Politics and Government – Page 2 – War Watch

al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | United States | United States International Relations

For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win
ByChristina Goldbaum January 20, 2026

As the government moves to assert control over areas under Kurdish rule, it will be the latest test of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s pledge to form an inclusive administration that empowers minorities.

Read More For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | United States | United States International Relations

For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win on Shaky Ground
ByChristina Goldbaum January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

The government’s move to assert control over areas under Kurdish rule is a major test for President Ahmed al-Sharaa as fresh clashes erupted.

Read More For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win on Shaky Ground
Damascus (Syria) | Deir al-Zour (Syria) | Hasaka (Syria) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | War and Armed Conflicts

Clashes Erupt Around Syrian Prisons Holding Islamic State Fighters
ByChristina Goldbaum January 19, 2026January 20, 2026

New tensions flared a day after a Kurdish-led militia agreed to hand over control of prisons holding some 8,000 Islamic State fighters to the Syrian government.

Read More Clashes Erupt Around Syrian Prisons Holding Islamic State Fighters
Assad, Bashar al- | Defense and Military Forces | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
ByEuan Ward January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

Government troops drew closer to Raqqa, the largest city overseen by the Kurds, raising U.S. concerns about the renewal of a wider conflict in the region.

Read More Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Economic Conditions and Trends | Embargoes and Sanctions | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Politics and Government

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Unbending Over Time
ByNeil MacFarquhar January 17, 2026

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has built his 37-year rule on uncompromising repression. His answer to the current protests is no different.

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Communications and Media Blackouts | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Human Rights and Human Rights Violations | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Political Prisoners | Politics and Government | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations

Iran Protests Quelled Since Deadly Crackdown, Residents Say
ByAbdi Latif Dahir, Kiana Hayeri, Sanam Mahoozi and Farnaz Fassihi January 16, 2026January 18, 2026

“There is massive disappointment and disillusionment,” one Tehran resident said. A human rights group acknowledged that demonstrations had been subdued since Sunday, with thousands of people detained.

Read More Iran Protests Quelled Since Deadly Crackdown, Residents Say
Defense and Military Forces | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Economic Conditions and Trends | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Iranian Rial (Currency) | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Pahlavi, Reza (1960- ) | Politics and Government | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations

Iran’s Leaders May Survive Protests. But Anger Will Likely Persist.
BySteven Erlanger January 14, 2026January 14, 2026

Its security forces have brutally defended the Islamic Republic, but the protests show that many Iranians consider it stagnant and ideologically hollow.

Read More Iran’s Leaders May Survive Protests. But Anger Will Likely Persist.
Appointments and Executive Changes | Defense and Military Forces | Gaza Strip | Hamas | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | live-detached | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Palestinian Authority | Palestinians | Politics and Government | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations

U.S. to Name Palestinian Committee to Run Gaza
ByAdam Rasgon and Aaron Boxerman January 13, 2026January 14, 2026

Officials said the body’s leadership could be announced as soon as Wednesday, but U.S. efforts to shape postwar Gaza by disarming Hamas have faced hurdles.

Read More U.S. to Name Palestinian Committee to Run Gaza
Amini, Mahsa (2000-22) | Computers and the Internet | Currency | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Embargoes and Sanctions | Human Rights and Human Rights Violations | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran-Israel War (2025- ) | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Politics and Government | Tehran (Iran) | Trump, Donald J

Trump Urges Antigovernment Protesters in Iran to ‘Take Over’
ByAbdi Latif Dahir and Leily Nikounazar January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

“HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” President Trump said on social media. He has threatened to intervene militarily on behalf of the protesters if Iran uses lethal force.

Read More Trump Urges Antigovernment Protesters in Iran to ‘Take Over’
Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Elections | Human Rights and Human Rights Violations | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Pahlavi, Mohammed Reza | Pahlavi, Reza (1960- ) | Politics and Government | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations

Reza Pahlavi, Son of Deposed Shah of Iran, Seeks Center Stage Amid Protests
ByAaron Boxerman January 13, 2026January 15, 2026

Reza Pahlavi, living in exile in the United States, has long marketed himself as a future leader of Iran. His father’s repressive legacy casts a long shadow.

Read More Reza Pahlavi, Son of Deposed Shah of Iran, Seeks Center Stage Amid Protests