, Ph.D. March 4, 2024

Recent elections in Iran starkly underscore the systemic and deep-seated issues plaguing the Islamic Republic’s political system, highlighting the undeniable truth that elections in Iran are fundamentally neither free nor fair.

Unpacking What Motivates Jihadist Movements Like Hamas

Louis Rene Beres November 6, 2023

Terrorists are not interested in a cessation of hostilities with Israel, nor are they interested in Palestinian statehood when the presumed rewards of martyrdom seem vastly greater.

Difficulties, Constraints and the Cost of Removing Hamas from Power

Ehud Eilam October 29, 2023

Israel is stepping up its ground attack in the Gaza Strip, but destroying a powerful movement like Hamas is a tall order due to several difficulties and constraints. Furthermore, achieving this goal might ultimately be counterproductive for Israel.

The End of the Status Quo Between Israel and Gaza

Alex Lederman and Rebecca Mandelbaum October 12, 2023

Before any Israeli boots hit the Gazan ground, there are a handful of strategic challenges that Israel’s leadership must address if it hopes to put an end to the bloodshed and achieve meaningful victory for Israelis in the wake of such devastating loss.

Iran Targets Physicians, Nurses as Nascent Revolution Reaches Six-Month Mark

Azadeh Sami March 9, 2023

As the relentless protests in Iran enter their sixth month, the government’s tactics are shifting in a recurring pattern of violence and intensive crackdown against the physicians and nurses treating the wounded protesters.

Battelle is Key to the Nation’s Biodefenses

Justin Sanchez January 25, 2023

In biodefense, there is no more powerful a statement than the first words of the new National Biodefense Strategy: “It is a vital interest of the United States to manage the risk of biological incidents, whether naturally occurring, accidental or deliberate.”

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